Christmas is a Time for Giving

I have a soft spot in my heart for kids. It makes me so sad to know that children out there that may have nothing or very little to open during the holidays. What is worse is knowing there are children living in foster homes with no real home or place to grow.

Brian and I don't have a lot of money and we usually can't afford to get one another elaborate gifts. We usually fill our stockings with goodies we need throughout the year and use like razors, toothbrushes, socks, fruit snacks, etc. Instead we have made it a point to buy gifts for children in need every year. I can't imagine the number of children who might be going with out.

Brian's company "adopts" foster children each year for Christmas. Usually Brian picks the teenage boys who request gift cards but this year he picked a 16 year old girl who requested clothes. Oh a girl after my own heart! This year I asked him if I could go out and shop for her. I can't imagine being 16 and not having new clothes or anything to open Christmas morning.

I had a field day at Old Navy on Black Friday. I purchased 9 items for her and spent around $35. I couldn't stop!!! I'm thinking about going out and getting some accessories too.

Here are some of the goodies I purchased.

 I bought:

One pair of pants

Four Shirts

One fleece pull over

Two pairs of socks

One scarf

I really hope M enjoys her holiday gifts. 

Most of all I wish her a permanent home and a loving family!

I also purchased a few toys for my job's Toys for Tots collection. Black Friday Walmart deals were the $3 ZuZu Pets and $5 Remote Control Car. I also purchased a few Toy Story and Dora puzzles at The Christmas Tree Shoppe.

Do you donate during the holidays?

If so what charities and what do you donate?

Doesn't it feel good to do good for others?

Wedding Wednesday...CENTERPIECES

Apple centerpieces. An interior designer told me all our elements should tell a story especially OUR story. What better way to do that then incorporate apples in some how. Since we have a small budget apples are much more cost affective then flowers. Flowers are beautiful but they are all pretty and I really don't have a preference. 


I adore this simple idea of the apples and the fun pattern material, Courtesy of The Sunny Side of Life.

VIA

This is the look I am going for. It's my favorite. We would probably steer towards the smaller and adding some Lily of the Valley, Daisies and Baby's Breathe. Brian's mom makes pottery and has a home studio.  She is willing to make us these cake stands. I am thinking of using fun scrap booking paper to put under the bowl or tower of apples. At first I wanted to use fabric quarters but I am not the most talented seamstress and would obsess over the clean lines.Photo provided by Frolic

I really like this look as well. Our reception tables seat 12 so they are pretty large. I don't know if something like this would not be proportionate to the table size.  I absolutely LOVE the number block. Its very cute and super creative.

VIA

I really love this idea too. I may even use this idea, on a smaller scale, for table numbers by adding the numbers the ribbon.

Via


I have also been on the hunt for these empty Starbucks Frappaccino bottles. 

via

They remind me old milk bottles. I have been attempting different craft projects with them. I may use them as table decor by using them as a vase for some small flowers in addition to our larger centerpieces. I may even paint the table numbers on them? 

After our wedding is over we are donating all of our centerpieces and all flowers to a local nursing home. I had read somewhere that so many of the elderly patients in nursing homes never receive gifts or flowers. It made me so very sad to hear that.  :(

I am hoping we could use a simple piece of our wedding to make some one else feel good! 

What do you think?
What were some of your centerpiece and table number ideas?


xoxox
K