"We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention."
- - Gordon B. Hinckley
November 16, 2012
Christmas Gifts for Away-from-Home Family Members
by Dian Thomas

For family and friends that will not be home for the holidays, it is time to send your holiday greetings and presents. One of my all time favorites is to send a Christmas tree with the gifts, so that they will be wrapped and placed under the “tree.”

This idea is easy to make and special to receive. It is a Christmas tree made by you and your family and placed inside the box top. When the box top is stood on its end, all the presents in the box will be under the tree.


This handcrafted tree goes inside the box lid.

The first step is to plan and prepare the gifts that will be wrapped and put in to the box. If you have a missionary that loves home-baked goodies, made them and wrap and place them in the box along with the presents. Once you have the goodies and the gifts prepared to go into the care package, then you are ready to find the perfect box that will carry them and the Christmas tree that you will make.

Look for a strong box that is large enough to hold all the gifts, and that has a lid that can be taken off the box. Once you have the box, take a sheet of paper that is the size of the inside lid. On the paper draw and color a Christmas tree. This can be a family project or a home evening activity. You can also sketch in the tree and leave it on a table for the next week and let everyone in the family fill in the tree so that it becomes a group effort.

Once the tree is colored, glue the tree on the inside of the lid. Then put the lid on the box and send the package. You can give directions that the package be opened as soon as it is received.

When the package is open, the recipients will have a Christmas tree from home to enjoy until Christmas. On and Christmas morning they can have fun opening all the gifts. Remember, it is not expensive gifts that carry the holiday spirit; it is the care and effort that goes into a gift that makes it memorable. A box of gifts with a built-in, homemade tree is the perfect item to send to someone who will not be home for Christmas.


Dian has been sharing her creative ideas for more than 30 years in books, on TV and in speeches. She now has a special offer to save 60% on 5 books and 1 DVD. Get Dian’s creative library for only $40.00. Save $60 and have more than a quarter of a century of her creative and amazing ideas. This package will be great for gifts, for fun, and for kids and grandchildren. You will never run out of ideas when you have this wonderful set of books. Take advantage of this limited offer at www.DianThomas.com.

Dian’s book Tipping the Scales in Your Favor shares her weight loss journey. For years Dian tried and tried to lose weight but it was not until Jackie Keller said to her in California, “I can help you lose weight,” that she caught the vision and lost more than 115 pounds. Most important, she has been able to keep it off. Get Dian’s book today and begin the journey to healthy living. Go to www.DianThomas.com to learn more.


Bookmark and Share    
About Dian Thomas

Dian Thomas was blessed with the good fortune to be born near and raised in the remote, breathtaking Manti-La Sal National Forest in southeastern Utah, where her father was the forest ranger. She took the skills she learned in the outdoors and turned them into a New York Times best-selling book, Roughing It Easy. Her appearance on the NBC's "Tonight" show with Johnny Carson boosted her into the national media scene, where she became a regular on NBC's "Today" show for eight years and then ABC's "Home Show" for six years. After more than 25 years of media exposure and 19 books, she now shares her practical insights and wisdom with audiences who want to savor life.

A former Relief Society president, Dian is currently serving as a visiting teacher. Visit her website at www.DianThomas.com

Copyright © Hatrack River Enterprise Inc. All Rights Reserved. Web Site Hosted and Designed by WebBoulevard.com