1. We need to give away things more often! Our Thomas Paul Sea Plate giveaway has gotten an amazing response! At the time of this writing, over 180 of you left a comment hoping to win. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time! Contest closes Weds 5 pm PST at which time we will choose two winners using a random number generator. Click here to enter and — good luck!

2. Even though the economy is in the pits, you’re still shopping — at craft fairs. We did a round up of some that we knew about, and many more of you mentioned ones near you. Take a look, and if we’ve left any out, please let us know here!

3. Having a live Christmas tree you can plant after the holidays is a nice idea, but make sure you keep it watered! Says Steph: “I got a small live one with replanting in mind two years ago, but it died before the ground thawed. Make sure if you get one it’s in rich soil and you really take care of it. They’re not really meant to be indoors, with heat drying them out and all.” Click here for more on this green idea.

4. We’re not the only ones who have beeeeee-come nuts about honey. Beth wrote: “When I was a teenager I was hosted by a Swedish family that had a farm as well as bees – bees that had the run of the forest for collecting pollen. I never knew that honey could taste like a *place* but it really does. Such a treat!” Click here to read about Angela M.’s beekeeping adventures.

5. Get 10% these adorable gift tags by mentioning Shelterrific! MaryLou who makes these adorable Alice in Wonderland tags wrote to say: “I really love the Sir John Tenniel illustrations, and I’m always making things from them — I have a whole collection of tags and cards, and I’ve done loads of custom items for people. Since this was such a nice surprise, I’ll give a 10% discount on any of the stationery items in my Etsy shop if you mention you saw my tags here.” Click here to go the her shop.