Red Noses

It's December! How did the year go by so quickly?

Whether we like it or not, it's gift-giving season. Everyone loves a well-thought of gift and a beautifully wrapped package.

Here's an idea that will turn your gift tags from blah to TADA!

All we need are plain gift tags (cut out from cardstock or better yet, recycle some cardboard), glue, scissors, red pompoms, yarn, and markers.

Start by drawing some cute reindeer.

Use a pompom for its nose. Just secure it to the cardstock with glue.

Accent the tops with yarn.

As an optional step, gild the empty spaces with glitter. 

Now, your plain packages will be ready for the holidays! 

Oh, and here's a bonus:

Use the same concept for birthdays using the pompoms as clown noses. TADA!

An Advent Calendar

Well hello there! Today, some photo inspirations for the coming holiday:

An Advent Calendar wall hanging!

And an Advent Calendar pillow! I think these are both darling. 

If you're not familiar, an Advent Calendar is used to count down the days before Christmas. There are 24 little pockets where you can hide a gift like a toy or candy. Or to make the season less about material presents, why not put in notes to encourage giving or starting family traditions. For example:

• Make a donation to your favorite charity
• Listen to Christmas carols
• Bake cookies
• Write a holiday card to a friend abroad
• Make handmade ornaments
• Send candy to service men and women who keep us safe
• Decorate a gingerbread house
• Watch a movie about the holidays
• Attend the tree lighting event in your town
• Give to Toys for Tots

This is getting me excited for Christmas. TADA!

Time for Thanks

It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S. -- a time for food, family, and the start of the holiday festivities.

As I do evey year, I like to pause and take stock of what I have been blessed with. And that includes a loving family, thoughtful friends, good health, food in the fridge, a warm blanket, a bag of chips when I crave something salty, a chocolate bar when I'm feeling down, a greeting card in the mailbox, finding a five dollar bill in my jeans, uplifting music from the choir, a reliable bus line, a new set of watercolors, a moment of quiet for meditation.

I am also grateful that I get to write this blog where I can share my thoughts and ideas. I am thankful for all of you who come and visit. That's always a TADA! for me.

Thank you and I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!