Christmas crafty, foamies frenzy

If I've written once, I've said it a bezillion times: I love me some Daily Candy.

Even when I choose not to partake in their "Deals of the Week" (usually $200 earrings which are so cool and so not a good idea when diapers/whole milk/small, noisy trucks that kill when you accidentally step on them are the priority), I can find some kind of inspiration in nearly every email.

Today, I got an email with a little plug for Oriental Trading Company as a place to buy cheapy artsy stuff for the kiddos to get creative (emphasis on cheapy). Just like the $200 earrings, I will opt out of making an online purchase here. I did, however, get all amped up about photo posted in the blurb, which inspired me to get all Christmas crafty with Lil E.

Check out the photo above. Isn't that a cute and ooky-gooey-free way to make a gingerbread house with the wee ones?

We just happen to have a bucket of holiday foamies that we've already used to make gift cards (thus, already gearing up the excitement over crafting with said foamies). There is no need to spend your hard-earned $1.95 at Oriental Trading Company! I imagine you have all the ingredients and good stuff somewhere in your house, in a pile on your desk or shoved inside the Elmo coloring book.

Here's how this mama would do it:
* Flatten out a lunch sak or plain gift bag and decorate with holiday foamies. If you don't have the holiday foamies, why not just cut out shapes from construction paper or wrapping paper scraps?

* Fill the bag with crumpled paper or napkins or other recycled stuff and staple the top of the bag closed.

* For the roof, fold a piece of paper in half and cut to the length of the top of the bag. Decorate and glue or staple on the top of the bag.

* Get fancy with older kids and add glitter glue or bits and pieces from your craft or sewing box. This is a great way to get rid of old buttons or single earrings. Make a village for your child's dresser top.

* We used this paper bag method with paints to make pumpkins and you can easily make a Santa and Mrs. Claus the same way.

* Most importantly, in my humble and trying desperately to de-clutter opinion, throw these badboys away after the holidays. I personally think these kinds of crafts should be fun, easy, quick, disposable and certainly not meant to last.

If this is way too cutey or crafty for you, just buy some of those foamies (can you tell that I love these things?) and put them out with a piece of paper or wrapped present and let your kid go crazy. They will have fun and you will have a few moments to frantically fill out your holiday cards, hide your husband's gifts or zone out to Super Nanny.

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PC - Woman of the Year (aside from you)

Once in a while, I like to pass the big, sparkly tiara of love and respect to some wonderful woman who is doing something courageous, fun or fabulous (or all three). One of these women has appeared here as an honorary Grrrl of the Week.

And if you haven't read this post or other women doing kickass things, do it! Click through now. What else could you possibly have to do? I kid, I kid. I personally like to attach myself to my laptop and read up on old posts I've regrettably missed during commercials and while I swallowing my complete boredom during Bears games this season. Regardless...

Now is your chance to have a say in recognition on a much bigger level. You can vote online for your pick for Time's Person of the Year. My personal choice is Nancy Pelosi. And if you can't be with me in my blue state, consider cheering on the (one and only) other woman nominated.

As influential as the YouTube guys have been in the evolution of our lives on camera and online, my vote will rest with Pelosi, who is making history (or herstory, as we smugly call it in Women's Studies)as the first female Speaker of the House, is an activist and ardent advocate for women and girls, and is a mother who heard the call to political service.  You can read more about Pelosi's career here and a perspective on her good works here .  You can even go off-book here to sound off about your personal pick for Person of the Year. If all this reading and research doesn't sway you to raise your rah-rah sign for Nancy Pelosi in politics, in history or on the cover of Time, consider this: Last night, Barbara Walters named her the Most Fascinating Person of 2006.

If that can't sway you, I don't know what will. Happy voting and Go Nancy Go!

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Everyone's got a gift guide

...and mine is for finding your BFF's a phenomenal gift.

Put down those tube socks! Click away from the Wii! Head over here and check out my post on finding that perfect personalized gift for your grrrlfriends.

What are some of your favorite things (to give a friend)?

Photo credit:  Regali 2 by Lisa Fanucchi / www.sxc.hu

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