Reviewed by Rachel Paxton
Editor, CreativeHomemaking.com
This terrific book also goes by the name "A Junk Drawer Idea Book for Mom." Both titles are a good fit, and both describe the creative ideas Diane Sand has compiled over the past 26 years while raising her four kids.
This book has some material you've probably seen and heard before, but I like how it's organized to give you party themes (from classroom parties to birthday sleepovers) and seasonal ideas (craft ideas for all the major holidays). I've seen some of these ideas here and there in other places, but not all in one book.
One of Diane's obvious passions that is worth the price of the whole book is her focus on family traditions. I have hardly ever run across such thoughtful ideas on how to make "purposeful" memories for your family (or class, Scout troop, or Sunday School class), memories they will carry with them throughout their lifetimes. Just little things, like making green pancakes on St. Patrick's Day, or taking a ride into the country to pick apples, or saving favorite articles of your children's clothing over the years and making them a quilt out of the scraps. These are all wonderful ideas that I would have a hard time coming up with myself.
There are also a lot of creative gift-giving ideas. Thoughtful gifts don't have to cost a lot of money--it is truly the thought that counts. This book contains a lot of great ideas for gifts you can give hostesses, team mothers, etc., and gets your imagination going of other great ideas you can come up with yourself. All the instructions are clear and easy to follow, and make a great project to do together with your children, so that they will also learn to be thoughtful.
This book is one I'll refer to again and again for new inspiration on how to make life special for my family and friends.