Contributed by: Pam Bybee10@aol.com

We had a gratitude lunch for our board members last week. We gave them a big serving spoon from all dollar and put candies in the spoon part, things like kisses and reeses peanut butter cups,etc. Then we wrap it with a yellow cellophane paper and tied it with a harvest color bow. Then we wrote on a little tag, "we love serving with you." You could do this with the Christmas candy and red or green paper. It was cheap and looked really nice. Plus the serving spoon is very handy.

Contributed by: Linda in PO, WA YW Pres.

Need

• 1 5 X 8 Notepad (not spiral topped - and doesn't have cover)
• 1 sheet card stock - whatever color or design you'd like
• 1 sheet of decorative paper - like hand made type, the kind that rips easily
• twine
• metallic gold thread (kind of thick)
• small assorted pretty beads

Use the card stock to make a cover for the notepad. It goes over the top of the pad and about 1/4 down the back. Use the decorative paper to make a "topper". It goes from about 1/3 of the way from the top - over and a little over half way down the back. The edge on the front cover is torn while the back is cut. Use the twine and thread to tie around the top (about 1" down from the top) - but before you tie the bow slip on some beads to be on the "wrap around" part, the bow part, and the "dangle from the bow" part. Now tie into a pretty bow - making sure the twine and thread are both seen and compliment each other. You can decorate it how ever you desire - maybe stamps or stickers - or what my 2nd C did was cut a cute design from paper and glued it to the bottom of the top and outlined with glitter pen. We also give the yw a metallic pen with the pads. They LOVE them... and they cost approximately $1- $1.50 @ to make. They are adorable.

Contributed by: Peggy peggyann@mindspring.com

This year for Christmas I am giving all my ward YW Presidents (for their entire presidency) The new Magazines CD. It has all the Ensigns, New Era and Friends and also the Liahona from 1971 thru 1999 and it costs $3.00 for the CD. You can order it through the Church Distribution Center in SLC (1800-537-5971). What a useful resource for ea. ward Presidency to help themselves and their Advisors put together their lesson for next year.

Contributed by:  Kristen in AZ katrinka@deseretmail.com

I have a super creative mom and thought I'd share some of her great ideas.

Attach a gift tag to a bottle of Sprite that says "May your holidays be merry and SPRITE" 

Give a bottle of Joy dishwashing soap with a tag that says "My your Christmas be full of JOY"

Last year she gave out bags of microwave popcorn with this note:

We tried to write something witty
To give you with this Cristmas Ditty
After hours of trying we are giddy
To come up empty is just a pitty
So we'll just say Merry Christmas
And here is some popcorn!
Have a "Poppin" Good Holiday!

There are bags of gourmet soups available with Holiday Shaped Pasta. (If you can't find them, let me know, I have connections!) Attach a note that says "We didn't want to get too SOUPY, so we'll just wish you a Merry Christmas"

"Sending you a little light to make your Christmas warm and bright" accompanied by a candle or flashlight.

And my personal favortite, (we made these up last year for all the ladies she works with)take a roll of toilet paper and some heavy craft wire. Curl the wire loosly and thread through the toilet paper roll. Join the ends and attach a bow or pine sprigs, whatever you want to spruce it up with, and attach this poem.

What better place to hang a wreath,
than on the door that gives relief?
Merry Christmas.
(I know, it is a little silly, but they loved it!)

Contributed by: Brenda in Chicago bbrownle_1@hotmail.com

I've decided to give each of the girls an angel ornament since it's so close to Christmas when I move. I am  ordering a dozen from Oriental Trading Co for $12/doz. (I'll buy two extra  angel ornaments from Michaels or some craft store to make the 14 I need for  all the girls.) I am going to also attach a poem on parchment paper with  each angel. I found the poem on aspiring community website entitled,:

"An Angel By Your Side"
by Emilia Larson

May you always have an angel by your side
Someone there to catch you if you fall
Encouraging your dreams
Inspiring your happiness
Holding your hand and helping you through it all

In all of our days, our lives are always changing
Tears come along as well as smiles
Along the roads you travel,
may the miles be a thousand times more lovely than lonely

May they give you gifts that never, ever end:
Someone wonderful to love and a dear friend in whom you can confide
May you have rainbows after every storm
May you have hopes to keep you safe and warm
And may you always have an angel by your side

Contributed by: dkcaron@juno.com

How about using this idea for the YW Gift? Any talented sister that would like to make up poems for each gift?

Everyone loves giving and receiving Christmas gifts! But have you ever felt like your family was caught up in the "gimmies" at Christmas time? One family started an incredible tradition that satisfied the gimmies and brought the true meaning of Christmas back into their holiday season. They decided that each child would receive three gifts from Mom and Dad, representing the three gifts that were given to the Christ child.

Gold, representing things of this world, is a gift that they want; a toy, game etc.
Frankincense -  representing things of the spirit;  something to aid them in their spiritual development; a journal, a CTR ring, etc.
Myrhh - representing the greatest act of service; the Atonement ; something that will be of service to their lives – an educational toy such as a telescope or a butterfly garden; or something as simple as making their bed for a week.