Category: Gift it

Make Your Own Scratch Offs

Valentines Day Cards
PRINT: Print card design on cardstock
WRITE MESSAGE: In the hearts that will be scratched off, write sweet things for your Valentine with a pen. In my case I offered small acts of service, but it can be anything…be creative. Warning: Before you move onto the next step make sure the ink is COMPLETELY dry. A thin Sharpie may work best, but not necessary.
CRAYON: Cover message, and where ever the scratch-off area will be, completely with a white crayon.
MIX PAINT: Mix two parts acrylic paint with one part liquid dish-washing soap. You don’t need a lot a little bit goes a long way.
PAINT: Paint mixture over the area that you covered with the crayon. You will need to be very liberal with your your application, as the wax from the crayon will act as a repellent. I applied very thick amounts of paint on in a dapping motion. You can also repeat this process once it has dried.  If the paint appears bumpy or uneven don’t worry because when it dries it will be perfectly smooth. 
DRY: Due to the thickness of the paint and the fact that the paint can’t be absorbed in the paper, the valentine will need to dry for about 1 hour before it is completely dry.

Photo Candle Holders

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  • Print out your photo onto vellum paper.
  • Modpodge onto straight glass candle holders.
  • When dry, put candle in and light.

I suggest: add a ribbon.

This would make an awesome Host / Graduation / Teacher / Mother’s Day / Father’s Day / Birthday / Grandparent’s Day / Christmas / etc. gift!! via

Community Service Ideas

Here’s one from Pennies of Time:

“Saying Thank You to Fire Fighters, Police Officers, or Teachers: I haven’t found a single time where our baked treats or basket of fruit and breads was turned away by one of our community helpers.  The fire fighters always take the time to show the boys around the fire station.  In one day, we make or gather the goods.  The next day, we take our basket to donate and say thank you.” lots more there.

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AND: Here’s just a portion of the 100’s of ideas with University of Nebraska LIncoln

  • Conduct a community service project during the Big Help Day in October.
  • Plan a Memorial Day program.
  • Recognize veterans in your community.
  • Participate in National Youth Service Day in April.
  • On Thanksgiving, make sure your family knows what you are thankful for.
  • Trim a mitten Christmas tree to donate mittens to local schools and homeless shelters.
  • Organize a coat drive in which old coats are donated for use by needy people.
  • Contact a local tree farm about donating a Christmas tree to a nursing home, homeless shelter or needy family.
  • Decorate a Christmas tree at a nursing home, hospital, school or homeless shelter.
  • Ring the bell for Salvation Army during the holidays.
  • Deliver a May Day basket.
  • Offer safety tips for youngsters during Halloween.
  • Conduct an Easter Egg Hunt for needy children.
  • On St. Patrick’s Day, don’t only wear something green, care for something green!
  • Volunteer to return shopping carts during National Supermarkets Month in February.
  • Make Spring baskets for seniors’ residential facility, neighbors or homeless shelters.
  • On International Picnic Day in May, take your family or friends on a picnic. You supply the food and let Mother Nature supply the ants!
  • Make a Halloween Safety Kit for youth.
  • Give your Mom a hug and a homemade card for Mother’s Day.
  • On Johnny Appleseed Day in March, deliver apples to homeless shelters.
  • July is Anti-Boredom Month. Help your friends fight boredom by becoming active community volunteers.
  • During July on National Cheer-Up Day, share a smile and cheer someone up.
  • Mow the lawn for your Dad on Father’s Day.
  • see more HERE
  • Print the PDF HERE