As a work at home mom I particularly like to support other work at home moms and wahm small business owners. It can be easier, and cheaper to run to walmart and fill up the cart with cheaply made products from China… but this year, I’ve made a decision… I’m going to make homemade Christmas gifts, and buy from from other small business owners.
Here’s some of the things I’m going to do…
1. Lotion Bars
I’ve already ordered this amazing do it yourself kit to create hard lotion bars. The kit also teaches you how to make lip balm and there are 4 or 5 lip balm tubes included in the kit. While I’m waiting on the kit I did get the free ebook that shows you how to make lotion bars and lip balm, and gives you really fun recipes to try. I read through it and I’m really excited for the kit to arrive. This is going to be a fun project for me and Hanna for sure!
2. Jordan Essentials
I met a wonderful Lady named Darlene Lobina-Derkson over on Facebook. She’s a Jordan Essentials distributor. I took a look through the catalog and saw quite a few things I thought would be perfect for some of the people on my list.
3. Scentsy
I have a local Scentsy dealer who I love to support. Scentsy, if you’re not familiar with it, is a wonderful, safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. It doesn’t get hot ~ and smells wonderful! I’m thinking some of the plugin warmers would be perfect for some people on my list.
4. Gifts in a Jar
I found this fantastic little ebook that shares how to make tons of gifts in a jar… from soup in a jar to cookies in a jar. These will be a great activity for Hanna and I to do together, and will be great inexpensive gifts for friends at school, and her teacher!
5. The Gift of Health
The last idea I had for a couple people on my list is to get them enrolled in the Body By Vi Challenge. The gift of health is the best gift you can give. There’s no better way to say you love someone than to help them start getting healthy and losing weight!
One last thing… if you’re looking for the easiest way to send your holiday cards… you can do it all from your computer and cards will go out in the mail. Super easy… Send Out Cards. It’s the only way I’ve ever actually gotten cards out! 🙂 (yeah, I’m a terrible card sender… but can make it happen with SOC)
With the economy the way it is this year, it’s even MORE important to support local, American entrepreneurs, the work at home moms in OUR neighborhoods, and our country. I’d love to hear from you… do you have a product for sale that would make a great Christmas gift? Do you have a favorite entrepreneur you like to buy from for the holidays? Feel free to share in the comments!
Most excellent Jackie!!! As usual! I feel that hand made gifts are by far more appreciated than ‘made in China or where ever’ gifts. Funny, you are on the exact same page as I am!! I began my Christmas creating last week as well and two of the items I am also making are the gifts in a jar (I am also making some of my own spice mixes..) and felting soap… 😉 Here is hoping I can get time to take them to the local farmers market as well before Christmas! Have a great day Jackie!
Hey Twila,
Are you selling your lovely gifts? If so you should join us on the radio show today! We’re talking about this very topic, and you can share with the audience where to go to get your gifts! 🙂 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/celebratewahms/2011/11/08/support-small-business-owners-with-your-holiday-dollars
Thank you for a wonderful radio show. Here the links I provided:
Handmade teddy bears that I make myself which can be personalized and/or customized can be found at http://tgbears.com/
A collection of handmade items for the holidays:
http://pinterest.com/theartisangroup/2011-artisan-group-holiday-gift-guide/
What a wonderful blog. I am so glad that I was able to stop in. Handmade is dear to my heart and a great to share for the hoildays. I vow to create and buy handmade every year and hope many others do as well.
Awesome!! I’ve got you ladies on now!
I make and design all of my pieces and am now using my daughter to help me photograph. We hope some day to be able to do this full time!
Thanks for your help in promoting working Moms!! <3
I can be found at: http://www.ayadesigns.artfire.com
I'm also a member of Martha Stewart's Dreamers and The Artisan Group!
Sharing your show on my facebook! Have a great day1
Aya
I couldn’t figure out the chat thing either….I am challenged!
Here is a link to my cusomized story books – you can tell the story of your child’s birth or adoption, a wedding, or you can write your own story for your child. The options are endless!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chapter-of-My-Life/227841707227146?ref=pb
Ding Dong..AVON Calling!
AVON Buy or Sell! Have Fun while You Earn 40%! $10 to Start! $20 Online! No Inventory or Parties Required! Free Training & FreeONline Store for Customer 24/7 Shopping!
Fundraising Available!
Tiny Tillia Baby Registry & Mommy & Me http://www.Tinytillia.com Enter Rep dawn Remsen, NY
To shop http://www.youravon.com/dremsen
To Sell: http://www.start.youravon.com Use Reference Code dremsen
My daughter and her 11 year old son make gourmet wine jellies. These make wonderful gifts. Check out their site! They should have their gift baskets up soon and will ship around the country! http://saucyspirits.com.
Thanks!
Bernice
Bernice,
I checked out their site during the call. I love it! Way back when, we went on a vacation to Colorado… one of our favorite wines was a raspberry merlot. I see they’ve got a blackberry merlot jelly on the site. I’m already planning on ordering 4 or 5 of these to make a basket for my brother in law ~ I think I’ll make some homemade crackers/bread to go with it… although you did tell me your daughter was going to be making gift baskets, so I may wait and let her do the work. 🙂
Great idea Jackie! Sorry I missed the show. I’ve started back at the gym and find Tue. a bit quieter. Back to the homemade gifts. It’s what I’m doing on my site. I made a couple Babies first ornaments that I am going sell there as soon as I get my new laptop. You can learn about soap and candle making there too, which make great gifts as well.
I’m going to check out the lotion and lip balm kit. I really like that. I do have that creative gene eating at me so I am making homemade Christmas cards this year. I’m having a blast.
Thanks again for sharing
Hi Jackie,
Sorry I missed the show. It’s sounds very interesting. I am a member of Martha Stewart’s DID and a member of Moms With Apps, a family-friendly community of App developers and reviewers. I create ipad and iphone apps, and handcrafted children’s items. My apps include ASL videos to benefit Deaf children.
My website to buy my handmade Miss Melody Kitty doll is http://www.spiritleddesigns.com
My online Interactive Touch Books bookstore is http://store.interactivetouchbooks.com/books/rosemary+sanford
Rosemary
Hi,
Please check out my little girl’s Facebook site. She is 6 and makes/sells bracelets to donate to children’s charities. This is her Facebook site:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angelicas-Charity-Bracelets/205145262831087
To learn more about Angelica’s Charity Bracelets, visit Jody Magazine for their fall issue. Angelica’s story is on page 6:
http://issuu.com/jodymagazine/docs/jody?mode=window&backgroundColor#222222
I really appreciate this post. I created an online site that sells wall murals: http://www.artistichomeowner.com. They make excellent gifts. You can use your own family photos or even scan your child’s artwork and create your very own wallpaper masterpiece. You can contact me with any questions or to receive a free price quote.
Even though my site is online, it is my own little business that I have built from the ground up.
Wishing all a wonderful holiday season! Can’t believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner!
I’m a little behind in my reading, so just read this post…thanks for the good ideas Jackie! My gift in a jar this year is recycling jars with lids, painting a “label” on the front with homemade chalkboard paint in a pretty pale greenish blue, painting the lids black, taping a piece of chalk to the outside & filling the jar with bath salts, popcorn or whatever, writing the contents on the label & finishing off the look with rafia or ribbon & a button or bead. I am also decorating cardboard boxes with lids as keepsake boxes or pretty storage boxes with paint, scrapbook paper, spray glitter and leftover pieces from other projects. In the past I have made homemade spice or seasoning mixes, flavored oils, clay ornaments, etc. I love making gifts, it relaxes me during a usually chaotic, stressful time! I will eventually put things on my Artfire store, but I usually end up giving everything away, ha! Happy holidays everyone!
that sounds wonderful Julie! do you have a store or somewhere online you’re selling these things? Give us a link!