A Very Merry DIY Christmas: Photo Ornaments

Welcome to part one of "A Very Merry DIY Christmas" gift series! My goal behind this series was to find inexpensive gifts that still show the receiver that you put time, thought, and effort into it. This is also a great option to add on to another gift, or even use it as a gift tag to identify presents under the tree. 

Here's what the project requires: 

-clear plastic disc ornaments

-photos

-thread/fishing wire

-printer paper

-ribbon

-decorative snow (optional)

My project started at a craft store where I purchased two medium/large clear plastic disc ornaments and three smaller ones. I used my local Walmart photo center to print 5 4x4 photo prints. You can always use photo prints you have around the house, too! 

Identify how much space you want your picture to take up in the ornament. I made mine approximately the size of the bulb to use most of the space. Trace out a circle and cut the same size for your picture and printer paper backing. I printed out the text for the backing to my ornaments but you can always hand-write anything in. Use sticky dots or a glue stick to secure the printer paper to backside of the photo (both right-side up!). 

Fonts (top): Bromello and DK Yellow Sunshine; Backtalk Sans BT
(bottom): Daydreamer; Bromello; Cheddar Jack

I used a needle to make a small hole in the top of the photo and used thread to attached the hook of the ornament. This step felt tedious but it's important because if you don't secure the photo to the top, your photo inside will shift and it could end up upside-down.

Roll the photo up and place it into the bulb. Using photo paper allows it to roll easier than using cardstock. You may have to give it a little shake and tap to get the picture to open up flat. Good thing our bulbs are plastic, right?! If you would like to give your ornament a snow globe feel, add some artificial snow. This also gives it more of a festive holiday feel!

I really enjoyed using the pictures of my great grandparents. One set I knew as a child- even knowing my great pap into my young adult years- and the other set I never met. It's a nice way to connect family, past and present, around the holidays. A warm reminder that they are always here with us.

Let me know if you have questions about the project! Be sure to save this on Pinterest and I hope you check out part two of the series next week!

Stick to YOUR Budget this Holiday Season!

The holidays are right around the corner and the stores already have Christmas decorations out! This year, more than ever, I need to make a budget and stick to it. I love gift gifting! My wallet- not so much. I can easily go overboard when I find the "perfect" gift for a family member or friend. Budgeting is nothing new, but I never considered how much to allocate for each present before. This worksheet helped me estimate how much I can afford and will help me ensure I don't go over.

If I get a gift on sale and save money on one individual, then I am able to reallocate that money for an additional gift or individual. Maybe yours looks a little different if you buy for kids, cousins, nieces, neighbors, etc. I grouped my friends and coworkers together and will spend no more that the calculated amount for the whole group. Making gifts, baking cookies, or small items is the perfect way to give without spending more than what you're comfortable with. Writing cards is a perfect way to show appreciation to individuals you might not be able to buy a gift for.

I use Pinterest to save ideas so I'm less likely to make an impulse decision at the store. Etsy is a great website to find unique items at your price-point; you can search for an item and filter by price. I have even purchased great gifts from eBay and Groupon. It's a great way to save but be aware who you're buying from. Read reviews, and if they are international sellers, be aware of long shipping times. If you're up for it, DIY! I made blankets one year and my only cost was fabric (check out the tutorial here). Happy gifting!

The Google Sheet can be viewed here!