Happy December!
Get ready for Rudolph's red nose, mistletoe, and spending all of your money on your loved (hopefully?) ones. No wonder people go hard on eggnog and cookies. This week I've put together a few treats to get you through a tight-budget holiday season, along with a collection of sites where I've found great gift ideas.
I was putzing around town the other day, wandering in search of nothing in particular. Note: This is not budget friendly and I do not recommend that anyone - besides me - do it. Ever. Especially not with a friend who has literally frozen her credit cards in a block of ice in the freezer. She is what your mother would have called a bad influence. (Editor's note: How rude!) Anyway! We strolled in to my mecca of overpriced super cute things covered in awesome sauce (Paper Source) where we planned our future wedding invitations (before you ask: no, neither of us is engaged) and I scoped out some wrapping paper. A whole wall covered in thick, smooth paper sporting super cute designs in every stinkin' color? Yes, please! Equally cute (if not cuter) little boxes and chevron-patterned gift bags, too, just taunting me. But then I paused and thought, really? For wrapping paper? I imagined my mom trying to salvage the pretty paper, carefully dissecting the scotch tape from its ends, or my little brothers tearing through it like nesting rodents. And right then I made an executive decision not to buy those luxurious rolls of perfect-looking gift wrap (unless I start buying myself gifts for Christmas, of course).
So I made my naughty friend - who also happens to be the editor of this blog (Editor's note: Hi.) - an early Christmas gift. First, I ordered clear iPhone cases online for SUPER cheap (www.amazon.com). Then, I gathered all of my past Paper Source purchases and got to work measuring and laminating, then using an X-ACTO knife to carve out my inserts. I ended up making her about 10 different patterns. They were sooo cute. (Editor's note: I LOVE them.)
Then I found this box and decided to spruce it up and make her a little stash box for her cases.
I coated the box with a light layer of glue, then covered everything in even MORE pretty paper that I happened to have on hand.
The gift box was looking a bit drab for a "forever" piece, so I gave it a makeover using a juicy gel pen (uni-ball works best).
I saw this idea on a canvas tote bag - it screams "my stash." While it's inappropriate for most, I think Izzy will get the message I'm trying to send. (Editor's note: Gotten.)
Note: This is a cell phone case holder and not for those other things it says. In fact, using it to store those things is probably a great way to get robbed. (Editor's note: Noted.) 
Throw your iPhone "shells" in the box, along with the inserts. I paper clipped each set (front and back insert) together for easy access.
Now wrap it up! My big cheap-on-cash-not-on-class gift-wrapping idea this year is the timeless brown paper packaging tied up with string bit.
Add a little flare. Kraft paper is very inexpensive and you can add your own design to it. Forget printing out hundreds of gift tags this year; handwritten is the way to go.
Don't forget the bow! Hemp and twine are very affordable compared to cheap-looking glossed ribbon.
Now for some gift giving ideas. I am all about avoiding stores during this hectic season, and with so many very different people to buy for, I make a master list and browse until I have at least a few ideas per person.
Here are a few websites that are great gift ideas for anyone on your list, be they man, woman, or child.
www.uncommongoods.comwww.redenvelope.comwww.betterlivingthroughdesign.comwww.thefancy.com
Money saving deal-du-jour sites for everyone: www.woot.com
www.gilt.com
For Guys:
www.coolmaterial.com
www.society6.com
For Girls:
www.brandymelvilleusa.com
www.etsy.com
For Kids/Manchildren:
www.thinkgeek.com
www.perpetualkid.com
I hope these help to boost your gift-giving mojo this year! Good luck!
