Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas Family Articles | December 4 Tom Brady Limited Jersey , 2009
If you want to create some homemade Christmas gifts this year but are running short on ideas and don't know where to begin, we've got some fresh ideas and tips to help get you started.



With many of us facing greater financial challenges this year than last, Christmas gift shopping poses a real threat to our budget and wallets.? We still want the holidays to be memorable for our families, yet how do we strike that critical balance between giving the perfect gift and still staying within your budget?? The answer might be easier than you think; homemade Christmas gifts are a way for you to give the best of yourself and your talents to those you love.? Homemade gifts are often more treasured by the recipient than a purchased item because they show you put in a lot of thought and effort, and thus they hold more sentimental value.

If you'd like to try your hand at making some homemade Christmas gifts this year Julian Edelman Limited Jersey , but aren't sure where to start, let your hobbies and talents be your guide.? What things are you good at?? We've got a list of ideas to get you started.

Gardeners:
If you are a gardener, you have a talent that many people envy.? The holidays are a great time for you to share the fruits of your labor with those you love.? If you grow produce, consider canning some of it at the end of the summer to give as Christmas gifts.? Homemade tomato sauces, ketchup Women's Jake Bailey Jersey , or salsa are all good options.? For the flower gardener, dried or pressed flower blossoms make wonderful crafts for use in bookmarks, wreaths, and arrangements.? You could also give pots of bulbs that will bloom in late winter or early spring.

Cooks or Bakers:
Baked goods are always a great gift and are fun to present in a tin, basket Women's Hjalte Froholdt Jersey , or on a pretty gift plate.? Another fun option is a homemade food basket with recipes and some pre-made mixes that will allow the recipient to make a meal.? For the elderly or new parents, pre-made frozen dinners and casseroles are also greatly appreciated.

Woodworkers:
Homemade gift ideas from someone who enjoys woodworking are almost endless.? Toys make beautiful heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation.? Cutting boards are a nice gift for families, as are coaster sets and keepsake wooden boxes.

Seamstresses:
If you know your way around a needle and thread, you can really get a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to Christmas gifts.? For a mother and daughter, consider matching aprons.? Unique and fashionable homemade purses or bags also made a great fit for the women on your list.? Children enjoy stuffed animals Women's Yodny Cajuste Jersey , personalized placemats, or special quilts.

Scrapbookers:
Scrapbooks or memory books for loved ones make treasured gifts, especially if they record a special event, such as the birth of a baby or a wedding in the family.? Other gift ideas might include homemade gift cards featuring photos of loved ones.

Computer Whiz:
For those of us who aren't crafty with our hands, but who are very techno-savvy Women's Damien Harris Jersey , consider making family calendars on the computer to give away as gifts.? The calendars can feature family photos and notations for birthdays, anniversaries, and other important family events.? Another idea, if you have the equipment, would be to take old family movies that are on VHS and transfer them to DVD.? A gift set of all the family's home movies can be made and given to each family member.

We all have a talent or the ability to create special gift items that others will appreciate.? All we have to do is pull on our own unique talents and hobbies Women's Chase Winovich Jersey , add a little imagination, and anyone can create lasting memories for both the giver and recipient!


Feeling overworked and underpaid? If you're starting to feel like you deserve a raise, here are eight DO's and DON?Ts to build your confidence and tact (and what to avoid!) in asking for the salary you feel you deserve.


DO


1. Devise a ?Plan of Action?. First and foremost, get a strategy together. Make a note of the specific projects you've undertaken and the results you've accomplished. List all of your job skills and the features that make you an asset to this company. Find out what a typical raise is for someone with your experience in your area of occupation. Know the facts and be realistic in your request.


2. Ask for an amount that's slightly higher than one you would be happy with. If you would be happy with a 5% raise, ask for one a couple of points above it. That way Women's Joejuan Williams Jersey , if your boss starts to negotiate, you won't feel as if your worth has been diluted any by getting less than what you feel you deserve.


3. Remember, your boss shouldn't be the only one negotiating. If your company is going through a slow period or the economy is down, try to be flexible and know how to respond if your boss suggests a lower amount than what you may have been expecting. Consider other ways of getting a raise too, such as additional vacation time Women's N'Keal Harry Jersey , employee perks or more time off. All of these can be just as good (if not better!) than an actual amount of money.


4. Choose a specific day and time to meet with your supervisor about your raise request. Avoid choosing a Monday or Friday when bosses are at their busiest. Studies have actually shown that people are more receptive on a Tuesday or Wednesday after lunch. That way, they're not thinking about the weekend or their stomachs while you're getting up the nerve to ask about a raise! If you're afraid of being interrupted during your request, ask to speak to your supervisor for a few minutes after hours.


DON?T