My No-Cost Gift Presentation for Homemade Earrings

I've written and photo'd my earrings that I made this fall to give for holiday gifts. I'm now finished with all of the pairs of earrings that I've wanted to make for this season. The task, now, is to package them as nicely as I can without incurring extra cost.

This is what I've come up with. Small rectangles of card stock that were spray painted along the edges (posted here) that I then used decorative edge scissors along one long edge, after which I poked small holes with a straight pin for hanging/fixing the ear wires. I'm satisfied with how this looks for gift presentation.

I made 10 pairs of earrings for gifting this year. Some are variations of the same design, while other designs were made for just one pair. Here are the last few that I finished, with the snowmen in the upper left as the only pair that I don't think I shared with you.

I hope that any handmade gifts that you've been working on are now about wrapped up, and you can take a little time to relax and enjoy the season.

Cheap & Cheerful Suppers from Early December

peanut butter fudge wrapped in waxed paper and paper doilies

The pages of the calendar appear to be flipping forward at ever-increasing speed this month. Doesn't it always feel like there is more to do than is realistically possible as the holidays approach? You're not alone. I'm doing what I can to save time in some areas so I can spend time in others. Here was my week.

This past week, I spent $21.30 on food, bringing my December spending up to $141.37. I still need to buy a ham and maybe a little more fresh fruit. I began the month thinking I would spend around $170, so I feel I am still doing well.

Once again, I was tired and busy, so I didn't always think to grab a camera at dinner (and I have a dumb phone without the capability to take photos). Here's what we ate for dinners, and the few photos I took.

Friday
squash and apple soup
crackers and egg salad
orange wedges
corn

Saturday
turkey soup from freezer
fried kale
cookies

Sunday
scrambled eggs with cheese
hash brown potatoes
canned green beans

Monday
turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce (leftovers from Thanksgiving)
mashed baked squash
kale and onions

Tuesday
garbanzo bean and corn soup
corn muffins
homemade thin mint cookies

Wednesday
tuna casserole
salad of lettuce and lentil sprouts (lettuce my daughter bought)

Thursday
squash and apple soup (leftover and frozen)
rosemary focaccia (leftover and frozen)
cabbage and lentil sprout slaw
pumpkin pie (leftover from Thanksgiving and frozen)

I am still working on Christmas baking and treat-making. Yesterday, I made a batch of peanut butter fudge (using some of that bargain-basement peanut butter from last summer -- $2 for 4 pounds). 

Do you remember those tins that I filled last Christmas? here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Well, I'm refilling the same tins for the same recipients. So far, I have a batch of spiced mixed nuts, this peanut butter fudge, and some assorted holiday teas. I'll be adding a couple of other sweets, and a savory snack or two.

How about you? What was on your menu this past week? Is anyone else still eating Thanksgiving leftovers? It's wonderful to have meals to pull out of the freezer and quickly reheat.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!