Homemade-ish

Back in the early part of December, I commented that I wanted to make some of my gifts this year. As in, most of my gifts.

I didn’t do it.

I baked like crazy, then ate what I baked.
I planned on knitting and sewing a few things, and promptly sat down to watch “The Walking Dead” or “Hell’s Kitchen” instead (shows that are in no way related, BTW).

But I was inspired nonetheless, and though it doesn’t count as being frugal and thrifty, I DID create gifties and I do believe the gifts I created will be greatly enjoyed.

STORY: (there’s always a story) I take pictures. Not always good pictures, but I do have a really nice camera that I saved up for and use a ton and almost know some of the functions, even. And then I post all these pictures to Flickr, because that is the limit of my scrapbooking creativity. My hubs and I like to go mountain climbing and hiking, and I haul my gigantic camera up these mountains like the fool I am in the hopes of getting an amazing shot or two. My father and his friends would get this way, too: The sun is setting, the atmosphere is perfect, and bam, suddenly they’re leaping around taking photos like they actually knew what they were doing. My father called this being “A**hole Adams.” Because you make such an a** of yourself, thinking you’re actually “artistic.” Six hundred mediocre pictures of flowers and sunsets later, you fully get the joke.

Okay so I am now the family A**hole Adams. To my credit, my camera is digital. THAT SAID, I do have a ton, ton, TON of pictures of my kids at almost every event imaginable. So my big homemade gift idea: Snapfish. Earlier in the month I utilized all kinds of deals and specials, and did some creating. That’s all I’m saying for now– but I will end with this:

When you make a gift for someone, there is this wonderful feeling of pride and excitement that accompanies the gift. It’s that feeling from first grade, when you made the macaroni necklace and your mom ooh’d and ahh’d like it was the most glamorous jewelry she’d ever laid eyes on. And being a mom, I know how honest that unbridled display of joy is. The Snapfish giftie is a bit more polished, and will last infinitely longer… but the best part, for me, is the excitement I feel now, knowing the gifts will continued to be enjoyed in time to come.

Yay.