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Sweet DIY Chocolate-Themed Gift Ideas

 

This DIY Chocolate-themed gift post is part of a Fashionista Event, and a promotional item was provided to me by Chocolat Frey. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… As well it should, because believe it or not, it’s only TWENTY days until Christmas! Are you ready yet? Have you made your list and checked it twice? Well, if you’re anything like me this year, and just getting started on your holiday gift shopping, I have a great suggestion for you. Chocolate. Yep. Because seriously, who doesn’t love chocolate? Especially when it’s a premium fancy-pants chocolate, and you gift it in a creatively fun way. Keep reading to learn more – and for a SWEET giveaway just for you!

Chocolat Frey for holiday gifting

I’m on a pretty tight budget this year. That means I have to get creative with my gifts. And it’s amazing how many fun ways there are to create unique presents using Chocolat Frey goodies – we’re using them as gifts for the Abby’s teacher, stocking stuffers for all the kiddos, as part of gift packages for friends and family – and my favorite, this super cool DIY Chocolat Frey Trifle Dish Gift Set! Just like a traditional trifle dessert, it has layers of deliciousness shown off in a pretty pedestal dish. But way more fun! [Read more…]

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Mason Jar Valentine’s Day Craft

This post is not sponsored but contains affiliate links.

I love me some holidays. Any of them. I’m what you would call…. A Holiday-a-holic. So since we’re in mid January, and it’s getting close to the holiday of looooove, I am busy putting together lots of fun Valentine’s Day gifts. Like this super fun and sparkly mason jar gift… Check it out…

Mason Jar Gift [Read more…]

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How to Make Unique Family Movie Night Gift Baskets on a Budget

I love to give movies as gifts. One – you can always score amazing deals on Amazon, like the big list I have here for you today. And, there are so many fun ways to give movies as gifts… We have an Elf Magic doll that brings little random gifts for the kids during the month of December – things like a new movie to watch that night, candy and treats, or a new holiday story book. Or, they’re perfect for gift baskets – you can go basic and make a family movie night gift basket: Use a big popcorn bowl or bucket, add a movie or two, snacks and popcorn, maybe even send it with a big cozy blanket too. Or, get creative and build a basket around a favorite movie – I’ve added a bunch of ideas below each of these awesome movie deals. {But remember – prices flip fast at Amazon, especially this time of year. I’m posting this on 11/30/13 – the further away from this date, the more the prices may vary!} So whether you just want to buy some classic family favorites for yourself at a total steal of a price, or build some fun gifts, I hope you enjoy my ideas and deals!

The Goonies

Everyone loves The Goonies, right? It’s perfect for all ages – and you can get it right now for only $4. To build a gift around this, get those gold coin candies, candy rings and candy necklaces, Baby Ruth candy bars, truffles {ala the Truffle Shuffle}, pirate eye patches and accessories, a The Goonies T-shirt or two, and pack it all into a little $3 dollar Treasure Chest gift box. Fun, right?

Princess Bride

This is one of my favorite movies – I could never watch it enough times: The Princess Bride. Right now it’s on sale on Amazon for only $3 bucks! If you wanted to make this into a giftable basket, here are some ideas of things to add: Princess Bride pub glasses, cute little love notes – “I’d come from mostly dead for you,” a bottle of Princess Bride wine, some Reece’s Peanut “Butter cups”, Pirate Sword Picks with a little ham and cheese gift set, and this awesome Storming The Castle Card Game. And just for fun, add a set of “Hello, My Name Is” Labels that you can personalize to finish the phrase – “Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die…” [Read more…]

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Baby Shower Gift Tutorial: DIY Cupcakesies

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” – Don Herrold… Who doesn’t love baby showers? {Well, ok, besides my mom. She hates playing “party games.” But other than her…} I love any reason to celebrate, and sharing in the excitement of a new mom expecting her first baby is one of the greatest things ever.

Handmade baby shower gift idea: DIY Cupcakesies!

 Handmade baby shower gift idea: DIY Cupcakesies! [Read more…]

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Handpainted Wine Glasses Anyone Can Create – #marthastewartcrafts

“If nature has made you a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart. And though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that.” – Frances Burnett… I love this quote. It sums up really perfectly why a handmade gift is so much more meaningful than something quickly ordered on Amazon, or picked up at the closest big box store. Most of us have tightened our budgets significantly over the past few years, but we still want to celebrate, to show loved ones our much we care, to make people smile. And I hear all the time from people who say they’re just “not crafty” and can’t put together handmade gifts. So, I wanted to share another new idea from Martha Stewart crafts I’ve come across that is so amazingly simple, I promise that anyone can do it!

Handmade Gift Idea: Painted Cocktail Glasses [Read more…]

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To One Person You Are the World…. #GivingBack

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” – Mother Teresa… This is a really great way to look at things. There are huge problems in the world – hunger, poverty, sickness and disease, lack of access to things like basic medical care, education, and clean water. Things that we totally take for granted here in the US. But most people feel like these issues are too big, too far away, too vast to do anything about. And it’s true – you can’t solve world hunger, bring about world peace, or cure all of the sick kids across the globe. But you can use the resources you have, no matter how big or small, to make a difference in someone’s life. Sure, you can’t fix it all – but to that one person that benefits from your generosity, what you do DOES matter.

1000 Shillings Jewelry gives back

“You may be only one person in this world, but to one person at one time, you are the world.” – Anonymous

One very simple way to help – that’s extra relevant during this season of shopping and gift giving! – is to direct your spending to places that use those proceeds to give back, help out, and do great things. A site that I’m especially excited about is 1000 Shillings. Why? Read more…

  • Empower: This isn’t a site that gives hand outs. That doesn’t solve the root problems of poverty, and can make the recipient feel  powerless. Nope, this is a campaign that EMPOWERS women! It gives them the opportunity to use the skills they have to create a product that can be marketed and sold, to bring their families out of poverty. A hand up, not a hand out.
  • Voice: When you’re struggling, what’s the most important thing to you? Being heard. Knowing that someone hears you, and cares what you’re going through. That’s why 1000 Shillings gives the artisans a voice, telling their story on the site, so you can get to know the women you’re supporting.
  • Educate: They don’t stop at simply making and selling their handmade pieces. The women are partnered with mentors – they help them build a sustainable business plan, or reach a goal like paying for school or purchasing land, using the seed capital from the products they create. This helps create more opportunity for everyone around them too.

Give a hand up, not a hand out!

Want to show your support?

Visit 1000 Shillings online, and check out all of the beautiful handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artwork available to purchase. Then share some love on their social media pages – “Like” them on Facebook, and share the page with your friends. Follow them on Twitter and tweet them a message of support! Connect with them on Pinterest and pin some of their gorgeous products. And visit them on YouTube, and subscribe to their channel for new updates. {I was the very first subscriber there – woo hoo!}

Together we can change the world, one good deed at a time.

For more ideas on doing good and giving back, visit Mom Bloggers for Social Good – which is who connected me to this great site, and follow my Giving Back board on Pinterest

Help fundraise for schools in need while shopping at The Ultimate Green Store.com!

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Create Your Own Handmade Gifts that Rock – Learn How! #CyberMonday

Ok – I love a deal as much as the next gal. And I love me some fun and festive holiday shopping trips too. But even more than all of that – I love creating handmade gifts that rock, are personalized for the recipient, and that save me a ton of cash. I’m a crafty type all year long, but really kick it up a notch around the holidays. But I know a lot of people are intimidated by crafting – they think it’s too hard, that they’re not creative enough… Or maybe you’re confident in one skill, but nervous about trying something new. If so – I have an awesome site for you, that’s also having a crazy-amazing Cyber Monday deal going on. Check it out:

Create your own handmade holiday gifts that rock - learn how!

My secretly awesome tip that helps me be a total handmade-crafting-ninja? It’s called Craftsy – and you are going to love it too, I know it. Craftsy is a community of people who love to make things. You can try out some super fun FREE mini-courses to get a taste of something new if you’re unsure about a full class. You get to see what other people have created, and show off your work too. You can ask questions & chat – everyone loves to share tips and techniques, and learn from one another. I just adore it. You sign up totally free as a member, and get access to all of the resources. And if you want to take a new class – Right now, just through Cyber Monday, EVERY.SINGLE.CLASS is only $19.99!! Awesomesauce, right? You’ll find classes in just about everything:

  • Cake decorating
  • Crocheting
  • Food Crafts
  • Gardening
  • Holiday
  • Jewelry
  • Knitting
  • Paper Crafts
  • Quilting
  • Sewing
  • Spinning
  • Weaving

And more! So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a new class or two, and get started creating some awesome handmade gifts this year. And maybe purchase a couple more as gifts – What could be more fun than a free course, along with a basket full of new supplies to get started? I know I would be over the moon with that as a gift!

Online crafting Class
 

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