Christmas from the Heart...not the wallet!

     While growing up, I remember Christmas time was more of a stress and struggle than a fun, relaxing time of the year.  I wish this were not the case but it was. Now that I am older and have kiddos, I decided to make this time of the year happy, stress-free and a really fun and happy time to just be, and to also instill in my kids, great memories and traditions they can carry on for generations.  

     Part of the fun is not getting too serious about everything.  Until this year, we never put up decorations and we have lived in our great neighborhood for like 8 years.  Part of it was the cost, time, thought of injury from falling off of a roof and maybe just laziness!  Now with little ones, everything seems to have a new meaning to it.  We have shopped for presents and keep telling the kids that they can open what is under the tree when Christmas comes in a week etc. We try to get them excited over the presents that mommy, daddy and Jesus bought them!  

     It seems to be working so far.  I hate to think that down the line our excitement to give them gifts may turn into a demand letter from Santa when they are 10.  Either way I know a few skills and hope to teach them to the kiddos as they grow older, to make the Christmas season fun and happy and about gifts from the heart and not the wallet! That is why I am so excited to teach them some of the crafts I enjoy as they get a little bigger!

In Edmond at the MAC or multi- activity center, teaching  soap  making to little ones!

When I was living in Boston after finishing college at Emerson, I decided to take some classes at the Boston Center for Adult Education.  You can find them here - http://bcae.org

I learned some new things and perfected some other skills and essentially had fun in my spare time.  Boston has many fun places where you can add to your learning or just have fun and meet other people,craft-wise.  

The paper source was another place I loved to take classes and learned to make journals amongst other things.  They have a great selection of papers which I love!  They are a great resource to get inspiration for new projects and ideas as well.  http://www.paper-source.com

I wish they would open up a store here but for now all shopping must be online or done in Texas!  Drats! 

 Different soaps I made to give to others around the holidays

A class I took in Waco, TX at Homestead Heritage with my husband to continue soap making and learning since I could not find any classes when I moved back to Oklahoma

http://www.homesteadheritage.com

candles  I make and teach to others at the local libraries in my home state

teaching soap-making at the libraries in town...a great way to get over nerves and feel comfortable talking in front of a large group!

Personally knowing how to make things to give to people as opposed to buying them is a real advantage.  Think about it.  When is the last time someone gave you something home-made and you thought, "whoa, what a waste of their time"?  For me, it's never!  Even if I don't love it, I go out of my way to use it or keep it because I know the cost involved in someone else's time, not money.  Also, most everyone can use candles, or a journal or soap, over a really ugly, too small, ill-fitting shirt.  And how easy is it to look at someone and say- "you look like a 2 XL, am I right?"

     Forget it,  I know crafts and I hope to teach them to my kids so they can also give gifts they enjoy making and realize not every good gift simply costs a lot of money.

     What skills or hobbies do you know and/or like to teach to others?  How can teaching or learning a new skill benefit you or your generations to come?