Secret Santa planning??

So we are 70 sleeps away from Christmas!!!! (thanks fellow Christmas lover Dee for the count down). That means there is a pretty good chance you should be thinking about or will soon be involved in some Secret Santa gift givings. Maybe at work? or with your mothers group? or with family?
With a bit of time up your sleeve now why not take the reigns and announce that you will be the 'Secret Santa Planner' this year? (don't panic, I have the perfect idea to help you along the way). Just like me, how about you make the process of the Secret Santa a little more interactive and unique...

Surprise Secret Santa Cookie Mixture!

Just some simple ingredients, a bucket of green and red M&M's (that are now available at your local supermarket as it's so close to the festive season), some cheap glass jars from the $2 shop and the 'How To' from Bakerella HERE and I have a bunch of cookie mixture in jars ready to give out - but wait, the catch is, that INSIDE each jar, among the ingredients, is a name.
Once the jars are all handed out to each member of my Secret Santa group they must bake the cookies in order to find the name of the person they are shopping for! Fun, right? (BTW don't forget to attach the method of baking the cookies also found HERE)
This way everyone gets into the festive mood with a bit of Christmas cookie baking, find out their Secret Santa person and end up with a batch of yummy cookies!
Forget the old and boring 'draw a name out of a hat' for choosing who you will be buying for - this is lots more fun (& yummy)!

Easy gift idea for Aussie Summer Christmas!

Do you need a gift for a school teacher? a neighbour? a mother's group/play group friend? a Secret Santa? This one is perfect and sooooo simple!
Head to your local super market to grab all the bits (told you this was simple):


YOU"LL NEED:
* Beach towel (would be great to find a red or green one to keep in the Christmas colours)
* After-Sun Aloe Vera spray (or sun cream or Aloe body rub - whatever you prefer)
* 1 or 2 magazines - whatever one/s takes your fancy
* Festive ribbon

Un-package the towel then with it folded in half place the magazine/s and After-sun on it and wrap them just like the towel is wrapping paper. Tie it all up with your festive ribbons and you are done!


The perfect gift for your recipient to relax in the summer sun over the Christmas break!!
Merry Christmas x

Handmade Angry Birds Game!

We had my side of the family Christmas get together on the weekend. We do a 'Secret Santa' gift system for Christmas with the adults in my family - each person has one adult to buy for with a $ limit so each adult gets one decent gift. This year when I saw THIS I couldn't help but make a set myself to put under the Christmas tree for a little extra gift for my mum!!
Mum is a bit of an Angry Birds fan. She doesn't own an iPhone or and iPad but she will find a quiet moment and steal my dad's iPhone or my iPad when we are together and have bit of a play trying to knock all those green pigs from their perches.


With 6 empty tin cans, some paint, a Sharpie and a plastic red ball I made mum an Angry Birds game for her to play any day of the week. I wrapped it all up in a huge box and attached a card that said "Santa couldn't afford an iPad and he know you would only use it for one thing anyway, so Merry Christmas...." - teehee!!


So simple and it got quite a few giggles!!

Secret Santa/Teacher/Neighbour gift idea...

This is super easy and quick to put together and all the bits you'll need can be found in your local supermarket for a few dollars.

You'll Need:
* A whisk
* 1 pack of Minties (you can choose whatever lollies you want. I went with Minties because they are red, white and green for Christmas)
* A Tea-Towel (I went with a red and white one but you could do a Christmas themed one)
* Christmas ribbon
* Gift card


Fill the 'head' of your whisk with the Minties. Wrap the whisk in the tea towel and tie with your ribbons. Attach your gift tag with a note that reads:
We WHISK you a Merry Christmas


Ta Dah!


Cute hey?? My little girl's pre-school teachers are getting these this year.