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A Check for One Million Kisses

When you’re young and don’t have much money, you come up with really creative ways to express your love. My-then-boyfriend-now-husband came up with this gift idea for my 23rd birthday.

When I opened my birthday card from him, I was surprised to find a check. That’s weird, I thought.

For a split second I was totally confused until I read the check. It was made out to me for the amount of One Million Kisses or $XOXO.

Now, that’s a surefire way to melt a girl’s heart! I loved him so much for telling me “I Love You” in such a romantic way.

check-one-million-kisses-romantic-gift

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Say Aloha to World’s Easiest Money Lei

httpvh://youtu.be/jztXwKt13uk

Did you know that leis are commonly presented when someone is arriving or leaving? The garland of flowers is a common symbol of love, friendship, celebration, honor or greeting.

easiest-money-lei-tutorial-giftThat’s why money leis are perfect for graduation, going away parties and retirement parties. They’re pretty like flowers, but they have spending power!

They make for a unique and memorable gift that the gift recipient can wear on their special day.

There are many money lei tutorials out there, but this one is the world’s easiest money lei. It requires very little folding and assembling and still looks great!

The one I made using a standard Mardi Gras necklace only requires 14 money leis. Most other money lei tutorials require you to fold and attach 40-60 money flowers.

HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD’S EASIEST MONEY LEI

Items you will need:

  • cash (use crisp bills; iron if necessary)
  • beaded necklace
  • small rubber bands
  • ribbon (cut into 8 inch strips) (regular or curling ribbon)
  • glue dots or double-sided tape

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Silhouette Paper Portraits Make Classic Gift

A custom silhouette paper portrait is a classic gift that will be cherished for years. The one I had made of my son melts my heart every time I glance at it.

custom-silhoutte-paper-portrait-classic-giftParents and grandparents especially love this type of gift!

It used to be you had to visit a silhouette artist in person, but these days you can simply email a photograph and receive your beautiful custom silhouette in the mail. Easy peasy!

You can have custom silhouette paper portraits made of children, adults and pets, either upper body or full body. They can also be done of siblings and couples. A silhouette of a couple makes for a lovely wedding or Valentine’s Day present.

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Kids Color-In Thank You Cards

- - Thank You

Even though toddlers can’t write thank you cards for their gifts, they do have the ability to color.

kids-color-in-thank-you-cards-toddlersColor-in thank you cards allow young children to use their artistic abilities to show their appreciation using markers, crayons, colored pencils or paint.

Gift givers will enjoy opening their thank you card and seeing your child’s artwork on the cover. If it’s pretty, it will bring a smile to their face. It if it’s messy, well they’ll get a good chuckle from it!

My three-year old son used markers to color his thank you cards. Although he won’t be earning any awards for coloring in between the lines any time soon, each card is his own original work of art which made them special. And I think much better than store-bought cards!

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Christmas Cash Ornament

- - Christmas, Money

All I want for Christmas is some cold, hard cash. Some cold, hard cash. Some cold, hard cash… This is the Christmas tune going through many people’s minds during the holidays.

That’s because money gifts are hassle free. Cash always fits perfectly and never has to be returned. It never expires, and you can buy anything and everything with it!

The Christmas Cash Ornament gift can be wrapped or simply hung from the Christmas tree. Either way, it’s a creative way to give money during the holidays!

christmas-cash-ornament-money-gift

HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS CASH ORNAMENT

Items you will need:

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In Case You Get Crap for Christmas | Money Gift

- - Christmas, Money

‘Tis the season to be jolly… unless you get crap for Christmas.

crap-for-christmas-money-gift-hilariousI know of a thoughtful way to save someone from such a tragedy while turning their frown upside down.

It’s a creative and hilarious money gift called “In Case You Get Crap for Christmas.”

It makes people laugh, and it involves hiding cash inside a roll of toilet paper!

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

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The Gift of Happy Feet

When I traveled for a work conference to Las Vegas, I knew I would do miles of walking, and I didn’t want my feet to blister and ache.

gift-happy-feet-comfort-shoesSince wearing tennis shoes wasn’t an option, I decided it was time to invest in some high quality shoes with built-in arch support.

Giving myself the gift of happy feet made the biggest difference in the world!

Not once did my feet hurt during my four-day trip even though I walked long distances each day traveling from my hotel to the convention center and back multiple times and walking to various hotels in the evenings to go to shows and restaurants.

I’ve been to Las Vegas several times before, but this is the first trip where I made the comfort of my feet a priority. At least I’m getting wiser as I get older! I still shudder at the memories of the excruciating pain I put my feet through during my 20s.

I’ve learned that when my feet are happy, I’m happy! And that it’s worth the extra money to pay for high quality shoes that provide remarkably better comfort, materials and design.

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Limousine Ride to Look at Christmas Lights

- - Christmas, Experiences, Kids

limousine-ride-look-christmas-lights-thoughtful-giftEvery year when I visit, my nieces look forward to my gift of an experience. They know not to expect wrapped presents from me.

One year, I took them to a Renaissance Fair complete with a live jousting match, and another year I took them to a child-friendly version of the play “A Christmas Carol.” Last year, I surprised them with a limousine ride to look at Christmas lights.

I rented the limousine for three hours. During that time, we rocked out to the radio on full volume, sipped on sparkling white grape juice, snacked on cheese and grapes, snapped group photos in front of pretty Christmas light displays, and ordered food at a Wendy’s drive-thru.

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Bring a DHS Foster Child “Home for the Holidays”

- - Christmas

Imagine spending Christmas Day in an emergency shelter away from your home and family…

bring-foster-child-dhs-home-holidaysNow imagine yourself as a child spending Christmas Day in an emergency shelter away from your home and family…

You’re probably wondering why in the world would I have you imagine such horrible and depressing things. Why?

Because it’s not make believe.

Innocent children do spend Christmas Day in emergency shelters separated from their loved ones as they await foster homes. You can open your heart and your home to these children by hosting one of them for Christmas.

Through its “Home for the Holidays” initiative, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services seeks people interested in opening their homes to these children so they can spend the Christmas holiday with a family instead of in an emergency shelter.

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