Hand Painted Ornaments

by Meredith

In need of a few little gifts this holiday season?  Here's a creative idea.  Pick up some ornaments (plastic or glass) and acrylic paint, then create your own beautiful tree ornaments.  You can make the design as complicated or simple as you want and they will still be stunning.  Guaranteed your friends and family will love them.  This makes a nice, small thoughtful present, or use them to decorate the outside of a present by attaching it near the top by the bow for an add-on.

This can also make for a fun activity to do with kids this holiday season.

{Ideas courtesy of Thomas Pacconi and ShopNBC}

{Ideas courtesy of Thomas Pacconi and ShopNBC}

{Ideas courtesy of Thomas Pacconi and ShopNBC}

{Ideas courtesy of Thomas Pacconi and ShopNBC}

{Ideas courtesy of Thomas Pacconi and ShopNBC}

The Original Traveling Photobooth

by Meredith

Here's a big shout out to The Traveling Photobooth - which has been a huge highlight of many recent events I've been at.  It's a fun way for people to easily show personality and get creative - and has a nice timeless touch.

This is from a wedding Jesse and I were at this summer.  We look totally fabulous don't we?

Antique Photos

by Meredith

We went to Storm Lake, Iowa this past weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday with her family. One of my gifts to her was a photo board made up of many family photos from her past.  When I started, I asked Gram if she had any old pictures tucked away and she dug up a box from the basement filled to the brim with old family snapshots.  One problem - many didn't have names on them!  Her and I did the best we could despite my lack of knowledge and her aging memory, but in the end I think it turned out pretty well.  My challenge to you now is if you're interested in this same thing, ask your elders ahead of time to go through their old pictures and write down names and relationships statuses!  The earlier you do this the better.

Easter Eggs

by Meredith

Each year the week before Easter my my grandma and I color eggs. I know I'm a grown adult, but we make an afternoon of it - and as long as we are both still able to do it, we will!  It's an easy, fun way to get creative.  Right before the holiday she turns most into devil eggs and the rest we use for decorations, and then after we enjoy as hard boil eggs or turn into egg salad.

Bridal Showers Galore

by Meredith

We're on the cusp of wedding season and bridal showers are starting to pour in. Recently, I've been  having some fun wrapping the gifts. Of course there are many options for paper products and some can be expensive. Here's a quick tip, check out your local dollar store. They can have some awesome finds when it comes to this. Then get creative wrapping because you can afford ribbons and bows!  Sometimes you can even take some leftover paper and wrap it around a second time to give a layered look.  (See the second gift I wrapped.) I'll let you know when I come up with more ideas! Please share if you have suggestions too!

 

  

 

  

Here is another great post for inspiration too from blogger, Older and Wisor.