I feel like Santa came early. Today we have another great giveaway from the ever-so talented and incredibly hip herself, Miss Cathy Zielske!
Apparently Santa’s got a brand new bag…and I think we should check out what’s in it!
So cool and awesome…and dare I use the word…hip. Leave it to Cathy to make such awesomeness.
This hip little gem can be yours by leaving a comment in this post saying what your coolest or best out-of-the-box gift was for Christmas.
I know this is going to sound strange, but when I was nine years old I got a rectangular-shaped flashlight and thought that was one of the coolest gifts I ever got. Oh the days when Christmases were simple.
One lucky winner will be randomly drawn and announced Thursday morning.
And if, by chance, you haven’t followed me on Instagram, you just may be missing out on another giveaway goin’ on over there. It’s giveaways all around!
Oh what fun, right?
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Eight days of one-day-only freebies have passed and we are now on day nine.
Here ya go!
Thanks so much!
OH I’ve been looking at Cathies cool Christmas set. Love it!
My most memorable Christmas present would have been when I was 12.
The second eldest of 8 after unwrapping presents I was sent out to the garage with the garbage bag full of ripped of paper to find a brand new bicycle with my name on it…….Fantastic being able to ride to school!
My coolest present was a tea set when I was really little.
Best Gift ever was an engagement ring…
What a cool set Cathy designed!
I think one of my favorite memories was getting a Heidi doll and her friend Spunky and brother Herbie. They came in the cutest little carrying cases!
Love this kit! My best X-mas present (as a kid) was a pair of figure skates. I love skating!
One of my favorite presents was the original Lite Bright. I loved creating things with all those colors.
I had a Ginny doll, and one Christmas I got a wardrobe with tiny hangers that my dad made and new clothes made by my mom. 50+ years later, the wardrobe and well-loved doll are still in the attic. No girls in two generations to pass her on to.
This CZ collection is on my wish list…
Love Cathy’s designs – thanks for the chance to win!
One of my favorite gifts when I was a little girl was a Spirograph set with different color ink pens. I could sit and design for hours on end! Perhaps that was which originally sparked my love of graphic design today! P.S. Love both your and Cathy’s designs!!!
I would have to say when a neighbor of ours who worked in a store gave me an EASY BAKE oven! Oh boy was that a surprise…chocolate cake anyone?
THANK YOU :)
I remember a year where I got a set of some kind of history books from my grandparents. They were fancy (for a 10 or 12 year old) and I loved them. I still have the books on a shelf in my living room.
When I opened a digital photo frame from my son Brandon about 7 years ago I knew that he understood my love of photography and family. I’ve had lots of cool and thoughtful gifts but that memory is still treasured.
My grade 6 Christmas I was given a guinea pig, which I had been pining over for months. I had borrowed all the books from the library on guinea pigs, caring for them, etc. and I was so excited that I actually got it (we had previously never had a pet). Turns out my mum was deathly allergic to him and we had to sell him within a couple of months, but I thought it was cool that I got to keep the $60!
One year my mom gave me a fairly large Santa for my fireplace mantle that completely freaked my kids out!
My coolest present as a kid was a doll house. I loved it because my mom and I worked on it together. As an adult, it’s all the handmade things I get from my kids. LOVE THAT!
One Christmas when I was young, my mom won a “fill your shopping cart with as much as you can for free” in a toy store. She had one or two minutes to run through the store and add what she could to her cart. My parents had 5 kids and not tons of money that year. So for my mom it was a dream come true. I remember seeing the presents under the tree that year and being astounded. The funny thing is that by today’s standards it probably just seems normal but to us it was amazing. I got Flintstone Building Blocks (huge styrofoam type of blocks to build with).
I’m sure there is something else I’m not thinking of as my sister and I love to try and think of unique Christmas gifts…but it is just way too early lol. SO the only one that comes to mind right now as far as unique or not on a wish list, is that she gave me a ticket so she and I could go to Keith Urban together. We ended up getting a hotel room right next to the venue and had a blast.
My most memorable gift was a Strawberry Shortcake house that was fully furnished and the figurine smelled like strawberries.
Thanks!
Best gift as a kid was when my sister and I got a cat for Christmas…..he got out of his box before we woke up and we had to find him! As an adult, my favorite Christmas gifts have been my Christmas decorations because I get to remember all the Christmas’ past when I pull them out each year.
The coolest gift I received as a child was an Easy Bake Oven! I jumped for joy when I unwrapped it!
I remember getting a doll for Christmas that was really life like. I named her Brenda and I still have her…there were so many cherished gifts that Santa left under our tree over the years. Thanks for inspiring a trip down memory lane! And for a chance to win the kit from the Fabulous Miss Z
The most special gift was a little tiny birdhouse that my husband helped my daughter make for me and she decorated with fine markers, it still sits on my desk today1
Thank you again for sharing your awesome talents with us… and for the chance to win those “hip” and elegant digi’s…
Travel, weather, service and job responsibilities have at times kept my adult children from all being together Christmas morning for coffee, muffins and gifts from Santa… I am so happy that they will all be here this year… what a lovely gift that will be…
One year, my siblings and I received finger nail clippers that had a unique designs on them. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed those until they were lost this year after 20+ years of having them. Now on a search to find some for my kids.
thanks for the giveaway! My favorite most unique gift was from my husband one year. We didn’t have a ton of money so we had decided not to get each other presents. He ended up going to Michael’s, reading up on candle making, finding a cute etched glass jar set and turning them into candles! All by himself! I was so touched that he had gone to all of that trouble :) It was awesome!
Love Cathy’s designs, thanks for the chance to win.
Best Christmas gift was the year my husband gave me a new wedding ring because he never liked my other one.
My favourite Christmas gift was the Barbie house that my grandfather made for me. He was an electrician, so he had wired it, and each room had flooring, wallpaper, and lights. It was so much cooler than anything that could be bought. I think that, that year, it was the favourite Christmas gift that anyone in my neighbourhood received as all of my friends loved playing with it as much as I did.
My best out-of-the-box gift was my Candi head. I learned how to do different hairstyles on it. I self-taught myself to French braid on it. It was awesome!
Definitely the huge barbie house my parents built for me! Fully carpeted, funky lampshades from L’eggs panty hose containers, wallpapered in great 70’s style :)
My coolest gift was actually my brothers six million dollar man “barbie” You could look through his bionic eye. I took it and played with it way more than he did!
The best and coolest christmas presents that I receive was a pink panther and a barbie that my godmother gave me.
When I was 10 I got the most beautiful Madame Alexander doll. She had a blue princess dress and even had pink nylons!
My Donny & Marie barbie dolls & one of their records!! I played with them for hours and still have the record!! I will always remember them fondly :)
Thanks for another wonderful prize and for the awesome gift today!
Blessings,
Melitta
I’m super excited about the cool gift I’m giving my son… Captain Caveman, the complete series, on DVD. I used to love that show and it’s completely what he would think was awesome. He’s a junior in college and loves offbeat stuff.
There are lots of memories of gifts to choose from. One that sticks in my mind from the recent past is the first Christmas with our son my husband gave me a digital camera. He knew how much I loved photography and that this was the perfect gift for me and our family to help us remember all of the special moments we were going to share.
The best gift I got was a bionic woman doll.
When I was eleven my younger brother bought me a Parrot ink pen that was carved out of wood. It dried up years ago but I still have it. It was a super sweet and thoughtful gift.
My coolest gift was a Nikon camera (before digital, back in the ’70s) complete with a zoom lense and a wide angle lense, bag, batteries, tripod, the works. It was wonderful.
When I was 10 I got my first Cabbage Patch doll and was so surprised! I loved it! My parents had been telling me all year they couldn’t afford one so it meant that much more that I actually got one!
My best present, believe it or not, was my Gypsy. Why? Because my husband voluntarily suggested it as my Christmas gift. This is a man not normally known for his enthusiastic endorsement of my SBing activities (other than it gets me out of the house so he can have a “man” night…eating what he wants and watching stupid movies on TV.) He saw an ad on the back of one of the SBing magazines when the Gypsy first came out and asked if I might want one. I practically dragged him out of the house on the spot! And, yes, he wrapped it for me, too.
Just yesterday I got a completely unexpected gift from an associate at a store here in town – a crystal polar bear. VERY COOL! Very unexpected!
What a fabulous giveaway! This best gift I received when I was little was a Baby Brother Tenderlove doll…always received a girl doll but to get a little boy was amazing…still have it to this day in it’s original box…thanks for the chance to win!
One year my sister and mom did all off dishes on Christmas Eve and there were a lot of them. That act of service has stayed with me all my life. Thanks for the freebies during your 12 days of Christmas. They are fabulous. so kind. thanks for the giveaway.
I’d have to say I am getting the most enjoyment from my Cameo which I gave myself for Christmas last year! A lot of my enjoyment is because I have learned so much from your classes, Kerri.
The gift I remember the most was the vanity my parents made me from two orange crates and a piece of wood for the top. My mom made a pink and white checked skirt to go around it so you couldn’t see the crates. I was just thrilled. It was so special to me because they made it just for me. I was often overlooked as a child and got the leftover gifts.
My favorite gift was a Smith Corona electric typewriter I got for Christmas as a twelve year old. I was so excited and spent many hours pecking away on it!
A keurig.
My favorite out of the box gift was actually one I gave – a scavenger hunt gift of sorts that led to scrapbook page “clues” which hinted at the actual gift: a concert in Texas [we’re from Cleveland]. Definitely a favorite!
When my middle son was about 12 he went Christmas shopping with a friend’s family to a mall. For Christmas that year I got a Boston CD and it was one of my best gifts ever.
I think mostly because I had not given any indication that I would even want one, but he had paid attention to something I had said somewhere along the line and knew I would love it. Incredibly thoughtful and it was more than a feeling…(I just couldn’t help that one)…
This is not the best out-of-the-box moment, but it’s my most surprised moment that I’ve ever had.
One year my paternal grandmother got me a Joe Cocker CD (I did want that) with a comment that was something like this: “I’m sorry, when I got around to buy your presents I didn’t have any money left.” She wasn’t joking, she meant it, and couldn’t care less. I was around 10 or 12 at the time.
My sister (my grandmothers favorite out of 5 grandchildren) had gotten all kinds of stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t jealous or anything at her. My parents an expensive potset. Me – who wasn’t a favorite and knew it: a CD.. I still recall my surprise, not disapointment, I was just so surprised by her comment. I don’t remember the rest of the evening. But her a matter of fact comment still stands very clear in my mind.
Western Barbie doll, when I opened up the box I started crying, because I really wanted one even though I was 16, but I had a niece I played Barbies with all the time. I never asked my parents for one either (the days when kids did not ask for things and they also appreciated what they received no matter what it might me). It made them cry, as well, and they did not tear up much. My dad said it was the best Christmas he had ever had and mentioned in often. I have lost both of my parents now and being able to tell this story brings back a happy memory at Christmas.
My computer was having issues and/or so was I, so I only have the last three day of your fabulous freebies and appreciate them very much. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
I have such fond memories of my Barbie Dream House circa 1981. It’s glorious! I still have it and my daughter plays with it.
I think my favorite gift was the puppy my sister and I got when we were kids.
My coolest out of the box gift was when my grandparents gave me a car my senior year in high school …they wrapped up keys in a box that was in a box, etc. I was so surprised!!!
Probably my first sewing machine! My Barbies were in high fashion from that point on! Thanks for the chance!
My hubby gave me a cricut way back when they first came out and that was probably the best gift ever because it started all my crafting fun :)
My favourite memory of a present was a trampoline when I was four.
My best every gift was a kreg jig!!
Honestly, the best gift was 2 years ago–a gift card to a scrapbooking store that is now closed so I could go and craft once a month! Having a time and space to scrap was so wonderful.
the dollhouse my dad built for me and we painted together.
My Nikon d80!
It’s my first time here, and for sure not the last one!
I absolutely loved my gerber baby doll. I still have her. Thanks for the giveaway! I think a rectangle flashlight would be way cool, by the way!
This will definitely age me but….my Tessie doll whose hair grew!
I got cannon camera!
My camera–it has brought me so much joy to be able to capture those special moments of my children.
My best Christmas gift was my shiny red bicycle.
I thought I was getting a new coat. Did I say I love to shake packages? Anyway, the gift from my husband was samples of carpet and linoleum (dating myself)! It was awesome!
I’d have to say my best Christmas gift was my Nikon camera a few years ago from my sweet hubby. The nicest camera I’ve ever had. Not the fanciest camera out there but the best I’ve ever had. It’s bumped my photos for memory keeping on up there :)
As a child my sister and I loved our Barbie clothes that were lovingly made by my mom. She made the prettiest clothes so our Barbies were the best dress dolls in the area! :)
Probably the best was the year my parents gave me a dollhouse. I was 10 and had always wanted one but we didn’t have the money. Turns out my step dad (and no he and my mom had only been together a year then) spent a month with his friends putting this together every night after work. I’d hoped to pass that dollhouse to my own daughter, but sadly, the years of sitting in a shed took their toll on it. She got to see it, but it was not in shape for playing. At least I have the memories.
Best present as a kid: GE portable record player, light blue, and it only played records when you closed the lid. LOL, Records, aging myself there. It was pretty “hip” if I do say so myself. Best present as an adult: A copy of my favorite children’s book, “Never Tease a Weasel”. I guess I am still a kid at heart. Thanks for the chance to win, but more importantly thanks for the trip down memory lane. :)
I was 50 years old and got my first Christmas puppy. We drove 3.5 hours to Ogallala, NE, to pick her up. We barely made it home in time to make dinner! Let me just tell you…the magic of a Christmas puppy is not lost on us old people!
First I want to thank you for today’s gift; love the star!
The coolest gift I’ve received would be the year when my husband gave me my first laptop. I had been wanting one, but my husband isn’t one to get all the latest technology devises. We already had a couple of desktop computers, so I figured I would never get a laptop. Surprise!
Definitely my cello. And my camera :)
Cathy’s work is always amazing as is yours Kerri! Thanks for the freebie. Best Christmas present is anything from my hubby. He only makes the effort every 5 years or so, but when he does it is always amazing. He bought me a Silhouette 2 years ago :)
Thank you Kerri for the star ornament cut file. It is my most favorite, and they are all really good. My most precious gift under the tree was my Tiny Tears doll and she is still precious to me knowing what it took for my parents to afford it!
One of my mist cherished Christmas gifts was the heritage book my mom made of her family. Her parents both died when she was in high school so I never knew them. She gave me the book nearly 10 years ago and I still look at it all the time.
When I was about 13 my mom’s best friend bought me a phone for my room. Knowing that my parents wouldn’t rush to pay for the jack to be installed she paid for the phone company to come out and install the jack in my room to connect the phone to our house line.
I was an American kid raised in a rural 3rd world country because my parents were expat teachers. I returned to the USA when it came time for college but every yr for CHristmas, my parents made sure to fly my siblings and I “Home” so we could spend Christmas together as a family even if we were in separate counties during the rest of the yr! It wasn’t easy financially during those yrs, but I cherish those memories of KNOWING that we would always spend Christmas together! That was the best gift!
oh what fun digital goodies! I don’t recall any gift that I could say was out of the box, which is quite sad when compared to the awesome flashlight you received! Boo to that. :(
I loved my Easy Bake Oven. It’s what got me started with my current love for baking. Thanks for the chance to win.
My best memory was a little ironing board and iron! I loved it!!
Love the kit! My Thumbelina doll, I loved dolls!
Cathy has really fabulous stuff! I own quite a lot of it, but not this kit–yet! My coolest gift was actually for my birthday, which is the week before Christmas. My husband went ahead of time to the restaurant we were going to eat at that evening and gave them a beautiful crystal vase with roses in it, so they could put it at our table. When we got there, it took me a while, but slowly I realized that our centerpiece was different from everyone else’s. He doesn’t usually try to surprise me because I usually am too much of a control freak to like surprises, but that one was the best one ever!!!
I think it would be the surprise trip to Hawaii my husband planned. Totally unexpected and just what I needed that year!
I like a clean window and when I was finishing up college in Buffalo, NY my friend gave me a case of windshield wiper fluid! My windows were clean and I could see amongst all that snow.
Coolest out of the box was my Macbook Pro (a bit early and with substitute teaching money ;)
As a child, I always got a new pair of handmade pajamas every year, which I always thought was so boring. But one year I got a paint-by-number kit of a horse’s head. I still have it to this day, some forty or so years later!
Best out of the box gift that I have given was Google Chrome. My husband absolutely loved it! I also gave him 3 months of Hulu and Netflix. Won’t be able to top that this year. Thank you for the awesome files.
Happy Holidays to all.
The coolest gift I ever got was a photo album put together by my Dad He included family photos from the time he and my Mom married up till that Christmas, so it includes photos of when my oldest son was born.
My Grandma would give me a Madam Alexander doll every year. I loved just looking at all the detail. I still get one once in a while but they are way more expensive now.
The KEYBOARD! I was in my early teens, and wanted to just become the cool that is assoicated with playing on an electric keyboard as opposed to the piano. My parents didn’t ahve a lot of money so I really didn’t think I was going to get it and when I opened it…..I can still feel the bliss! Christmas=Joy
Cathy is so awesome and has some cool designs. I did already purchase this so I’m not leaving a note for the giveaway. I spent the evening working on my cookies for the cookie exchange and crocheting on my daughter’s Christmas gift – less than two weeks before she comes home from College. I went to bed late and was laying there and all of the sudden, I remembered I forgot to visit your site and get my freebie! Whew! Thankfully I remember – Thank you for all the cool freebies!
Thank you so very much for all of the freebies! They are awesome!
When I was 12 years old, we had no money for gifts or a Christmas meal, but on Christmas Eve a local church brought a box of food and one wrapped gift for each of us kids. Mine was a calculator. I loved it, mostly because of the thought that people who didn’t know us wanted to help. What a great memory of people loving people.
My best Christmas present ever was a Silhouette Cameo. I bought it wrapped it and put it under the tree for me and gave my husband the bill!
Best gift ever was my Silhouette. Bought it and gave it to my husband to wrap and put under the tree!
My parents bought me a reel to reel tape recorder when I was 12 – they had fun on christmas even recording messages to me (which I heard) and was puzzled as I was in bed!! It all clicked on christmas morning when I heard the same messages!!!
When we were little, If any of us were naughty, my mother would threaten that we would get for Christmas the same presents as one of the neighbouring families. Every year the neighbour’s children would receive an orange and a new baby. As a family of ten children, we were suitably scared by that idea. Not exactly a present for me, but certainly one out-of-the-box!
A kitten. I named him twinkle toes I was 10 years old and so so happy.
When I was about 7 my aunt made me a crocheted purse that converts into a small doll cradle for Christmas. I loved that purse and my little red-headed doll. Last year (at age 52)I was looking thru my sentimental treasure box and found it. In bad shape, with no hope of repairing it I had to throw it away. But i will never forget my cherished doll purse.
i got a himalayan salt lamp :)
My best gift was a homemade “cabbage patch” doll the year they came out and it was so hard to get one. My mom didn’t want to disappoint us, so she found a local person to make a doll that looked just like a cabbage patch. I still have her. :)
I think the coolest present ever was the year my parents surprised my sister, brother and me with our first ever brand new puppy! We screamed so loud when we got to open our eyes that the puppy cried! That was a wonderful present!
Thank you so much! My favorite out of the box Christmas Gift was my Hippity-Hop! Yeah my parents bought 5 of them for us and we went wild in the basement playing with these crazy things. It was one of those gifts that my parents my have regretted buying after the fact gifts! lol It seemed like all our friends got them too. Spring was a blast that next year with the whole neighborhood hopping around. Gotta love the memories!