Homemade Gift of the Week: Kits

I initially got this idea from an idea I saw on Pinterest... and then the wheels in my head started turning.... Homemade kits!!! I love receiving kits because they always contain things I love but won't necessarily get for myself.  Homemade kits are PERFECT for anyone on your holiday list this year. And I have a kit idea for just about anyone.

Little Boys: 

• Science Kits: Complete with everything you need to complete really cool science experiments
• Visit these two sites to read more about homemade science kits:
• http://rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com/2009/11/make-science-kit-gifts.html
• http://koreamom.blogspot.com/2010/02/science-kit.html

Little Girls:

• Sticker and Art Kit: I remember getting a sticker kit as a kid and just LOVED it. 
• Fill a plastic shoe box with things such as stickers, glitter, glue, sticky foam shapes, ribbon, scissors, markers, colored scrapbooking paper (just use your old scraps), sequins, rhinestone, stamps/stamppads, etc.

Teenage girls: 

• Jewelry-making kit:
• Beads, wire, tools, charms, crystals
• Nail care kit:
• Nail polish, polish remover, cotton balls, nail clippers, file, buffer, cuticle trimmer

Teenage boys:

• Beginner Tool Box: 
• If this is the first tool box, fill it up with simple things like a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, nails, screws, adjustable wrench, etc. 

Gifts for Adults: 

• Sewing Kit: 
• Visit here for a great beginner's sewing kit.
• http://tiffanylanehandmade.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/anthropologie-sewing-kit.jpg
• Craft Kit:
• Small scrapbook paper, scissors, glue dots, flat colored buttons, glue gun/glue sticks, stickers, embellishments, etc.
• First Aid Kit: 
• BandAids (various sizes), scissors, tweezers, adhesive wrap, safety pins, cotton swabs, moist towelettes, matches, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, cough drops, stomach relief medication, insect bite cream, hydrocortizone cream, eye drops, rubber gloves, etc.
• You can also make a mini-first aid kit for those who enjoy biking, hiking, or other outdoor activities
• 72-Hour Kit:
• Visit this site to find out the details of what to include in a 72-hour kit
• http://72hours.org/build_kit.html
•  Spa Kit: 
• Lotions, face mask, bath salts, aromatherapy candles, loofa, body wash
• Do you know a newlywed couple?
• They send out a lot of mail in the first year of marriage.  Consider a mail kit with address labels, stamps, pens, even cards (if you know them well enough).

You can get creative with kits.  Just think of your audience and what their interests are.  

Homemade Gift of the Week: Recipe Book

We all have our favorite recipes.  What a better gift to give than to share all your favorite meals in a recipe book for your friends/family?  This one is quite easy.

1. Type it up.
2. Print out.
3. Make copies.
4. Send it to Kinkos or another copy/business store to have it bound into a book. 
5. Give as gift. 

You have plenty of time... now get going!

Gift Idea: Books

Now, I know not everyone loves books.  But, book can be a gift often overlooked.  Especially for kids.  Kids already have so many toys and let's face it.... they'd rather play with the box it came in anyway.

So give a different kind of gift this year and give the gift of books.

Here are some ways to score a great bargain on books:

• Scholastic Book Clubs (Book Orders): If you know a teacher or have a student in a class, ask about book orders.  In almost every book order, there is a $1 special book.  Books in book orders tend to be a little cheaper than your average book store. 
• Amazon: It seems like Amazon.com always has book cheaper that the listed price as well.  Some items even qualify for free shipping if you spend $25.
• Barnes & Noble:  Sign up to receive their email specials and they often have coupon codes for 10-20% off books.
• Dollar Tree: The Dollar Tree often has coloring books and workbooks for $1. They often carry popular characters like Spiderman, Disney, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street and My Little Pony.