Holiday Hacks

Easy Gift Giving Guide

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With Christmas just around the corner this is usually where my sheer panic sets in, between the boy's large family, our neighbors and our friend's growing families the gift count gets higher and higher each year. It's easy to break the bank and overload anyone's schedule! With a newborn in tow this year I've opted for a more simple solution! 

1. Break Everyone Down into Groups

Make a list of everyone you need to get gifts and break them into more manageable groups (such as: neighbors, teachers, grandparents, friends etc.) This way you can come up with 3-4 gift ideas that work for everyone versus coming up 563 different gifts for everyone. Now when you find that perfect gift for the grandparents just times it by two and you've got two sets of people done!

2. Go the DIY Route

Going the DIY route is not only fun but it can save you some Christmas cash as well! It's also a great excuse to try out some of those favourite pins on Pinterest you've been dying to try. (Check out some of my favourites) All my neighbors this year will be getting a cute little Christmas tree cupcake! They will be fun to make and lets me cross all my neighbors off my list!

3. Check Out New or Small Businesses

I love supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners, but there is also an added benefit around Holiday season, many of them offer great deals to compete with the big box stores, and they offer more unique products for the ultimate gifts. Check out one of my new favourites Lost My Name an adorable personalized story book for kids, not only a great gift but a wonderful keepsake.

4. Convenience Over Time 

Anyone can buy a gift card and unfortunately they can come across as impersonal, so what's a gal to do? This predicament often puts us in a time crunch for the holidays. Well now you don't have to give up personality for time. Awesome sites are popping up all over the place that offer the perfect solution, with customized gifts that are both time savers and extremely personal! My new favourite for this holiday is Chat Books which turns your favourite Instagram photos into your own book for only $6! In the Christmas Spirit enter the code: GYAC6NLU and get your very first book FREE!

Comment with your favourite Holiday hack or gift idea this holiday season and automatically be entered to be 1 of 3 winners to receive 15% off your very own Lost My Name Book!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY WRAPPING!

DIY Cozy, Comfy PJs

The Perfect Pair to Snuggle up in This Season or For a Great DIY Gift!

Difficulty Level: EASY

What You'll Need:

• A Pair of Scissors
• A pair of PJ pants that fit you
• A sewing machine and your choice of thread
• Pins
• Elastic
• Large Safety Pin
• About 2 yards of flannel or polar fleece in your choice of colour
• lace or any other trimmings *Optional

Get Everything Ready

1. Lay out your fabric on a large surface and fold in half longwise (hotdog style)
2. Place your original PJs on top folding them directly on the seam, so you can only see one solid panel of fabric at a time
3. Leaving about an inch all the way around cut out the shape of the front, if your current PJs are elastic waist make sure to add additional space at the top otherwise these will be too small!
4. Do the exact same with the remaining fabric for the back pattern- you should now have four sides!
5. With the scraps of the fabric (still folded) cut around your hand to make a pocket, then use these pieces to cut out another exact pair.
6. Cut a long strip from the scrap fabric to make a mock bow drawstring- *this is optional

Start Sewing!

1. Stitch along the long strip of fabric for your drawstring, leaving either end open and cut with pinking shears along the edge or carefully close to edge with normal scissors. Turn inside out with a safety pin and tie little knots on either end, trimming any necessary threads
2. Stitch along the outside of your pockets (right sides together), if you have a surger, surge the edges after if not- just switch your sewing machine to a zig zag stitch and do the same. Do both sets of pockets
3. Sew the crotch together (right sides together) on the front pattern of your PJs, then surge/zig zag the edges. Repeat with the back pieces.
   
4. Open the stitched together legs and place right sides together so now you can see what your PJs will look like. Match them up at the seam on the crotch and sew downwards on the edge to the end of the leg, and then repeat for the other leg seam. Surge/zig zag the edges.
5. Figure out where you want your pockets to start (HINT: if you have low waist they will start a few inches from the top, if you have a longer waist it will be several inches down) Mark them with pins the length of your cut out pocket. Make sure to only mark from the seams of the pocket not the whole length
   
6. Sew the sides of your PJs together back stitching when you hit the start of your pocket, and picking up again where your pocket ends, back stitch, and all the way down to the bottom of the leg. Surge/ Zig zag the edges, being sure to skip over the pocket area. Repeat for other side. 
7. Turn your pockets inside out, doing the same to your now sewn PJs, Stick the pocket from the outside through the hole you left on the side of the leg. Match up the fabric (right sides together) and pin. Sew around the circle of the pocket from the inside and surge/zig zag after. Push your pocket to the inside of the pant and repeat on the other side.
   
8. Fold down the edge of the waist of your PJs and stitch all the way around, fold it over again making sure to leave enough room for your elastic to be threaded through (Style hint: Mens look better with wider elastic and small elastic is good for dainty Womens) and pin.
9. Sew carefully around the waist leaving about half an inch from the start open. When you're done sewing, thread the elastic through the small opening with a large safety pin (push the safety pin through the edge of your elastic and close the pin then use this as a guide to thread through your fabric).
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. Once you've threaded the elastic all the way through make a cross box stitch stitching the two edges of the elastic together to ensure it holds.
11. Then stitch up the opening. If you chose to make a drawstring, tack down the center of the string on the front of your PJs. Then tie it into a decorative bow. 
12. Lastly fold the hems of your PJ pants down and sew around, fold up again at desired length and sew around once more. You may add any additional trimmings if desired. 
    

Viola! See, not so bad? You can have fun enchanting them in any way you want with top stitching, lace or actual drawstrings. Make a matching pair for you and your boo, or make several to gift out to your friends this season. Perfect for anyone!

Now Pour Yourself a Cup of Hot Chocolate 

and Put Those Comfy Suckers On!