Getting to know you: D.I.Y Gift Idea

This is quite possibly the easiest D.I.Y. gift idea out there. It costs very little money and requires light materials, and can be customized for many different people in your life.
The concept is sort of like the game '20 Questions' but more interactive and a great game for breaking the ice at work during team building exercises or interviews, or when having old or new friends over for dinner. It's a great way to have fun with your family and learn something about them at the same time.

 I made 4 of them for my co-workers this year, so I went with matching jars and general topics. I bought smooth mason jars from Target for only a few bucks each, but depending on the person you have in mind, you can use a recycled glass jar or colored container which are easy to find at second-hand stores.

I prefer to use clear containers and decorative paper since I think it encourages people to explore what it is. I purchased a variety of textures and colors which compliment each other, and which makes the overall look more intriguing. I picked patterns I knew my friends would enjoy, or would compliment their home. Again you can customize the jar depending on the theme by using many varieties of paper out there, or making good use of scrap-booking paper remnants you may already have.

 Once you have the paper selected, you'll want to cut small, roughly 1 inch pieces. You'll want them large enough to hold about a sentence worth of words. Then, using your imagination or, if needed, one of these websites below to help, write out a question on each piece then fold it in half. For every 3 pieces you put in, insert a blank piece. When you play the game, if someone pulls a blank paper they have to write in their own question and skip a turn. This helps extend your list of questions and build up new conversations over time.

General questions for everyone:
What if...
Random, mostly useless or fun
Life Possibilities
Getting to know you

Some ideas for co-workers or an office edition:
Starting a new business
New Hires
Ice breakers at work

Ideas for  a family-themed edition:
Home life
Exploring your Ancestors
Dinner table conversations

Idea's for a bachelorette party:
Witty and Pretty 
Engagement discussions 

New Years gift:
New Year, New You
365 Questions, one a day

Questions for the Spiritually minded friend:
Rapid Self-discovery
Improvement and growth

I hope you have fun creating these thoughtful gifts, or make one together on Christmas. It will bring much laughter and deepen the connections you have to those in your life.

Upcoming workshop

Join me for a 2-hour workshop Saturday December 7th

Create your own eco-orb using local plants and recycled glass bowls

All materials provided, you take home your design

Please register here

Girl Scouts, all grown up

Pigment, (my favorite shop in San Diego) is hosting neat little craft events that make me feel like a Girl Scout all over again. Yes, the prices are a little inflated but materials are provided and you leave with a goodie bag. The next craft camp is November 9th, book worms unite!

Make your own Pomander Ball

Pomander Balls were the deodorant of the Medieval times, and also believed to be a form of protection. During the Tudor times, townspeople believed "bad smells" carried illnesses and hence carrying a something "good smelling" would protect them from death. Some pomander balls were made primarily out of oranges and cloves, and tied to the undercarriage of women's dresses and/or in closets, and other smaller ones were sometimes in the form of beads made out of spices held together by gum.

I think today they combine some of the best scents of the season, and make nice gifts. For about $15 you can make a few aromatic additions to your home that last a long time.

You will need:

* At least 1 ounce of whole cloves, usually found on the spice isle. These run about $8-$10 for a jar of around 50 grams
* Thin-skinned oranges, on the small side
* Ground cinnamon, or other spices like Nutmeg (just a little will do, a small container is fine)
* Some sort of poking needle to pierce the skin of the orange (I used a tiny screw driver)
*Ribbon (optional)

Gizmo can't resist the ribbon

Directions:

1. First start by deciding if you want to make a hanging ball or one you will sit in potpourri or a bowl. If you opt for a hanging ball, you will want to attach the ribbon first. I have seen others use tape first to reserve the area where the ribbon can be tied after everything is complete (so that the ribbon doesn't get dirty) so if you want to take that extra step that's fine too. I prefer to tie the ribbon first so that I don't take the tops of the cloves off trying to do so at the end.

2. Next, pierce the skin of the orange using the needle to make inserting the cloves a little easier. You will want to leave the cloves with a little distance between them because once the orange dries up it will shrink, bringing the cloves in tighter (the drying process for the orange takes several weeks.)


3. Start by filling in the cloves one portion at a time, stem side down. The bulbs should stick out of the orange, with the sharp ends inside.

It's important to get the Whole Cloves, so that the pointy stems are still attached

I sprinkled cinnamon onto the cloves first so that when the stems are inserted into the fruit, the juice from the orange holds the scents together and acts as a natural glue once dry.

4. Continue to insert the cloves, rotating it as you go, until the entire orange is covered. Sometimes when the tops fall off of the clove stems, they can be sharp, so be careful if you are doing this activity with kids. You can use a thimble if the skin is too tough and you have to really shove them in there to get them to stay. If you use the needle first though, it should make it a lot easier.

When you are finished, tie the end of the ribbon into a bow, using the leftover string to form a circle that can be hooked onto wherever you hang it from.

Completed Pomander Ball

5. Experts say you are supposed to let the orange dry out in a dark area for 2-4 weeks before it is completely ready. I think you might as well enjoy it while it is curing, so if you don't put it in your closet you can also stick it in your kitchen, or bathroom. If you decided to make one without the ribbon, you could also opt to make several and put them out in a bowl. If they start to loose their scent you could then toss them in more cinnamon or a mix of your favorite dried herbs to spice them up again. (I have also heard using Orris Root powder in your spice blend, in addition to coating the orange with lemon juice before starting will help preserve the Pomander Ball even longer.)

Although a primitive tradition, Pomander Balls are still useful today and make great festive gifts from October through December. It's also a fun alternative to carving pumpkins with your family and friends.