2009 November » 1HappyCorner.com

Give More Love This Christmas. photo courtesy of mysza831

As you tackle your Christmas gift list, try to think about how your dollar can do good. Not only will you be getting great gifts for your loved ones, but you’ll be supporting worthy causes at the same time. Here are some ideas that will make your dollar do more this Christmas season.

Flowers

Check out OrganicBouquet.com’s Flowers for Good section. Not only do these flowers smell good, but they do good, too. There are fifteen gorgeous bouquets to choose from, each one supporting a great cause like the American Lung Association, Nature Conservancy and Humane Society. Five percent of every purchase will support these charities.

T-Shirt

Everyone needs a funny t-shirt. Even though you can find these wardrobe staples in about three-fourths of the stores at the mall, why not pick one up at BringtheHope.com where 25% of profits go to charitable causes? That will make an ordinary t-shirt seem way more special.

Art

The beautiful photography found at AllieArt4Children’s Etsy shop supports Reach Out Children’s Fund, an organization committed to improving the lives of those living in the remote Andes mountains of Peru. Not only will you be purchasing an original work of art, but you’ll be supporting a great non-profit. And most of the art in the shop is under $20.

Soap

Magic Senses, the designer soap company, created a “Believe in You” Butterfly soap to support “Count Me In” in their efforts to promote economic independence and the growth of women owned businesses. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to this cause.

Purse

At Clutch for Cures, $10 from every purchase goes to a charity. When you make your purchase you’ll be asked to choose from a selection of non-profits and that’s the charity that will receive your $10. The unique clutches are designed by a mother of six in St. Louis. Choose from dozens of colors and designs to find one that someone on your gift list will love.

Food

Who doesn’t love good food? It’s a great gift idea for just about anyone on your list. And when you buy the food from AmericanFeast.com you can feel good about supporting family-owned sustainable farms in your area. Search for meat, cheese, and sweets that are made by farmers– not huge corporations.

clipboard 5 small Wondering how you can save money this Christmas? How about trying your hand at some homemade gifts? We showed you how to make your own cake plate using vintage thrift store finds and how to make a scarf in less than a minute. Now we’re filling you in on another simple DIY project that will make a great gift for busy moms, teachers, kids and more. This chalkboard clipboard is super easy to make and extremely useful for writing to-dos, reminders and grocery lists. Plus it’s so cute you may just want to make one for yourself to keep track of your Christmas gift list.

Step One: Buy Supplies

The clipboard is your canvas for this project. You may be lucky enough to find a clipboard at a thrift store for $.50 like we were, but if youâ€™re not pick one up at a craft store like Michaelâ€™s. They often come in a variety of sizes as well. While youâ€™re there, buy a small container of chalkboard paint. We found ours at AC Moore for less than $5. This jar of chalkboard paint will leave you with plenty of leftovers to tackle other craft projects in the future. Youâ€™ll also need some painter’s tape and a paint brush or a small roller.

Step Two: Start Painting

For a crisp, clean line, tape off the top section of your clipboard using the painter’s tape. Next, apply a smooth, thin layer of chalkboard paint to the front of the clipboard. Let it dry for at least an hour and then apply a second coat to ensure complete coverage. Using a roller will give you a flawless surface without brush strokes.

Step Three: Write a Note

Once the chalkboard paint has dried completely, which can take up to 24 hours, remove the painter’s tape and write a thoughtful chalk message for the new owner of this lovely handmade gift. Include a piece of chalk with the gift so they can start using it right away because with a present this cute you know theyâ€™ll want to.

Images courtesy of Alison Storm

Feel like getting crafty for Christmas, but lacking in the Martha Stewart department? You can make handmade gifts for the holidays, saving lots of money and ensuring that everything you give is from the heart. This DIY project doesn’t require much time, money or skills. If those sound like three things you don’t have a lot of then keep reading for instructions on how to make the sixty second scarf. Similar scarves sell for nearly $30 at popular stores. We found this striped version at J. Crew for $29.50. But yours will cost less than $2 and sixty seconds to make.

Step One: Hit the Fabric Store

Head to your favorite local fabric store and make a beeline to the knit section. Look for something super soft, like pima cotton or jersey. We found lots of great colors like pink, orange and lime green at the local Hobby Lobby fabric department selling for $5.99 a yard, but with a coupon we snagged it for 40% off. Have the fabric store employee cut you 3/8 of a yard. Typically this fabric is sold in 60-inch width which is perfect for a scarf.

Step Two: Head Home with Your Fabric

Since the fabric store employee took care of starting off your scarf for you, now all you have to do is complete it. Finish off the edges by pulling them. Giving the fabric a little bit of a tug will cause it to roll as it stretches. This will make the edges look more finished off without having to pull out your sewing machine.

Step Three: Wrap Up Your Gift

DIY Scarf Now that your scarf is made, wrap it up to get the gift ready to give. Your loved one will appreciate this new accessory that they’ll be able to throw on to compliment a variety of outfits since scarves are a hot must-have this winter season. Because the gift is so simple to make and affordable, consider wrapping up a collection of sixty second scarves. They’ll never know each scarf took just sixty seconds to make and cost less than $2!

Images courtesy of Alison Storm

Hello, everybody! I apologize for the delay in choosingÂ the winner of the Fairytale Brownies Fall Giveaway. I’ve been gone for the last few days.

photo courtesy of brownies.com

Thank you all for participating! As always, we had fun reading your responses! And the winner is…

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2009-11-09 16:57:47 UTC

Congratulations, Taylor! Please get back to us within 2 days or other name will be chosen.

Everyone is looking for ways to cut costs these days– especially now that the holidays are approaching. One way to save money on your gift-giving budget is by making some gifts yourself. Here is an easy DIY Christmas gift that would be perfect for a neighbor, mother-in-law, or friend. Using some thrift store finds you can create a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift that your friends will love.

Supplies:

Plate

Small vase or candlestick

Silicone Adhesive
Step One: Head to the Thrift Store

Head to your local thrift store for a unique plate and base that will make up your cake plate. The plate can be just about any size, shape or color. Think about the person you are giving it to and what colors and style they might like best. Look through the selection of small glasses, candlesticks and vases for a base that will work with the plate you’ve selected. At most thrift stores these pieces will cost you less than a dollar each.

Step Two: Buy Adhesive

Head to your local hardware store and pick up some silicone adhesive. This is typically used in bathrooms or kitchens to make a waterproof seal between tiles or pipes. Clear is probably the best color choice so it won’t be noticed. Choose a brand that dries in a few hours. This will probably cost about $3 or $4 and will be more than enough to finish your project.

Step Three: Wash Your Pieces

Wash your cake plate and stand. Make sure they are clean and dust-free. This will insure that the adhesive works like it should.

Step Four: Measure and Apply

Measure the center of the bottom of your plate. It’s important that your base is secured in the center so that your cake plate won’t tip over. Apply the adhesive to the side of your base that you are securing to the underside of the plate. Push the two together to remove any air pockets. Apply more adhesive around the outside edge of the base for added strength.

Step Five: Allow to Dry

Give your cake plate a few hours to dry, according to the directions of the silicone adhesive you purchased.

Step Six: Wrap and Give

Wrap up your unique cake plate and present it to the lucky person in your life. They’ll love this new addition to their kitchen and you’ll love that this one-of-a-kind Christmas gift cost less than $5 to make.

Images courtesy of Alison Storm

How to Support Causes with Christmas Gifts

DIY Gift: How to Make a Chalkboard Clipboard

Handmade Holidays: How to Make the Sixty Second Scarf

Winner of the Fairytale Brownies Fall Giveaway

DIY Christmas Gift: How to Make a Cake Plate

Today’s Featured Gift Idea

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