toys for tots!

as you know, jeff and i are huge fans of the us marines' toys for tots program and we like to include them in our holiday gifting budget every christmas. of course it's easy to donate online but i have to tell you, confidentially, that this is one of those times the quick option isn't (imo) the best... we've found that it's sooooooooooo much more fun to go fill up a cart with toys* and drop them in the collection bin! and since we're lucky enough to live close to a toys-r-us store, we can buy and donate our toys in one trip. this year's deadline to donate toys at a toys-r-us store is december 7th (aka tomorrow) but check your local drop-off point for the exact dates. we made our annual pilgrimage last night, and as always, it was one of the highlights of our holiday season, so i bet you can guess what my december daily day five is about, can't you?

elf cut from a vintage flash card; patterned paper: dcwv; mini bingo card: jenni bowlin; flair badge: studio calico; foam thickers: american crafts; present diecuts and journaling circle: recollections; photo printed on kodak premium glossy paper

dd05: elfish!

there's a lot going on here, but that sort of captures the experience of shopping at a toys-r-us on a friday night in december, lol! the cute little elf is cut from a vintage flash card; the rest of the elements are bits and bobs from my xmas stash; the journaling was typed on my vintage typewriter. i think that's about it! happy saturday everyone! ♥

*toys donated to the toys for tots program need to be new, still in their packaging, but unwrapped. all toys-r-us, babies-r-us and ac moore stores nationwide are official drop-off points, but there are lots more, so check the official website for locations and full details. if it's past the drop-off deadline (which is generally the first week of december) you can make a cash donation online at any time of year!