Christmas Craftin'

1. Old picture frame with lace used as a jewelry hanger

2. Deck of cards converted into "52 things I love about you" cards

3. Mason jar candles covered with old maps and book pages

4. Mason jar candles

5. Memory jar

6. Sewing kit

7. Water colour art (can be framed)

8. Handmade year planner

Holiday Gift Mail

I am convinced that my love language is receiving letters and packages in the mail, so when this parcel arrived at my door from my family all the way over in South Africa, my love tank was spilling over. 
I ripped it open and inside were tones of individually wrapped Christmas presents as well as a Christmas stocking full of wrapped gifts. I have been told I am only allowed to open everything on Christmas day, so there will be no peeking until then. 
Seeing as though I'm going to be away from my family over Christmas time, being able to open gifts from them all will be such a treat, and probably a highly emotional moment too. I cannot wait, but until then, I'll be setting the presents under the tree where they'll await me until the 25th. 
I also sent my family a little package full of American goodies such as Hershey's chocolates, Starbucks Christmas blend coffee, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Peppermint Cocoa, and Gingerbread. I can't bear the thought of me getting to eat/drink all of these delights knowing my family back home can't taste them too. So now we can all enjoy the same treats whilst we spend Christmas on opposite ends of the globe. 

Is it too late for a Christmas post?

Christmas always comes around faster than you can say "Bob's your uncle".

I remember seeing Christmas decorations in the stores in October and thinking, 'these money raged retail outlets have gone bonkers' ....
And then, bang, I blinked twice and it was already time to eat the first chocolate from my advent calendar (That is just a metaphor, I don't have an advent calendar this year. Thanks mom)

Probably my favourite thing about the festive season is the shopping. I love going to the malls and walking around until my feet are throbing trying to find the perfect gifts for my friends and family. I love the christmas carols that jingle in your ears wherever you go and I love seeing little kids with cheesy grins pasted across their faces as they sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want in their stockings.

I also love the wrapping of the gifts. I tend to actually go a little overboard and sometimes spend more money on the wrapping than I do on the actual gifts. I buy the most expensive paper, ribbons, tags and anything else that can pretty up my gifts. I love receiving amazingly wrapped presents, so I guess that's why I like to give them too. I spend ages wrapping and beautifying my gifts and once they are under that tree, looking ravishing, that's when it all pays off.

(Above images from Kiki K website)

(Image from Nora Griffin blog)

(Image - The Pretty Blog)
 

(Some photos of the gifts I am giving to my family this year)