Thursday, December 26, 2013

Homemade Gifts are the Best!

I pray everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  So hard to believe it has come and gone, and we are awaiting yet another New Year.

We enjoyed having our girls at home.  Fortunately, our oldest got over the flu in record time (thank goodness for Tamiflu) and was able to join in on all the festivities.

After attending our Christmas Eve church service, we headed back home for hot oil fondue.  This started out as a New Year's Eve tradition, but as the girls got older and had plans of their own to ring in the New Year we moved it to Christmas Eve.  Our oldest's boyfriend joined us for dinner as well before heading home to his parents for the rest of the night.  The girls then decorated their gingerbread houses.





Christmas morning dawned, and I couldn't get over all the of the wonderful homemade gifts that my girls put together for hubby and I as well as for each other.

Here's a glimpse...

Lap desk made by the youngest for her sissy.


String art signs made by oldest for her sister and I. (youngest's says BU LOVE, sorry only picture I got)



Jute wrapped J made by youngest for me.  (both of these pieces will be a good start to a gallery wall)

The youngest took her dad's favorite picture of her ("Griffining" after a big Baylor win last year) and added the original of RG III underneath along with his quote. (the pink is just a sticker I added to block out her name for posting purposes)


The youngest etched wine glasses for her dad and I.  She also made a set of beer glasses for her sister's boyfriend with the Boston "B", as that is his favorite team.


The oldest knows her dad LOVES to cook, so homemade spice mixes were the perfect gift.


And, the youngest made me an Anthropologie inspired tote bag.



These will truly be cherished for years to come.

I also gave hubby one special gift this year.  It is a cutting board that I had engraved with the recipe for chicken divan I shared awhile back.  It was the very first dish he cooked for me when we were dating, and is still my favorite.


The engraving is a bit difficult to capture in a photo (again the pink is just blocking our names).  I ordered this from Damian's Woodworks on Etsy.  He was fantastic to work with, and local.  I love being able to support local businesses especially during the holidays.  The recipe is engraved in my handwriting making it extra special, and signed "The dish that won my heart".  Damian has so many beautiful products available for weddings, anniversaries and such.

But, I have to say the most special gift came last. I guess I should say "gifts" because not only did I receive one, but both of the girls did as well.



Our very first blue box...but what makes it so special is that each of us, the girls and I, received the very same necklace with the 3 keys..."the 3 of us" or as hubby refers to us "his girls".  Now that we aren't always together, it is a nice reminder that we are never far from each other's hearts.

I feel truly blessed to share my life with all of them, especially this time of year.  Merry Christmas!

16 comments:

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

What wonderful presents - so much love and thought put into all of them. Merry Christmas week!

Brandi said...

Lauren, this post made me cry! The love you all share for one another shined through in this post. So sweet of your girls to give so many handmade presents that I know will be cherished for many years! Your husband is so thoughtful. I love his gift to "his girls". Happy New Year, my friend!!! xo

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Oh Lauren... excuse me while I get a tissue. What darling DIY gifts - they always mean so much. And then the last gift from your hubby to the 3 girls... that's when I really lost it. So glad you had a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy the rest of the time with the girls... you are truly blessed.

Val said...

Looks like you had a very special Christmas!!!

Judy said...

what a good looking family...no one would think you are the "mother" you are so youthful looking!

love the "Tiffany" blue boxes...I would love to receive a gift from there and those keys are so special.

Glad you all had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year!

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

Such beautiful and creative girls!!! Glad you had a wonderful holiday, Lauren...enjoy the rest of the break!! xoxo

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Wow, I love all the homemade gifts....so special.
And of course what girl doesn't get excited when they see that blue box!! The necklaces are perfect:)

Anne said...

Gorgeous photos Lauren....love the little blue boxes but the thoughtful homemade gifts are amazing also!!Have a good weekend:)
~Anne

MIke@TheIronYou said...

Your daughters are so creative and talented. Those gifts look really amazing!

I'm actually quite jealous of your husband. That Ranch spice mix and the Chili one are the *bomb*

bj said...

WOW...awesome gifts....your kids are really talented and that's a GREAT thing.
xo bj

Becky {This Is Happiness} said...

What special gifts! Love all the homemade gifts and love the gorgeous necklace idea! What a sweet family.

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

What an awesome family you have! I can't believe all the thought that went into your Christmas gifts to each other, it is so heartwarming. That cutting board is such a lovely idea, I have to pin that for next year. I would love to do that for my in-laws. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy year ahead!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

How utterly beautiful. I have a friend whose entire family did just this...each person would draw a name from the immediate family and would then MAKE a gift for that person. This is a very crafty and handy family, and some of the gifts they'd make for each other were outrageously detailed from wood and such! What beautiful memories you must have! I too have very fond memories of this year's celebration and thank you dear one for coming to see my post. I am getting over jet lag and hope to be in top form by next week when I go back to work!

Have a lovely 2014! Anita

Unknown said...

Oh I just love all of the DIY gifts and I love that everyone in your family participated! That just warms my heart. It looks like you all had a fabulous Christmas! Cheers and Happy New Year!

Kristen@hillcountrycolonial said...

Those are such sweet gifts! What a wonderful and exciting Christmas for your family. Happy New Year!

Lizzie @ This Happy Life said...

Just found your blog through This is Happiness :)

Wow, those are some amazing hand made gifts!! So special!

Lizzie