The best thing about Christmas...

... is giving! I mean seriously, the look on the receiver's face is priceless! The best reaction I've seen was last night on Christmas Eve. We had some company over and you know how awkward those family gatherings can be. So after a quick visit, almost everyone had scooted out except for my Dad's oldest sister, her husband, and one of her sons. Years ago, my Dad's Dad had given my Mom his wife's silver after she had died. No one knows why he gave it to her, but he actually forgot and had no idea where it was. My mom decided it was right for the oldest sister to have it. So when my aunt opened it, she started crying! It was the best reaction I could have ever hoped for!

Another really great reaction I got this year was from my little sister who's in 5th grade. I had given her a make up bag and when she unwrapped it, I told her to look inside. She pulled out some pads and tampons and a note to 'keep this in your locker just in case.' The look of shock on her face was hilarious! Me and my mom couldn't stop laughing!

So even though I could fit all my gifts into two, small gift bags, it was worth it! Christmas is so much better when it's meaningful!

Gift ideas for a 10 year old girl?

I'm pretty much in trouble! I have just 1 and a half days to quickly slide a gift under the tree for my 10 year old sister! I realized that I felt bad about only getting her 2 headbands, a ring, and a make up bag. Yes those things were only a dollar each! I've searched the internet for ideas and all I can find is a tea set or a bug catcher. Seriously? I was into that kind of stuff when I was maybe 6 or 7. At 8, I was totally grown out of it! She already has the cell phone and the ipod touch, so I'm all out of ideas! She's not into stuff other girls her age are, but everything else is really innapropriete! I tried to find her something when we went shopping, but she clung to my hip the whole time so I couldn't really be 'sneaky.' I asked her to write down what she wanted and here's her list: Earings, mini fridge, vampires suck, eclipse, shoes, colorful camo dress, and a 'diva' necklace. I can pretty much say no to everything on that list. Her favorite color is apparently black. She's not that into a specific band or artist, she more just listens to everything that they play on the rap channel. So that means Eminem, Flo Rida, Mike Posner, etc. None of which I can stand to buy her a CD so she can blast. She's really into fashion and makeup (she's not allowed to wear it, but she steals mine when I'm not looking). She's not really that into animals so that rules out a stuffed animal. My budget is flexible, but I don't plan on spending more than $20 dollars or so. She's into sewing and cooking (mainly pie baking). Anyone have any ideas for gifts?

Don't Worry!

I didn't actually let down any of my very few... if any... readers! I have not quit my blog! I just took a break... an extremely long one! But I apologize for it! I know it drives me crazy when other bloggers do the same! Sorry about that... well I guess I need to make up for it! With a squirt of my sister's disgusting caramel apple scented lotion rubbed into my hands, I'm ready to begin!

Oh boy the holiday season! That means we all have less than a month to shop like crazy, discretely wrap, and then cleverly HIDE presents for that really long list of people who needs gifts! It truly is worth it to see their smile (hopefully!) when they open it, but for now, it doesn't seem like that! I know my wallet is starting to ACHE!

Let me introduce you to...

 A Hug Box! Here's a picture of one I made:

Not the best picture, but hey it's photobooth! It's the best we're gonna get...

Well anyway, you take a box (or make one!) and then either wrap it (that's what I did) or decoupage it. Next you need to somehow attach the following poem:

This is a very special gift
That you can never see
The reason it's so special is
It's just for you from me.

Whenever you are lonely
Or are ever feeling blue
You only have to hold this gift
And know I'm hugging you.

You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied
Just hold the box close to your heart
It's filled with hugs inside.

It's a really easy gift to make and I hopefully plan on making some more for other people... 

My wallet certainly thanks me for this one!

IT'S HERE!

My camera finally came in the mail today! Too bad I got home late so I could only try it out on some crappy indoor, poor lighting shots! Darn! Maybe tomorrow I'll take some nice ones outside of this pretty fall weather and put them up!

New Camera!!!

I've FINALLY gotten one... well ordered one! I found the perfect SLR digital camera for my extremely low budget! And it's not even used! It's the GE Power Pro Series x5! I spent 138.98 on the camera and a 4 GB memory card! I'm really excited for when I get that package in the mail! Now I wish I had just opted for the really expensive next day delivery instead of the Free super saver... oh well! At least I have something to look forward to! But for the next 5-10 days I'm stuck with my old Canon PowerShot A430. Darn...

this...

TO THIS!