video guest post: talia's help book

I am so very happy to have Talia from Number 19 guest posting today. She has a really lovely idea to share...it's crafty, helpful, and so very thoughtful, just like the story of the Elves and the Shoemaker!

Hi Wild Olive readers!

Talia from Number 19 here. When I was thinking about Mollie’s topic for this month, helping people, I thought about all the times people have helped me. Sometimes my husband tries to help me, and while I always appreciate the help, sometimes it’s not quite what I need. So I thought of this little ‘help book’.

The idea is that each person in your family makes one of these books that list 5 ways other people can help them. You display them all somewhere central in your house, and then when you feel like helping someone, you can read through their book and find things that would TRUELY help them, without having to ask!

Include things like some of your most hated chores, or things around the house that aren't anyone in particular's responsibility, but annoy you (like the water jugs for me), or even just 'nice' things people could do for you—saying thank-you, writing you a love note, give you a massage et.

Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Cut out 3 pieces of card, approximately 4 x 6 inches (they can be any size you want really).

Step 2: Decide on your 5 things people could do to help you. The ones I’ve chosen are:

1) Do the washing up for me
2) Clean the toilets
3) Take your washing and put it away
4) Make sure the water jugs in the fridge are full
5) Wash the dog

Step 3: Stack all three of your pieces of cardboard together and punch a hole in the top left hand corner. In pencil, write the page numbers down the bottom right hand corner, so you know which way is ‘up’ on each piece of card. You’ll be working on these double sided—so on pages two and three, page two will have the hole in the bottom left corner, and page three will have it in the top left.

Step 4: Start decorating! I’m not going to tell you how to decorate these, but go ahead and use your imagination! The idea is that these are YOUR cards, so you should personalise them as much as you want.

A few things to remember:
1) It’s important that the helpful thing is easy to read
2) Remember which way is ‘up’. I find the easiest way to do this is to have my ‘book’ set out on the table, and as I finish a page I flip it up, that way I know my pieces are always facing the right way.

Step 5: Thread some ribbon through the holes and tie a loose knot.

I’ve created a video to show you the finished product, and also help you with working out which way is ‘up’ on the pieces of cardboard! Enjoy!

Enjoy,
Talia
Number 19