Countdown to the Twelve Days of Christmas: Part I

Good morning.  Today's post will come in two parts.  First will come the sharing of today's creative idea.  Then, later in the day, will come our families finished product.

So today we make our Annual Twelve Days of Christmas Tree.  We cut it out of paper, paint it green, decorate paper ornaments, and then I write a daily activity on the  back of each.  Each day for the next twelve days we will do some small thing together to celebrate the holidays and to build the excitement and anticipation of Santa's arrival.

So that's it.  I'll report back later and show you a picture of the finished product.  In the meantime... how about sharing an idea or two of activities you might include.  Remember, the name of the game is simple.  In fact, I like to build the activities around things we already do each day (taking baths, eating dinner, reading our nightly book, getting dressed, etc...).

Remember, Katie might still accept your pictures of your Christmas tree and ornament!  It's not too late to get in the game!

Signing off until later today...

Twelve Days of Christmas: Part II:

Here it is.  More than a little later (Sunday at 7:30).  Sorry.  Last night got away from me and we were hosting an out of town visitor today. 

The beauty of this project was that there was it was totally Matthew and Jack's.  I cut out the ornaments and the tree and the boys went to town coloring and painting.  It might not win us any awards, but to us, Rockefeller Center has nothing on us.  The twelve activities I settled on - which are still a mystery to the boys - are...

• Sing Christmas carols in the bathtub
  
• Mail Santa his letter
  
• Eat popcorn and watch a Christmas show
  
• Read a Christmas book to the kids in your class
  
• Wear red and green
  
• Drive around looking at Christmas lights
  
• Make snowman sundaes for dessert
  
• Visit Santa
  
• Make thank you cards
  
• Solve a Christmas puzzle
• Drink hot cocoa with a candy cane
• Bake Santa his cookies

Thanks for your creative assistance...

Free For All Friday: Final Thoughts, Friendship Parties, and Football

T.G.I.F.

Am I the only one waking up early because of the gajillion things running through my head?  I could fill a legal pad with all the things I want to do in the next couple of weeks, if only I would write them down.  But, if I take time to make a list I have less time to check the items off my list... and on and on the cycle goes.  Instead, I'll continue the same maddening cycle, subjecting all of you to my craziness along the way.

Today's post will be reflective of my mental state... a little all over the place, but important nonetheless.

The good news is that today is Free For All Friday.  If you hate what I have to say then declare mutiny.  Take the blog over and talk about whatever is important to you.  Still looking for a gift idea, packaging suggestions, or a slogan to go along with your gift?  Let the group take a crack at it.  Find a great bargain, a new recipe, or a holiday must-have?  Share it with the rest of us.  Glad it's Friday and ready to celebrate, vent, or reflect?  Lay it on us.  We love that stuff.

As for me... here's what I got.

Final Gift Ideas:  I can't stop.  I saw a few more things I want you to know about.  First, I saw a Girlz Own Bedroom Doorbell.  $11.99 at the Owl's Nest.  Wouldn't that be a fun thing for a young girl to have on her door?  For boys (or girls)...  Zoomorphs.  Picture animal parts... all sorts of animal parts.  Arms, legs, wings, claws, beaks, tails, etc....  Now picture them as separate pieces.  Kids can use the variety of animal parts to morph their own zoo animal (thus the name).   Ssshhh... I couldn't resist buying it for Matthew ($16.99).

Kelly Montana!:  Have you seen Katie's challenge posted in yesterday's announcements? Tonight... James Madison (her school) versus Montana (your school).  Are you up for another challenge?  That's what she wants to know!  There's another ornament hanging in the balance, so let her know!  I heard her say you're "going down!"  Are you going to let her get away with that?

Virtual Baby Shower:  Kristen has generously offered to host our next Friendship Party, January 26-31.  In light of the upcoming baby arrivals, our next Friendship Party is slated to be a baby shower.  Bottom line.  We are looking for 6-8 pregnant women who will come together and form our guest list for January's party.  Kelly, Melanie, and Michelle (where are you)... you are welcome to join us.  In addition to our old standbys, we would love to pull in some new readers.  That's where all of you come in.  Who do you know that is pregnant and will you pass their name along to us?  We need 6-8 women who are due sometime between March and June or July. 

Texas Friends: Calling all women living in the North Texas area!  Kristen's sister in-law will be moving to the Dallas Metroplex area in the spring.  She's decorating a Texas Christmas tree (see post from 12/) and would love to attach the names of contacts her sister in law could call when she arrives.  If you are willing to help welcome Kristen's sister in law to our great state, please pass along your name and contact information.  Kristen's email address is: k_schnepp@hotmail.com. 

Festival of Lights and Ornament Exchange:  It's never too late to join the fun!  Here's a run down.  Festival of Lights will begin at 8:00 p.m. CST.  To participate, just email kklolkmeier@gmail.com a picture of you in front of a holiday decoration.  She must receive by tonight at 9:00 p.m (though, if she got it Saturday morning, she'd probably squeeze it in).    The Ornament Exchange will begin somewhere around 8:15 and should be done by no later than 8:40ish.  To participate in the Ornament Exchange just...

• Buy an ornament (50% off at most places right now)
  
• Send Katie a picture of it unwrapped.
  
• Send Katie a picture of it wrapped.
  
• Tune in at 8:00 this Sunday.
  

Football Throw Down:  Round One of the Football Snack Throw Down is over.  Thanks to the 14 of you who participated.  Special congratulations to Richard, Tera, Lori, Nicole, Maureen, Melanie, and Susan,  our seven skilled winners.  Here's what we have to look forward to...

• December 30, Richard vs. Tera (receive secret ingredient 12/19
  
• January 3, Nicole vs. Maureen (receive secret ingredient 12/26
  
• January 10, Melanie vs. Susan (receive secret ingredient 1/2
• January 11, winner of Richard vs. Tera goes up against Lori (who automatically advances).  Receive secret ingredient 1/2.
• January 18, winner of Nicole vs. Maureen goes up against winner of Melanie vs. Susan, (receive secret ingredient 1/9).
• February 1, SUPER BOWL!!!!! Coveted Super Bowl is awarded to the winner, (receive secret 1/16).

Cassie Goes on a Road Trip: This Monday Cassie heads on her road trip to Santa Claus, Indiana to hand postmark and deliver our Christmas cards.  Hopefully she's received a handful in the mail.  All you last-minute Louisvillians, maybe if you drop her an email at cpatterson02@bellarmine.edu, she will swing by and pick your card up before leaving on her trip.

Christmas Conversation Question:  If all else fails, how about answering today's Highlowaha Christmas Conversation Question... What is the strangest gift you ever received?

Signing off until tomorrow...

Claudia's Kids Pick: Boys Toys

It's official.  I'm allergic to my Christmas tree.  My head is clogged and my throat is sore.  That's my low for the day (good to get that out of the way early).  It's still too early to know what my "high" will be and same with my "aha."  Maybe I'll check back later tonight and let you know.

In the meantime, we have boys toys to talk about... a topic near and dear to my heart, as I have three.  

Let me preface this by saying, the list below of Claudia's Top Kid Picks assumes the boys in your life already have (1) a flashlight, (2) walkie talkies, and (3) binoculars.  These are all items that Richard - my husband - insists are a must.  Once Maslow's Hierarchy of Boys Toys is taken care of, consider my list.  

Also, let us know what you've picked out this season for the boys in you life.  Don't have any toy ideas to share?  How about answering this question from the, now-sold-out, Limited Edition Deck of Highlowaha Conversation Cards.  What is one Christmas present from your childhood you wish you still had?  Something immediately came to mind as my answer.  I'll post it in the comment section.

Schylling Grip-n-Growl

$5.99

 How about getting this for your favorite boy's bike.  When he pulls back on the grip, it sounds like the engine of his bicycle is revving.  An inexpensive, but fun treat to surprise a neighbor, nephew, or to put in a holiday grab bag.

Stomp Rocket

$15.99 ($12.99 at Owl's Nest)

Matthew first spotted this toy when some neighborhood boys were playing with it on our block.  He's wanted one ever since.  Simply attach the foam rocket to the launch tower and then jump on the launch pad.  The rockets shoots up to 100 feet in the air.  They make another one for older kids that goes up to 200 feet (kids have to be a little heavier to jump hard enough).

Skuut

$89.99 

My sister gave this bicycle to Matthew last year.  It might very well be the best present he will ever receive.  Matthew was three last Christmas and the timing for this Skuut was PERFECT!  It works just like a bicycle, only no pedals.  Matthew uses his feet to push off and glide himself from place to place.  The beauty of this is that, by virtue of "skuuting" for a year, Matthew now knows how to balance himself and learning to ride a bicycle will be made much easier.  This item is pricey, but it is worth every penny!

Frontier Safe

$11.50

 
It seems to me having a place to hide your top secret loot (marbles, coins, a whistle, pocket knife, and other boy gadgets) would be a fun gift for a favorite boy on your list.

Flip To Win Hangman

$12.95

This is another Melissa and Doug product (love them!).  I love this item, because it strikes me as fun, but practical.  Perfect for the car.  Perfect for a restaurant.  Perfect for an airplane or a doctor's office.  The pieces are attached to the board, so no worrying about lost pieces.  They also make a similarly designed Tic Tac Toe board.

Fortamajig, Single Layer

$69.95

Santa brought one of these to Matthew last year.  It is called a Fortamajig.  It's genius, really.  I wish I would have thought of it.  Imagine parachute material with velcro tabs sewn all over it.  The randomly placed velcro tabs allow your favorite little boy (or girl) to build a fort anywhere any time.  The only supplies necessary are trees branches or furniture to which the velcro loops can be attached... and a healthy dose of imagination.

Original Little Hands Card Holder

$3.99

A simple, relatively inexpensive item.  A set of these card holders with a deck of either Old Maid or Go Fish cards makes a perfect gift for someone on your list.  I've seen other brands, but this brand works the best.

That's it for today's items.  Hopefully you found something in my Top Picks that might work for one of the guys in your life.  Don't forget to answer today's question.

Signing off until tomorrow...

Santa Claudia's Top Kid Pick's: Girl's First

Announcements at the end.

Don't get me wrong, my boys are allowed to play with dolls if they want and one of Matthew's favorite colors is pink.  When I say that today we will look at items of that might be of interest to girls, it does not mean, "No Boys Allowed."  It just means the Owl's Nest had the items located in a predominantly pink section of the store.

The price range of the items featured (and photographed by Heather) are of varying prices . One thing they have in common... all, in some way, foster creativity.  I'll leave gadgets and battery operated toys to someone more qualified.

Already done with you shopping?  Let us know what you've purchased this season for the young girls in your life.  Some of us haven't even started yet (yikes, it's true!)  Also, we'll top each of the next three days of with a question from the inaugural deck of Highlowaha's Conversation Cards (SOLD OUT!).  Today's question... What is the most memorable holiday gift you remember receiving as a child?

Fingermax Finger Brushes

$16.95

Finger painting with a twist... or should I say brush?

Kids Paint Brushes

$12.95

I bought these paint brushes for Matthew a few years back and he still uses them at least a few times a month.  You can also purchase paint containers with covers in corresponding colors.  It not only reinforces differentiation of colors, but it also helps keep the red paint red and the blue paint blue.

Jewelry Box Sticky Mosaic Kit

$12.99

Heather spotted this item and I agreed that making your own jewelry box, sounded like something many young girls would think was fun.  I also love the fact that it gives her something to do over the holiday break... other than watch t.v.

Alex Link 'n Loop Scarf

$17.99

We thought of Stacie when we saw this and thought, with a little help from her, this could be a fun gift for the nine year old girl for whom we were browsing.

Fashion Design Studio by Creativity for Kids

$28.79

Fashion industry, watch out!  This kit provides all the essentials necessary for a young person to design her own clothing.  You could be inspiring the next great clothing designer!!!

Cahootie

$6.95

Why do I love this so much?  As a kid, I spent hours doing Finger Fortunes with friends.  It's relatively inexpensive, but seems to me that it would countless hours of fun.

Melissa & Doug's

Architectural Standard Unit Blocks

$42.95

 My mother bought these architectural blocks for my niece years ago.  She's eleven and still loves playing with them.  Incidentally, on our last trip to N.Y., my boys spent many an hour playing with them too.

Oriental Trading Company

Jingle Bell Rings

$4.99/dozen

This might not exactly foster creativity, but I think it makes for a great tie-on to the bow of just about any package!  I bought one mine for $2.99 (it is multi-colored), but Oriental Trading has a full dozen for only $4.99.

Announcements:

• Festival of Lights: Cassie, Maureen, Kristen, and I were the first to commit to Sunday night's fun... The Festival of Lights will begin at 8:00 and probably only go until 8:40 or so.  Surely we'll have some more takers by Friday night at 9:00 when pictures are due to Katie.  Just email her (kkolkmeier@gmail.com) a picture of you (and your family) in front of your Christmas tree, menorah, or any other meaningful holiday item.  
  
• Ornament Exchange: This will also take place on Sunday night, beginning immediately after the Festival of Lights.  To participate... simply purchase an ornament.  Take a picture of it unwrapped, then take a picture of it wrapped.  Email both to Katie at kkolkmeier@gmail.com   
  
• Yesterday's winners: I'm not sure why my original post of winners did not post.  Here's the shortened version.  Thanks to those of you who wrote a review.  Allison did not get my email in enough time to judge, so I deferred to my favorite elf.  Richard picked two numbers between 1-6 (to correspond with the six of you who participated).  Kristen and Tera were the lucky winners!
  
• Cassie Goes to Santa Claus: It's not too late!  Grab a card on the way to work.  Take some time over your lunch hour.  Zip by the post office on your way home.  In the Spirit of #218, don't miss this chance to send a child you know a Christmas card from Santa Claus, Indiana.  Cassie is road tripping to Santa Claus for us on Monday (12/15).  We want to send her with a full Santa sack.  Her address: Cassie Patterson, 103 Meadow Drive, Sellersburg, IN, 47172
  

Signing off until tomorrow...

Santa Claudia: Cooking Up a Yummy Holiday

From one favorite vice (books) to another (edible treats)!  In an effort to make the holidays magical for the children in, and around, our lives, we are spending this week exploring favorite gift ideas for kids.  If you tuned in yesterday, you saw my qualifier.  I have a bias toward gifts that foster foster creativity and leave plenty of room for a healthy dose of imagination.  Yesterday I shared favorite holiday book titles and many of you generously chimed in with favorite titles of your own.

Today we will talk about fostering the inner chef of the children we know.  We will do this early in the week also as a way of honoring and recognizing the "can-do" attitude that King Arthur's Flour exhibited this summer. While the Container Store was busy telling me why they couldn't sponsor a Highlowaha activity - thereby giving them great, POSITIVE exposure to all of you- King Arthur's Flour contacted me asking if we would like to try one of their new products for kids.  (For the full story, see post from 10/4 titled, "Just Say Yes)." 

Hard to talk about fostering the creativity in our children without talking about engaging them in the kitchen.  One night of watching the Food Network is all you need to be convinced that cooking and baking are great ways of expressing creativity.  Seems like a perfect match to me and so here we are.

If you haven't finished shopping for the children in your life, consider giving them the gift of time in the kitchen (with you or another adult, like grandma).  King Arthur's makes six kids mixes, ranging from "ABC Twists" to "Rainbow Snack Cakes," to "Chocolate Chipper" muffin mix, "Cowboy Oatmeal" muffin mix, "Snickerdoodle" cookie mix, and "Pizza Crust."  The mixes are only $5.95 per mix.  Packaged with a rolling pin ($1.00 bin at Target), a chef's hat, or an apron, and you have a great gift idea - still for under $20.00.

Last week we mentioned the value in treating a special someone in your life to an ongoing gift.  The idea being that what we don't spend in money, we make up for in sentimentality.  Cookie cutters seem like a great example of this to me.  I can't help but think what fun it would be to present a special child with a new cookie cutter each year - the idea being that we "break it in" together.  Start when the child is young and by the time they are 18, he or she has a nice little collection (not to mention a slew of memories and a well developed skill of cookie decorating).  King Arthur has a nice selection of seasonal cookie cutters.  I'm especially fond of the snowflake (packaged beautifully with the book, Snowflake Bentley).

Today I want to give away the four baking mixes, generously donated to me by King Arthur's flour.  The question is, how?

• Do I pull from my RAK box?
  
• Have you tell who you will share the treats with, so I know they will go to good use?
  
• Swap it for a fun Christmas cookie recipe that you post in the comment section?
  
• Solicit your funniest holiday kitchen story?
  
• Or, maybe I should try to repay King Arthur's Flour in some way.  I could send you to their on-line catalog and have your enter the drawing for kids mixes by reading your review of the item of your choice.
  

Don't like #1.  Too easy.  Number 2 puts me in the roll of judging one story over another.  I don't like that.  Numbers 3 and 4 are ok and could make for interesting and entertaining reading.  Suggestion #5 feels right too.  Good karma, you know?  Do something nice for our blog community and we will go out of our way to help you.  Yeah, I like #5.

Visit the website at kingarthurflour.com  

Look the on-line catalog and stop at the first thing that catches your eye.  Tell us what it is, why you like it, how much it costs, and anything else about item that you find interesting.  I'll separate the four boxes into two bundles.  I don't want to judge, so I think I'll contact Allison Furbish at King Arthur and see if she will help.  Don't fail me now readers.  Show Allison and King Arthur's what a fun, engaged, and appreciative group we are.  Reviews, reviews, reviews.  We want lots of reviews.

Announcements:

• Cassie Goes to Santa Claus:  Let's not send her empty handed.  Today or tomorrow are the last two safe days to send Cassie a card that she can bring for an authentic Santa Claus postmark.  All you have to do is fill out your card, address it to the whichever child you've picked to be the recipient. and put a stamp on it.  Then, stick it in an envelope and send it to Cassie Patterson at: 103 Meadow Drive, Sellersburg, IN, 47172.  She'll deliver cards from anyone - frequent commenters and lurkers alike!!!!  First time readers or veteran readers.  Just make sure it gets to her by Saturday.
  
• Commit:  Festival of Lights and our Ornament Exchange are this Sunday, December 14 at 8:00.  I'd love to get an idea of who is participating.  Don't be scared to commit.  Participating is easy.  Just submit a picture of you in front of holiday lights (tree, menorah, your house, etc...).  Submit it to Katie by Friday (12/12) at 9:00 at kkolkmeier@gmail.com.  To participate in the ornament exchange just submit a wrapped and unwrapped picture of your ornament to Katie by the same day and time.  We are a community.  This is a fun way to celebrate the holidays together!  Remember, this is a patch yielding event!!!!  Mary Beth, Susan, Kristen, and all you others who have recently received patchwork denim, this is the perfect chance to increase your collection of coveted patches.
  

Signing off until tomorrow...

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...