Tag Archives: pro tips

Feb16

How To Make Your Career Go Further

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How To Make Your Career Go Further

Making your career go further doesn’t always mean working longer hours or getting louder in meetings. You don’t also suddenly become a thought leader on LinkedIn, because that’s just cringe. But sometimes it’s just about making the smarter moves that stack up and put the odds in your favor without burning yourself out or pretending to love the hustle culture that we all prefer not to involve ourselves in. Careers tend to store when the learning stops, not because you’re not capable, but because industries evolve faster than most job descriptions. New tools are appearing every day, but the expectations are shifting with them. Skills that were impressive five years ago become just fine now and basic knowledge. Staying curious and adding fresh knowledge is one of the easiest ways to stay relevant and employable, and this is why options like an online graduate certificate in public health appeal to professionals who want to level up without putting their lives on pause. Let’s take a look at some other tools to help expand your career:

Education:

Furthering your education is not just about collecting credentials like Pokémon cards. It’s about sharpening how you think. And learning teaches you to solve problems faster and spot patterns sooner. From here, you can make decisions with more confidence in whatever career path you take. Employers pick that up. So do clients, collaborators, and promotion panels. So you don’t need to become the smartest person in the room. You just need to be sharper than you were last year.

Direction:

This is another underrated career booster. Plenty of people work hard, but they tend to drift. Taking time to learn something new can help you to clarify where you’re actually going in your career. Are you aiming for a leadership role? Do you want a career pivot? Are you looking to have more impact, or do you want to make more money? No judgement, it costs a lot to live these days. Education gives you a structured way to explore what’s next rather than panic applying for random roles at midnight. You also have to consider your confidence when you invest in yourself. You show up differently for everybody around you, you speak with moral authority, and you volunteer for projects that you might have dodged before.

Flexibility:

Being able to go with the flow really does matter. Modern careers rarely follow a neat ladder anymore. They zigzag, they pivot. People swap industries, go freelance, step into a hybrid role, or combine skills in unexpected ways. Education that fits around work and life makes it much easier to adapt without blowing everything up. You don’t need to quit your job or disappear for years to move forward. Remember that careers are marathons, not sprints. Big leaps often come from small, consistent upgrades. Progress doesn’t always look flashy, but it does add up to big wins.

If your career is feeling a bit stuck, it’s not time to panic. You don’t need a dramatic reinvention, you just need momentum and intention with it, and a willingness to keep learning. The glow-up will always follow through!

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Feb12

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts

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Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts

Hi! Love Day is right around the corner! Are you and your significant other ready for it? Johnny and I sure are! For his gift, Johnny requested help paying for a PS5 that his friend sold to him on the way cheap. It was such a great deal and we are having so much fun playing on it! As for my gift, I really didn’t need anything although I had a couple of video games in mind that I would like to try. Then, I saw an ad on Facebook for a Cupid’s Revenge haunted house and decided that I would love that as my gift. It’s a great date that pairs our love of all things horror and haunted attractions with a sentimental twist. I can’t wait to go and tell you all about it! If you are lacking on ideas to spoil your SO with, fear not. Today, we are going to take a look at some last minute gifts that are sure to please. Let’s get to it!

Boo Boxes:

How about gifting a little bit of everything with a Boo Box? Step 1) Find a pretty gift basket or box. Step 2) Fill it with sweet little somethings. It’s as simple as that! You could go the decadent route with boxes of chocolate, hot cocoa mix, and their favorite candies. Perhaps you will go with cozy gifts like new pajamas, a soft blanket, and a pair of slippers. Or, you could go sentimental with framed photos, love notes, and a handmade piece of art of jewelry. No matter what you choose, you cannot lose with a Boo Box and it’s as easy as a trip to TJMaxx!

Date Night:

Now, reservations for your first date night choices might not be doable as we’re getting down to the wire. However, it doesn’t hurt to try or come up with something more unique than a dinner out. A local theater might be doing romance movie screenings. There are sure to be plenty of couples wine and paint nights. You could create your own dinner at a cooking class. Or maybe you will try an activity that’s totally out there like visiting a rage room, going to a glassblowing studio, or taking a road trip to visit different boutiques and cafes that you haven’t been to before. Look for special events at museums, planetariums, restaurants that offer mixology courses, or scentology stores. Even if your date doesn’t fall exactly on Valentine’s Day, you will have a fun plan to look forward to.

Shop Till You Drop:

Sometimes the best gift of all is letting your SO pick out their gift. Johnny and I very much agree to this! Set a shopping budget, fuel up at Starbucks, and visit your partner’s favorite stores. If your selection is a bit picked over from the holiday, improvise. Hit up vintage and antique boutiques, go thrifting, create your own bouquet at a flower shop, or pop into specialty stores for amazing jewelry or bath and body care. If all else fails – online shop till you drop! That is an especially good option if you can’t find the size or color of what you like the best. It will be like a bonus gift when it arrives in the mail. 😀

Pampering, Please:

Spa related gifts are always going to go over well for those who love to pamper! Treat your SO to a new full set at their favorite nail salon. How about some hair treatments and a blowout at their go to hair salon? You could also book massages and facials at your local spa. Remember that even if this isn’t your thing, your partner will love doing it together. A couples massage, pedicures, masks, and wraps are something you can both enjoy and benefit from. Throw caution to the wind and book for two so you can both be primped and pampered for the big day!

Music To My Ears:

If it’s in your budget, why not score some concert tickets if your SO’s favorite is playing nearby? You could also opt for tickets to a play, musical, or orchestra. If not, no biggie! You could purchase some new vinyl records, merch from their favorite musical, or bring the music right to your living room. While their favorite tunes are playing you can cook a delicious meal, make cocktails or chocolate together, or play a new board or video game. Music is definitely one of mine and Johnny’s love languages and there is nothing sweeter than putting on your partner’s favorite song and watching their face light up!

No matter the gift, Valentine’s Day is special because you’re both together. These ideas will only add to the ambiance!

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? What was the best date you have ever been on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb5

How To Plan A Trip That Doesn’t Rely On The Weather

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How To Plan A Trip That Doesn’t Rely On The Weather

Planning a trip that depends on good weather is such an optimistic personality trait. In some locations, it can make sense (like a beach or a desert, for example). But it also falls apart the second the forecast decides to act up, because of course it does. You do all the paper admin you need for your trip, be it visas for another country, renting cars, booking tickets, flights, boats, tours, hotels, and then everything you imagined you’d be doing in your head goes sideways because of the weather (well, the activities at least).

It’s great to make a full vacation schedule but it also is smart to plan for bad weather. Like it or not, it can definitely rain on your parade! What’s the best way to go about this? Keep on reading!

Build the Trip Like it Has Two Lanes:

The simplest way to stay sane is to plan a trip with two lanes: an outdoor lane and an indoor lane. It’s not exactly two fully scheduled itineraries, because that’s exhausting and nobody wants a vacation that feels like project management. See it more as Plan A and Plan B so you have two sets of options that can be swapped depending on the weather.

If you’re going to St. Annes on vacation or just coastal towns in general in the UK (as this is getting more common for tourists outside the UK), then the outdoor stuff could be cliff walks, beach time, visiting gardens, or walking in the cute touristy area. When it comes to indoor-oriented activities, you can check whats on Saint Annes local theater for live shows, look for shops, museums, or tasting sessions at wineries or restaurants.

Choose Indoor Plans that Still Feel Like the Destination:

A few examples were just mentioned above, but maybe you could consider them generic. But it seriously helps to pickout some destinations in advance that are indoor. If you want to visit London or Paris for the first time ever, sure, everyone wants to see the landmarks, but as you know, there’s famous indoor things to do as well. Like in London, there’s the Victoria and Albert museum that so many tourists flock to, and the Louvre in Paris, but they’re indoor activities, and they alone are like a destination. So, try to look around for that too for your upcoming trip. 

You Can’t Let Weather be a Dealbreaker:

You can’t control Mother Nature, and sometimes, you have no choice but to make the most out of the situation. Hopefully it’s not a horrible storm or anything, but just try and have fun anyways. Sure, if you’re camping or hiking during your trip, it can make it significantly less fun, and sometimes even full-on impossible, but for town and city trips at least, you can manage easily. 

Plan ahead for any bad weather during your travels and you will still have an amazing time indoor and out!

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Feb5

V-Day Date Ideas

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V-Day Date Ideas

Howdy! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Are you and your SO ready for it? As per mine and Johnny’s tradition of never giving each other gifts on the day of, we have already gotten that part out of the way. In my defense, this actually wasn’t my idea or consistent pestering this time! Johnny’s friend sold him a PS5 on the cheap and he requested some help on that front for his gift. For my prezzie, I think we are going to go to a Valentine’s Day haunted house and I am really looking forward to that! Of course, we also will be including the first option on this list of V-Day Date Ideas as it is our all time favorite. Let’s discuss:

Middle Class Fancy:

Middle Class Fancy dates are mine and Johnny’s bread and butter and it goes a little something like this: Step 1) Pick out your favorite chain restaurant. An Applebees, Chili’s, Red Lobster, or Olive Garden is top tier. Step 2) Put on your Sunday best. Step 3) Eat and drink like kings. Step 4) Go to a movie afterwards. For our Middle Class Fancy event we will be visiting one of our go to chain restaurants and seeing the new Scream movie. If you are from the Midwest, I am sure you know a thing or two about a Middle Class Fancy night on the town and I can’t wait for our upcoming MCF festivities!

Upper Class Fancy (lol):

If Middle Class Fancy isn’t your thing, perhaps you will go the Upper Class Fancy route instead. Upper Class Fancy is all about the finer things in life. How about starting your date at a chic little cocktail bar followed by a meal at a not chain restaurant. Countless fine dining restaurants will be offering special Valentine’s Day dishes or couples experiences so be sure to investigate your local options. Rather than a movie, you could opt for a night at the theater, a spot of shopping, or an appointment for a couples massage or spa day. Upper Class Fancy dates are the opportunity to spoil each other so don’t be afraid to splurge on your big day out.

Local Events:

If you are stumped for ideas, look local! Maybe your partner is a romance movie connoisseur? There is sure to be a bar or restaurant offering trivia around that theme. Is your boo crafty? Find a workshop for candle making, scentology, or creating beautiful bouquets. A fantastic cook? Learn how to make a brand new dish at a cooking class! Hobby based gifts and dates are always sure to please and also ranks highly in the brownie points department. It shows that you are listening to your main squeeze, care about their interests, and are invested in helping expand them. How sweet is that? ❤

A Night In:

Some people think that a V-Day out is a racket and, honestly, they’re not wrong. Where you go is sure to be crowded, a restaurant might be fully booked, and stores will be completely picked over. To avoid that, bring the date night in. DoorDash your favorite meal and rent a movie that’s in theaters to bypass the hubbub. Make your own wine and paint night with a YouTube tutorial video. Bake and decorate a cake or make chocolates. Craft your own cocktails or do at home spa treatments. No matter where you go, Valentine’s Day is all about enjoying each other’s company and there is no place like home to do so.

Something New:

Tired of the same old? Try something new! If you have exhausted your V-Day date ideas, step outside of your comfort zone. Shake things up with a ballroom dancing class. Go to an escape room or a rage room. Take a note from mine and Johnny’s book and go to a love themed haunted house! Hit up an arcade bar, fly high at a trampoline park, book a hotel for the night and soak in the hot tub or make a splash in the pool. A new experience together offers the element of surprise which makes for a particularly exciting date. Think about the events or activities that your partner has always wanted to try and go for it!

No matter how you spend Valentine’s Day, it will be special because you’re with someone you love. Have so much fun!

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? What’s a perfect date night like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan23

Who Said Home Security Had To Ruin The Look Of Your Interiors?

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Who Said Home Security Had To Ruin The Look Of Your Interiors?

Home security is obviously important. Cameras and other protective measures can help you to sleep at night, and they also act as a real deterrent for thieves in the area. But, when it comes to implementing the right security systems at home, you might also worry how they’ll work with your home decor more generally. Of course, safety is always more important than style, but you’ve probably spent hours designing your home. It’s natural if you’re reluctant to add hefty cameras or deadlock bolts. But you can’t risk your safety for aesthetics alone. So, is there a middle ground where you can get the best of both worlds? We’re pleased to report that the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, it’s easier to integrate attractive, harmonious security now than ever before. Keep reading to find out how:

Choose Invisible Protections:

When we think about home security, most of us picture very visible equipment, but remember that not all security measures need to shout about themselves. Less visible options, such as window films, are a great way to get a safer home without impacting your interiors at all. By reaching out to a security window film supplier, you can reinforce your property’s weaker areas, without that protection being visible to the naked eye. That’s because window films are designed to be fully transparent, buying you peace of mind while still freeing you to choose whichever curtains you fancy.

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Hide Security in Plain Sight:

CCTV in your home doesn’t need to be as out-there and obvious as it is in a commercial setting. There are now plenty of discreet home security cameras, many of which are actually available inside the home decor items that you’re likely already buying. Hidden cameras are available in everything from picture frames to air fresheners and wall clocks. You can even get cameras that are hidden in children’s toys! These additions look no different from a standard piece of home decor, and choosing carefully can help you find pieces that work perfectly alongside your color scheme and other decor items. Simply make sure you’re placing them in the right position to protect potential entry points around your home.

Use Lighting to Your Advantage:

We don’t often think of lighting as a security feature, but considering that it improves visibility and makes it much harder for thieves to sneak around, it very much is. Luckily, lighting is also already something that you’re using in your home, and it can be a great home feature in itself. In fact, you can keep the lighting fixtures you already have and still benefit from additional security protections. Simply invest in motion sensors that allow your lights to turn on when someone approaches. These lights can look great while also acting as a major deterrent if you place them near any doors and walkways.

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Home security doesn’t need to be an eyesore if you tackle it with these top decor tips in mind!

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Jan15

3 Things To Consider When Looking At Your Finances

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3 Things To Consider When Looking At Your Finances

When it comes to finances, we know that it can be hard to keep yourself on the straight and narrow. There are so many unknown elements to factor in. Will you get a raise at work? Will one of your kids need to go to the ER for stitches? What should you spend on and what should you save for? The answers to these questions are not black and white. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at three of the things that we encourage you to consider:

Finances Won’t Stay The Same Forever:

We’re going to kick things off by saying that your finances are not going to stay the same forever. If you’re struggling financially at the moment and you’re finding it really hard to keep pushing forward, then you need to remember that the situation can improve. Things will get better, the tide will turn, and there will come a time when managing your finances doesn’t make you feel like tearing your hair out. If your budget isn’t stretching as far as you would like it to, or you feel as though you’re constantly behind where you should be, just remind yourself that it’s all temporary, and your time will come soon. For now, you just need to do your best.

Ensure Your Taxes Are Done Correctly:

Another thing that you’re going to need to do is make sure that your taxes are done correctly. Taxes are complex, and it’s always advisable to have an accountant on your side helping you with them. We understand that this seems counterproductive to some as you’re just adding another expense to your list, but it actually does help. This will ensure that you get all of the breaks and deductions that you are entitled to. It’s worth looking at an individual income tax service for yourself, seeing what is out there, and watching how much it benefits you. We’re not saying that you don’t need to know how to do your taxes though, as it’s still an important life skill, just that help is available.

Saving Is Your Best Friend:

The last thing that we want you to consider is that saving is your friend. Yes, it’s hard to save money, and yes, you may feel as though no matter what you can’t save. If that’s true, refer back to the first point that we mentioned and keep pushing forward. If you can save and you’re just choosing not to, that’s a whole other issue. Take a look into all of the options for saving, and see what you think would work best for you. At the end of the day, budgeting is a skill and you cannot improve if you don’t practice.

A new year is a brand new opportunity to better manage your finances. Get started with these tips!

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Dec31

Ensuring Projects Complete Successfully Across Your Business

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Ensuring Projects Complete Successfully Across Your Business

If you are keen to make sure that your projects are all going to complete successfully, there are a lot of different things that you might find helpful to think about. In this post, we are going to take a look at how you can ensure projects complete successfully across your business for an amazing new year:

Get The Right People Involved:

This is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your projects are going to work out. As long as you have the right people involved you are going to find that you are much more likely to be able to see your projects work out. That means utilizing people who have the requisite skills and understanding to help make the projects a success. Think carefully about who you involve if you want your projects to work out as intended and expected.

Follow The Right Trends:

In all kinds of projects, there is always going to be a question about which trends you should follow and which you might want to avoid. This is something that you should put careful thought into so your projects are up to date with what the masses want. Following the right trends, whether they are construction trends or marketing trends or anything in between will keep your projects modern and interesting. Make sure that you think about this for each project that you are working on.

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Plan It Well:

This probably goes without saying, but good planning is always going to be a central part of any project completion. If you have done this, then there is no reason why your project shouldn’t have successful results. Before any project begins, plan in steps. What staff do you need? What kind of equipment? What kind of packaging or marketing? What’s the budget? Step by step planning will give you a fool proof guide as your project gets underway. Be sure to factor in for things that could go wrong too so any surprises won’t stop progress.

Budget Accordingly:

One of the main reasons that projects fail is that there ends up not being enough money that you had initially thought. This is a real problem as it puts all hard work and effort down the drain until the funding can be met. Make sure that you are budgeting carefully and accordingly. You might not be able to pinpoint the amount you need to spend down to the exact number. However, giving yourself a ballpark range with wiggle room to spare will be most helpful.

A successful project cannot be completed without the proper planning. Leave no stone unturned during this phase because small tasks matter just as much as the big ones and it can be easy to overlook!

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Dec23

Why Growing Income Streams Need Better Systems

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Why Growing Income Streams Need Better Systems

It is exciting when your freelance hustle blooms and feels like it will grow even more into a business. This is progress. And of course it is! But this is also the exact moment when money starts feeling weirdly harder to manage, not easier. Let’s explore why this is and how you can better manage the finances of your business:

Every Income Stream is Different:

Freelance income behaves one way, but online sales behave another, and rental income comes with its own rules, timelines, and costs. None of them plays nicely together. Basically, the money comes in differently, different amounts, different times, that’s the premise there. Just trying to treat all income the same usually causes confusion. One stream might look profitable until fees, refunds, or expenses get counted properly. Another might quietly be doing most of the heavy lifting without getting noticed. So, without separating things, it’s hard to see what’s actually pulling its weight and what’s just along for the ride.

Personal and Business Money Slowly Start Blending Together:

This part doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in. Think of it like this: a client payment covers groceries, a business subscription comes out of a personal account, and maybe even some receipts get forgotten. It feels convenient in the moment but that convenience creates confusion later. The problem here is that profit gets fuzzy. Well, that and planning feels risky. Oh, and don’t you forget about tax season, which will turn into a stressful exercise in trying to remember what happened months ago.

What Worked Early On Eventually Stops Working:

Early systems usually rely on memory and good intentions but growth exposes cracks fast and there’s this constant low-level feeling that something’s being missed. You can’t have that, be it one business, one side hustle, well, anything that’s making you money. You need tools, like if you’re owning and renting property, even a bedroom in your house, then you need to explore accounting software rental property or other systems for whatever you’re earning money with, so the complexity can be taken away and you can get your finances in order nicely and evenly.

Decisions Start Feeling Heavy:

When numbers aren’t clear, decisions stop feeling logical and start feeling emotional. Like, every little decision needs to be calculated, but you’re so stressed, you’re scared, what’s going to happen? For example, hiring help feels risky. Even just investing in growth feels uncomfortable. This all leads to even the smallest of choices coming with hesitation. Instead of confidence, there’s second-guessing. Instead of planning ahead, there’s reacting to whatever comes next. And you better believe that wears people down. But most small business owners aren’t struggling because they’re bad at what they do. They’re struggling because the financial picture isn’t clear enough to support good decisions.

Having multiple income streams isn’t the problem. It’s actually a sign of adaptability and resilience. But the struggle comes from trying to manage them without the right structure. Clarity creates confidence. It makes planning feel possible instead of scary. And most importantly here, it turns growth into something intentional instead of reactive!

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Dec18

Car Loans VS Dealership Financing: Which Is Better For You?

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Car Loans VS Dealership Financing: Which Is Better For You?

You usually have two roads to travel down when you want to buy a car:

  • Buy it outright with your own money
  • Seek some sort of financing option

Most people can’t use 100% of their money to buy a car so they go down the financing route, though this also throws a fork in the road:

  • Buy your car using an auto loan
  • Buy your car with dealership financing

Both are very viable options, but which one is better from a personal finance standpoint? Let’s take a closer look at them and see how they compare:

Car Loans Explained:

A car loan is one of the most straightforward auto financing options available. You approach a lender, apply for a loan, and receive enough money to cover the full cost of your purchase. Deposits/down payments are required – and this is usually a secured loan, meaning the car itself is collateral. In essence, if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can repossess your vehicle.

A very simple idea that comes with some massive benefits:

  • You own 100% of the car straight away
  • Car loans tend to come with lower interest rates, making them less costly
  • You gain the flexibility to buy your car from any dealership or brand

There are only a couple of downsides to a car loan, particularly when compared with regular dealership financing. It normally requires more effort to find a suitable lender and apply for your loan – and lenders are strict when it comes to accepting applications. Still, if you’ve got a great credit history, then there’s no need to worry about approval.

Dealership Financing Explained:

With dealership financing, you normally approach a car dealer and buy a vehicle from them, using their financing product. You pay a deposit, and then the dealer charges monthly payments based on the vehicle’s value and how much you already paid. The interesting thing here is that you’re normally locked into a 1-4 year deal. When your term ends, you either pay a balloon payment to own the car or take out a new deal on a new vehicle.

Dealership financing is popular for a couple of key reasons:

  • It’s fast and easy to set up
  • You normally get better deals than buying a car outright with a loan
  • It’s easily accessible
  • You can cycle through brand-new cars every few years

However, the main downside is that you do not own your car. The dealer will retain a majority share of your vehicle unless you pay the balloon payment at the end. This means you lack any flexibility when it comes to modifying your vehicle – and you’re also often forced to go to specific garages for servicing.

Which Is The Better Option Financially?

Speaking from a strictly financial standpoint, car loans are the better choice. You have lower interest rates, gain ownership of the vehicle right away, and have a longer term to split your repayments, making them more manageable. Truthfully, dealership financing only makes sense if you like cars and want to buy a new one every few years.

If you’re on the market for a new car, explore your financial options carefully and don’t rush into a decision you’re not fully comfortable with!

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Dec15

Homemade Holiday Gifts

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Homemade Holiday Gifts

Howdy everyone and welcome to the last gift guide for the holiday season! Throughout the month we have been discussing gifting options for everyone on your list and today we are going to explore the world of homemade gifts. We are down to the wire for holiday shopping but fear not! These homemade prezzies will not be time consuming to create while still being incredibly thoughtful. Let’s get to it:

Photo Albums:

I gave my niece a photo album of all of our pictures together for her birthday this year and she absolutely loved it. If you have a cache of photos with your bestie, mom, or anyone on your list – use them! A homemade photo album is as easy as printing them out at the drugstore, purchasing an album, and filling the pages. You can keep the album simple with just photos or jazz it up with scrapbooking supplies or little notes about when the picture was taken. However you do it, a photo album is a gift that will always be treasured.

Screen Printing:

Local screen printing shops have a very speedy turnaround meaning that custom clothing, office supplies, or sports gear is just a visit away. Bonus points because you’re supporting small businesses! How about a custom mug with the logo of your giftee’s business? A silly slogan tee for your brother? A jersey with your favorite sports enthusiast’s last name on the back? All of this is possible so if this idea speaks to you, head to the printing shop ASAP to ensure your gift is ready on time!

Terrarium/Fairy Garden:

If there is a nature lover on your list, you could make them their own terrarium or fairy garden. Small plants and succulents and potting soil will be available at a store like Lowe’s and the rest can more than likely all be purchased from a craft store. You can go classic with a terrarium filled with pretty pebbles or pond stones or go creative with a fairy garden filled with tiny details and hidden surprises. This gift combines the great outdoors with unique home decor for a one of a kind gift.

Goodie Jars:

Mason jars tied with pretty ribbon and filled with the ingredients to make cookies, soup, or bread is a gift that can be made in an afternoon after a trip to the grocery store. Tasty, thoughtful, practical, and so super easy – this is a perfect last minute homemade gift. If you want to add more to this prezzie, you could include a gift card to a local bakery so your giftee can enjoy a freshly made baguette with their soup. Or perhaps you can give a cookie sheet or bread pan along with the ingredients so your giftee can continue creating bakery magic.

Graphic Design:

If you are gifted in the art of graphic design, then gift it! Maybe you will make business cards for your cousin? Draw up that tattoo that your partner really wants? If you have giftees in a band you could design posters for their next show! If you don’t have the time to design for everyone on your list, that’s a-okay! You can schedule a lunch to sit down and discuss what they would like and the visions they have. Amazing art never goes out of style and your giftees will have something that no one else in the world will have. That’s way cool!

Homemade gifts don’t need to be a month long project. These ideas are as easy as a trip to the store!

Are you skilled in any mediums of art? What is the best homemade gift you have ever received? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah