Have you ever made a junk journal? It is a handmade book with recycled materials you find to reuse in a creative way, presented in a journal book format.  Include your thoughts and ideas, memories, drawings and other art forms you've created. It can be an eclectic mix of found items combined with photos, featuring your special memories. There are lots of great ideas for this craft online. 

We have a free printable page which you may download below to include in your junk journal. Cut out the various art pieces to include throughout your journal. Enjoy!

Here are some fun family Christmas tradition ideas.
1. Make a homemade gift from the heart! Handmade gifts are our favorites, because they are personal (made by you, for a specific person) and made with love. You may make handmade gifts for everyone on your list, or have everyone draw names so each person makes one special gift for another family member. The gifts may be crafty, artsy, or baked treats!
2. Decorate an ornament which can become a family keepsake! You may use a plain ball ornament and decorate it with paint, glue on ribbon or floral decorations, attach wired beads, or use a craft machine to cut adhesive vinyl words or images to  adhere to the ornament. Another idea is to just "upcycle" some items from around the house to create a one-of-a-kind decorative ornament.
3. Build a snowman! Have a fun family snow event where you build a snowman, snow family, or a snow animal. Get creative finding accessories to add to your new snow friend. Then be sure to get photos of the family with your snow creation.
4. Read a Christmas story! Find some great Christmas books that you can read every year on Christmas Eve in your matching family pajamas. We recommend always including the Christmas story of Jesus' birth in the Bible. Remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
5. Take a family photo! Try to think outside the box and come up with some fun non-traditional poses. Capture moments of laughter during your favorite holiday experiences. It doesn't have to be everyone posing in front of a camera. While that is a good idea, don't forget to take photos of random fun moments you have along the way. While you are gathered together for Christmas, put a timer on some photo devices (like a camera or cell phone) that will capture the fun you are having together at various times.

Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition? We'd love to hear about it in the comments. 

Another Christmas tradition idea is to give anonymous gifts! If you are looking for a Secret Santa gift, a Secret Sister gift, or a just a gift you want to send anonymously as a random act of kindness - we can help you with that! Find out more here: Secret Sister Gifts

Here is another free printable for your Secret Sister Group! It is for collecting "all about me" details among your group so Secret Sisters can get to know each other. These can be filled out prior to drawing names in your Secret Sister Program and then distributed to the Secret Sister who drew the name on each form. The information on the forms may be used to help Secret Sisters choose gifts and cards for their special recipients.

If you are looking for additional information about starting your own Secret Sister Group, please look through the great ideas we offer on this blog, and check out the resources available on mysecretsister.com as well!

Here is a social "get to know each other" party game for a Secret Sister gathering! Download and print out these party game sheets for the attendees. The women should walk around asking each other questions, and fill in names as they find answers. Obviously there will be multiple possibilities for each attribute. For example, several people there will probably have a pet. Any qualifying name can be added to a person's paper on each section.

You may make your own rules, such as "no repeated names on a sheet" or if it is a smaller group, limit each name to 2 or 3 times per sheet. You should try to get more interaction within the group by having nearly everyone connecting with each other for this game.

You could offer a prize for the first person who completes the game according to your rules. But since this is just for fun, you could just have everyone play the game until everyone has completed their sheets.

This Secret Sister party game would be great for the first gathering of Secret Sisters, before they draw names. Or this could be played at your Secret Sister Reveal Party!

​Have fun!!

Print out these flower themed coloring sheets to use yourself, or host a women's coloring party!

 We have some fun summer gifts available! Here are a couple of our top suggestions: 99 Bible Word Search Puzzles and  Bible Crossword Challenge (shown below).

This journey journal is a great summer gift! Journey Bullet Journal

Of course we recommend some Bible reading this summer: The Psalms ESV 

And don't forget about highlighters to go along with Bible reading: Bible Gel Highlighters Pack of 5

Spread some sunshine by sending someone special a random act of kindness!

If you are starting a Secret Sister Group and are trying to spread the word, here is a printable ad you may print and display wherever your women's group gathers!

Now is a great time to start a Secret Sister group! No matter when you are reading this, it is a great time to get started.

We have many great tips and ideas for your group on this blog, and also on MySecretSister.com

Remember to order your Secret Sister gifts from our website, where we specialize in anonymous gift giving.

A lot of people start Secret Sister groups (mostly through women's church groups) in the Fall, or at the beginning of the year.  Some women's groups take off without meeting for the summer, but that makes it a great time to have Secret Sisters! The women in the group can stay in touch this way, and be in constant encouragement through a Secret Sister program.  Check out our "Secret Sister Tips" category on this blog for more ideas.

We have gifts for moms and grandmas! If you are looking for a Mother's Day gift, or just want to celebrate motherhood (any time of the year), check out some gift ideas below.