5 Low-Budget DIY Gifts

This year I am making gifts instead of buying them. I am on a very tight budget, so these are just some of the things I'll be making this year I haven't finished them yet, but I'm working on all of them. Family members, if you're reading this, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you're getting. :)

1. Stockings. This is my fiancé's and my first Christmas living together. We both have stockings from when we were kids, but they don't match. I'm headed to JoAnn's today to find fabric to make matching ones that we can use for the next 60 Christmases together.

2. Genealogy. My dad's side of the family has pages and pages of documents from our ancestors. There are stories typed on a typewriter by my great-grandmother, old photos, and family trees that almost line up if you have a big enough living room to lay them out on the floor. I know there has to be a better way to see the family tree, so I'm going to make one and send copies to all my relatives on that side of the family. My grandparents on that side spent an afternoon this summer with my fiancé and me telling stories and sharing memories. I think that this gift will mean a lot to my family, especially my grandparents.

3. Scarves. If you know how to knit or crochet, this is always the go-to thing if you're in a pinch! I've been making scarves for the victims of Superstorm Sandy, but I found some yarn that I think someone in my family will really like, so I'm going to make that scarf for them.

4. Memory Stories. This sounds almost too easy, but my dad has always said that all he wants is a page or two telling a favorite memory we have of us growing up. It doesn't have to be crazy, it doesn't have to be long, just something we want to share with him from our childhood.

5. Scrapbook. A few years ago I made my little sister a scrapbook of photos of us growing up. She absolutely loved it! I also made a scrapbook for my fiancé of our first road trip together from Kentucky up to North Dakota and back. It's a really sweet memento we can have on our coffee table.

These are just a few low-budget ideas that are tried and true. It's ironic: growing up I always wanted to have more money, but the best thing about not having a lot of money is that you learn to be creative. Now that I have more money, I'd rather make the presents that mean so much to the people who receive them. They take so much time to make, but it's worth it, because they are fun for you to make and you know the recipients will love them.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi

Thankful Thursday: Helping Others

Polar Fleece Sandy Scarves

It's Thankful Thursday again! This week has flown by. I guess I'm a bad judge of time with my new medication, though!

Here's something I never thought I would be thankful for: having fibromyalgia. My fiance has told me from the start that a day will come when I realize how my condition makes me a stronger person and makes me more able to help other people. That day is today. I will always have hard days, but it's all worth it because I get to help others.

I've spent the last two weeks making things for other people. I've made 17 scarves for the victims of superstorm Sandy, chocolate leaves and cupcakes for my fiancé's choir's craft sale, and I've messed around with some other craft ideas. I love making food and clothes for other people! I think it's the best thing about me having to stay home.

Knitted Sandy Scarf

Chocolate Leaves

I also put in a video to be Anderson Cooper's co-host on Anderson Live. I'm waiting to see if I got accepted into the top 5, and then people will vote on the finalists. I will be able to help more people if I get my name out there more.

Here is my audition video. Even if I don't get on Anderson Live, I still want to inspire help people, so please share the video with your friends!

I hope you all have a wonderful day! I am going to be spending the entire day in the kitchen, finishing up cupcakes and making all the boxes for the holiday goodies. Keep an eye on my tweets to see photos of what I'm up to today!

What are you thankful for on this Thankful Thursday? Please share!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." --Gandhi

Sandy Relief: How You Can Help

I've never had a writer's block before, but all of the photos and stories of Superstorm Sandy's devastation have left me without a lot of words. What do you say after millions of people have been displaced, are without power and communication, and don't know if their families are safe?

I was going to write something about how it's "just stuff" that people are losing, but after this morning, seeing entire neighborhoods on fire, whole towns flooded, and the death toll rising, I don't want to be that person. This is absolutely devastating the Northeast. The fact that this is the biggest "first responder" movement since 9/11 kind of brings the gravity of the situation into focus.

Please do whatever you can to stay safe. Once you're safe, help the people around you. Please donate money or supplies. Links for a couple of organizations that are taking disaster assistance funds are below.

My first "Sandy Scarf"!

Red Cross
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
SandyRelief.org

My mom, sister, friends, and I are making "Sandy Scarves" and "Hurricane Hats" to send to the victims of Sandy. Winter is coming and if they've just lost everything, the least we can do is send scarves and hats to them. If you want to join us, please let me know either here or on Twitter (@ChickOpinion). I'm still waiting for an address to send the scarves to, but please start knitting or sewing. I'll update this with an address as soon as possible.

Stay safe, stay strong.

"Be the change you wish to be in the world."