[LiteraryLark]

I am currently unemployed and possibly going on disability, so I will have to use my skills and resources to piece together an awesome birthday celebration for my parents whose birthdays are both in October as well as presents for Christmas.

For my mom's birthday, I am thinking of doing mother-daughter stuff but also make her artwork of our two cats.

For Christmas, we always do a "big present" so my gift to my parents will be a crocheted blanket to fit their queen bed, but there's only four months left and I'm not sure I'll be able to finish on time.

Any DIY crafty/artsy/heartfelt ideas would be appreciated.

[healingme4me]

I found this site. http://www.wral.com/thoughtful-and-f...deas/15101796/

I like the Memory Jar idea, however, you write that you are pressed for time. The Memory Jar would take almost the entire year.

The Tower of Treats seems interesting, as it's still frugal, but multi layered and offers a variety. "" It’s such fun to open up a stack of gift boxes filled with different treats inside each box""

Hope that helps a little.

What happened to your housekeeping job? It sounded so great, and you were doing really well. Was it a fixed term contract? Apologies for being intrusive, don't answer if you'd rather not. I was just so impressed with how well you were doing. I'm really sorry if it didn't work out. I hope others will post some creative artsy ideas for you.

[lizardlady]

Lark, what happened that you are unemployed?!?!?! I'm so sorry to hear that.

Crafty/artsy ideas for gifts...

Artwork of the cats sounds good.

How about a book you make yourself of "coupons" for things? They could be things like wash the car, wash windows in the house, extra chores around the house, things like that.

Love the idea of the spread for their bed, but can you finish it in time? If not, how would you and they feel about giving them what you had done by Christmas with something like an IOU note for the rest? You could include a picture of what the finished project would look like.

Back in the day I used to bake for people for Christmas. I'd start around Thanksgiving and bake like a maniac. Be forewarned that this is not necessarily inexpensive. You could do the baking while they are at work so they don't know what you are doing.

How about a memory book for them? You can write to friends/relatives to ask them to send you stories about your parents. Then you put them together into a book for them. There's not enough time before their birthdays, but you could get it done by Christmas if you start soon.

I'm out of ideas, but will put some time into thinking of some other things.

[fishin fool]

How about writing them a beautiful poem about how much they mean to you.
You could set it up nice on the computer print it and frame it.
Assuming you write poems.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Little Cat

What happened to your housekeeping job? It sounded so great, and you were doing really well. Was it a fixed term contract? Apologies for being intrusive, don't answer if you'd rather not. I was just so impressed with how well you were doing. I'm really sorry if it didn't work out. I hope others will post some creative artsy ideas for you.

I was forced to resign, technically fired.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

I found this site. Thoughtful and frugal gift giving ideas :: WRAL.com

I like the Memory Jar idea, however, you write that you are pressed for time. The Memory Jar would take almost the entire year.

The Tower of Treats seems interesting, as it's still frugal, but multi layered and offers a variety. "" It’s such fun to open up a stack of gift boxes filled with different treats inside each box""

Hope that helps a little.

This was exactly what I was looking for. I love all of these ideas, and if anyone else has similar articles, please share them!

I particularly like the stackable treats idea. I could make mulitple ones and fill them with goofy stuff, and then occasionally a really good present inside.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Back in the day I used to bake for people for Christmas. I'd start around Thanksgiving and bake like a maniac. Be forewarned that this is not necessarily inexpensive. You could do the baking while they are at work so they don't know what you are doing.

I don't know how I'd hide that, and be able to store them so they don't get icky by Christmas....please elaborate?

[lizardlady]

I would seal the cookies in metal cookie tins. They kept the cookies fresh until Christmas and made a nice gift in and of themselves. I haven't seen them at Dollar Tree yet, but I got some pretty holiday themed plastic containers there last year.

You could hide the goodies in your bedroom so your parents don't see them.

Are you in a position to host a dinner? It doesn't have to be big.

[LiteraryLark]

My family isnt into that, but thanks!