Must See Monday (November 29, 2010)

Weekends are catch-up time for me: I catch up on my writing, I catch up on my laundry, I catch up with my husband, and if I have any time left over, I catch up on all the fabulous posts that accumulate in my reader during the week. Every week I find awesome crafts, fun books, and super giveaways! Last week was my inaugural edition of Must See Monday, and this week I have more to share with you after my holiday weekend catching up! (This weekend most of my catching-up was with family and friends – chores will have to wait!)
Enjoy!
Crafts:
Welcome to our Wonderland has a Christmas Book and Activity a Day project going on. I haven’t committed to following along every day, but there are some great ideas so far and coming up!
Teach Mama has a fun advent craft/activity to make and do. We’ll be adding the activity slips to our purchased felt calendar, but you could start from scratch if you’re feeling extra crafty! Or add these ideas to one of the calendars featured at the giveaway below! (We’re still counting down with our candy-surprise calendar as well!)
The always creative Vanessa at Silly Eagle Books shared a host of ideas for gifts kids can take part in making. Not only are they personal and inexpensive, but sure to be treasured by those who love your kiddos!

Ideas/Recommendations:
Get great ideas for making gift baskets inexpensively from An Oregon Cottage. I discovered it via Feels Like Home and added it to my bookmarks – great for the holidays, or birthdays and occasions throughout the year.
This Thanksgiving made me really want to focus on gratitude throughout the year, rather than just for the holiday. I’m very intrigued by the book In Every Tiny Grain of Sand, shared by the children’s book blog at About.com.
On a similar note, I am looking for ways to foster my attitude of gratitude. The Happiness Project suggests “measuring” the things we want more or less of in our lives.


Giveaways:
At 12 Crafts till Christmas, you can enter to win do-it-yourself advent calendar kits. There are four, but my favorite is the cone garland!
Science-at-Home has a giveaway for a kids’ Collector’s Kit. There are several other great suggestions of “presents for geeks” too!
Reading to Know has a Christmas book giveaway that could score you 3 Christmas stories! I know I can never have enough!
Also from Teach Mama, a magnetic poetry giveaway! I had magnetic poetry on my fridge in college – did you? I can’t wait to try it out with my boys!


Last week’s Feed Me Books Friday is still open if you want to add a book you enjoyed over your holiday. Time to put away the Thanksgiving crafts and get ready for Christmas!Come back tomorrow for a super easy (and inexpensive) Christmas card idea!