Can I first begin by saying how excited I am that it's after Thanksgiving and I can now begin posting crafts related to Christmas? Be still my heart. Really. Anyway...
__________________________________________________________________
The Christmas budget is a little tight this year. So, my husband and I decided to implement a new tradition for presents. We've seen this idea floating around the internet, and knew it would be perfect for us and our itty bitty wallets.
It's the WANT. NEED. WEAR. READ. plan. Four presents, one in (you guessed it) each of those categories.
Once that plan was finalized, I decided to make a few little gift tags using images I found on Google. Now, all I need to do is print them off, Mod Podge 'em to some cardboard, hole punch them, and add some cute ribbon. So easy, but so fun.
__________________________________________________________________
What would you ask for in each of these categories? I am drawing a huge blank. I really can't think of anything I want besides lots of family time (aw). OH! And a book light. I'm so interesting.
(You can find some super cute gift tags that say want, need, wear, read on Etsy if printing them off isn't your thaang.)
Posts
That is a fantastic idea! I've been trying to decide how to work out this same situation with my hubby. You've solved my problem! Love the tags too :o)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's such a good idea. I think for my want I would say a power sander, my need would definitely be a haircut and color, for wear I need a new dress and for a good read...A Wrinkle in Time. Such a good book, but I don't have it in my library. :) Thanks for the great idea, I might have to implement it at our house this year.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea! It gives parameters, which I always like. Helps 'steer' the gift lists. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love that idea! I'm gonna make some freebie tags now, I think. :D
ReplyDeleteCool...love this idea!
ReplyDeleteWant: Some lovely bath salts and lotions
Need: More wool socks to replace those about to get holes.
Wear: wool socks again?
Read: hmmm...., Home Sewn, Kaari Meng
I have an agreement with a friend that the only gifts we can exchange are one's we got free, are used, purchased from a garage sale or second hand store or hand made. It really makes garage sales much more fun.
ReplyDeleteRead: I would send one another the link to a blog you think they would be interested in reading. FREE
Wear: Head over to the second hand store and find a really cool mens shirt....cut it up and make him a pair of boxer shorts :) Fun and cheap....even cheaper if he has an 100% cotton shirt that has a stain.
Want: To save money and share more LOVE with one another. Write a list of all the ways he or you have demonstrated love and it really touched you. Including a list of all the best qualities the person has is really fun too.
Need: If you have food, water, shelter.....sounds like the basics are covered. Need lots of love and support....the one above covers that one. Need some craft supplies....put it on your blog and see how many wonderful people will send you something from you list....bet you'll be surprised by how kind and wonderful the blog world really is.
Now...for my need....I gotta get my boys on the bus!!! :) LOL
Kelly
Great idea. Very practical.
ReplyDeletewant- orpheum tickets
ReplyDeleteneed- sheets
wear- boots
read- the blind side book
this is probably what i would pick!!
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWant: the shark steam mop
ReplyDeleteNeed: slippers
Wear: new jammies
Read: couples devotional
Wow, I too am SO interesting :) I just came across this yesterday and thought it was brilliant!
My need is for some new aprons, which my mom is getting for me. My husband and I are not getting each other anything.
ReplyDeleteI am making clothing for my children, including handkerchiefs from an old sheet.
If you need some more ideas for homemade gifts using what you have, I have two reading suggestions.
First, sewn gifts (including made-over clothing, free tutorials and patterns):
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/sewingforless.aspx
Then, non-sewing gifts, including free printables:
http://theprudenthomemaker.com/FrugalGifts.aspx
Hopefully those will help you with some more gifts!
want--PW's cookbook
ReplyDeleteneed--an oil change gift certificate, or just to have my hubby do it for me.
wear--delicates
read--see the want.
great idea!!! :) but those lists are a little tough, huh? i put some things that i thought of, but i guess it all depends on the person receiving??
ReplyDeleteWant - everyone has different types of items they "want"... me this year it is kitchen gadgets. those aren't expensive. bath gifts are always good... lotions and potions, i call them... for guys, LED flashlights or car gadgets... new seat covers or floor covers. CD holders or cup holders. some people love sweets... so make them a gift foodie basket.
Need -everyone needs socks, undies, boots, ... for kids, especially. bath essentials... if they have a pet, get something needed for the pet...
Wear - pretty clothes, or something they wear all the time, like jeans? hair accessories
Read - books on CD, or book sets... book light (like you mentioned) or flashlight... books about particular subjects that are good for that age, like potty training in kids language...
seems like i don't have very great ideas... but it was fun to try to come up with something. :)
melissa
What a great idea! I am going to have to talk to Robb about this one! Sounds like lots of creative fun.
ReplyDeleteMy list would be:
Want:Porche
Need: a week at a spa
wear: Prada
read: Think and grow rich!
Just kidding, I am not that exciting. A nap would be perfect for me!
Take care and have a wonderful chrismtas, no matter what your budget!
I love this idea and plan to implement it in my family. I've got kids, but I don't want Christmas to be all about the gifts. But I do like gifts. This seems to be a nice balancing way to put a limit on gift-giving without putting a dollar amount on it or trying to make it "even".
ReplyDeleteI've seen a different version of this that I adopted this year for the little kiddos in my family (my nieces/nephews) otherwise I get out of hand b/c I LOVE giving gifts and I just can't help it. The one I'm using is...Something you want, something you need, something to play with, and something to read.
ReplyDeleteSo for want/play with, they get a new age appropriate toy. Thankfully they are all little, the oldest is a 4 year old girl, and she got a girlie (pink and purple) baseball and baseball glove. Because really, who else is buying a little girl sports stuff? And she had a fascination with sports and activity!
Something you need - is pjs or clothes. Kids outgrow stuff so quickly. I don't know if the kids appreciate this gift as much as the parents do. ;)
Something to read - an age appropriate book. I'm a BIG reader and I always include books with my gifts to people. The 4 year old is getting an Alice and Wonderland book that has a pop-out Alice and Wonderland scenery with paper characters, etc. It's a book and a dollhouse in one. The younger ones are getting books with buttons to make noises as they read the story. So fun. And the baby is getting a nursery rhymes book with the CD.
I just discovered your blog so I don't know what would pertain to you...but if you adapted this one for adults, the something to play with could be a date...tickets to see something together you would enjoy, a game - board game, etc...anything that will allow you to spend quality time together doing something fun that would strengthen your relationship. if you did that, then your need could be something to wear so you're not duplicating gifts. Make sense? However, the intention of the post was NOT to convince you to change your plans...just to share a variation.
Happy holidays!
LOVE this idea and so does my sweet hubby, we're doing it this way this year along with a promise to each other for one year of dates (one date night a month even if it's just home with a bottle of wine and a netflix movie after the kids are in bed!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun idea : )
Fondly,
pink and green mama MaryLea
P.S. Your blog is fantastic!!
Just so you know, I used your 'Four Presents' idea today!
ReplyDeleteThe blog about it:
http://katofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2009/12/tonights-crafty-three.html
THANKIES!
We did Four Presents this holiday, and it was our best (read: least stressful) Christmas EVER! Cute tags, by the way...
ReplyDeletei seriously enjoy your writing type, very useful.
ReplyDeletedon't give up as well as keep creating simply because it simply very well worth to read it.
looking forward to look at much of your own stories, regards ;)