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Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

Birthday's, DIY, Lifestyle

Keep the Gifts Coming…

11.14.2014

New Home Gift BoxThere are few things I appreciate more than when someone buys me the very expensive, but yet adorable, Hallmark greeting card. Seriously. There’s nothing like saying, “I love you,” like there is with the 12.99 greeting card. I mean, if someone is splurging for the adorable, glittery (I get these a lot, not sure why), shiny greeting card, they clearly love you. Try to debate this.

Another thing that I think is hard to top: homemade gift boxes. I’m not exactly sure where my friends got the idea that I like gift boxes in the mail. Couldn’t have been this, or this, or even this, could it? Am I that transparent?New Home or Anniversary Gift BoxSomething happened to my friends when I said the big, “yes.” They turned into crafting bridesmaid machines. Seriously. I had never seen a craft come out of a one of them in the 20+ years I knew them. Suddenly, they’re popping out crafts made for me left and right. Apparently I put the pressure on. And apparently I rubbed off a little of this “glitter” onto them. Sorry not sorry.

Apparently (now I’m starting to feel like Noah Ritter) my maid of honor decided to keep the crafts coming even a year after the wedding. I’m secretly hoping her life turns into a giant craft fair. She has a spare bedroom, can I convince her to add a crafting room? She sent us this amazing gift box as a “First Anniversary/Housewarming” gift. I am in love. With her AND the box.Ingredients for a Congratulations BasketInside was everything glittery and sparkly and amazing. And then there was Fireball. For him. She added a bottle of my favorite wine as an anniversary gift, and a bottle of champagne as a Congratulations gift. And of course the adorable cards.Decorate a Gift Box for a New HomeLike I said, she clearly loves me.

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Comments

  1. freebutfun says

    11.14.2014 at 9:10 pm

    What a lovrly surprise to get the anniversary gift box too!

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 9:59 am

      I know!! I feel lucky to have such amazing friends! 🙂

  2. Kristy says

    11.15.2014 at 6:12 am

    I do love you!! A crafting room might be over my abilities… But, you inspire me to give back (in creative ways) to people… Actually just YOU… who have truly made me feel special! Thanks for the amazing post 🙂

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:00 am

      Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!! For being so amazing, and for being my friend. Especially if I’m the only one who gets the benefits of your crafting! 🙂 Love you!

  3. hugsxheart says

    11.16.2014 at 6:42 am

    Hey sweety! I nominated you and your blog: https://hugsxheart.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-very-inspiring-blog-award/ <3

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:00 am

      Wow!!!!!! Again!??! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me a bit and I’ll get on this! I have so many crafts in line to be posted! You’re amazing!!!!!!!

      • hugsxheart says

        11.17.2014 at 11:04 am

        No you are amazing! Haha you’re so sweet! You should check what I wrote about you and your blog! No worries! Oh I can’t wait to see your stuff #superexcited <3

  4. avenuecamilla says

    11.16.2014 at 7:23 pm

    All such great gifts! So sweet!

    xxx
    Camilla
    http://avenuecamilla.com

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:01 am

      I know right~??!? Love getting surprises in the mail!

  5. funkyfashion007 says

    11.17.2014 at 5:00 am

    These are such a great idea, so lovely!:)

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.17.2014 at 10:02 am

      My friends continuously surprise me!!! 🙂

  6. ATaleOfBeauty says

    11.20.2014 at 10:15 am

    Aww, congrats!!! & your friends are really sweet, great gifts! ~xo, Carina

    • Shauna841505 says

      11.20.2014 at 10:16 am

      Thanks!! And I am definitely blessed with great friends! 🙂

  7. glitterymoss says

    1.08.2015 at 4:00 pm

    LOVE this idea!

About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

Follow Us on Instagram!

stayinghomesawyer

I saw this viral template and as soon as I heard t I saw this viral template and as soon as I heard the first part I immediately thought, “that’s the worst part too.” Then I heard the rest of the audio and just felt that. It’s so true. It’s the most bittersweet thing a human being goes through. Raising children.
We always see these crazy parties on social media, We always see these crazy parties on social media, but how much do they ACTUALLY cost? If you know me, then you know I’m the most frugal person on the planet, so my parties are destined to be inexpensive. I’m going to give you the real life breakdown, with all my money saving tips. Let’s go!

(Let me know if you have any questions that I didn’t cover)

This is one of my biggest tips, which is pretty obvious I suppose. Hand make EVERYTHING. Decorations, treats, food, etc. The only time I wouldn’t suggest making your own food is if you have a huge guest list, in which case ordering Costco pizza is your best bet.

For the paper chains, I’ll be honest, they’re not cheap. Finding paper that’s inexpensive is hard. So pro tip: you don’t NEED cardstock, regular paper will be cheaper (and easier to hang). I found these packs of red at Walmart on clearance for $1.50 each. The pictured chains was three packs of 50 pages. Also pro tip: use a generic stapler to staple them into the ceiling, tape doesn’t work.

Also, because I throw parties a few times a year, I have a general stash of party supplies. I try to use similar colors so that I don’t have to store every color. I happen to have a lot of pink (because, duh, two girls). So table runners and vases and such were things I already had. If you don’t, I suggest Temu. And if you’d like to start collecting a supply for future parties, get some nice ones in white because you can always use white! 

I made this box out of 9 pieces of foam board from the Dollar Tree, one roll of wrapping paper (back wall) from the Dollar Tree, and two cans of spray paint from Walmart. If you had more time, acrylic paint would be cheaper, as my spray paint cost $13 alone. My cost for the project could have been cut in half if I used acrylic from the Dollar Tree (they have extra large bottles for $1.25). I just didn’t have time to do a few coats of acrylic.

The backdrop was made from four sheets of poster board from the Dollar Tree ($2), and one roll of Dollar Tree wrapping paper ($1.25). 

My splurge. The larger scalloped plate is from American Girl and when we were at the store I couldn’t resist. That alone brought up my total by almost $10. Ha
She turned NINE and wanted a doll party. And hones She turned NINE and wanted a doll party. And honestly? I loved every second of it.

Because I know that at this age, some girls are already asking for Sephora trips and makeup tutorials, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there is something so special about a little girl who still wants to play with dolls, have a themed birthday party, and lean into the magic of being a kid. 

I know I can’t keep her little forever, but I can stop rushing her into growing up. There’s no prize for growing up the fastest. The world will ask her to be older, cooler, and more mature soon enough. So if she still wants the dolls, the dress-up, the silly games, and the magic of childhood, I’m going to let her.

Because one day, I know I’ll miss these days more than I can imagine. And if I can give her a few more years of being little, I’m going to cherish every single one. 

Let them be little. There’s plenty of time to grow up. 

#americangirl #americangirldoll #diyparty #americangirlparty
Save for later. PS: This is my husbands rendition Save for later.

PS: This is my husbands rendition of a “Sexy Willy Wonka.” You know, because being Aladdin, Flynn Ryder, Prince Charming…he couldn’t just be a regular guy for one year. 🤣🤣
Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five Don’t spend today wishing for tomorrow. Find five things every night that you’re thankful for, and BE thankful for them. So much of our lives are spent waiting for the next best thing when in reality, it’s sitting right in front of us.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’ If there’s anything I’ve learned in this life, it’s to SLOW DOWN.

So much of life is spent going, going, going. Waiting for the next stage. Telling ourselves, “Once we get through this, things will be easier.” Once the kids are older. Once life settles down. Once we have more time. But what if we’re missing the whole point? Because the moments we’re so eager to get through ARE the moments.

Today is the important stuff. The ordinary days. The messy days. The little conversations, the giggles, the routines, the chaos, the moments that don’t feel significant while we’re living them. We spend so much time wishing for the next chapter that we forget we’re already living one we’ll someday wish we could go back to.

So slow down.

Be here.
Pay attention.
Let the moment take as long as it needs to.

Because someday, these will be the days we miss.

**And if you know us personally, you know why I had to jump on this social media trend**
This is your permission slip to let the crafts be This is your permission slip to let the crafts be messy. 

They don’t need to match your house. They don’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. They don’t need to be made with a neutral color palette and a Cricut. They just need to be theirs.

Because someday I’m probably going to miss the paper scraps, the glue everywhere, the questionable color combinations, and the little masterpieces I had no idea what to do with. Let them make the ugly craft. Let them make a mess. Let them create something that looks nothing like what you had in mind.

Childhood doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing to be beautiful.
When you stop to think about the fact that one day When you stop to think about the fact that one day all of her toys will be someone else’s toys, she’ll be heading off to college, and all I’ll be left with are these videos…
This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy the This is NOT a post to bash moms that are happy their kids are going back to school. My neighbors and I commiserate all summer long about how long the days are, how frustrating the kids can be, how much they’re fighting, etc. 

But my days are always like that, and even though it’s exhausting and overwhelming at times, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Even if I only have ONE moment like this a day, it’s one moment a day I could miss out on if they were in a traditional school. 

So here’s to whatever choice you are making in regards to your kids education. What’s best for YOU is most important. And what’s best for us is this.
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