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Do you make homemade gifts?
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I like to make candles at home and cooke jar mixes. The jar mixes are probably the more inexpensive if you don't already have crafting items at home. If you do decide to try one (cookie mix in a jar) tricks I've picked up have a wooden spoon to push down the sides so you can get more even lines and use (yes this sounds silly) the bulb end of a turkey baster to pound down ingredients especially like flour that if not packed the chances are you won't have space for everything. Oh and you'll save yourself a lot of tears if you use wide mouth jars :) Lots of recipes out there but I always suggest you make a batch of cookies at home first using the recipe so you can taste check (and give yourself something to snack on).
I definitely make homemade gifts. This year I am making scarfs, tie dying anything and everything, making a barrette holder, and a lamp. Oh, and I decorated some wine glasses. If I can make some and give it to them, I find it's so much more personal, even though it does take more time than running out to the store and picking something up.
I'm not artsy/crafty, so my homemade gifts tend to be things I am good at, like baking. I bake quick breads and cookies as gifts for friends and neighbors. For family this year, I am making "gift baskets" of shampoo and conditioners, bath stuff, personal care items.
I am making DIY gifts for Christmas presents and I am so excited! I am making Pendant Necklaces, Coasters, Paperclip Bookmarks, Button Bobby Pins, Button Monogram Art, Etched Glassware, Glass Rock Magnets and Post It Frames.
Rather than pay $40-$60 for a fruit basket, when my husband was a corporate sales executive, I would go to the local craft store and buy those nested, handled baskets and give the biggest to the CEO and his wife, the middle size to the sales manager, and the smaller to his direct boss. I'd spray paint the baskets gold, fill them with fruit and nuts, add a box of crackers and a couple blocks of cheese (all less than $20 in groceries) and then wrap it up with colored cling wrap tied with a bow. GREAT savings, always appreciated by the recipient.
Most years I do cookies and some simple candies. If money is extra tight I'll do several types of quick breads instead. Then I wrap special teas or coffee to go along with the platter. It means a lot to me that these gifts are appreciated and family look forward to them each year. It doesn't seem like much but then others don't have time for baking. I make sure to do some extras for neighbors and anyone who's helped me out through the year (like the car mechanic or my career counselor).
I love making homemade gifts. Baking cookies, breads and pies. Jar mixes are about the easiet item anyone can make. I highly recommend this. You will definitely not disappoint. Monogramming has become very popular lately. I have started monogramming cups, coffee mugs, tote bags and coasters.
for the past 7 years I have made my holiday and birthday gifts. I currently make jam, pickles and many other canned items. Baked goodies for those who live close!
I saw decorated wine glasses at a local craft fair- they were charging 12 and up per glass!
I sew things. Last year I got flannel material really cheap the day after Thanksgiving and made my children all PJs. This year I'm making my mother and mother inlaw each one of those holders for recycled plastic bags out of scrap fabric. I'll be making my children aprons. They are now big into helping with the cooking, just a bit on the messy side.
I bake bread, candies, & cookies. Folks love homemade things! Yummy :)
I have made up 8 unique, one-of-a-kind Christmas cards for folks to send. The money I raise thru selling these cards goes directly to the feeding of my rescued senior horses. Wanna see them? ssefscik at dishmail.net
I make flece tie blankets for all members of my family. and each one goes along with their personality. I have made Shriek blankets, jets, NY Yankees, and scooby doo blankets. They are fun to make and when I see that everyone is useing them, it gives me a since of pride and they can keep the blankets forever.
- Jolynda said:
I am making DIY gifts for Christmas presents and I am so excited! I am making Pendant Necklaces, Coasters, Paperclip Bookmarks, Button Bobby Pins, Button Monogram Art, Etched Glassware, Glass Rock Magnets and Post It Frames.
Do you have directions or ideas on how to make the Paperclip Bookmarks? Thanks, Tracy tbushuem@amdocs.com
I have a bunch of little jam jars...any idea on what I can do with these for Christmas gifts...ie friends, family or co-workers? Thanks, Tracy
I generally give homemade gifts when times are tough (like this year). I have given spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes, baked goods. This year we had a bumper crop of cabbages, so immediate family members are receiving a few heads of green and red. Other years it was squashes, pumpkins, asparagus, and cucumbers (or any other over productive garden vegetables). As for my baked goods, I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law who fight over my baked goods that I provide for their enjoyment.
I have made baked goods for gifts--always appreciated. My craft skills are about kindergarten level, though, so I don't try that for people I love.
Be sure to thank the 'Service Folks' in your life. Giving homemade food items to the UPS man, mailman, hairdresser, pastor, etc... I plan to make large chocolate dipped pretzel sticks with holiday sprinkles, decorations, crushed peppermints, nuts, etc... and have several on hand the next few weeks for anyone that comes to my door. Inexpensive but they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Last year I made flat iron/ curling iron holders. All I did was buy ironing board covers for the heat resistance material for the insde and then picked out fabric for the outside material, also I found that if you can find some really cheap place mats they already have a finished edge so this is even faster and easier. These are great for teens and people who travel!
I crocheted hand warmers for my 15 employees. I am making some triple chocolate nut clusters tonight to go in their packages too. I also found some cute clothespin christmas ornaments at a yard sale earlier this year for ten cents each. Since we all work from our homes, I have to keep the packages light weight and can't spend much more than the postage it costs to send things all over the US.
I always have my kids make gifts for our family. I want them to understand the thought and work that goes into giving a gift that someone will enjoy.
- Tracy said:
I have a bunch of little jam jars...any idea on what I can do with these for Christmas gifts...ie friends, family or co-workers? Thanks, Tracy
If you know a day care or kindergarden they make great snow globe crafts for kids. Buy small plastic trees, snowmen, etc and glue them in the lid. Then put some glitter in the jar and fill it with water. Put the lid on (you may want to glue it on) and they can shake it and the glitter will flow down over the item just like a snow globe.
My nieces and nephews each get a dozen of their favorite cookies. then I make up cookie trays for my sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and several of my friends and neighbors. I also make Twisted Nut Rolls and give 90% of them as gifts. At church we have a baby shower for the local crisis pregnancy center and I make flannel receiving blankets for that. Last year my Women's Fellowship Group at church made fleece blankets for the local nursing home. I enjoyed making them so much that everyone in the family got one from my children and grandchildren to my nieces and nephews.
In the past I have made mini loaves of fruit bread, cookies and candies. I have found either baskets or even big bowls and filled them to the brim with goodies and then wrapped them with saran wrap and put bows on them.
I always make a box of candy for the mail lady, neighbors and other people who I come in contact with. Last year my kids asked for a box. So this year my daughters got a complete set of pyrex filled with fudge.Stacked them up put on a ribbon and done.
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