A lot of times I will post about something that costs me nothing to make or do, even though technically, it did cost me something at some point.
Here is my philosophy. I bought the stuff (paper, spices, whatever) and now it is taking up space and time (organizing, cleaning, etc.). So, when I find a purpose for it and use what I already have it does four things:
1. Makes use of money I already spent - that money is gone, so I might as well get some use out of the stuff.
2. Clears something out of my house.
3. Prevents me from having to spend more money (on the thing I am avoiding buying by instead making use out of what I already have).
4. Boosts my confidence and creativity to find even more excess that I can put to good use.
On to the gift tags:
I am a stamper and a scrapbooker and I have four kids, so paper, stamps, markers and such are in abundance at my house.
To make these tags, I just cut up some scrap paper I had from making cards and stamped some holiday images on them. I punched a hole in the tag (for the ribbon) and colored the images.
You could also have your kids draw something, use stickers, or use your thumb to make a print and then put eyes and antlers on it (like a reindeer), complete with red nose.
I will use my tags on packages of homemade goodies for teachers, coaches, mail carriers, and the like. You could also put these tags on wrapped presents.
6 comments:
These are really cute! Great job!
Michelle - I'm loving your blog. Thanks for all the great ideas. I'm beginning my journey toward simplicity, so I need lots of encouragement.
Carol Ann
xofyls@dejazzd.com
Heather, thanks!
Carol Ann, Welcome and thanks for the feedback!
Very nice! Here is what I do that costs nothing, and I actually enjoy doing it once a year: I take last year's Christmas cards and cut my tags out of those, using fairly small fine scissors so I can go around pictures and shapes. Then I punch a hole in them and write on the back. Doesn't make enough for all the gifts, but they are unique.
I just discovered your blog yesterday and I am loving it! I am especially impressed with the essay you wrote on changing what you didn't like about yourself. Reminded me that I want to work on something I don't like about myself too. Although I tend to put it out of my mind, when what I really should do is hang a giant sign in front of me so I really work on it!
I often cut out images from the Christmas cards that I received the previous year to use for gift tags. This could also be done with birthday cards & other cards. Very easy. I haven't bought gift tags in years.
After I read this post, I ran (ok walked) to my kitchen junk drawer where I had stuck a full package of blank recipe cards that I found at a thrift store for a dime. I got out the ink and Christmasy stamps and let my younger boys go to it. Voila! Christmas Gift Tags. I didn't have any yet! Another thing I've done in the past, but forgot to do this year was save last years Christmas cards, then circle the part I want cut out to make a gift tag. You could also embellish them with glitter, who doesn't love glitter?! Blessings, Susan in Manitoba
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