Creative Gift Ideas Part Two

Book Basket

Continuing with our creative gift ideas, another idea was a book basket.  We had our daughters put together a book basket based on Little House in the Big Woods.  In the basket (metal pail) they included a copy of the book, a sack of peppermint sticks, a stuffed animal horse, ribbons (like Laura would have worn), and a bonnet. This idea could be for any book.  You just need to put together objects that go along with the book. This gift would also work for any age, depending on the book of choice. 

Memory Jar

Another idea is to take a mason jar (or any empty, clean jar) and put cards that have memories on them.  This is a great gift for a mom or grandmother.  Everyone writes different memories on a card or tag they have with that person.  Along with the jar, include a journal for the mom/grandmother to write her memories as well.  It would be great to have 365 cards in the jar so she could pull one out each day.  What a great way to have a journal with all of the memories in it. 

Blessings Jar

Wouldn't it be great to write a blessing or something special each day of the year for one year and pull out one blessing each day the next year?  This was another mason jar idea that we had come up with.  On the outside of the jar we glued words from the song Count Your Blessings.  Tie a cute ribbon around the top of the jar along with a tag that a scripture verse written on it.  A variation of this would be to put in different scripture verses for them to be pulled out daily or weekly or even monthly. 

Seasonal Candles

In a basket we put four candles, one to represent each season.  On each candle we labeled them with brown kraft paper spring, summer, winter and autumn.  On a tag we found scripture to go along with the season.  You could also do this for twelve candles.  One for each month.  Again, find scripture verses for each month or season or just twelve of your favorite verses. 

Bookmarks

Bookmarks are great to give along with a book.  You can make your own or buy them.  I have made two kinds and both are very simple.  The first one is a corner bookmark.  Here is a video tutorial http://www.thehybridchick.com/2010/01/corner-bookmark-video-tutorial/

I also make one using charms and stretchy string from the jewelry making section of the craft store.  You cut an 18 inch section of string and thread the charm on it.  Tie a knot next to the charm at the bottom (string should be in half) and tie a knot near the top.  I will try to get pictures of the bookmark up soon. 

Stay tuned for post number three!!