Can You Gift It? Canning Gifts to Give in Bulk This Holiday Season

by M.E. Gray

Canned gifts to give in bulk this holiday season

A lot of holiday seasons go by where I am totally and utterly irresponsible with my spending habits. I think, "It's Christmas! I can spend as much money as I need to on presents. It's called the Season of Giving for a reason!" This mindset always comes back to bite me in January, because while it is fun to go shopping for gifts, it's not fiscally smart to blow your whole bank account. This year, I've decided to be more thoughtful in my gifting, while also trying to save money. Homemade gifts, if done well, are the best to receive. And what's more homey than a canned recipe? While I'm trying to decide what to can and give, I've found a lot of great recipes along the way, and I'm sharing them with you today! Keep reading for my favorite canned gifts to make and give in bulk.            

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Real Christmas Tree 101: Everything You Need to Know About Tree Care

by Rachel Jacks

Real Christmas tree maintenance

The other day a friend told me about her family's tradition of getting their Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving. While other people are feverishly chasing Black Friday deals, they spend the morning at a nearly-empty Christmas tree farm, cutting down fresh Christmas trees. Sounds pretty ideal, doesn't it? With proper Christmas tree maintenance, they don't have any trouble keeping them looking good for a whole month, so here's what you need to know to buy a real Christmas tree, and keep it in tip-top shape throughout the holidays.    

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150+ Do-It-Yourself Ornaments You Can Make Before Christmas

by M.E. Gray

A mega roundup of DIY ornaments for your Christmas tree, whatever the theme may be!

Can you believe it? Christmas is coming up quick! The holiday season always seems to whizz right by, doesn't it? If you're feeling like you've missed out on the festivities, don't fret - there's still enough time to make some last-minute baubles and bits. We've rounded up a few (well, not a few - over 150!) of our favorite DIY Christmas ornaments that you can definitely get finished this weekend, and enjoy for Christmases yet to come.       

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Upgrade Christmas Gifts with 3D Paper Bows

by Holly Wade

Upgrade Christmas Gifts with 3D Paper Bows

As the time comes to wrap up Christmas gifts this season, why not try something different? Skip the ribbons and string this year and opt for 3D paper bows instead! They're unique, customizable and reusable...not to mention recyclable. There are at least THREE different techniques for making paper bows at home, and they're all very easy to complete with or without templates. Mix and match paper patterns and colors, and prepare to up your gift wrap game! 

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Make These: Pun-tastic Christmas Ornaments

by M.E. Gray

Punny, funny Christmas ornaments you can make

There's something about the holidays that invites silliness, right? Am I alone in this thinking? I enjoy a good pun any time of year, but I especially love and appreciate the Christmas-y ones. There's no shortage of groan-inducing jokes out there either (a quick internet search will show you that). A couple silly decorations will fit right in on your Christmas tree, plus they'll provide a nice chuckle. Keep reading to see how to make these punny Christmas ornaments, with printable designs!           

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5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper

by Faith Towers Provencher
5 Creative Ways To Wrap Gifts With Kraft Paper
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

Brown kraft paper is one of those materials that I always keep on hand because it's both cheap and versatile. It can be used for so many different things... including wrapping gifts. Today I'm sharing five creative ways to customize kraft paper to make your gifts look like they came straight from Pinterest. Click through to check them out.   

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DIY Color Blocked Balsa Wood Ornaments

by Faith Provencher
DIY Color Blocked Balsa Wood Ornaments
Photo: Faith Towers Provencher

I love the holidays for many reasons, but my favorite is that they give you a good excuse to get super crafty. So when I walked by the balsa wood section at my local craft store, the wheels started turning. I came up with a fun project that uses paint and metallic tape to create totally unique color blocked triangular ornaments. Keep reading to find out how to make them yourself!   

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Try this Christmas Tree Alternative! Wooden Dowel Tree Decor

by Holly Wade

Try this Christmas Tree Alternative! Wooden Dowel Tree Decor

Although I love having a traditional Christmas tree in my home, that's not the case for everyone. Whether a traditional tree it doesn't fit your Christmas style or you don't have the space for one, this simple wooden dowel tree is a great Christmas decor alternative that still allows you to hang ornaments. This minimalist-style DIY will still brighten up a space of your home and fit perfectly in a corner or even on a tabletop!

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No Tag? No Problem! Print These DIY Holiday Gift Tags

by M.E. Gray

Free printable gift tags for your holiday wrapping needs!

I literally never remember to purchase gift tags at Christmastime - and I'm not using the term "literally" for extra drama here. I actually cannot recall a single time I've ever picked up gift tags at the store, put them in my shopping basket, and taken them to the register to check out. What usually ends up happening when I'm wrapping presents is I realize my mistake, try to find a nice-enough piece scrap of paper, scribble the recipient's...

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Real Talk: What's the Best Christmas Cookie?

by M.E. Gray

Real Talk: What's the Best Holiday Cookie?

I never believed in Santa Claus.

I was raised in a pragmatic and practical household. My parents were, and are, no-nonsense folk. Keen on traditions, but not fond excess frill. This was true during the holidays, too. From the very beginning, there was no Santa. He was just a story, a nice idea. Instead of the jolly man in the red suit, there was gratitude for one another, and drawn-out appreciation for gifts received (we were only allowed to open two gifts a day - one in the morning and one at night - for the duration of the twelve days of Christmas, or until the gifts ran out). I don't feel like I missed out having a childhood without Santa. If anything, I'm kind of glad I got to skip the heartbreak of realizing he was just a fantasy. You know where I did miss out, though? In the Christmas cookie department. Big time.          

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Make It: Festive Gingerbread Gift Toppers that Double as Christmas Ornaments!

by Stephanie Lee

Make it: Festive gingerbread gift toppers that double as Christmas ornaments!
There’s something really fun about wrapping gifts at Christmas time don’t you think? Maybe it’s because  this is the only time of year I can sing along to carols at the top of my lungs while I wrap. Or perhaps it’s the sheer number of presents I get to play with! Either way, everything feels so magical that it makes me want to make each gift extra festive.

Make it: Festive gingerbread gift toppers that double as Christmas ornaments!

And there’s no easier way to add a little festive cheer to your presents than with...

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How to Throw the Sweetest Cookie Decorating Party

by M.E. Gray

Tips on hosting a memorable cookie decorating party!

I love the holidays, because there is a never-ending list of activities you can do to celebrate. You can watch movies, decorate a tree, go caroling (tangent question: does anyone actually carol anymore?), wrap gifts, and bake cookies. Most holiday activities are done in groups, too, so they always have the potential to turn into sweet memories with the people you care about. If you're planning on having a holiday party, why not make it a cookie decorating party? Here are some tips to help you create a holly, jolly, fun time for all.       

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