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!