Knockoff

Lately I have seen those milkbottles on many blogs for parties and decorating - I have no intention of ordering empty bottles from somewhere when I can use perfectly formed bottles that came with the added benefit of a Starbucks Frappuccino!

Just drink the Frappuccino, soak the bottles in boiling water to sterilise and to loosen the label and there you go...

Vouchers

Last December I watched someone buy a fistful of giftcards (friends, family, secret Santa?) and it got me thinking that this might be a solution for an advent calendar for a teenager. Obviously this could get quite expensive, so a few (or rather a lot of) other ideas are needed too. How about a movie night in, a pamper session, breakfast, lunch or dinner of their choice, a picnic, a family night, cooking or baking sessions with Mum, a craft session, customizing clothes, cinema tickets (there are some cheap movies for kids in some cinemas), going to the pool (free in some areas), pizza night with homemade pizza,...
For adults the vouchers can be quite practical, like doing the laundry or ironing, washing windows, weeding, a meal, a day out, babysitting, helping with some unloved task,...
The main present is sharing time and skills with someone and can be tailored to the individual likes and interests of the receiver.

Crochet

Yikes! I just saw a crochet blanket in a fetching shade of mustardy yellow pease pudding for £ 175.- from one of the mail order companies. Er - no thank you. I'd rather crochet one myself in rainbow stripes like this one:

Not only for Grannies.

P.S.

Would you take a look at that?! Apparently great minds think alike - or it is simply an obvious idea. Anyway, here is the commercially produced version of an idea I had earlier (Let there be light)...and they want £10.- for a set of two!

(reddirect.co.uk)