Homemade Gifts

Somehow, homemade gifts seem to conjure up images of child-like, glue-covered messes and otherwise amateurish efforts. This doesn't have to be the case. You can make inexpensive, personalized, hand-crafted holiday gifts for the people you care about, but you have to plan ahead. Most homemade gifts take time to complete - what you don't pay in a dollar cost, you do pay for in your own labor.

The project below is proof than homemade gifts can be beautiful. This particular piece of embroidery is a recreation of a Medieval reliquary bag and it has a particularly long and tragic story. I made it for my mother for Christmas almost four years ago. Well, I actually made two, which is the long and tragic part, but this is the only surviving one. And, technically, it isn't finished - it's supposed to have tassels. Problem is, as you can see, it's still with me and there are no tassels attached. I've made several sets, but I never like any of them. I did give it to her at Christmas, but...well...I think I've had it more time since then than she has! But that's beside the point. It is here to illustrate that homemade gifts can be beautiful.

You don't have to spend dozens of hours embroidering, though, to create a thoughtful, hand-made gift. Below are several DIY tutorials for great homemade gifts that you might want to consider for the upcoming holiday season. I saw Christmas merchandise in Michael's craft store last week! If they're counting on getting you in the mood this early, why not avoid last-minute frantic gift-finding by crafting your own presents now?

How to Make a Reusable Coffee Sleeve
Link roundup for Homemade Gifts for Women and Girls
Another roundup of Homemade Gifts Men Actually Like
Decorate your packages in style with this handmade bow tutorial

Natasha Hoover

Return from Hawaii

So, clearly I didn't have the time to update while actually in Hawaii, and my cell internet signal was patchy to non-existent, depending on my specific location. My hopeful trip to Venice Beach didn't work out because, due to the famous LA traffic, the bus website was estimating I would spend an hour each way - after getting to the bus station from the airport. Combine this traffic with equally epic security line wait times at LAX to create the decision to just stay in the airport!
The good news about the long layover is that, while you do generally have to pay for wifi at LAX, you can actually gain free access by taking a quick survey. It really is short and non-invasive: it asks how long your layover is, how you plan to use the connection, and how long you plan to use it for. Quick and easy free Internet!
Speaking of free - nothing can beat free activities! As promised, I've written my first piece about low-cost activities in Hawaii: snorkeling at Sharks Cove. Unlike some other sites that charge an admission fee or for parking, snorkeling at Sharks Cove is completely free. Beautiful water, lots of fish, and live coral make this inexpensive stop the perfect addition to an Hawaiian trip.

Sharks Cove, North Shore, Oahu