let the crafting begin

Sure, I haven’t finished the laundry I started last week. I also haven’t changed the oil in my car, or dealt with the large pile of recycling taking up a whole corner of my apartment. But I have kept up on “Chuck,“ “House,“ “Fringe,“ “Bones,“ “Ugly Betty,“ “Grey’s,“ “South Park,“ and the new season of “24.“

Instead of roaming downtown, Target, and Fashion Square for hours trying to find the perfect gifts for everyone, I’m hitting Michaels for craft supplies and kicking back for some multitasking in front of the TV. This week’s project: Victorian-inspired paper ornaments from Martha Stewart Crafts. The kit takes out the painful process of cutting and scoring the paper, and even comes with a supercute glue pen. The directions aren’t foolproof, but even my first ornament turned out nice enough to give to someone other than my parents. These ornaments are also incredibly easy on the budget; with coupon one kit of 20 set me back just under $10. And that’s really what the holidays should be about anyway, investing time and love for the people you care about, not a whole paycheck.

Available at Michaels and marthastewartcrafts.com. Photo from Martha Stewart Crafts.