Storage boxes for Christmas Decorations

Last year in our family we made a big change to Christmas. We decided to start doing more memory creating and less material giving. One of the steps we took in doing that was to move to the 4 gifts idea for the girls.

 

There are four types of gifts you give.....something to wear, need, read and want. Now to be honest we decided to add in a few presents. Each girl purchases a gift for her sister and Santa still brings each girl one gift but that was going to be it. Notice how I said was going to be???

 

As we explained this to the girls, our oldest asked if we could include one more gift. She still wanted a homemade gift from me, I just have to say I love her!!!!!! With a request like that how could we say no???

 

Honestly the girls (or our wallet) did not miss the extra gifts. On my part selecting the gifts was so much fun!! Jeff and I put so much thought in each gift. With only 5 gifts, we wanted them to be extra special and really fit each girl. It was a success. We spent over 2 hours opening presents and had the best Christmas morning!  

 

We are doing it again this year and again we wanted the gifts to be special. When it came time to start on the homemade gift, I was having a hard time figuring out what to make, until we were decorating the tree. As the girls pulled out their ornaments out of the crumpled, torn gift bag they are kept in I knew what to make.......a storage box for their Christmas Decorations.

 

I immediately started searching for something on Pinterest and Google. Thankfully, I came across a blog called The Project Lady. The one she had made was close to what I had in mind. With just a few changes it would be perfect!

 

A trip to Lowe's was needed (sadly Home Depot does not sell furring strips). Once home I spent about a hour with my saw......

 

and was ready to build.

Enough for two

The plans offered two methods for attaching the base of the chest. You could either screw it on or use a router to fit it. Not one to pass up a challenge of master a new tool, I decided to use a router. Jeff (who usually show's me the ropes with tools) had never used a router either, so I was on my own using it. I was a little lot intimated of using one with no guidance but to be honest it was really easy! I might even look for a new project just to use it.

 

My new favorite tool!!!!

Building the box went really quick. After a quick over all sanding, I was ready to finish the boxes. I decided to use a whitewash to paint the boxes. Whitewashing allows the grain of the wood to show but adds a touch of color. I think it was the perfect choice for this project.

 

 

Once it was dry I added poly. I love the wipe on poly by Minwax. It provides protection without the shine.

 

 

After I added the hinges, I was done.

 

 

 

These boxes are perfect for the girls to store their Christmas decorations.

 

 

 

The boxes actually made putting away decorations more fun. The girls loved packing their decorations away in their own box. I can't wait to see what we add to the boxes next year!

 

 

*In case you were wondering about the changes I made to the original plans.....

I cut my boards for the top at 27" vs 25.5". This makes the top fit the box instead of just the opening. I also used hinges instead of rope to attach the top. While I liked the look of rope, I knew it wasn't right for my boxes.

DIY Christmas Block

Each year I make my girls a new Christmas ornament (you can read about it here).

Last year I started making personalized blocks.
While making this years, I decided to take pictures for a little how to.

For our blocks I use the photo from the Christmas card, a photo of a special event during the year, a drawing each girl has done and a transcript of their annual interview.
I like to ask the same questions each year. I enjoying see how or if their taste changes.
As they get older, I'm sure I will have to change the questions.

To get started you will need
Mod Podge
Pictures
Block of wood at least 2.5 x 2.5
I purchased mine at Michael's and cut it into the blocks.
You can purchase the single blocks at AC Moore.
Remember to use a coupon at either store.
Foam Brush
Paint
Sand Paper
Hook
Small piece of ribbon or twine

I make copies of the photos/drawings to get them to fit the block.
I do this at Wal-Green's.
I have found that their wallet size print (4 pictures on a 4x6) is just the right size for the block.
You can do this anywhere as long as the final picture fits the block.

Using the block as a template I trim the pictures down to fit.
I also paint my block (although you don't have to). I have used acrylic and spray paint and had success with both.

Once I have done that I add coat of Mod Podge.

 

I lay the picture directly on top.

Making sure it is position correctly, I smooth out any air bubbles and add another coat.

 

 

Then I let wait for it to dry.

It will dry clear, I promise!!

Once dry I use the sandpaper to rough it up.

 

 

After I remove all the dust, I add a thin coat of Mod Podge.

 

 

I finish off by attaching the hook and twine

and

letting my daughter find the perfect spot on the tree.

 

 

 

Please let me know if you make one.

I would love to see a picture!

 

 

 

Edited:

I have linked up over at....

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Ginger Snap Crafts
 

What's one to do?

Can't you just picture it???
 

I have always loved outdoor Christmas lights. Each year on December 26, I head to the stores to add to our collection (doesn't everyone). Last year I scored two big rolls of outdoor lights super cheap. My plan was light up our beautiful but old flowering crab apple tree. I had it all pictured in my head. The tree would be lit up beautiful, the 7ft Santa (I scored at the same time for $5) would be next to the tree, with presents at the bottom. It was going to scream Christmas. It was a childhood fantasy come true.


On warm November day, I grabbed the ladder, lights and husband (I am deathly afraid of heights and needed him to hold the ladder) and set to get the lights in the tree. I will save you from hearing about the many scratches, twigs in the hair and words that I can't type here and just say my childhood fantasy was not going to happen.


I started to believe it just wasn't meant to be. I was afraid that little scene was going to be trapped in my head forever. After many hours of feeling defeated and sad, it hit me! I am a DO IT YOURSELFER and dang it I would make it happen.!

After a lot of thought and research (thank you pinterest), I still hadn't found exactly what I wanted. I did however see enough to get my creative juices flowing.

After a trip to Lowe's, a half hour of cutting and building (with the help of my girls) and one hour of trying to figure out how to place the lights. I was able to make my childhood fantasy become a reality. Just like my other little christmas scene....everytime I look at a smile comes to my face.

What is making you smile this Christmas season?

Traditions = Christmas

I am not sure if your family is like mine but Christmas is ALL about traditions. One my favorite traditions from my childhood was going to the craft fairs with my mom and picking out a new ornament each year. My most LOVED, CHERISHED (I will cry if anything happens to it) ornament is the very first one. That little ceramic snowball guy on skates is placed front and center each year.

 

It only seemed right that I continued the tradition with my children. For the first few years, I went to the craft fair and selected an ornament that was some how connected to that year. As the years went, I found it harder and harder to find the perfect one. Not willing to stop the tradition, I started making my own. The thought that some day many, many, many years down the road my girls will decorate their own tree with ornaments made by me....well I can't even explain how that makes me feel.

 

(I apologize for the pictures. These were taken for my own use and not up to blogging quality)

I love all the ornaments I have made in the past. Each one was made with love and reflects that year.


 

The ones from last year are my absolute favorite. In fact they became a tradition in a tradition.

 

Each block has a little interview with the girl of their current favorites, the picture from the Christmas card and copy of a drawing they did. I LOVE how one little block of wood captures so much about each girl in that moment.

These little guys are on my list of projects this weekend. I will show you the finished project along with a how-to next week.

 

Just to show you.....

 

I am not sure if you have seen this commercial from Pier 1 Imports or not. If you haven't you should watch it. I was really inspired by her little winter scene.



 

 

 

I wanted to do something like it. What I didn't want was to spend a lot doing it. While shopping at Target in the dollar section I found my inspiration! I was able to make my little scene for less than $8. And I have to tell you.....every time I look at I get a huge smile on my face.

 



 

 

What has inspired you this holiday season?

 

Counting down........

Counting down the days to Christmas is a tradition in our family. However, the way we go about it changes yearly. The problem is we just haven't found the one for us. 

We have had an advent tree, a visiting angel (think elf on the shelf) and hidden stockings. The tree was good for one child but not for two. The angel lost her appeal after a week.  The stockings, although a favorite of  the girls, wasn't easy when I work third shift.

 

So I set out to see what I could find. I found ones that hung on the wall, ones that used premade boxes, ones that used all gifts, ones that used candy.....you get the picture there was a lot. Finally I stumbled on this one.

Please click on picture to visit the blog, there are a lot of great ideas!

It was perfect!!! This one would all me to incorporate all my ideas. I wanted to be able to included a few gifts, a few crafts, a few activities but most things that spread the holiday cheer. Spreading the cheer was important as I feel that seems to be lost lately. While I was searching for ideas for spreading the joy, I stumbled upon a this 

Sorry, I am unable to find the original source
 

Again this was perfect it would allow us to leave treats with a nice little explanation attached. The last thing I need was numbers for the package. Thanks again to pinterest I found these numbers.

 

Once I had everything wrapped and in the bucket I realized I need a way for the girls to select the random acts. I typed up a list and posted it on the fridge.

 

 

Now with the bucket in place the only thing left to do is count down the days.

 

 

Does your family have a count down tradition?