a little more love…
It’s getting a little chaotic around here.
Especially since being sick the first part of December. I feel like I’m way behind already.
Sometimes it’s stressful.
Right now, I’m sitting next to folded towels that are stacked as tall as me. My studio is a crazy mess with cameras, projects, backdrops, and craft bits everywhere. There’s nowhere to sit so I’m in a little chair off to the side trying to put this post up on my blog.
Last night was youth night, tonight is hopefully get the Christmas tree night, tomorrow is the last day of school and the party I’m planning. It’s also our anniversary but I pretty much forgot about that until right this minute. (It keeps slipping from my mind and then making it’s way back for me to forget again…we usually celebrate that in January…more on that another day.)
In the middle of all of this craziness it’s easy to forget to be kind, patient, sit and cuddle, talk…all of the things that make life feel slower and easier.
I spent the morning making these little boxes (first saw them on Martha) for my family as a little surprise for them when they get home. Each one is a little present and inside each one it says something. A little suggestion to do for someone in our family before each person’s head hits the pillow at night.
Things like:
Make Emma’s bed for her today.
Write Emmett a note about something you’re glad he did for you. Hide it in his room.
Do something for someone today with out them finding out.
Give someone a hand with their homework just to be nice.
Read a book with Grace.
Cuddle with Dad on the couch for 5 minutes.
Five times today stop yourself from saying something you know will hurt someone’s feelings.
Tell three family members something you’re thankful to them for.
Write a note to someone giving them a compliment.
Help Miriam with her chore.
Clean something without being asked.
These are little gifts to each other in the place that means the most…our home.
A Happy Christmas Countdown present to my best friends and favorite people that live right here next to me.
I’m hoping it will feel like a gift for them to open and also be a gift to someone else.
Supplies:
Matchboxes (I just bought packs at walmart and emptied the matches into a ziplock bag)
Scrapbook paper
Hot glue gun and glue
Scissors
Kraft paper
Ribbon
These are so fast and fun to make I almost couldn’t stop myself. I can’t wait to make more. They are an easy project while you watch a It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Psych, or New Girl.
Instructions:
Use one of your matchboxes as a template. Take apart the piece surrounding the sliding box.
Cut all of your main pieces using this template.
Wrap the paper around the box and then roll the box to that a crease is made for each corner. Take the paper off the box and fold each crease so that it is more defined.
Put the scrapbook paper back around the box and run a bead of hot glue along the paper and hold it down so that the glue is on the underside of the box.
Now add your favorite ribbon or cut triangles to make a tree. Cut a small rectangle to put inside the matchbox so that when it’s opened it’s a surprise piece of fun.
Write the acts of kindness for your family on strips of kraft wrapping paper. Roll them into a tiny straw looking thing and seal with a piece of fabric tape. Put it inside the matchbox.
All done! Now repeat as many times as you would like (trust me, it’s addicting! I kept thinking of more combinations of papers and ribbons…)
Have fun!
Happiness,
Davina
4 Comments
Davina, I LOVE this idea. Since I am way too CRAZY-busy to make all of those cute little boxes I need to think up a quick creative way to get the “gifts” to the family. hhhmmmm….
We drew names last week for “Secret Santas” and that has been a big hit. I love watching the kids get creative and thoughtful in trying to secretly suprise one another. 🙂
Hope you are feeling all better.
Love, Rita
Rita, Secret Santa is such a great idea! I love it! 🙂
love this so so much…grinning from ear to ear thinking of all the sweet things this will prompt! xoxo, -melanie-
Davina,
I really like this idea not only for Christmas but anytime. I think I will try this with Daddy. Love, Mother