Homemade Gift Ideas for Christmas or Birthdays

I love receiving homemade gifts it makes the gifts more meaningful. Someone took their time to make a gift that came from the heart and the whole time they were making it they were thinking about you. Therefore since I love receiving homemade gifts or should I say hand crafted (anything not bought a chain store) I also love to give homemade gifts. I just told my husband we need to teach our kids that it doesn't matter where the gift came from it's the thought behind it. We would like to raise our kids to know that you don't have to have the best or most expensive items. We are wanting to try and teach the kids to give homemade/hand crafted gifts to their families and friends during the holidays. I am posting some links and pictures to go along with some of the items that we either made or are going to make for gifts. Once again remember *THESE ARE NOT MY PHOTOS OR MY CREATIONS*

OLLIBLOCKS & MORE

http://caravanshoppe.com/product/olliblocks/

Indoor Activities for the Exploring Kid

I love trying new things and getting my kids involved in as much exploration and dramatic play as possible. We are always looking for new things to get our hands and imaginations into. Check out these activities that I found while searching the internet for new ideas. *THESE ARE NOT MY OWN PICTURES OR MY CREATIONS*  I have posted the links to websites and blog where I found them.

FALL LEAF SUNCATCHERS

http://cuteandpeculiar.blogspot.com/2012/09/more-leaf-activties.html

MIRROR ART

http://www.mericherry.com/2014/02/10/mirror-art-activity-for-toddlers/

STORY BAGS

http://www.serendipityfromjewels.com/2011/02/story-bags.html

DANCING OOBLECK

http://www.housingaforest.com/dancing-oobleck/

EASY DIY GEOBOARDS

http://deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com/2013/09/easy-diy-geoboard-and-lesson-in-polygons.html

BALLOON PING PONG

BOTTLE BOWLING

http://www.ucreatewithkids.com/2011/02/creative-guest-meet-dubiens.html

HUSH BOTTLES

http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/hush-bottles-the-calm-down-solution/

BUBBLE REFILL STATION

Always Prepared Binder

I came across this neat binder as I was looking through another blog that I follow and I thought I'd share the link. I do not have one of these binders in my house but I am going to print these papers and start one of my own. You never know when you will need this info.

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2014/03/always-prepared-binder/

Camping Checklist

Like I said in the "About Me" section of my blog my family and I love to go camping. I grew up camping my mom and dad would take us to different campgrounds as kids for some of our vacations. I want my kids to grow up camping and loving the outdoors. My husband and I decided that as much as we love to travel to different states we would rather just spend some much needed relaxing time outdoors at a campground. A BONUS.... YOU ARE NOT SPENDING ALL OF THE MONEY THAT YOU WOULD IF YOU TRAVELED OUT OF STATE. Vacations are meant to be relaxing and camping is most relaxing for us. There is nothing like a camp fire at night, playing at the play ground, swimming, fishing and walking trails with the family. This is a list of some items that I know we try to pack in the camper when we are getting ready for our weekend and couple little tips and tricks we have found useful. If you have anything you would like to add please feel free to add them in the comment section and I will edit them into this list!

Small Portable Grill or Stove and Propane or Charcoal

Butane Lighter or Waterproof Matches

Cooking and Eating Utensils

Cookware

Cooler with Plenty of Ice

Plenty of Food

Tablecloth, Napkins, Pot Holders, and Kitchen Towels

Aluminum Foil and Plastic Bags

Kitchen Clean-up Materials (Soap, Scrubber, Rags, Paper Towels, Dish Drainer, Broom Dustpan)

Cutting Board and Knife with Sharpener

Coffee Pot and/or Tea Kettle, Coffee and/or Tea, Filters

A Good Lantern and Several Flashlights

Extra Fuel for Lanterns, Stoves and Grills

Chairs

Bottled Water

Radio, Camera, Extra Batteries for all Electronic Devices

Fire Extinguisher

First Aid Kit and Ice Packs

Bungie Cords, Rope and Fasteners

Toilet Paper and Facial Tissue

Set of Tools for completing any small or usual home repair

Portable Generator

Trash Bags, Indoor Trash Can and Outdoor Trash Can

Tape( Duct Tape and Scotch Tape)

Blankets and Sheets

Extra Light Bulbs and a Night Light

Toilet Plunger and Toliet Paper

Rope and Clothes Pins

Paper Plates, Paper Bowls, Plastic and Foam Cups,

Tubs For Sinks

Bug Spray, Citronella Candles and a Flyswatter

Hatchet and Wood

Hand Sanitizer

Old Cookie Sheet (place cooked food from fire)

Apple Cider Vinegar (place in camper or tent and keep the gnats off the food)

Toothpaste Drops (place a dolup of tooth paste enough for each person each day on a cookie sheet freeze when you leave for the camping trip put them in a ziploc bag and put in your fridge when want to brush your teeth pull one out and put in mouth with water and start brushing)

Strraws and Cupcake Liners( cupcake liners fit perfectly over the top of cans push a straw through and write your name on the cupcake liner. No more bug in your drink and you will know which can is yours)

Drier Lint and Toilet Papers Rolls ( stuff lint into the toliet paper rolls. Perfect fire starter)

Single Over the door towel Holders one for each person (take into shower room and hang your towels and rags up. No more laying them on the bench. Take 2 and hang you clothes up)

Fun Crate for the Kids (crayons,coloring books,bubbles,sidewalk chalk,games, playing cards, jump ropes)

Bicycles

Life Jackets(for boating and canoeing)

Binder Clips(place the clip around the blades for your razor and no chance of getting cut while going through your bag)

Christmas Lights and Colored Dixie Cups (string your lights and attach a dixie cup to each bulb. Makes cute porch lights with out all the expense)

If you have any Clever Tricks or See that I left somthing out feel free to comment below!