The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{christmas} Pinterest Overload?

{source}

I love Pinterest.  Really I do.  But sometimes I have to take a step back from the never-ending list of beautiful images before envy rears its ugly head.  Because my reality right now looks nothing like the stylized beauty that fills my screen.  There are toys scattered on the floor.  A carefully constructed block tower that has been long abandoned for other things.  A funky half-decorated tree (because we have a 1-year-old who likes to break things).  

My dining room has become gift wrapping central, where I try to get a little bit done everytime I can steal away for a few seconds.  Of course, that really is a nice way of saying that my dining room is a huge mess!  

So yeah.  My house isn’t the picture perfect scene that splashes the front pages of Pinterest, but it’s ours and it’s good. 

{christmas} A Link List

Happy Friday!  Christmas inspiration is all around the blog world this week, so I thought I would share some links:

  • Anna from In Honor Of Design made a link-up of packaging ideas.  So much inspiration there! 
  • Britt over at Gus+Lula talked about traditions with her new babies (who are adorable, by the way!)  I loved her jingle: “Bring some joy, Give a toy, Show our thanks, Share our banks”. I plan on incorporating that more in our Advent next year.
  • Kirsten at 6th Street Design School came up with an adorable gift for her neighbors.  She used fabric yardage, but I think a tea towel would be just as festive!
  • Looking for a recipe for homemade gingerbread men?  Stephanie from barefoot in the kitchen has a yummy looking one that I am dying to try.
  • Jennifer at JCasa shared a really easy craft to do with the kiddos using washi tape.  I love the result..how cute would it be framed for the holidays?

Hope you have a wonderful (and non-stressful) weekend!  9 days until Christmas!

{christmas} Gift Ideas for the Men Folk

I don’t know about you, but the (adult) males in my life are the hardest to shop for.  Tools?  Technology?  Sports?  So tricky!  Here are a few ideas I’ve found online…and bonus!  You still have time to order in time for Christmas! 

For the techie…
This Charcoal Grey Laptop Sleeve is a great idea for the stylish techie guy in your life.  C&B also has a cell phone case in the same fabric.

For the cook…
If your man likes the kitchen or is interested in learning, this is a great gift.  How to Cook Everything has great reviews.  Another wonderful book I recently bought for my husband (an anniversary present) is Ruhlman’s Twenty: 20 Techniques, 100 Recipes, A Cook’s Manifesto.  The French Onion Soup is awesome!

For the coffee addict…
My husband is crazy about coffee.  And according to him, the best tasting coffee comes from a French press.  This gorgeous pot from Bodum holds 8-cups.  I would add in a bag of his favorite coffee (Mark’s pick is Starbucks’ Christmas blend!) 

What are you getting for the men in your life this year?  Find anything special?  Please share in the comments, I know a lot of us would love the ideas and inspiration.
P.S.  I heard from this girl that tomorrow, December 16th, is known as “Free Shipping Day” for lots of online stores.  Great news for all you last-minute shoppers!  You can check out all of the participating stores here.   

{christmas} Family Gifts from C&B

Christmas gifts can quickly become pricey, especially if there are lots of people to buy for.  One option is to forgo the individual gifts and do a family gift instead.  Here are a couple of ideas I found through Crate & Barrel:

“The Cookie Kit”
Cookie Jar: 24.95  Cookie Mix: 5.95
You can make this as simple or complex as you like.  Fun additions could be: cookie cutters, colorful spatulas, sprinkles or frosting.
“Movie Lovers Kit”
Air Popcorn Maker: $39.95  3 Popcorn Seasonings: $7.95
Fun additions: a popcorn bowl, boxes of candy, and a favorite movie.

{christmas} Gift Ideas Under $20

Christmas is just 13 days away!  Are you done your shopping yet?  Need a few ideas?  All this week on the Big White Farmhouse, I’ll be showcasing great last minute gifts for everyone left on your list!  Today is all about affordable options, $20 or less.

Maze Towel by PataPri – $7
This towel is made in Japan, but there are many different options for kitchen towels out there.  Perfect for the baker or cook, I would add a wooden spoon and my favorite Christmas recipe.

This is a really good idea for gifts you’d like to do in multiples (girlfriends, teachers, etc).  Take one of the soaps and wrap together with a dish daisy…so cute.  And you’ll be able to keep one of the soaps for yourself 🙂
A cute little gift for coworkers or teachers.  Also makes a nice stocking stuffer!

{etsy finds} Adorable Packaging from Sweet Findings

Just popping in quickly today to share an adorable way to package some of your Christmas gifts.  Part of the downside of shopping early is that I can’t snatch up this great idea!  Gotta tuck it away for next year!

via
The kit is $12 and comes with everything you need to wrap 10 packages!  I’m LOVING the adorable silhouette tags…how cute for the girlfriends in your life? 
Sweet Findings can be found here. 
Be quick though, she is only open until December 10th! 
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Ours will be filled with birthday celebrations, a visit from my cousin, and some shopping too!  See you Monday!

{christmas} An Advent Calendar of the Literary Sort

Advent preparations are in full swing around here!  PreK is a pretty lenient school year, so I really wanted to have the boys immersed in the preparation of Christ’s birth.  This time of year is just so magical, you know? 

So here is my plan for December’s “school”:  I have wrapped 24 Christmas books.  Most of them are ones we already own (board books included), but a few are new and a couple have been borrowed from my mom.  Another great idea I’ve read about is borrowing a bunch from the library, which is very cost-effective if you don’t have many books to begin with.

The goal is to unwrap one book a day.  I labeled each one with a number so I’ll know which book is which, but it will be a complete surprise for the boys!  We’ll read the book and then do a craft or activity that relates to the story.  Lots of ornaments, baking, coloring pages and more!  I also have a few surprises in store for them: filling their shoes on the feast of Saint Nicholas, gingerbread houses, hot cocoa in new mugs, an after-bedtime drive around the neighborhood to see the lights…and hopefully more!

For record’s sake (and in case anyone is interested in the books we’re reading), this is the list:

What books are you reading this season?  Any family favorites?  I’m already creating a wish list for next year, so please share in the comments!

{christmas} Baby’s First Christmas

My baby isn’t much of a baby these days…he’s babbling up a storm and walking around the house like he owns the place!  With the holidays approaching, I can’t help but think back to where we were just a year ago.  Celebrating Christmas with our brand-new sweet miracle! 

So that was how today’s Gift Guide came to life.  It is for all of you new Mammas celebrating your little one’s first Christmas this year!  I found some darling, vintage-inspired ideas for you.  These would make wonderful gifts as well.  🙂

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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Interested in your own personalized Gift Guide for someone on your Christmas list?  Contact me through the button on my sidebar!  I’d love to help you find the perfect gift.

{christmas} A Win/Win! Buy Handmade and Support an Adoption!

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?  Here are a couple of great etsy shops I came across recently that also support funding adoptions!  Have a delightful weekend, friends!
   a piece of cake
Find her etsy shop here.  Facebook page here.
the adopt shoppe
Find her shop here.  Facebook page here.

{christmas} For the World Traveler

Happy Friday!  I’m back again with another gift guide!  This one is for that special someone on your list who loves to travel! 

Ideas:
  • Tie a box of colored chalk to the chalkboard map and include a note with instructions to color in the states they have visited.  (I believe the same shop makes world maps as well)
  • Find a special pen to add to the journal.  Then on the first page, write your wishes for the recipient or a neat quote about traveling/dreams/adventure, etc.
  • For the recipient who travels and frequently must stay in a hotel: tie up a pair of your favorite pillowcases with twine.  Add a note explaining that they can slip this on a hotel pillow…for a touch of home while they’re far away.  (Note: it’s probably a good idea to use pillowcases with designs or colors.  White pillowcases may get confused with hotel linens!)
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Interested in a personalized gift guide for a loved one on your Christmas list?  Contact me using the button on my sidebar!!

{christmas} Day 5: Lovely Ladies

Welcome to Day #5 of my Handmade Gift Giving series!  I hope it has been helpful to you and given you a few ideas as you make your Christmas lists in the coming months.  It has been such a fun week and I have enjoyed finding beautiful things to share with you!  So much so, that I’d like to share a new adventure I’m undertaking: offering my super Gift Finding services to you! 

I love finding unique gifts…the ones that don’t scream, “I just ran into the mall and grabbed something.”  I’m sure you can understand.  Unfortunately, the search for just the right thing requires time, which many of us have very little of!  Here’s where I come in: you give me a little information about your recipient and I’ll take care of the rest!  In a few days’ time, you’ll receive a picture file in your inbox, much like the ones in my Gift Giving Series.  Links and a few packaging ideas will be included too!  Then you’ll just have to sit back, buy and pay!  So easy and stress-free! 

If you’re interested, please click on the button on my sidebar and get in touch with me!  I’d love to hear from you!
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So back to today’s grouping…perfect for all the ladies in your life!  My recipient for this group would be a fashion forward woman who loves to dress up and feel beautiful. 

Twisted Pearl Necklace, Gold Bracelet, Capelet Dress, Ruffled Purse, Art Print, Gold Ring Layered Necklace
An idea for boyfriends and husbands:  You can really pick any of these options and pair it with a gift card to her favorite restaurant.  Then write a handwritten note (certainly never typed!), inviting her to dinner and asking her to wear the enclosed _____ (the dress, necklace, etc).  So romantic and thoughtful…she’ll think you’re quite the catch!
Have a great weekend, friends!

{christmas} Day 4: Little Pink Cowgirl

Welcome to Day #4 of my Handmade Gift Giving series!  I had so much fun with today’s theme…I don’t get to see pink very often around here!  🙂



Necklace, Skirt, Hobby Horse, Lovey, Art Print, Booties

A few ideas for pairing these gifts:

  • Have a little baby girl on your list?  Pair the “lovey” blanket (which you can even customize with her name!) with the booties for a super sweet gift!
  • Make a “Cowgirl Kit” with the hobby horse and skirt, but be sure to find a pink cowgirl hat to include too!
  • Frame the art print, wrap in kraft paper and tie with fun pink ribbon. 
  • For a cute girlfriend gift, you can pair a necklace with this adorable “Cowgirl Cookie” mix:

Works for big girlfriends and little girls alike!  🙂

Come back tomorrow for Day #5!

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