I can’t believe it’s day 12 already! It’s been so fun I don’t want to stop! Over the past 12 days, Kelleigh, Mari, Mel and I have given tips on keeping your budget in check this year by printing your own Christmas card and decorating your tree. We’ve shared fun gift wrapping and tagging ideas and an adorable way to count down the days of the season. You’re equipped with some inexpensive but adorable gift ideas for family, friends, neighbors, and grandparents as well as a delish treat you know they’ll ALL love. Today I’ll be concluding with a project I hope you’ll appreciate.
But, first, let me tell you the story behind it. . . .
On our third Christmas together Jared and I were still in college. I was taking 21 credits to reach graduation faster and we were living on nothing but love. (Actually, Jared’s part-time job and student loans.) Money was extra tight and we needed to get extra creative with our gift giving. Truthfully, I remember being kind of upset about the whole thing. I was tired of being a poor college student, and tired of homemade and thrift store gifts. But isn’t it funny that it’s one of my most memorable Christmases? It was the year we made “question jars.”
We came up with lists of conversation questions–some serious, some silly, printed them on cardstock, cut into strips, stuffed them in jars tied with ribbon, and then gave them to our family and friends. Everyone LOVED our handmade gift. We even took one to a white elephant exchange and it was the most popular gifted item!
We kept a question jar for ourselves as well, and it’s become one of our frequently used at-home date night activities. We bring it with us on long road trips. I pull it out when I need a journaling prompt idea for my scrapbooking. We even brought out the jar this Thanksgiving and passed it around the table while pie was being served.
A question jar is the perfect way to turn off the TV and inspire good conversation. Plus, it’s fun! I never would have guessed that frugal Christmas gift years ago would bring so many memories.
We’re planning on making these jars again this year to give to our new Kentucky friends. Since Jared is diabetic we appreciate calorie-free alternatives to the plates of holiday goodies and hope our friends and neighbors will too.
The process is simple and to make it extra easy for you, I’ve even compiled a {FREE} list of questions!
- Download the PDF file and print on cardstock.
- Cut into strips with scissors or a paper cutter.
- Fill your jars with the conversation questions. (I picked up a few funky vintage jars and bottles at the thrift store! Look for fun shapes, colors and textures.)
- Decorate to your heart’s content! (In this sample I used a strip of paper from an old book, layered with a strip of patterned paper, a homemade felt flower, a glittery sprig, and some raffia.)
Grab a mug of hot cocoa or a glass of egg nog and a gingersnap, curl on the couch with a snuggly blanket and have HAVE FUN getting to know yourself, your family, and your friends better!
We hope you’ve enjoyed the past 12 days of Christmas projects and that you’ve been inspired. We hope you’ll continue to follow our blogs for tidbits of creativity, frugal living, and lots of craftiness. Most of all, we hope you sense this holiday season–especially if you haven’t felt it before–that truly, it doesn’t take a lot of money to make your holiday fun, creative, and special.
I’ll be back tomorrow to show you how to make those cute felt flowers! Hope you’ll be here too!
This is seriously awesome!! I’m TOTALLY making these. Thanks so much for the freebie!!
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Thank you so much for this idea- I’m totally going to do this!
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So fun! We are having a white elephant gift exchange this year and I have had the HARDEST time thinking of what to take, but you just came to my rescue!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 10th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Chelsy@sweetpeasandkisses, YAY! Let me know how it goes!
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What a great idea! My mmom always got a Family” gift each year. I think I will continue the tradition with one of these.
And thank you for providng questions, seems like it’d be hard to think them up.
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 10th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Sonya, Hope the questions will be helpful
.
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I love this idea! It would be great for when having guests over to the house too.
Thanks!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 1:52 am
@Jenae {I Can Teach My Child}, Yes! We had guests for Thanksgiving and it was a fun activity. And we usually get the jar out over Christmas break when we are visiting with extended family too. The kids love participating too.
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This is such a great idea!! Planning on using it for a white elephant I’m going to and maybe for family too. Thanks!!!
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Wow! This is a great idea and thanks so much for sharing your questiongs!! I will be sure to tell people about this blog!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
You are too sweet. Thank you so much!!
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This is AWESOME – I truly love it. Thanks for sharing!
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can’t wait to see how to do the felt flower!!!!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
@sara, The felt flower link is up now
http://keepinglifecreative.com/keeping-life-creative/diy-felt-bloom/
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This question jar is a lot of fun, and it’s also a great way to push past small talk at gatherings with coworkers, friends, and relatives we want to get to know better. One of my favorite things about it is that the questions never expire, because as we change so do our answers. It makes a tiny jar bottomless, a simple gift endless.
If I may add one thing to your post, Pam–I’m such a prude, but you know I love you–I actually worked between 15 and 20 hours a week during most semesters in college. Those were tough times. But, like you say above, we remember them well because of our focus on each other rather than on things.
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 7th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
@Jared Odd, What? Really? I swear it was less. I’ll go change it to “part-time.”
Thanks for reading
. I love it when you stop by.
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Love this idea. Thanks for sharing. Will be back!
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What a great gift idea. Thanks for making it super easy by including questions!
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I did something similar a few years ago for my parents and in-laws and gave them a journal with it to record responses. It was an easy way to get a story of their life. The questions helped prompt other stories as well.
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 4:09 am
I LOVE that idea!
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Thanks! This is a great idea! I was really delighted that the questions you came up with were so thoughtprovoking.
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I just made 6 out of the 12 I am going to make. two things: I used mostly hot glue, but when it came time to get the label to stay on, I needed to use Super Glue. I also used Modge Podge over the label to make it stay together and have the shiny look. Beware though, it takes a little scrubbing to get it off the glass once it drys. What kind of glue did you use? Also, what did you do on the top of the lid?
Thanks for the wonderful idea!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 10th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Jen, Wow, you’re making 12! That’s awesome.
I actually used double sided tape for the labels…I like the modge podge idea though!
The jar I used in this example was really old (I got it from the flea market). The lid was a bit rusty and I loved the vintage feel so I left it. But another idea if you don’t love the look of the lid would be to spray paint it. You can get lots of fun colors. Walmart even sells some kinds for $1 a can. That way you can use all kinds of jars (like old mayo jars even!) for fun projects.
Here’s an example where Kelleigh spray painted the lids of baby food jars: http://keepinglifecreative.com/keeping-life-creative/12-days-of-christmas-sugar-scrub/
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Thank you so much for offering this free! I added some more questions and put them on colored paper. I am making them from my kids to give to their aunts and uncles for Christmas gifts. I am so glad you were featured on moneysavingmom.com and I found you!
I also am making the felt blooms – or hoping to have my daughter make them for the jars. Really cute!
Have a very Merry Christmas! Much Joy to your family.
Blessings,
Terri S
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This is EXACTLY what I need this year! I only have three days left (including today) to come up with gifts for the kids’ teachers and being unemployed and trying to manage on just The Man Thing’s salary has been a challenge. This is perfect – thank you so much!
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I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
I’m unable to download the pdf. Is it no longer available?
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Pam @ Keeping Life Creative Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
@cynthia, Hi Cynthia! The download seems to be working fine on my end…Maybe make sure your browser allows popups?
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Thank you so much for sharing this idea! I’m going to make one for my brother, I think it will help him slow down and really consider and enjoy all life has to offer.
Merry Christmas!
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Okay, I know I’m totally stalking you, BUT, I just wanted to THANK YOU again! I am so excited about this gift! They look adorable, and the flowers were the perfect touch! I put them on pins so that they can be used as broaches, too!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Love the pin idea! Glad they turned out
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Thank you so much for this adorable idea. I made one for my 80 year old grandmother, along with a decorative notebook for her to record her answers. Thought it would be a great keepsake for her great grandchildren!
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I know it has been said…but this is soooo cool! I am totally making this. So thrifty yet such a great gift to encourage good quality time! Thank you for sharing it
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What an awesome idea! I saw your blog from Money Saving Mom. Your creativity is incredible! Thank you for sharing. =D
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I just saw this idea on Pinterest! I made one for my husband and me to play while in the car on vacation! We had a blast! Such a great idea! I plan on using this as an engagement gift for the next couple I know to get engaged! Thanks for sharing!
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I made a question jar for my mother and she absolutely adored it! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
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Thank you SO MUCH for such a great idea – AND for sharing your questions! Money is REALLY tight this year, and the extra “white elephant” (but not really) gift exchanges can be an added stress for both ideas and the budget. This saved me! Plus, I’m making one for my hubby for our 12 dates for the year – bonus! Thanks again!
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pameladonnis Reply:
December 20th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Awesome! I hope you love it!!
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Thanks! This is the best assortment of questions I have seen yet. So fun!
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