christmas Archives - 3 Kids and Us

What to Put in Children’s Christmas Shoeboxes

November 2, 2020 by admin

Every year, we all rally together to create special shoeboxes filled with gifts for those who are less fortunate, so children can have not only the bare essentials but one or two treats too – as Christmas should be.

In a nation of wealth, it can be hard to imagine that some of us, including children, don’t have access to even the basics such as a toothbrush. And for those who are even less fortunate, might not even have access to food.

This is why the Christmas shoeboxes are so important. That being said, it can be tricky to know what to put in them, especially if we are lucky enough to not be in such a position ourselves.

This piece will help give you some ideas of combined essentials and treats that could make a child’s year.

A Stuffed Toy

Going straight in with a treat, because if we are perfectly honest, it is too sad not to. A stuffed animal, bear or plushy of some kind is something everyone needs to cuddle sometimes, which is why this is a great option for the shoebox.

Choose a new toy that will be able to fit in the box – they don’t have to be expensive; they just have to be clean. The stuffed toy is often the ‘wow’ factor of the shoebox, so make it count!

You can choose other toys too, such as a soccer ball (and pump) or dolls/action figures/plastic animals.

Personal Care Items

Personal care items are usually the real basics that we might not even think of! This can include a toothbrush, a small hairbrush or comb, a soft washcloth and a bar of soap (that is packaged). A blanket will also go a long way. A water bottle can be useful and consider some of the more outside-the-box essentials such as adhesive bandages. There are now cartoon and colorful bandages out there for children, which will make them much more willing to use them!

Get Crafty

There are not many children that don’t like to get their hands dirty and get stuck into a craft box, so some craft items are the perfect fit to go in next. Think colored pens, pencils, crayons, coloring books, stamps and colorful ink, notebooks, playdoh, stickers… you get the idea! Let your inner child run wild.

If you are not able to make a shoebox this year, then don’t worry! Consider a holiday donation which will go straight to helping those in need this Christmas.

Personal Touches

This is a special part of the shoebox which might just be the best part for them.

Make a friendship bracelet and let them know you have the other half! Or give them a half of something small you have the other half of. Draw them a picture or write them a poem – whatever you like. And whatever you do, make sure to include a personal note or a Christmas card in the box too, which can include a photo of you and your family, and an address so the child may write to you. This could be the beginning of a beautiful pen-pal friendship.

Reasons Personal Information is Key When Choosing Hampers for Christmas

August 20, 2020 by admin

Studies show that giving a wrong gift can hurt your relationship. But how do you ensure that your intended recipient will love the present they get?

As Christmas approaches, many people tend to prepare a gift list for the festive season. You have to choose who will get a present, how much you are going to spend on it, and, more importantly, what you are going to get.

In Australia, people spend hundreds of dollars on gifts to show their love for family and friends. Although giving a gift makes you happy and shows the recipient that you care, presenting an undesirable item can hurt your relationship.

For instance, if you are in a romantic relationship, choosing the wrong gift is risky because it shows that you don’t have anything in common with your partner. Psychology experts also say that unwanted presents can affect the recipient’s perception of the relationship’s future.

It is worth noting that purchasing an expensive gift is not a guarantee that the receiver will like it. Since you don’t want to disappoint the recipient, here are some tips to help find a gift they will find desirable.

Ask Them What They Want

If you are unsure about what to gift a person, ask them what they want. Research shows that people are more appreciative of presents they ask than random ones. You might want to surprise the other party, but knowing what they wish to precisely get is better and less likely to end in disappointment. This is the primary reason why knowing personal preferences is essential when shopping for a Christmas gift hamper.

However, there is a notion that useful gifts are supposed to be a surprise. Asking an individual what they want is taboo and shameful in most societies.

Buy Based on Shared Interests

Another way through which personal information helps in gift-giving is that you go for something you both like. Instead of using your preferences when deciding, focus on what you have in common and pick a gift from there. For instance, if both of your love tea, you could gift them the Wedgewood Tea Hamper.

People prefer choosing items for themselves. If you have things in common with the receiver, it is likely that they also like what you like.

To get more appreciation from the recipient, go for a gift that they can experience, such as a movie ticket, a subscription to online classes, and so forth. Studies show that experiential presents strengthen the bond between the giver and the recipient, even if the former doesn’t share the experience.

Avoid Overthinking

When purchasing a gift, avoid overthinking since people rarely complain about gifts. Unless someone has their issues, they are likely to appreciate whatever you get them. Remember that people always get thoughtful of you whenever you present a gift to them. Moreover, they are inclined to think more of your intentions if they consider the gift undesirable.

If the receiver feels like you took your time to select a particular gift, they will appreciate the effort. During such thoughts, the recipients feel closer to you.

Conclusion

Gifting is a widespread practice in Australia and across the globe, especially during the festive season. Giving presents makes you feel good and shows the other person that you care. To avoid giving an unwanted gift, ask the other party what they want, go for something you have in common, and avoid overthinking.

Gift a Portrait Painting this Festive Season

October 31, 2018 by admin

Finally that time of the year has arrived whose arrival we have been anxiously awaiting.

It is the time of joy and wonder, of merriment and some great memories of compassion and togetherness.

Celebrate this festive season by creating new and cherishing old memories by getting a portrait painting done.

Giving and receiving gifts has been a pivotal part of the festivities since as long as one can remember.

It can at times be a strenuous and time consuming task.

Getting a painted portrait by turning pictures to paint is a great way to remind yourself and the people around you how important they are to you.

Art has always fascinated people and can be a great stimulus for the mind and soul.

It has and will always be a great way to portray a plethora of different emotions.

Turn photo to painting and gift it to your near and dear ones as a fitting tribute for all the love, compassion and affection that you have received from them.

Let them sink into that nostalgic feeling of those times which shall forever be etched in their hearts and minds.

A portrait painting is an awesome gifting option as it is something which posses an artistic and creative touch to it.

It is certainly a great way to redefine a memoir and make it more stylish and appealing to a larger audience.

Thus you can write a beautiful story on a canvas which is lit up by a painter’s touch and a memory that is very dear to your heart.

With all the options present out there I would certainly recommend PortraitFlip as one of the best sites to procure your painted portraits.

They offer you a wide variety of mediums to choose from such as charcoal portrait, oil portrait, watercolor portrait and more.

Moreover you can also demand a custom acrylic portrait whose dimensions are not limited to your traditional small, medium and huge sizes.

All of the above comes with some really economical prices, what else do you want?

In every person’s life there are those moments which make his/her life worth everything.

Sometimes these moments seem to pass us by in a flash with only a memory of it so as to derive some form of solace from it.

Turn picture into acrylic painting and convert your fond memories into something intrinsically beautiful.

It is sure to leave the other person in awe and astonishment.

The reason that this painted portrait will be a perfect fit is that the receiver will be able to connect to it on a personal level, something which very few things in our life can boast about.

A gift is usually just a reflection of our innate desires and characteristics as a human being.

It transcends our innermost passions into something objective.

Time can be a shrewd thing which can blaze past you when things are going in your favor and seem to move ever so slowly when nothing is going in your favor.

Thus festivals are a celebration of traditions and most importantly virtues like love, compassion, gratitude and a sense of unity.

Remembering our blessing can thus be a great way to increase our gratitude and appreciation for life.

An acrylic portrait painting is the perfect way to do this.

One is bound to be filled with renewed appreciation for life as he views this painted portrait every day.

Ultimately the main motive of the festive season and life in general is to strengthen and renew old bonds while creating new ones.

Christmas on a Budget – Here’s What You Can Do to Save Money

July 6, 2018 by admin

Christmas is the most expensive time of year. The average family spends around $950 on Christmas, which is a significant chunk of money if you don’t have a lot of spare cash. The good news is that you can do Christmas on a budget. Here’s how!

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Start Saving Early

Start saving as early as possible. If you can afford to, put a little bit of money aside each month to pay for any big-ticket Christmas purchases. Kids these days are usually desperate for expensive electronic gadgets at Christmas, which can be a huge drain on a family budget. You could buy these items on a credit card, but that will cost you more in interest and going into the New Year with a debt burden is not advisable.

Some stores do savings schemes for their customers. You can put aside a small amount each month and when Christmas arrives, you have your nest egg to spend. It is especially useful for grocery shopping, as buying extra food and alcohol at Christmas is expensive.

Save Money on Decorations

Christmas decorations need not cost the earth. While real Christmas trees are lovely and smell divine, they can be pricey, and you are then stuck with a dead or dying tree in January. One way to circumvent this issue is with an artificial tree. Artificial Christmas trees often look just as nice as a real tree, but their biggest advantage is that they can be reused year after year. So aside from your initial investment, it won’t cost you anything extra. Look for a tree that fits your budget. Balsam Hill Christmas trees are a popular brand that offers great value for money.

Don’t spend money you can’t afford on expensive baubles and garlands. Make your own! Kids love to be creative at Christmas. Let them play with paper and glitter. They will probably bring home some pretty decorations from school. Use this as a starting point and then look online for more ideas. It’s amazing what you can do when you have some paper, glitter, and imagination.

Create festive garlands using holly, ivy, and greenery from your garden. String evergreen garlands together using florist wire and hang them over your fireplace and above pictures. A little bit of greenery will transform your home into a festive grotto.

Start Buying Early

Don’t leave it until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping. Prices inevitably go up nearer the holidays, so you will end up paying more than you need to. Have a list and keep an eye out for bargains in the months prior to Christmas. If you have young children, pick up small toys in the sales and watch out for second-hand jigsaws and books in thrift stores.

Do the same with your grocery shopping. Many food items can be frozen in advance, so if you see a great BOGOF deal, freeze the extra so you can use it over the holidays.

Don’t panic about Christmas. Have a budget and stick to it. That way, you won’t be caught out.

Seven Things to Consider Before Sending Your Christmas Cards

December 29, 2017 by admin

One of the things so many love about the Christmas season is sending and receiving cards. Yes, it is quite easy to text a message, or to e-mail a warm greeting. However, to take that extra effort to put a pretty card into the post is a way to show you care about the people in your life.

Beautiful Christmas cards make people smile with joy when they open them. Here are seven tips on how to make this year’s Christmas cards fun and festive:

Make a list of the people you want to send cards to

This is the first thing you should do. Before you order your cards, count how many people you want to send them to. Be generous with yourself and always add an additional 5 to 10% to that number. During the holidays, you may reconnect with old friends, former co-workers, and people you know. Also, you may want to send them a warm Christmas greeting. By having a few extra cards, it becomes easy for you to accommodate additional people.

Double check mailing addresses

Don’t neglect to take out time to do this. Sometimes, people move, or postal codes get changed. Perhaps you have a friend who has changed jobs frequently and has lived in several different cities or countries with each job. You may want to call them to double check their address before putting the card in the mail. There is nothing more disappointing than receiving a Christmas card, which you mailed, returned to you because it could not reach the recipient.

Get extra postage in advance

Getting extra postage in advance, especially when you are sending out a large mailing such as your Christmas cards, is simply the smart thing to do. Having extra postage on hand will let you breathe a sigh of relief. You won’t have to wait forever at the post office to pick up more stamps. Also, you will not run out of stamps for a few extra cards you might want to send.

Take steps to make your envelopes festive for the season

Now, this is something that baffles many people. They think that they need to be super crafty or creative. What you really need to be is – organised! Start by looking at the colour scheme of your envelopes and the cards. Let’s say, the envelopes are green, and the cards inside have green, red, and silver in them. Then, all the three colours will look perfect to decorate your envelopes. If you have pretty penmanship, consider getting a fancy silver marker to address all of the envelopes with a metallic touch. Or look for stickers that match your Christmas cards, such as snowflake stickers for cards that feature a snowy scene.

Don’t get stressed if you have a big Christmas card list

When you have 50 or more cards to send out, sometimes this seems a bit overwhelming. Because most of us have family obligations, work, and other things to take care of, we recommend that you set the goal of working on your holiday cards for 1 hour each night for several nights. With 50 cards, you will probably complete the list in about 3 days if you are well organised.

Practice the short greeting you’ll write inside your cards

This is a true time saver! Sit down with a notebook and think of a simple, short friendly greeting you can write to friends. Another one would be to write to people with whom you have worked with. You may need another greeting if you are giving Christmas cards to people who have provided services for you such as a doorman, hair stylist, or a dog walker. Creating these greetings and then writing them out means you are not creating individual greetings off the top of your head for everyone.

Always remember that writing holiday cards is a treat to be enjoyed. Put on some of your favourite Christmas music, pour a glass of wine, or have a mug of cocoa, and watch a Christmas movie while you write out your cards. The rest of the year, we write other things to put in the mail. So, this is the special time of year when we send Christmas cards; don’t miss a moment of it.