It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!! Part One!

While I personally shudder when I see Christmas and Hannukah up in department stores before Halloween -- the one place I want to see them by September is in scrapbook and craft and hobby stores!! Every scrapper and paper crafter knows that those fabulous handmade holiday cards and precious handmade gifts SHOULD be, at least, in the planning stages around Labor Day! In fact, Labor Day Weekend may offer those of us with a long weekend a chance to start those lists of recipients, gift and card ideas, and supplies.

Handmade gifts are so very precious to and appreciated by those who receive them. They give us a chance to use our creativity and, if begun early enough, can be a healthy, relaxing, release during a time when life seems to be on steroids! This year, when nearly all of us are tightening our belts in this economy, handmade gifts can also save you money! Projects -- simple, intermediate, and complex -- are equally as satisfying to create, to give, and to receive. Let's look at two ideas!

The Tasty Treat Container -- Nearly every container for your yummy goodies (homemade or not!), from cookies to coffee, can be jazzed up with paper crafting. Even if you use already fancy containers -- a handmade tag with the recipe, instructions or a note makes your gift more personal! A supermarket container filled with almonds becomes an eyecatching gift with some patterned paper, ribbon, stamps and letter stickers. Paint cans, reusable tins, and even plastic bags become really special with the addition of the same supplies! If need be -- spray paint the outside of old food tins to ready them for decoration. (Instructions http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&suggest&note_id=154537273097)

Small decorative boxes can serve so many purposes, while adding charm to the home. They are readily found in craft shops in materials such as wood and, like our example, paper mache'. This box was painted black and trimmed with scraps of Prima Paper, miscellaneous ribbon, and Prima flowers. It is perfect for paperclips, safety pins, or how about all those extra buttons you get with new clothes!! Fill them with a little bag of candies to give as a gift that keeps on giving!

Stay tuned for more creative gifting ideas from Flamingo Scraps including mini albums, altered wooden items, flower pins, and more!!! One more tip -- in addition to those gorgeous Prima flowers and fantastic Maya Road mini albums, Flamingo Scraps' paper, ribbon, flower, and chipboard grab bags are ideal for making your holiday gifts!