The gift I look forward to giving the most each Christmas, is the gift I make for each of my kids and husband. It’s never something crazy, often times very simple, but its made with my hands and I spend a lot of time planning out each gift in hopes that they love it as much as the love I put into it. (previous years can be found here, here, here, here and here)

I present homemade Christmas 2013.

As per tradition – Bennett received his gospel ABC book (just as each of our kids have received their book when they’re 2 or 3 years old). It’s a hardbound book that I designed in InDesign and printed through blurb.com. I made Hallie and Hunter matching gifts this year, I knew they’d both enjoy it: bean bag chairs for their rooms. I found a great pattern for the “rollie pollie” on-line from danamadeit.com (found here) that made it really easy to make. I’m not an experienced seamstress and even I could pull this off, zipper and all! I found the navy buffalo check from Ikea and the orange print from Hobby Lobby – to match their rooms. They’re quite fun and the kids love them. Steve and I decided our homemade gift for each other would be combined and we chose a room in the house to work on over the break. The guest bathroom is receiving a complete overhaul and I’ll share pictures soon, we’re still a ways from finishing.

Cannon’s homemade gift: I created him, nine months in the making. I figured that was a pretty good gift this year!

I’ve already got a pinterest board of ideas for next year…never too early to get a jump on it!