Santa Claudia's Top Kid Picks

What a week last week was.  I feel like 1,000,000,000 great ideas for gifts were generated and swapped among readers.  Thank you, everyone for generously giving your gift of creativity.  I picked up a few fun ideas that I think I'll try this year.  Let's make a deal.  If you give a gift recommended by someone at Highlowaha, how about posting a comment and letting us know how it went?  It will be a fun way to let one another know the difference you make in each other's lives.

Today.  Today we begin a week of Claudia's Top Kid Picks.  It's a little self indulgent, I know.  I'm not a toy consultant, a toy maker, or Oprah who - though, not an expert - would at least be giving one of everything she talked about to each of her loyal viewers.  No.  It's certain, I am no Oprah.

But, I am mom.  I love giving gifts.  And, I especially love giving gifts that capture the imagination of kids.  AND, I have a lively, engaged, and creative community of readers with whom I engage each day.  So, I am CERTAIN, that between you and me, we will have a fun week rediscovering Christmas through the eyes of kids!

Don't have kids?  I work hard at trying to be relevant to as many of our readers as possible and I can't help but think my suggestions will be as good coming from an aunt, uncle, cousin, brother, sister, babysitter, or even anonymously from one of Santa's secret elves.

Today we're talking books.  I love sharing books with kids at Christmas, because unlike a plastic, battery operated toy, the image of a book can last forever.  Books help create the sense of anticipation that makes Christmas feel so magical.  Hearing about Santa Claus, while looking at pictures of his toy shop or his reindeer, makes the wonder of this holiday seem palpable... even believable.  Each Friday, for the next three weeks, I will steal away 20 minutes of my morning to share a book with Matthew's class.  Here are my top picks.

How Santa Got His Job

By: Stephen Krensky

This clever book tells of all the jobs Santa had leading up to his most important job as Santa Claus.  None of his jobs, including such things as a chimney sweep, postman, or circus performer ever worked out.  It wasn't until he met a group of elves who helped him use all his special talents, that Santa was able to find his dream job.   Approximately 30 pages.  $6.99. 

Idea: I will start out by asking each child in Matthew's class what they want to be when they grow up.  Maybe I'll record what they say and present it to their parents as a keepsake.  Also, This could be a fun gift for someone graduating or for someone who works with college aged students (as, "What should I do with my life?" is often a question asked).

Snowflake Bentley

By: Jaqueline Briggs Martin

As someone who loves history, I am in LOVE with this book!

Based on a true story, this tale tells of Wilson Bentley who - often misunderstood in his time - took pictures that even today reveal two important truths about snowflakes: no two are alike and each one is beautiful.  It is a great story of a young boy who is not only exhibits perseverance, but who also has passion for nature.  It is laced with facts about Wilson Bentley's life, while at the same time tells a great tale.  Approximately 30 pages.  $16.00 in hardback.  

Idea: After reading this book, I will have each child make a paper snowflake, so we can see how each is different.  I could also bring snowflake cookies or snowflake ornaments.  Let's see how ambitious I am.

Santa Claus

By: Rod Green

This book is nothing short of magical!  It is a pop-up interactive book going into great detail about everything from the North Pole, to Santa's House, the elves, the mail room, Santa's work shop, the essential elements of Santa's suit, how his sled works, and how he delivers his presents.  

Idea: I am going to a dinner party next weekend and the hostess has three children.  I will give her a copy of this book.  I love it so much that last week I anonymously left a copy (with chocolate chip cookies and a note from Santa) for a family at my son's preschool.  It is $19.99 and worth every penny.  

Announcements

• Congratulations, Lori:  After much tasting and re-tasting, the Struble bar flies voted Lori's mustard recipe yesterday's winner.  December 30, Richard and Tera face off for what will mark the beginning of Snack Throw Down, Round Two.
  
• Owl' Nest: Thank you to all the North Texans who were able to participate in this weekend's event.  Heather shopped for Lily and for Stacie and the nine-year old girl for whom Stacie is seeking a gift.  Heather and Stacie are both are the recipients of our prize.  Each of them wins a personalized lap desk in the color of their choice.  Stacie, I will email you color choices and you can let me know whose name you would like on it (in addition to graphics.  ie. flowers, basket ball, zebra stripes, etc...).  I will reveal some of our finds as the week goes on!  Heather took pictures, so you'll get visuals too.
• Festival of Lights:  Kudos to all of you who got your trees up this weekend.  Remember one week from yesterday, Sunday, December 16 at 8:00 CST, we will host our First Annual Holiday Celebration.  All are invited.  To "attend," simply submit a photograph of you and/or your family in front of your tree, menorah, or another holiday decoration of your choice.  Submissions due Friday, 12/12, by 9:00 p.m.  To participate in the Ornament Exchange simply do the following: (1) Purchase an ornament.  (2) Take a picture of it unwrapped.  (3) Take a picture of it wrapped.  (4) send both photographs to cspgradstudent at kkolkmeier@gmail.com.  Photos must be received by Friday night at 9:00 p.m.
  
• Cassie's Great Santa Claus Adventure:  It's not too late to make the day of a son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor, or even a child in the hospital.  Simply send Cassie P. a holiday card (postmarked 12/12) and she will hand deliver it to Santa Claus, Indiana for a magical postmark on Monday, December 15.  Her mailing address is Cassie Patterson, 103 Meadow Drive, Sellersburg, IN, 47172.  Check in later this week to find out what fun things we have planned for Cassie on her road trip.
  
• Letters to the North Pole:  Looking for a place to mail your child's letter to Santa?  Try: Santa Claus, 41 North Kringle Place, Santa Claus, IN 47579.  They have volunteers who reply to letters FREE!
  

Ho! Ho! Ho!, Low on Dough: $5.00

Sleep in Saturday?!?!?  I don't think so!  I'm writing this post earlier than normal, for a Saturday, because at 6:00 a.m. I am meeting two of our trusted Highlowaha readers, so we may discuss the future of Highlowaha.

How's that for a cliffhanger?  Good things coming our way.

If you live anywhere in North Texas today is your day!  The Owl's Nest - located at 1220 Prospect Street, in Southlake Town Square, is offering a 10% discount to all Highlowaha readers, from 10:00 a.m-7:00 p.m.  To get your discount, just mention that you read about the Owl's Nest offering on Highlowaha's blog.  The 10% discount is only one of the great reasons to visit the store.  The other is that this toy store is chock full of some of the most original and creative gifts as I have seen in any toy store.  There are items at all price points and, to top it off, they do GREAT wrapping... FREE!  It is worth the trip.

If you visit the store, consider coming back to the blog later today and sharing your review of a favorite item you found.  In addition, we have a small list of readers from around the country for whom we will be looking for creative gift ideas.  If you're one of those people, check in later today to see our ideas.

$5.00.  That's what we've got to spend today.

First let me comment on some of the great suggestions made yesterday.  I think it was Peggy who reminded us that some of the nicest gifts we can give are coupons to be cashed in for our time.  The Walmart and Sonic outing was my personal favorite.  If you didn't get to check in yesterday, it's worth going back to read all the suggestions listed in the comment section.  

I have a few $5.00 gifts I plan on giving this season.  I want to leave something thoughtful in the mailbox for the woman who delivers our mail.  I also want to present something to the barista who serves me every morning, and the unsung heroine of the preschool my boys attend - the woman who cooks their food every day.  Here are two ideas with which I am toying.

My picture isn't great, but imagine the plate ($1.50 at Target) with a candle (on sale at Pier I for $2.98).  The note reads, "Wishing you Merry Christmas."  Grand total $4.48.

I haven't put these together yet, but I intend to fill them with a mix of nuts and chocolate and caramel covered popcorn.  A little green cellophane, a card shaped like a clap board or a marquee and I think it'll make for a thoughtful holiday treat.  The containers were $1.00 at Target.  Cost of popcorn mix, not sure yet. 

My MBA husband couldn't help but chime in with a creative contribution.  Stock!  The silver lining to our worrisome economy is that the price of many stocks has fallen below $5.00.  This year, feed the economy by purchasing someone a share of stock.  Here are some of your options... Ford, 2.72; GM, $4.08; Crocs, $1.38; Gap, $4.23; Krispy Kreme, $2.47.  Or, if you really want to splurge, you can buy Ann Taylor stock at $5.68 or Starbucks at $9.12.

Now it's your turn.  If you found a 5.00 bill what would you buy?  Chances are, what you would buy also makes a nice gift for someone on you list.  Me?  A Venti, Cinnamon Dolce, non-fat, no-whip, and heated to 180 degrees.  In fact, I think I'll head that way right now.

Finally, a thank you to Katie and her Krew for spending the week with us and sharing some of their creative ideas.  We have benefited from your participation this week and certainly hope we can expect to see you in the future.  

Signing off until Monday...

 

Free For All Friday: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

T.G.I.F.  

Big sigh of relief as many of us head into a busy (but FUN) weekend of holiday planning and celebrations.  

Free for All Friday comes at the perfect time in the week for me.  Monday through Thursday is always jam packed with activity and the rigorous exchange of ideas.  On Fridays you, the readers of highlowaha, become the architects of the blog.  You drive the swap of ideas, based on the the questions you ask, the tips you solicit, or the rants and raves you chose to make.

And yet, with all that latitude... I feel especially responsible for making sure our party guests get all their holiday needs met.  After all, we're trying to make a good impression so that Lindsay, Emily, Sarah, Michelle, Nicole, and Cassie will come back to visit again and again (though, I don't think we need to worry about Cassie!).  The value of this community grows with each creative and committed newcomer we welcome into our fold.  For it is true, each time he or she shares a creative insight, we are the beneficiaries.  So... with only Friday and Saturday left to this week's Friendship Party, lets all be on our best behavior and show these women once and for all what our community is made of.

All week long we've been talking inexpensive holiday gifts and tomorrow we will resume our discussion with $5.00 ideas.  Today, in the spirit of Free for All Friday, I want to open the floor to any holiday related gift ideas or tips.  For example, early in the week Lindsay said she would deem the week successful if she received ideas for somewhat sentimental holiday gifts she could present her group of friends (all of which will be graduating in the spring).  Yesterday, Heather also made a plea for $10.00 gifts she could give her 39 year old brother and her 12 and 14 year old nephews.  It would be great if we could lighten their loads by offering up some ideas.

Do you have a holiday trick of the trade worth sharing?  If so, share with the rest of us.  Here are some examples to get your wheels turning...

I found these Avery Marking Tags at Staples for $3.00.  I thought they would be easy and fun ways to label Christmas presents.  100 come in a box.

I'm sure most of you have seen these fun holiday utensil holders.  I love to stuff the toes with treats for our dinner guests.  I spend the year looking for creative things that will fit.  Variation: Target has infant mittens in their $1.00 bins.  How about buying a couple sets of mittens and using those?  They are about the right size and come in bright colors.

Our very own Nan came up with binder idea as a way to organize her holiday tasks.  It is chock full of all her most essential information (think wedding planner meets North Pole).  Her tabs include: Wish lists, Decorations, Recipes, On the Go, Purchases, Give Thanks, Next Year, Christmas Past.  There's also a pencil case for holding receipts!

Finally, as announced in yesterday's post, Cassie P will be serving as Highlowaha Intern For a Day.  She and a friend will be road tripping to Santa Claus, Indiana where they will mail Christmas cards from THE Santa Claus post office and where our cards will receive the authentic Santa Claus postmark.  Look under Announcements for the address and date by which she needs your mail.  TODAY, however, I want to brainstorm ideas - or challenges - sure to make their road trip memorable!  Give us your ideas.  What fun (and legal) things could we ask Cassie and her friend to do along the way?  What might we want them to do once they arrive in Santa?  Are there photos we want them to take to document their adventure?  Put on your Ellen DeGeneres thinking caps and help us generate some fun. 

Announcements:

• Owl's Nest Adventure:  North Texans... shop at the Owl's Nest on Saturday and receive 10% off your purchases just by saying your with highlowaha.  Search the store for fun and unique gift ideas and then post a short review of your item on Saturday's blog.  Do those two things and receive a Highlowaha owl patch for your Patchwork Denim.  Also search the store for the hidden Ray and earn an added bonus from me.  So far, the only non-Texans for whom we will be seeking toy ideas are Kristen's 8 month old daughter and Amber's 9 month old girl (is 9 months correct Amber?).  Anybody else.
  
• Patchwork Denim: Party goers and newcomers, this explanation is for you.  "Patchwork" is your chance to earn patches for various Highlowaha fun activities and challenges.  The goal...designate something your "patchwork denim" (ie. an apron, jeans, jacket, hat, bag) and jump right in to start collecting.  The next patchwork event is Sunday, December 14 when we host Celebration of Lights.  Check out the announcements in yesterday's (12/4) post to find out exactly what you need to do.  It's easy as 1, 2, 3.  
  
• Paint the Town Red:  Do a random act of kindness.  Drink a coke and pass along your reward code to Heather.
  

Signing off until tomorrow.

Ho! Ho! Ho!, Low on Dough: $10.00

Thursday, already!  Time flies when you're having fun... and it is fun I am having!  Hopefully you are too.  

Monday we talked about all the variations we could apply to Theme Christmas trees.  Tuesday we transformed envelopes into page markers for all gifts we purchase from Barnes and Noble this holiday season.  Subscriptions and one-of-a-kind experiences were the name of the game for Wednesday's post.  As for today.  Today I'll share a $10.00 idea and, of course, hope that you will chime in. 

 

It's day number four of our party, and there is still so much more that Katie's Krew needs to about our fun community.  So, I'll leave plenty of time and space for important announcements.  And, time for the big reveal of a fun Highlowaha Christmas activity coming your way soon.

Today's Idea:

Food glorious food.  That's the idea we'll rally around today.  I like my contribution of the day for a few reasons.  First.  Something baked is a labor of love and a thoughtful way to wish someone a happy holiday.  Second.  Most recipes can be baked for less than $10.00 (especially if you make enough to divide your recipe into multiple servings).  Third.  Food, when packaged in the right container, can serve as a double gift.  The champagne glass in which my Granola is packaged ($5.00 with a 50% off coupon from Michael's) could be used to hold fruit, corks, Sharpie markers, or candy on your desk at work, once empty.  Four.  By using the tag line, "Cheers!  Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year," I free myself up to give some gifts after Christmas, but in time for the new year.  Who wouldn't love to steal an extra few days?

A couple more notes about today's featured gift.  You'll notice I show it photographed in two different sizes.  The smaller martini glass was $1.99 at World Market (but I saw others in Target's $1 bin).  The fact that it's smaller also means it will hold less mix, allowing you to yield more gifts per batch.  Both are fun.  Consider using holiday ribbon to hang the recipe from your package.

Claudia' Big Reveal:

I'm a big fan of interns.  In fact some of our best and most fun readers once served as interns at various campuses where I've worked.  As much as I love interns in Student Affairs, we have them do traditionally Student Affairs related things - coordinate events, advise students, compose and pitch proposals, etc, etc....  Have you ever seen the interns on the Ellen Degeneres Show, Jay Leno, or on any of your local radio stations?  Now those are interns!  I tuned into Ellen the other day and she sent her intern to Time Square, New York with a collapsible money machine.  The intern had to get from CA to NY, figure out how to set it up, and then create a commotion on the streets of New York.  Now that's an experience!

Cassie P isn't exactly a Highlowaha intern, but she has generously offered to do a stunt for us!  Cassie lives in Indiana, the same state as the infamous town Santa Claus, Indiana.  In the interest of time, I won't go into great detail about what makes this town so much fun, but if you get a chance you should check it out.  I will tell you two essential things about this town.

One.  The Santa Claus post office creates a special annual postmark to stamp each envelope moving through their post office.  What could be more magical than getting a letter delivered from Santa Claus, Indiana?  Nothing.  That's why on December 15, Cassie has volunteered to road trip for us.  She will mail any card or letter we send her from the Santa Claus post office, so that it can get the official postmark.  I implore each of you to think of one person you can surprise with this fun treat.  Don't even sign your name.  Let it be anonymous or from a secret admirer.  In the spirit of #218, do it today.  Get a holiday card, fill it out, address it to the person you want to surprise and PUT A STAMP ON IT!  Then put it in another envelope and send it to Cassie P. at  103 Meadow Drive, Sellersburg, IN, 47172, by Wednesday, December 10! 

Early next week I want to spend some time thinking about what fun things we can have Cassie do along her journey.  Be thinking.

Two.  In the middle of town there is a Santa Claus Museum.  In the back of the museum, behind lock and key, there are makeshift tables set up where residents volunteer to answer the 15,000 letters kids write to Santa Claus.  While there are many addresses to which you can send a letter to Santa, Santa Claus, Indiana is FREE!  No charge.  Matthew has sent his letter there for the past few years and it always comes back with a personalized note to him (be sure to include specific information  - names of siblings or friends, favorite food, pets name, etc...) and reindeer dust to be sprinkled around the perimeter of your house (I assume for a safe landing).  The address should you want to drop him a line is:

Santa Claus

41 North Kringle Place

Santa Claus, IN 47579

Announcements:

• Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: Were there any takers last night?  Win the one and only I LOVE N.Y. patch, for your coveted patchwork denim, by being the first to correctly answer this question.  What did Stephen Colbert have sticking out of his pocket 
• Paint the Town Red:  Have a Coke.  Share a smile.  Remember, we are trying to accumulate as many Coke Reward points as possible between now and February 14, in order to help Heather's sick friend, Julie.  Reward numbers can either go to Heather or your Highlowaha Regional Coke Director.  Maybe in the next couple of days Heather can post an update and a reminder of who is Regional Director for which states.  We started Coke Kindness Chains in various places around the country.  I would love to hear a story or two about getting the chains started or where they are at to date.
  
• Festival of Lights:  Sunday, December 14 we will have a Virtual Highlowaha Festival of Lights and Ornament Exchange.  To participate in one or both, just do the following.  (1) take a picture of your tree or other holiday decoration (better if you and your family are in front of it). (2) Buy an ornament and take a picture of it.  (3) Wrap the ornament and take another picture of it.  Send all three photos to Katie at kkolkmeier@gmail.com, by Friday, December 12 by 9:00 p.m.
  
• Owl's Nest Shopping: Highlowaha readers from North Texas will be visiting a great toy boutique on Saturday, December 6.  If you want us to be on the lookout for a unique toy for someone on your list, just let us know the age and sex of the child.  We will shop on Saturday and post our toy reviews later in the day.  North Texas who participate will earn a Patchwork Patch and get 10% off their purchases.  Non-Texans can win lap desk personalized for the child of your choice. 
  

Dig out your favorite recipe idea and share it with the rest of us.  I'll post the granola recipe in the comment section before the day is over.  That's a lot for one day, but we're a moving and shaking group of people.  

Signing off until tomorrow...

Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday: Ho, Ho, H -oech

Congratulations to Emily for her book title, "Things That Make You Go Hmmm..."  In all fairness to all  you budding author's out there, we couldn't decide on a best book title, so we placed our top five in a box and selected our winner.  Thanks to everyone for playing and thank you to Kristen for sharing her great idea.

To our new party goers, today's title is as close to Greek as it gets.  To our faithful returners, you know it's Wednesday - the day we invite Roger von Oech to whack our thinking.

Put your money away.  Tomorrow we'll resume spending money when we feature a $10.00 gift idea, but today we'll look at gift giving from a slightly different vantage point.  We won't actually pull a card from von Oech's deck, but if we did we would want #9, "Drop an Assumption; #19 "Challenge the Rules"; or #59 "Do the Unexpected." 

Today we are going to challenge the belief that the best holiday gift has to be given on Christmas day or, if you're Jewish, on any one of the SEVEN days of Hannukah.

Let me preface this by telling you about one of the best gifts I think I've ever given.  My parents LOVE fruit.  My mom and dad are kind of health food fanatics.  Fruit, granola, steamed or grilled vegetables, lots of homemade yogurt (no flavoring), and broccoli, broccoli, broccoli.  I get the Harry and David Catalog every year, but their prices are high so I usually pass right over it and look for something in the $25.00- $50.00 range.  One particular year I combined, giving them a Merry Birthday present and splurged on a gift from Harry and David.  I subscribed them to the Fruit of the Month Club - meaning every month for 12 months, they got a delivery of the most juicy, succulent fruits of the season.  According to my mother, the deliveries were always beautifully packaged and were accompanied with corresponding recipe cards.

To me, one of the nice things about this gift idea is that it was the gift that kept on giving... every month for the whole year my parents got an edible reminder of me in the mail.  None of us has the money to splurge on Harry and David's Fruit of the Month, but I like the idea of "subscriptions."  And, not necessarily store "company-purchased" subscriptions such as magazines, fruit, or movies.  I'm talking about a homemade, "Here's-what-I'm-good -at-coming-to-you-once -a-month-for-a-year" subscriptions.  And really... who says it has to be monthly?  Maybe it can be an six times a year or even quarterly, committing you to a delivery only four times a year.

Now the fun part.  Let's generate some examples.  I'm not genuinely good at a long list of things, but even I could come up with an example for a special someone on my Christmas list (p.s. I would only give one or two of these gifts a season, otherwise you create a healthy amount of work for yourself).  How about "Cookie of the Month" club?  Each month I could bake a batch of my fun cookies, decorate them and send them to my Christmas recipient.  Or, what about a subscription to, "Claudia's Craft Item of the Month" club?  You can always find craft items on the cheap and wouldn't it be fun to get one a month for a whole year?  Sticker of the Month Club?  Accessory of the Month?  School Supply of the Month?  Tea of the Month?  Place mat of the month?  The list is endless.

Now what about all the things so many of you are good at?  CD of the Month Club?  Picture of the Month (photographed or drawn)? Greeting Card of the Month?  Recipe of the Month?.  My sister loves to read the same kind of books I do.  I wish she would subscribe me to the "Ann Toran used Business Book of the Month" club.  In a minute we'll brainstorm some more, but first another related idea...

Nordstrom's puts out an annual catalog.  At the back of the catalog, for sale at outrageous prices, are unusual and one-of-a-kind gift items.  This year for instance you can fight to purchase the one and only custom designed couch by Tory Burch (price tag, $15,000); an armoire designed and stocked by Juicy Couture ($15,000); or a family portrait session with celebrity photographer Sam Jones (Two photo sessions are available at $50,000 each).

I'm assuming none of us will be giving any of those items this year, but what about mailing someone on our list a Custom Made Catalog of items/experiences from which they can choose?  They pick the one in the catalog about which they are most excited and you make it happen.  The catalog alone could be fun to create and your gift would be the talk of the town. 

If I was doing this for a friend, the catalog of choices might include: (1) Private Cookie Flooding Lessons, (2) An afternoon at Paint Your Pottery, or (3) Free Baby sitting.

If Richard was feeling so inclined to make me a catalog, it would want it to include items such as: (1) Dinner and a Broadway Show, (2) a Driving Tour of Fall Leaves, or (3) Complete One Handyman Project of My Choice.

How about our 15 year old son, Ricky?  (1) An Overnight trip Fly Fishing with Dad, (2) An Afternoon of Car Shopping at the Car Lots of Your Choice, or (3) A Room Overhaul (deep cleaned, organized, laundry done, and maybe even a new item or two).

My friend Amy should give away a closet consultation.  She's my fashion mentor (among other things).  Laura, you could include a Picture Shoot in your catalog.  Stacie, what about a massage as an offering in your catalog?  Other items might include a picnic, a car wash, or a CD collection of your choice.  The list of possibilities is long.  Heck, one of your catalog offerings could even be one of your infamous "monthly subscriptions."

Let's have fun with this today.  Let's put on our thinking caps and generate ideas for "subscriptions" or for items that could be listed in our personalized "gift catalogs"

Signing off until tomorrow...

P.S.  Important Spirit of #218 Announcement!  Tonight is the lighting of the Tree in New York.  It starts at 8:00 EST and is on NBC.  This is the perfect reason to gather your family and friends.  Pop some popcorn, pull out a game, invite some friends over.... but seize the moment and make time for this great holiday season.  It is a simple, simple, simple way to get some holiday cheer going.  And, it's FREE!

  

Ho! Ho! Ho!, Low on Dough: $15.00

Welcome back everyone.  Katie and her Krew were a welcome addition to all our usual suspects.  I might also add that Amber is a quasi new members - jumping in with good ideas left and right.  You realize though, that once we come to like you and get used to all your great input, we don't let you get away easily.  Just ask football lovin', ornament winnin' Montana Kelly.

Lots of good ideas were generated yesterday about ways to adapt our Christmas tree idea to fit the hobbies and interests of family and friends.  I've thought more about the tree, for Kristen's friend who is relocating to Texas.  Maybe you could wire miniature containers of hot sauce (sold at World Market), a "Don't Mess With Texas" bumper sticker, a horseshoe, a Texas ornament, a Texas shaped cookie cutter, silk yellow roses.  And, how about cutting a bandanna into strips and turning them into bows?

Or... do a moving-themed tree (cardboard and string) and attach a gift certificate to  a local Texas restaurant the couple can visit once they arrive (but before their kitchen is unpacked).

As for my cookie cutter tree?  It's on it's way to Katie K. - party host extraordinaire.  She is an expert cookie baker and "flooder," so I know she'll get great use from it.  Do you want a cool host or hostess gift?  Find out later this week how you can host your very own Highlowaha Friendship Party.

Today's price point... $15.00.

I love bookstores.  You would be hard pressed to walk in Barnes and Noble and not be able to find something for even the toughest person on you list.  The person on your list isn't into the classics - Jane Eyre, Hemmingway, Orwell, Hawthorne, Faulkner...?  How about a book on hunting, cooking, fishing, crocheting.  No books?  O.k.  How about a magazine, a CD, or a DVD?  Still no?    Stationary, journals, paperweights, games?  It's decided.  Bookstores are to me what FAO Schwartz is to my boys! 

Today's gift comes in three parts.  I'll share each part individually and in the end you'll see how they fit together... and... for under $15.00!

Part I.  Barnes and Noble Gift Card.  The other nice thing about this gift is it's scalable.  I'm putting a $10.00 gift card in mine, but if you can't spend $10.00 then how about $5.00 (lots of good magazines for less than $5.00)?  Or, if you're feeling more generous, increase the amount to fit your budget.

Part II.  Page Markers.  These are FREE!  You know all those envelopes delivered to your home every afternoon?  Don't throw them away.  With a little bit of effort and a touch of creativity, you can turn them into fun gifts to be packaged with a book or gift card.  It's simple.  (1) Cut the edges of the envelope on a diagonal, (2) decorate, and (3) slip over the page in your book where you stopped reading.  This idea is an especially nice way to involve kids in gift giving, as they will have a great time decorating the page markers.  I packaged mine in cellophane envelopes, but you could use a small box, punch a whole in the top and slip them through a metal ring, or display them on page corners throughout the book you are giving.

Part III.  Final step to today's gift.  This is the piece where you can employ as much creativity as you have time for.  Mine is not elaborate, because I was making it in time to photograph for this morning's post.  This book shaped box is made of card board.  You can buy them at any craft store for approximately $3.50 ($3.39 at Hobby Lobby).  Then use some tissue paper and a little Modge Podge to cover the front.  If you have lots of time, you can cut out pictures, letters, and words from magazines.  What is especially fun about this is that you can custom design the "book cover" to fit the interests/personality of your recipient.  Some examples.  If I was giving it to my retired mother in-law I might title it, "101 Activities for the Newly Retired"  Purchased with Susan, the avid reader from Georgia, in mind might earn it the title, "A Readers Guide to Georgia".  Ricky, my Olympic aspiring son?  How about, "Dangerous When Wet"

The title chosen for today's sample... "PPDC: The Building of a Brand"  Author, A.B.  To you know who... your treat is in the mail!

Gift Card = $10.00; Page markers = FREE; Personalized Book Box = $3.50.  Grand total...$13.50.

Either comment on the use of my $15.00 or share another idea you might have for how to spend $15.00.  Would it be in poor taste to do a shameless plug for the last box of Highlowaha Christmas Conversation Cards?  Order now!

Signing off until tomorrow...

P.S.  Mustard is the winning secret ingredient for this week's challenge, 10 votes to 7!

Ho! Ho! Ho!, Low on Dough

Highlowaha

Friendship Party II

Katie K and the Crew

Ho! Ho! Ho!, Low on Dough

Welcome Emily, Lindsay, Sarah, Cassie, Michelle, Brittany, Nicole, and of course...Katie.

I'll leave the formal introductions of who each of these fun women is to Katie, who like Heather, will hopefully find time today to post a short note about each.  I do, however, know a a few of our party guests well enough to know we are going to have a fun filled week.  And, Lindsay, who I do not yet know, visited our site last night - before the party even started.  That certainly earns her a gold star and lets me know she's going to fit in perfectly. 

While I am sure this gathering of women has many things in common, this week they are bound together by their status as "poor student" (or recent grad?), looking for ways to do the holidays on a shoe string.  But, let's face it... whether you are newly graduated or trying to squeeze into a dress for your 20th reunion (like me), we can all benefit from creative, but inexpensive gift ideas.

That will be the focus of this week - Holiday gift ideas when you are low on dough.  A quick overview of the week, so you know what to expect.  Each day this week I will share a gift idea or pose a gift "category" around which we will all brainstorm.  Each gift idea will have a different price point, beginning today with the most expensive ($20.00) and ending on Saturday with a price point of $5.00.  As always, this impressive gathering of highlowaha readers will build on the idea suggested in my morning post by adding your two cents in the comment section.  If all goes well, we will have six days worth of blogging that CHOCK FULL of creative and inexpensive gift ideas.

Newcomers... you will soon find out that this community is about so much more than just a creative idea a day.  Hopefully by week's end you will see we are a thriving community providing countless ways for you to join in and get connected.  Almost daily we have announcements at the end.  Stick around for the announcements, as it is a great way to discover the other fun things going on here at highlowaha.  Have a question about an announcement?  Don't be shy.  We love questions.  Surely some old-timer will jump in and post an answer ASAP.

Having said that... let's get this party started.

Who Says Dough Doesn't Grow on Trees?

This photograph isn't great... actually, it isn't even good.  Trust me when I tell you that, in person, it looks terrific.  I purchased a small Christmas tree at Michael's (with a 50% off coupon $3.59).  Then, I took a roll of wired garland ($1.00 at Dollar Tree) and twist tied 40 cookie cutters ($40% off at Joann Fabrics, $9.39) to the tree, making them look like ornaments.  Naturally I attached the star cookie cutter to the top.  For added fun, I bought a handful of cookie decorating tips (5 x .99 = $5.35) and put them on the tips of various tree branches.  This would make a fun gift for a a friend who liked to bake or someone setting up their own apartments/kitchen for the first time.  Grand total $19.33.

This idea is an adaptation of a tree I made many years ago for Ricky's third grade teacher.  She loved it and told me his gift was the hit of the teacher's lounge.  Instead of baking supplies, I covered the tree in school supplies.  We strung bright colored paper clips together to be garland; neon covered erasers served as Christmas lights; and pens, pencils, and sticky notes were wired to the branches as ornaments.  Instead of a star, the tree was topped off with a gift card to a local teacher supply store.

So it begs the question...  What other adaptations are out there?  Let's spend some time brainstorming additional ideas today.  How about for music lovers, cat lovers, book lovers, coffee lovers, chocolate lovers, golfers, or fishermen?  Who do you know?  What is he/she a fan of and how can you adapt this idea to fit his/her interests.  Have a little girl?  What about hair accessories?  Older teenager... what about nail polish, clippers, and makeup?  If I was making one for Ricky today (at 15), I might wire it with a series of $5.00 gift cards (of course, it would probably surpass today's $20.00 limit).  O.k.  maybe instead I could wire it with Butterfingers, Reeses Pieces and Snickers.  Even a combo of gift cards and candy is fun.

Before you get brainstorming, let me lay out all the things to which you will respond today.  There are three.

• First.  Yes, use your creativity (we all have some) and share your ideas about how the Christmas tree idea can be adapted to suit the personality of one of your family members or friends.  
  
• Second.  I neglected to have people vote on Friday for this week's secret ingredient.  It is essential we do it today, as entries must be mailed by mid-week arrive in Illinois on time.  Newcomers... We are in the middle of a Snack Throw Down.  Readers are going head to head, creating winning recipes, using a secret ingredient decided upon by us.  Entries are judged by bar flies at Struble Suds, in Naperville, Illinois.  We are choosing between
  

Cayenne Pepper or Mustard

• Third.  Tell me.  What does each of you (newcomers and returners) hope to get out of this week.  The week is still young, so I have time to try and satisfy as many interests as possible.      

Announcements:

Football Snack Throw Down:  Congratulations to Susan who won yesterday's Snack Throw Down.  As it turns out, Heather's entry didn't arrive, making Susan the automatic winner.  I've been lucky enough to taste plenty of Susan's cooking, so I know competing entry or not, she is a first rate competitor!  Next up is Cheryl vs. Lori.

Paint The Town Red:  A small snafu and therefore announcement.  Make sure the 16 oz. Cokes you buy, if starting a Coke Kindness Chain, have red caps.  I made the mistake of buying a six pack and they had white caps.  I didn't realize that meant there would be no code beneath the lid.  Remember to keep submitting your codes to your "Regional Director" or to Heather.

Owl's Nest:  If you read Friday's Black Friday post, you will see our Texas readers are going to embark on a shopping trip on your behalf.  Read the post and find out how you can win a free Christmas present for a child in your life.  We already have a handful of takers.  Don't miss out.

Festival of Lights: Sunday, December 14, Highlowaha will embark on our next Virtual Party.  To participate all you have to do is submit three photographs to Katie before Friday, December 12.  They are: (1) a picture of your Christmas tree or other holiday decoration, (2) a picture of an ornament, and (3) a picture of the same ornament wrapped.  We will have a fun ornament exchange while viewing one another's holiday decorations. 

Signing off until tomorrow...