Missionary Ideas » December

Lego Christmas Tree

meganolsen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:32:32 +0000

I know I just posted about a Christmas tree kit, but you have to admit, this is pretty awesome. Plus, boys (of all ages) are obsessed with legos. This would make a winning gift!

Order it here.

Christmas Tree in a Box

meganolsen — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:20:30 +0000

This idea comes from Nissen at PinchingYourPennies, and looks like a fun present for anyone abroad. I investigated a little, reading the reviews and such, and it seems like it really is as good as it sounds. No need for scissors or glue, either. The only downside is the extra shipping time (for the product to be shipped to YOU, then having to ship it to your missionary). But it’s so cute, I’d be willing to work around that schedule!

Find it on amazon here: Christmas Tree in a Box

Cookie-Mailing Month and Giveaway!

meganolsen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:07:47 +0000

I have a sad story to tell. Last year, my brother (serving in South America) requested a box of our family’s homemade Christmas toffee. I lovingly collected the ingredients, and found an adorable cookie tin for packaging. With Christmas music blaring over the stereo speakers, I melted down chocolate in my double boiler, chopped walnuts and poured molten caramel. Just look at the result:

Mouth-watering, no?

The day before I was going to write a blog post about it, my brother emailed me, saying he’d received the tin of toffee. Here is a picture of how it arrived:

In my brother’s own words: “megan’s toffee, huddled, hiding in the corner of the tin”

Needless to say, the toffee didn’t make the blog (although my brother ate it anyway). Since then, I’ve brooded over which is the best method for sending homemade treats. Do certain baked goods hold up better than others? Is there a type of packaging that is best for protecting the goodies over which we’ve slaved? What do they really look like when they arrive?

In this spirit, I’m declaring October “Cookie-Mailing Month” here at Missionary Ideas. In addition to regular Halloween-themed posts, I’ll be testing recipes, as well as packing & shipping methods. Hopefully, I can get to the bottom of this.

It is also my pleasure to announce this blog’s very first giveaway. Going along with our cookie-mailing theme, one winner will receive a Reynolds 00590 Handi-Vac Vacuum-Sealing Starter Kit, which I will be testing this month as well. Just in time for packaging and sending Christmas cookies to your missionary!

To enter the drawing, you have several options: 1. Get my new button for your blog, 2. Make a comment with a question or suggestion about sending homemade treats, or 3. Announce this giveaway (and include the link) in your Facebook or Twitter status. Each contestant can get up to three entries; just let me know how you’ve entered in your comment below!

Let the Month of Cookie-Mailing begin!

Spirit of the Season: Sissel

meganolsen — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:37:11 +0000

I love this album. My mother-in-law, who sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, gave this album to me for Christmas last year, and I have listened to it hundreds of times since then. I will never tire of hearing it! For those of you unfamiliar with the artist Sissel, you can get a taste of her voice, and of the album itself on Amazon:

Spirit of the Season

Be sure to play track 11, “Like An Angel Passing Through My Room.” When my grandma heard this song, she made me promise I’d sing it at her funeral!

Rejoice and Be Merry: Mormon Tabernacle Choir with the King’s Singers

meganolsen — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:29:32 +0000

My sister and I are sending this album to my brother this Christmas. It is the CD that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded with the King’s Singers, an AMAZING choral group, which you can read more about at the following website:

http://www.kingssingers.com

This has a very bright and classical tone to it, very upbeat and jolly. You can listen to some clips on Amazon:

Rejoice and Be Merry

The King’s Singers are phenomenal, and combined with the Tabernacle Choir, this compilation is completely awesome.

Christmas Nativity Set

meganolsen — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:13:00 +0000

A nativity set is a wonderful Christmas gift for any missionary. It works as a decoration, but reminds the viewer that Christ is the center of Christmas — something very important to remember, even though we may ship lots of fun or silly things to our missionary during the Christmas season. There are many simple nativity sets, without breakable parts. My sister and I found an inexpensive set at Walmart (not the classiest place, but undoubtedly useful), pictured here. The figurines look like ceramic, but they are of a sturdier material, and are fastened to the wooden frame of the stable. This is perfect, because not only will my brother not have to set up lots of pieces, but nothing will be damaged during shipping — at least not the figurines. I have wrapped this already, but am going to ask that it be wrapped in bubble-wrap before it goes in the shipping box. I’m sure you could even find smaller sets if you looked around a little bit.

Window and Wall Sticky Gel Decorations

meganolsen — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:33:07 +0000

There are so many inexpensive decorations you can ship to your missionary this time of year. My sister and I found these window stickers — kind of silly, I know, but still festive and fun!

Christmas Lights

meganolsen — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 22:03:31 +0000

Colored or White -- You Choose!

I picked up a set of Christmas lights at Walmart for $2.00, and the extension cord was less than a dollar. This is a very inexpensive idea, which will spread a lot of cheer! I included the ruler in the photo that I took, so that viewers can get an idea of size. There were several different color options, and each box is lightweight. You could send more than one, if you like.

Organizational Hooks and Hangers

meganolsen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:47:24 +0000

A Variety of Shapes and Sizes

Organizational supplies, while not the most exciting present, are still a good idea when mailing a Christmas package to a missionary. I have purchased the Command brand of hooks and wall mounting supplies, and I really like them. My sister and I found several other types of hooks and hangers that our brother could easily install without damaging walls or doors. Anything to help him get organized!