Better to Give

really early depending on how you look at things....

I spent most of the day being crafty as I had a couple things that I needed to get done for the holiday....this also works in my favor for the latest challenge over at Scrap Africa (Tell us what a traditional December is like for you, in your home town, city or country. So journalling is a must...even if just telling us the story on your blog!)

since I haven't really had time for a normal layout I decided to share what I've been working on today and kind of journal about it on my blog.

So we haven't had a typical December in the last couple of years..its just been real hard on us but we are gradually getting back into things...one thing that has always been the same is the our giving nature, even when my girls were small we always donated more of our time and small gifts to those who needed them. As I started crafting the list of things to donate became even bigger...this year we took the homemade route I have made dozens of cards for St. Jude and dozens for a local nursing home (never mind the fact that I made 24 for my daughters friends and family)...we baked holiday cookies for the after school program (with homemade holiday tags)...this was great because we actually got to see them receive them...the smile are so worth any effort!

Both girls grew up knowing it was always better to give then to receive....My Sam is 22 years old and she still volunteers and has a special project of her own this year which leads to the things I was working on today.

 I had to make a bunch of tags...my daughter is sewing up a bunch of little pouches that will be holding some holiday candies for her to hand out!

 little box and tag for one of Sam's coworkers

and of course a very special Christmas card  for a very special little girl (wish I had thought of this one sooner...I would have sent these to my family LOL )

I'm not sure how much of this made any sense but thanks for stopping by and checking it out!

Happy Holidays!