Just Around the Corner

Christmas is just around the corner... of every isle of every department store, grocery store and pretty much every other store that wants your money (which would be all of them I think).  And if you're like me and prefer to take it one holiday at a time, it can be slightly annoying seeing all the red and green before we've even made it through black and orange or the fall colors of Thanksgiving. 
This year, however, I'm already thinking Christmas.  Why?  Not only because it's probably my favorite holiday, but also because I'm getting into saving money with a little bit of recycling, crafting and diy, meaning I need to get an early start.  Once of my main ideas to think green and save some green is cute home made gift bags, bows and wrapping paper.  Every year I forget  about the gift wrapping part until the end, then rush out and buy a bulk bag of bows and rolls and rolls of generic paper, then spend my Christmas Eve stressing out over having to wrap presents into the early morning hours.  If you're a mom, you probably know that the night before Christmas, while the mouse may not be stirring, you are... frantically wrapping until your bloodshot eyes match that shiny red paper.  Well not this year!  Not me!  Come Christmas morning I will be well rested and prepared. Furthermore I will not be seeing red because I will know I saved some green.
While I am not doing a 100% do-it-yourself Christmas (I only wish I were that impressive!), I would like to try to make some of my own stocking stuffers and all my own cards and wrapping.
I started this blog with the intention of having a place to share photos, tips and patterns to go along with my YouTube channel, iLeedoo, and I will use it for that, as well as for a cute story here and there about my adorable two-year-old daughter or pictures of her doing some art and craft projects of her own.  On iLeedoo I share my diy, craft, decorating ideas with a focus on saving money by using stuff I already have around the house.  And on here, I'll share some thoughts to go along with them.  I hope by sharing my ideas, I can help you add that personal touch to Christmas, birthdays, parties, your home, and every day life while saving some cash in the process.

Here's my first cute, money saving Christmas idea to add a personal touch to your packages.  I'll be getting started early, and not doing 100 of these on Christmas Eve :)  The free and easy wrapping paper idea to go with it will be uploaded by Friday, 10/28/11.

And coming soon: my Reuse, Reduce, Recycle gift bag.

Another video I'm working on is a tutorial for my Poppy Headband.  Use it as a stocking stuffer for your little girl or wrap it around a present for a cuter than cute bow that doubles as a second gift.  P.S. it's not just for little girls.  I love matching my baby when we both wear ours :)