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R. Kipling

I made Christmas cookies for my neighbors and other friends in my building with a hand-made card (using rubber stamps, of course) and reminding them of my birthday. (Fourth day of the year.)

Rita Brock

My daughter and I painted flower pots for family members. It was fun making memories with her and watching her give for the first time. I hope it resinates in her heart for the years to come.

McNair

That's a great image, Rita. I have a couple of flower pots that need some help.

My experience with kids (of all ages) teaching theatre and art is, to make it an enjoyable experience and they get hooked. (The rule of thumb is if I am having fun and they can tell, it is probably also fun for them.) They most often come back for more.

ALSO - when I teach anything (directing plays is teaching, too), I try to show them how to teach THIS to others (not present at the time.)

Elizabeth Bussey

I made a quilt for my firstborn son. It was therapy for me as I adjust to not having him at home. He will be 20 this month. Time goes by too quickly! The quilt was made of recycled denim, worn by our family and I wrote a letter to go with it. He loves it. Watching him open it was the experience that made my Christmas this year!

Sherry

I made 2 calendars with photos of family members through the years. I am an avid scrapbooker, and so when the year is up- the Grandma's (who were given these calendars- different ones) can take the pages and put them in an album to preserve for years to come. It was a good reminder of all the family blessings we have had (on both sides of the family) through the years.

McNair

The best gift may be when we give of our time–especially in this busy, over-scheduled age. I have found that even the simplest gift with a hand-made card, or "home-made" wrapping paper can be more meaningful than an expensive gift that we purchase.

Elizabeth and Sherry, I am certain that the quilt and the calendars you made were splendid works of creativity. AND they are gifts of your time. Double whammy!

I have been wrapping gifts in newspaper and simple, rough twine for years and people get a kick out of it.

Soni

This was the first year we did NOT make a lot of home-made gifts. However, my favorite thing to make with the kids and give away is:
Save up pimento, artichoke, and other short jars.

With a hot glue gun, or craft glue- glue jewels, glass pebbles and/or ribbon & glitter in various designs on the outside of the jars and around rim.
Pour some tacky glue into the inside/bottom of jars and spread a thin layer of colored aquarium or crushed decorator glass from a craft store.

Drop in a tea light candle and whala! a gift they can use for years to come. You can tie a bow around the neck with a gift tag, or:
We buy boxes of tea lights in various scents and set the candle on top of the box, then set it all on colored tissue paper and gather the paper up around the neck of the jar, tie with a bow and make a homemade gift card to string onto the bow-tie.

These are great to make and give for any holiday including Valentine's and Easter. ;)
Soni

Vonda

I painted another picture for my mom and dad. I am just learning, but they seemed very pleased with it. Before I allow it to inflate my ego, I remember they hung my scribbles on the refrigerator some years ago with the same glowing pride. :o)

Kristy

I am a nanny for a family with two girls. I took pictures of them at the park one day and made shadow boxes for each girl with candid photos of them and gave them to their parents.

Lauree

This year my son got married 10 days before Christmas. The fact that I did not have time to make anything that was not directly related to the wedding increased my stress level. My Sunday School class members know that they will be getting their Christmas presents for Valentines Day! This year it is polymer clay crosses. Making things for people helps me focus on them while I pray for them.

McNair

Thanks Lauree for the reminder that we can be creative as we pray and in our prayers. I have a long time "habit" of keeping any photos that people send at CHRISTMAS and posting them on the side of my "refridgamarator." This is the side I approach when I need to open the fridge door and so I see all those friends several times a day. And whomever I notice, I pray for in that moment.

The photos are not removed each year. If you send a new one, it will replace the old, otherwise you are there to stay.

My father taught me that a thought can be a prayer. If some one comes to mind, for no particular reason, pray for them, now. Or while making clay crosses for Valentines day.

Texmom

I made a few decorated books. You use old hardback books. Spray paint them gold all around, including page edges. Glue gun a ribbon tie around the book (like wrapping a gift), using a nice, gold wire edged ribbon. Create a big bow using the same ribbon and attach to the top. Add several pieces of holiday silk foliage to the bow. (Foliage with fake pine cones, berries or fruit adds a lot to the arrangement.) The final project looks like a fancy, wrapped gift book and makes a very attractive tabletop decoration. A local dollar store will likely carry everything you need to make them, and they were very well received...and cheap to make. Mine ended up being about $4 each in materials.

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    IAMGES du McNAIRE • an ill-assorted collection of images from recent exploits and speaking/performance engagements. Wherever possible credit is given to photographers. ALL photos from my Haiti trip (8/5) are by my new pal David Duchemin, photo journalist, author, comdian (a.k.a. Rubber Chicken Guy), and full time Canadian. See more of his Haiti photos and Paris and other paintings of light and shadows David's blog ~ www.fearfullyhuman.com ~ worth a visit. COMING SOON ~ Photos of my upcoming European trip, including a visit to Disneyland Paris and other surprises!

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    As a freelance stage director / Artist-in-Residence :: two stints at Huntington University (Indiana.) At Huntington our production of ALICE IN WONDERLAND featured an inventive cast including (L-R photo at top): Kylie Edmonds as Doormouse; Mr.Jeffrey Blossom as March Hair; McNair Wilson, Director; Lauralee Brautigam as Alice; and the indefatigable Daniel Neil Olson as a very Mad Hatter. (Photo by Mr. Mike Burnett.) I love directing for the stage–call me, TODAY!
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