DIY {Wedding Gift}

My long time childhood friend is getting married in a few weeks. She has been living on her own for quite sometime and so has all the household items that one would usually buy for a wedding gift. So what is one to do? I decided to make a "Monthly Date Box" which contains 1 inexpensive date idea per month, for one year, and provides the money to do it.

First, I found a box I had laying around. Since it was an odd size, I didn't have any envelopes that would fit neatly inside so I made the envelopes myself.

I had a "professional" envelope that I have been keeping because I thought that way it folded up so nicely was cute. I adapted the measurements to fit in the box, made a template (so I could easily trace 12 envelopes). Then I went to the bank and got $100 dollars in one dollar bills (I split the cost with a friend) to divide up amongst the different dates.

I got some sticky picture corner things (official name, I am sure) to label each envelope with the appropriate month.

I deco podged the box with some fabric I had (There are quite a few mistakes, I guess I need more practice in this area), then put them in the box! So fun!

I had a $100 budget for all the dates because I split the cost with my friend. However, this gift can be made totally free. You can think of date ideas that are free and fun, so it would be no cost to you and totally fun for the bride and groom to be.

Here are some of the dates that we had for Kylie:

January: You have just gotten married. Your wedding day is a day you never will never forget, however as time passes the details and feelings of the days sometime become hazy. Go to Target and pick out a journal to write down all that both of you remember about that special day. You may also want to include the events leading up to the day and the events after, such as the proposal and honeymoon. ($5)

February: It’s cold outside. Go to Redbox and rent a movie. Stop by the store on the way home and pick up some hot chocolate. Enjoy an evening cuddling on the couch, sipping hot cocoa, and watching a flick. ($5)

March: Go dancing in Murray at the Murray Arts Center. A one-hour dance lesson, live band and a lot of old people, the evening is bound to be a blast! ($14)

April: This month spend some time thinking of some songs that expresses how you feel or reminds you of each other. Go on iTunes and purchase 5 songs each and make a CD. Have a sit down dinner and listen to the songs you picked for each other and explain why it was picked. ($10)

May: Find a local photo booth at www.photobooth.net. Go take some fun pictures with each other. ($3)

June: Happy 6 months! Hike Ensign Peak just before the sun sets. Buy some cheese and crackers and your favorite drinks. Bring a blanket to set down as your view splendor of the city at sunset. ($10)

July: At the beginning of the month take $10 each. Purchase some inexpensive items that the other person likes (like their favorite candy or treat, rent a movie they have wanted to see, some bubble bath, flowers, etc). Throughout the month, surprise the other person by leaving them in unexpected places for the other person to find. ($20)

August: Is there a blockbuster summer hit you haven’t seen yet? Before the summer ends, go on a date to see a that summer movie you have been putting off at the gateway. One your way home stop by and play in the fountain and get totally drench! ($16)

September: Print out a map of the constellations and go stargazing. Make sure to bring some blankets to keep warm and candy to make you happy. Bring some wood and make a fire to have some yummy smores to enjoy under the starry sky. ($5)

October: Go to your local dollar store. Split up giving yourselves 5 minutes to pick out something that represents why you love the other person. Purchase the items without the other person seeing what you picked. Then at home present what you bought and how it represents your love. ($2)

November: Soon after Thanksgiving, the lights on Temple Square come on. Take a stroll at dusk and make sure to be there as the lights turn on. After enjoying the beautiful lights, show your thanks for all that you have this Holiday season, and walk around the perimeter of the gates and give this money to those in need. ($5)

December: Happy one year anniversary! Time flies when you are in love! Buy some nice stationary, something that you will want to keep forever. Separately, on your own piece of paper, sit down and write your most memorable experiences with each other over the past year. Then sit down, exchange letters, and read out loud what the other person wrote. Keep these letters in a safe place to read over throughout your marriage. ($5)