BEST DIY GIFT IDEAS
Looking for gift ideas that don’t break the bank but still show the special people in your life how much you care? Do-it-yourself (DIY) gifts are the way to go. Here are a few ideas to put together on a chilly night. Pull out your crafting supplies, turn on some holiday tunes, and get creative. FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
BEST DIY GIFT FOR YOUR BESTIE: Personalized Mug
You only need a mug and an oven-safe or porcelain marker to create this personalized gift. Use a mug you already own, pick one up from the dollar store or thrift store, and get expressive! You could write a sweet or funny message (“but first, coffee” or “two shots, hold the chatter”) or list their favorite beverage (“coffee, no sugar” or “green tea”). Write something that makes them think of you, or create a simple drawing. Enjoy the artistic freedom as much as they’ll enjoy your thoughtful gift. Utilize a map, a pair of scissors, some glue, and your memories of meaningful places to create this sentimental gift. Choose map locations that are meaningful to you and your special person — where you met, where you celebrated special moments, where you first lived — and cut them out in geometric or heart shapes. Then, glue the cutouts to a piece of matboard. You can add kind words at each point, or let the places explain themselves. Place in a frame and gift to your loved one. BEST DIY GIFT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL: Memory Map
BEST DIY GIFT TO MAKE WITH THE LITTLE ONES: Handprint Apron
Aunties, uncles, and godparents will love a gift that incorporates their favorite little ones, and it’s a great way to get the kids in on the project. Choose some unadorned aprons from your local craft or home goods store and some acrylic paint in a variety of colors. Then get crafty! The kids can use their handprints as a starting point and add other decorations as they like. You can also find some fun ideas on the blog Little Page Turner, like painting a butterfly from your kids’ stamped footprints. Have fun with it!
WINTER ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR CAR
DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT THESE ITEMS
ROCK SALT OR KITTY LITTER Traction can be the difference between spinning your tires and moving down the road. Coarse material like salt, litter, or sand will help propel your vehicle out of a winter rut. GLOVES, BLANKETS, AND WINTER CLOTHING While you may think you’ll be wearing these anyway, it’s smart to keep extras in your car. Let’s say you run a quick errand to the grocery store and end up stalling out. Without proper clothing, you’ll be fighting hypothermia in a hurry.
Driving during the winter presents unique challenges. Freezing temperatures affect car performance, and road conditions are at their worst during the season. Sadly, these factors can result in you winding up in a snowbank, stalled on the side of the road, or worse. Getting stuck or stranded in the winter is nobody’s idea of a good time, but it’s a lot less frightening if you keep your car well-stocked with supplies. With that in mind, here is a list of essential items for winter driving. GOOD ICE SCRAPER AND BRUSH We’ve all struggled to scrape ice and snow off the car with a dime-store scraper that can barely do the job. It stinks, right? Nobody should have to struggle to clear their windshield, especially when quality scrapers and brushes are so inexpensive. Given that you should always clear your car before driving, this one’s an essential that will save you a lot of frigid headaches. SHOVEL Clearing a path without a shovel is like cooking soup without a pot. Sure, you can do it, but it’s going to be a hassle. No matter how small your car is, there’s a shovel that will fit in it. If you ever end up stuck in the snow, you’ll be thankful you have it.
FIRST AID KIT, FLASHLIGHT, AND JUMPER CABLES As with spare warm clothing, these will prove super useful in the event you experience a winter accident. Come to think of it, you should have
these in your car year round. They’ll always come in handy when you’re in a tough spot.
CELL PHONE CHARGER Panic will set in if you’re in a crash and can’t call for help. Charge your phone before any long journeys and keep a charger in your car just in case.
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