Will you make it a handmade holiday?
Photo by WordRidden 
OK, it might seem early to be writing about holiday gifts, but I figure if Walgreens can put up their holiday merchandise before Halloween, I can blog about holiday gifts in mid-November. Besides, there’s a reason to start thinking about gifting early – especially now, when everyone’s pockets are feeling the pinch.
I’m advocating homemade gifts this year. I would much rather get a labored-over, if inexpertly crafted, hand-knit hat or handmade mug than something generic from the mall.
Of course, not everyone knows how to knit a stockinette stitch or throw on a pottery wheel, but with a little ingenuity, anyone can craft something inspired. The trick is to get started early – you can’t wait until the last minute and expect to whip up something that you feel proud to give. To help get your creative juices flowing, I turned to Answers.
Gwen shares a multitude of ideas, including making jelly, sharing cherished photos, creating scarves out of felted sweaters, and using her garden’s bounty to make pickles and salsa for friends.
A lot of people find crocheting easier to learn than knitting, so why not learn a few basic stitches and turn out some scarves, hats, and mittens? jia even offers a YouTube link to get you started. In fact, YouTube and other specialty craft sites are great resources for easy-to-follow directions on just about anything.
Store-bought gift baskets are popular but usually over-priced and stuffed with cheap, filler items. By creating your own baskets, you can include meaningful items, and tailor each basket to the person it’s intended for. onepriviti walks us through a great tutorial using both handmade and inexpensive store-bought items to make the perfect gift.
If you feel crafts are just too far out of your comfort zone, food gifts are an easy and creative way to show your love. You could whip up peppermint bark or put together a candy wreath. And you’ll hardly go wrong with cookies, hot cocoa, or fudge.
Some of you may be afraid that giving a handmade gift is tacky or that the recipient won’t appreciate it. To me, when you give something that you have made, you are really giving a piece of yourself – something much more valuable and generous than any mall find. So get creative this holiday season. Your friends and family will appreciate the sentiment – and your wallet will appreciate the break.
What are your ideas for creative homemade holiday gifts?
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I’m cross-stitching for all the female members of my family, it’s very easy to find free Christmas cross-stitch patterns on line. It takes a lot of patience to cross-stich something nice, but the results are definitely worth it!
I’m definately going for some homemade gifts this year… for a very energetic elemetary-school age cousin, it’s a sled built on garage-sale skis. For my grandpa it’s a coffee mug made at the you-paint-it pottery place, and for my mom, a homemade bird house.
I know my family members will really like the gifts, so I guess that’s what’s important.
All of my family members have gotten hand-knitted scarves for Christmas since I learned to knit 5 years ago. I take great pride in matching the yarn combinations for texture and color with everyone’s personalities. This year, I’m also giving “handmade” glass block lights that look like translucent Christmas gift boxes. I have one in my bathroom, and all my guests rave about it, so I bought kits online (includes the string of lights, the glass block, and a glass drill bit). I know everyone will love those. It makes Christmas more meaningful for everyone if the gift reflects the giver AND the recipient, rather than just a “cookie-cutter” necklace, CD, or sweater.
I have learned how to knit from youtube just last weekend. I am cranking out two scarves for my husbands neice and nephew. Our family draws names and this year I got my husbands brothr in law. For him I am making a no-sew fleece blanket and pillow, another thing I learned how to make from youtube. I also learned how to make jams earlier this year so I have been making some jams to giveaway and we will also do cookie baskets. I am more excited this year to give out my creations than I have in the past giving store bought stuff!
I am making jewelry for all women on my list. The children are getting handmade blankets. I showed the necklaces I made to a few friends at work and ended up taking orders. Now, with the necklace money, the men in my family are getting tools.
i am so buyin everything this yr no makin stuff for me
I really like the idea of knitting for family members. But… I never have time.
So, I have to buy gifts insted.
I know that my mother would like a handmad gift more than a boughten one.
Oh well!
I’m making my boyfriend a personalized card and mix CD of cute songs.
I’ve already started on handmade gifts! My mother, mother-in-law, sister, and sister-in-law all asked for me to make them things. Mother and Mother-in-law are each getting hand-crocheted scarves, sister is getting a blanket that has sleeves sewn on (similar to a slanket), and sister-in-law is getting…something! I haven’t decided yet!
I have no idea, however, what to make for a guy. My husband doesn’t use anything that I would be able to make
I always make hand-made items for my family. Usually, because I have such a big family, I can’t make something for everyone. Plus it’s fun to make scarfs or something home-made. I love going to Michale’s and buying little crafts I can make for my family.
I like to make cheesecakes, and luckily the people around me love them. So I make cheesecakes wrap them up and give them as gifts.
I didn’t make my gifts this year though I’ve done that before, however I did make all of the ornaments for my christmas tree. We strung cranberries, made cinnemon cut outs, and tied bells on ribbons to add a little fun to the tree. After we added our small collection of ornaments that we have the tree looks (and smells) great!
Great DIY or Super Cheap Gifts – Many you can google to get ideas and directions
1. make up bags. Easy to sew – just grab some pretty fabric and and a zipper. Made a bunch for my friends and they are so handy. Googled this and found directions / an actual video!
2. No sew Tie Fleece Blanket. Buy 2 yards each of 2 colors. Basically you cut into the edges of the blanket and tie in double knots.
3. Make an herb kit. Buy some inexpensive terracotta pots at the craft store and some rosemary, basil and oregano. Buy some plant stakes labels and wrap it all up. Under 10.00 gift.
4. Movie In Kit: Go to the dollar store and buy a big plastic bowl. Grocery store: Box of popcorn, 2 Jones Soda ( or other out of the ordinary drink) 3 bags or boxes of candy and a 5.00 gift certificate to Blockbuster. Again a total of 12 bucks at most.
5. Bottle of Wine – Under 10 bucks and still appreciated
6. Future Gift. Buy a Christmas Cactus and butcher it! Yes cut it up. Meaning, that if you cut 3 nodes down on each stem and dip it in rooting powder and stick it in some soil. In one mini pot stick like 4 stems. You can get like at least 10 new plants the following year. THIS WORKS – I just did it last year and now I have a bunch of mini zygot cacti ready for gifts!
Already started ! Hand painting trinket boxes and just finished hand painting a child’s rocking chair with plans for more!
Money is pretty tight this year so I was really trying to be inventive yet somewhat original regarding gifts this year, since I am usually the one in charge of the gift organizing. The friends/family members we exchange gifts with are quite a bit better off than us, financially, so we really wanted to still give a gift without making them feel as though they have to go “all out” for us in return.
I considered something yummy from our kitchen, such as those dry cake and cookie mixes in a mason jar, and they simply have to add the wet ingredients. People seem to really enjoy those and have fun at the same time using it with their own families!
This year though, we received a Sear’s portrait studio mailer with special holiday prices for their photos: No sitting fee for one person, 36 portraits for $4.99 (1-10×13, 2-8×10, 4-5×7’s, and a hosting of smaller photos). You can add a “short time only” free 8×10 photo to this deal as well. These photos are all for one portrait of your choosing, and we can either give family the gifts or purchasing a nice matte and frame for a little extra at any craft and most retail stores. We are going to have the portrait done of our 1-year-old son in a holiday outfit or Santa hat!
This mailer was sent to us as “junk mail” but we made sure to check all the mail before tossing it out. If you go with this idea, check the fine print and expiration date, and bring it with you to the studio. Their prices change so quickly but they will honor the mailer price if you show it and it hasn’t expired
Are you kidding? If I got something lame and handmade, I would be so disappointed. I can’t wait to get another Mont Blanc this xmas.
I have made gifts almost every holiday but I find this year I can’t afford to make my usual gifts which have been home made soap, scent and salts. The ingredients are expensive. So I will probably make fudge, cookies etc. for many of my family. I wish I could knit or crochet. I never have. I enjoy handmade things. That really shows love in my opinion.
I’m sorry, as much as I like the idea I think that no one really wants or uses homemade gifts unless the giver has a specific talent for making crafts. It’s one thing if the gift is coming from a child, but there is nothing more annoying than opening some ugly homemade chotchkie that you will never use after you just gave that person an expensive gift that they really wanted. Just because it comes from a store doesn’t mean that it isn’t personal or thoughtful. it’s great for some, but not for me. I know it’s the thought that counts, but sometimes you have to think about what thought the receiver is going to have when they open the gift
It’s good, but we did this a few years ago when we had no money and the recipients were really annoyed by it. We were disappointed by this because like us, our relatives are quite religious and we thought they’d care more about the thought, care and love put into what we’d made than the expensive trinkets.
We made a variety of pottery things, a puzzle, a papier mache head and i can’t remember what else. It took us a long time and we couldn’t afford to do anything else.
I’m making everyone sock monkeys this year! Saving a lot of money, and they’re fun to make, well maybe they won’t be so fun when I’ve made all 17!
I do baskets and plates filled with baked goods and candy made by me. I always try to find a pretty basket that can be reused for something else, or a nice platter. I add some fresh fruit, peppermint candy and fancy candy canes to make it interesting, the attach a homemade Christmas ornament to the outside. Everyone loves them.
This is tricky. I’ve gotten handmade gifts that look like from a 1st grade art class. I know it’s the thought that counts and I appreciate that BUT, do I have display this in my house?
i’d prefer something from the mall
I am not giving anything handmade. It takes too much time and I have no hand making skills.
This is my third year making my Christmas gifts by hand, and there’s nothing more rewarding. A great easy gift is buying an inexpensive mug, knit a cute little mug cozy for it, then fill it with homemade candy. Or, knit a dishcloth and make some soap to go with it. Simple and generic, but still from the heart! Another idea might be to dip the bowls of plastic spoons in chocolate and decorate them, to be used for stirring coffee or hot chocolate.
making scrapbooks, frames, and flower arrangements…as usual. occasionally shop in second hand store for some items, I tend to find some cool stuff in there…
I ma making ornaments out of dough that i paint. After they have dried. i used cookie cutters i have. she is a greatr dog lover so i cut out dachshunds , dog bones and other doggie things. i painted them in sparkle glitter paint. i also make t shirts for families, picture frames and mugs. i have also made mouse pads. i love computer crafts.
I’m unemployed, so money is tight now. That doesn’t mean I can’t still give thoughtful gifts. I bought some small picture frames of $1.00 each. I found some nice sayings on T-shirts in catalogs, and I’m putting them on nice paper using my calligraphy pens. This can be done on a computer as well, if you’re not into hand-lettering. Then I’m going to finish them off embellishing the frames with ribbons, old jewelry, and whatever else I have in my craft boxes.
I have been making handmade gifts for 9 years now. As a single mother I just cannot buy random stuff for family. The fun part is finding a gift to make that men will enjoy too – we have 15 boys/men in the family. But it has worked! I even see my ideas show up at craft stores the next year.
1. wine glass charms w/charms like surf boards, guitars, etc in manly colors
2. doorknob hangers painted with beads, stones or shark’s teeth glued on
3. pottery jars painted w/stuff glued on as above for paper clips, change, whatever
4. painted and decorated tiles w/each person’s favorite things like surfing, skateboarding, sports, etc.
5. Travel mugs – from a teacher supply store, inserts comeout you can decorate add stickers, etc. We are using rock group stickers
and best part yet, the crafts above come out to about $200/person! That is 24 gifts all for under $50 and we get all my son’s friends to help us, they love it, especially making the skateboarding ones
$2/person, not $200!!!
Handmade gifts can’t be beat in terms of uniqueness and oftentimes, quality. Not only do I make a lot of my own gifts (mostly jewelry since I enjoy metalwork), but I love supporting artists and crafters and really cherish the connection you get when buying from the person who actually designed and created the product.
If you’re not artistically inclined, but still want to participate in the handmade movement, I highly recommend checking out some of the websites specializing in handmade goods. Etsy.com is one that offers pretty much everything you could possibly need and the items are sold directly from the artist.
I am going for homemade gifts as well. For some people it will be a fleece blanket, knotted together at the edges. For the moms I am making a christmas card holder. I am trying to figure out what to do for the rest!
All everyone I know and me ever wants is money, so we just don’t even bother giving gifts. I enjoy the holiday a whole lot more because of all the extra time I have to enjoy the season relaxing and with the people.
We did handmade gifts the one year. It was so much fun. A whole group of us got together and decoupaged jewellery boxes, coasters, photo frames, placemats and all sorts of other things. And the people we gave them to really loved them! This year however, we’re doing something different. Instead of buying gifts for our family members we have taken the money we would have spent on that and bought presents for sexually abused children staying in a home close to us. It is so sad, there are kids from 1 to 18 there. Much more worthwhile cause. We’re throwing them a party with sweets and jumping castle, etc. Better than receiving….
I made my Grandson a Baloon Bear cross-stich for a Christmas Present, it only took me about 3 months and he will be 9 months old in Dec.
I find myself almost 73 and so a lot of gift giving occasions have come and gone for me. The gifts that are in my collector’s cabinet or linen closet and here and there on my walls are the gifts I cherish the most. I can name who made it for me and usually what the occasion was. The fancy Fondu Pot up in my cabinet was a gift but who gave it to me and for what special day — I have no idea. Take the time to make that decorated hankie, Aunt Betty will LOVE all the thought you put into it, There is another side to making that gift. All the time you are working on it, you will be thinking about that person and why they are special in your life.
I noticed my friends & family appreciate handmade gifts more than store-bought products. Since I take art class, I like to give away my art work (people really love my water color & acrylics). And for some, a handmade card with a meaningful photo attached is already good enough. =)
As the owner of a small gift shop on the verge of going out of business, I hope they don’t follow that too closely… If you aren’t especially crafty, I hope you will check in to what local small businesses have to offer, you may find that people are motivated to make some good deals for you this year…with big stores like Linens and things and Circuit City going out of business this year, what chance do you think the little guys have with competition like Walmart? The little guys live in your neighborhood, and it might make a difference between whether they get to ride out the economic storm or not. Many of them offer handmade items if you aren’t feeling particularly crafty, and if they are anything like me at the moment, they are carrying more stock than they want to right now, and motivated to liquidate stuff to pay the rent…help a little guy stay employed, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese?
I may do some homemade gifts and I think they are good as long as they are not being motivated by guilt over carbon footprints and global warming alarmist nonsense. The real reason for the season needs to be the motivation for giving gifts. The right hand made gift will last a lifetime in someones memory for sure.
Not really i am going to make a christmas card for my family but i will buy regular cards, i cant do lots i may paint a picture for my family
Okay wait a sec, you guys haven’t even had Halloween yet? I feel like Canada is a whole other planet or something. I keep hearing about Thanks Giving today but we had ours in early October..
As for the gift giving, I’m making bath bomb fizzies out of baking soda and other grocery store things. Scarves are a good idea, and I do have a set for crochet but I’m too impatient lol.
I may youtube it though see if I can give it another try
I always do hand-made gifts, but this gave me more ideas
i make oreo balls for friends and family every year. they are this wonderful candy that is made by mixing crushed oreos and cream cheese. then i roll them into balls and coat them in white chocolate bark.
everyone adores them! the adults get homeade candies and the kids usually get toys.
So far I have knitted one sweater, croched one hat,
knitted a hat and scarf, made two night gowns, pair
of pjs, two pj bottoms, a raggedy ann set,
have two sweaters, four scarves and hats and
a night gown left to go, and if time allows I want
to make some aprons.
I made my wife a dreidel out of clay I got from Iraq, as I am deployed here.
Yes….it it a handmade hoilday this year! I’ve bought picture frames and scrapbooked them into something amazing and in it will go a picture of my son for his aunts, uncles and grandparents. I am also making a DVD of all of his photos for his first six months (born in June) and I making wooden wall plaques with his fot prints on them.
Things ate tight this year s I figured I’d do this and plus I think everyone will like it much better.
Lots of people think handmade gives are disappointing or never used; but I think they can be great, if they’re something useful or sentimental.
I’m going to make mini-scrapbooks for my friends, and it’s one of the best presents to give because it’s full of memories.
It’s nice to accompany a store-bought gift with a batch of homemade brownies (food on its own as a present isn’t that good because there will be nothing left for that person to be reminded of you!).
Also, painting a flowerpot or mug somehow, maybe spelling the person’s name is something thoughtful and will be used. Homemade gifts always add a nice touch to someone’s Christmas!
i already started making my home made gifts. for my mom im knitting a really cute pair of gloves and my sister is getting a scaf and my aunt is getting a hat.
I am making polymer clay bookmarks. Easy and fun.
This year I will be knitting some baby blankets for next years christmas for the baby I am carrying right now, my little one
and last year, my hubby and I were broke, much as we are this year, so I got a bunch of miniature nerd candy boxes, the ones you get for halloween, and I emptied them, and then made a tiny note/poem, and made a miniature envelope to encase it in, and then I put that inside the box, and wrapped them all up like lil christmas presents, and made 12 of them, one for each of the 12 days of christmas, and had my hubby open one each day. He really enjoyed it.
Plus, I made christmas dinner, all from scratch, which doesnt seem like much compared to someone buying an ipod for their husband or a new car, but to my hubby, it was very special and a gift in itself, because he had not had a real christmas his whole life, so thats why i set out to give him the best, even if we could barely afford the dinner.
I make all my own beaded jewelry its very cheap to
do and looks stunning!!!!! I get my stuff @ beadcorp.com
Making a few scarves this year. Everyone loves them because only a select few get one. Going to give to charity also because the Christian thing to do is help others. There are many in great need this holiday
I too have decided to take the handmade route. With the economy being what it is I think that everyone’s strapped for cash. My friends and I have come to an agreement that we’re not buying each other gifts, but instead baking some Christmas treats (or in my crafty case, making some homemade ornaments!)
Instead of spending lots of money this Christmas, I would like to make homemade gifts this year.
Does anyone have any ideas for homemade gifts?
What should I make for 3 guys, ages 22,20, and 14.
Plus a girl aged 18. Any ideas?
Please Email me at: dayruth.day@gmail.com
Thank You.
If I have the time, I’ll be crocheting amirugumi (you know, the cute little thingies – usually animals, but also monsters, food items, etc). All one needs is leftover yarn, and the results are nice, be it as Christmas tree decorations, or toys for my goddaughter.
Wish me luck!
PS. I’m in the Southern Hemisphere, so scarves are out of the question!
That should have been “amigurumi”, not amirugumi
I agree with some comments in that there will be some people in the family and friend circle who won’t appreciate the time and effort taken to handcraft a gift – however its about expectations and setting these up. In our family we have a year on year off deal – which means one year we buy pressies – the next year we make them – and everyone knows this – and expects it. fudge, cookies, jams and stitched things come out. we also have an ‘ugliest’ present – where we go to a junk store or charity store to find the most…. unusual knick knack and give it to someone as a gift. – lots of laughs.. plus ..ummmm isn’t the season about getting friends and family – loved ones together and sharing time? NOT gifts…..
No way am I going to make it a hand made x-mas.I’m not a cheap skate,but I guess since I’m only shopping for myself i dont got too
I’m making my mom a “coupon” book this year, with coupons for all sorts of free stuff, including- free dishwashing, breakfast in bed, mother-daughter day, automatic win in an argument, etc. The coupons are redeemable whenever she wants to use them. I’m also thinking about trying to knit a scarf, via videos on youtube….
I am doing some homemade gifts this year- I take wine glasses (or Champagne flutes) and wrap wire and bead around the stems to make a decorative glass. There are so many different ways you make them, they are fun, beautiful, and can be personalized. Plus, I have fun doing it!!
My boyfriend is pretty wealthy. His birthday was yesterday. I took one of those deep frames, then got some ribbon and little mirrors and put a picture of us. he loved it. even started tearing up. He said he loved it so much becuase I made it and Because it wasn’t something he could buy in a store. For Christmas im thinking of making him a blanket and somethin else which idk yet
I have made a cross stitch as a gift. Last year my Grandma absolutely loved the large 11×14 cross stitch I made for her wall. Obviously you have to be wise about who you give homemade gifts to because not everyone will enjoy them.
Another year I was into photography and took random holiday themed black and white photos (ornaments in a box, a close up of a pine cone on a tree, etc) and hand colored the photos. I then framed them in groups of three.
I am in nursing school now and terribly busy so I don’t have time to make home made gifts this year but after I graduate I want to learn how to sew clothing for gifts and make a large cross stitch for my mother as well.
I’ve been giving ‘made’ gifts for the past couple of years – can’t call them hand made because I use the computer. This year everyone is getting a poster from the family reunion we had this year – I got some priceless uh oh shots, and some fun ones. You know, I have about all I really need, and surely some have need for specific things – but if you really need it you end up getting it for yourself, not waiting for Christmas. Surely Christmas should be for surprises, for fun, for thoughtfulness, and for the gifts that don’t work, for Goodwill. When did such a high pricetag get attached to Christmas? Well, I’m the crazy aunt in the family and one thing I know my family will be saying come Christmas is “what was she thinking?” – and if that’s my legacy, then I’m proud to be the family nutcase.
I crochet doilies. You know the kind Grandma used to have in her house? They are so pretty. And when you are finished with it, you can’t believe the results that came from your own hands. I also crochet tablecloths (but they take a couple of months to do) the doilies only take a couple of days each and i also crochet scarves and table place mats. Use your imagination and get a book or watch a video on you tube on how to create your own presents. It is very rewarding to make your own presents and much less expensive.
u should buy a psp they are great.
I do baskets for friends and family, gearing them to readers, crafters, crossword fanatics, etc. For some I make a donation in their name – this year, some small gifts from one site have funded 124 bowls of food for animal shelters, and for my mother, a gift of texts and school supplies for a Third World country (Mom was a teacher too).
I will still be buying some gifts, but none of these are expensive and a lot of thought goes into the choosing. It has to be exactly right for the person.
Example of a small basket:
crossword puzzle book(s)
pencils
erasers
small dictionary or thesaurus
card with greeting done as a crossword (homemade)
Total cost: $8 – $10
I love giving and getting hand made gifts. I’ve done the “shop-till-you-drop” routine, and everyone appreciated what they got. But I found out a few years ago ( when money was really tight) that they much more appreciated the hand made and home made gifts that year. I had been canning fruit, spaghetti sauce, salsa and such and making jellies and jams for months during the summer and early autumn and thought “Why not?” So I bought some wicker wood type baskets at the local thrift store, decorated them and filled them with my home canned foods. I got a package of English muffins and spaghetti for each one and placed them in also. Everyone raved. I’ve since been told they want me to do this every year. Let me tell you, it saves the wallet at the end of the year. I gave 12 or more baskets the first year at a cost of about $4.50 a person, and it’s an easy thing to do any of them. Plus, with the cost of food rising all the time……well.
I totally see how many people are in trouble financially…but we also have to keep in mind that spending our money stimulates the economy and keeps it going…although handmade gifts are always sweet
I’m making gifts in a jar this Christmas for everybody. Inexpensive, yet thoughtful
.
I love making home-made gifts ..
This year, I’m making each of my grand-daughters (they are ages 7&9 y/o) a fabric covered photo album, with a framed picture of each grand-daughter and I on the front. I just know their going to love it. ♥
Handmade gifts are the best. I still have an amazing beaded bracelet and necklace that my friend from school made me in grade 7. I wore the bracelet today, it is absolutely stunning. All the store-bought gifts: they’ve either broken or have become of no use to me nowadays.
I am not exactly the most artistic girl around, I am not a very hands-on person, I prefer poems and all. This year I am making a comic book for my boyfriend, seeing as he is so difficult to buy gifts for! He has a great sense of humour and enjoys the strange immature stories I tell him, so I gather that this will be good. I might also buy something small with it, but I’m not sure.
I would appreciate a tacky homemade gift a lot more than something store-bought anyway!
My mom always makes homemade fudge and cookies and treats, and makes little ‘holiday platters’ for people such as my teachers, and friends’ parents.
They are usually paper plates with fudge, hershey kisses, christmas cookies, and candy canes wrapped in pink see -through plastic wrap and attaches a little note, and it’s a perfect, simple little homemade gift.
hey it is not a homemade holiday you didn’t make this holiday yourself! but it does kinda fell like a homemade holiday so just pretend it is if it makes you feel any better! have a homemade holiday cheer!
Last year my girls and I made 40 pairs of lounge pants. I hit a sale at Jo Ann’s Fabric and everyone got fleece lounge pants cheap and I used an easy pattern so it went quick. I think it cost me about $150.00, but it was so cheap my girls gave them to friends and family.
Making gifts this year. Crocheting scarves. Making ornaments. Making a few pillows for friends that have for them.
For my son’s co-workers. Mug filled with candies, bags of tea, cinammon stick, candy cane, hot cocoa envelope—wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow.
Handmade for me depends as much as the gift as the giver and the receiver.
In other words, the giver needs to consider the receiver’s needs more than their own desires. It’s one thing to make sock puppets and chocolate-chip cookies and give them away and consider yourself “tricky”, it’s another thing to give chocolate-chip cookies to someone who has repeatedly told you they are allergic to wheat flour and get sick from chocolate. The thought doesn’t count when the thought is all about how proud you are for making a gift by hand and we should all say, “Wow, what a great job you did!” And then you get all unhappy and insulted when we give the chocolate-chip cookies to the husband or child and the sock puppet to the dogs (because sock puppets are so…………….cop out lame like Raggedy Ann dolls!)
Instead of making something with a demand for ego strokes in return, why don’t you listen when I say I have food allergies to wheat and dairy, and what I really would like for Christmas handmade are some awesome chicken tamales, or jars of homemade pomegranate jelly, or a bottle of home-pressed olive oil from those trees in your backyard? Why not listen when I talk, and when I say I love plants and animals, take a seed from a pear, put it in a pot, sprout it, and give it to me to plant in my yard? And when I say I really like Chinese food or sushi, learn to cook really good egg rolls and stir fry and invite me over to dinner sometime?
For years I have been shopping thrift stores all through the year for Christmas. I pay attention when my brothers and sisters and friends talk about things that interest them. My brother likes fishing, John Deere, ice hockey, and college football. So when I find something along those themes at 50% off at the thrift store, I buy it and store it until Christmas, and spent only 1 or 2 dollars at the most. My brother now has an impressive library of fishing books ( all at less than $2 each, some as little as fifty cents each), a collection of John Deere tractor toys that is the envy of the other guys at work, and some fun fishing lures. My sister-in-law wants Coca-Cola decorations, so I have been finding through the year Coca-Cola decorative tins to fill with candy Gummy Coke Bottles. My aunt-in-law loves butterflies and Winnie-The-Pooh, so I found some Winnie-The Pooh and butterfly Christmas ornaments when the thrift store started putting them out in October, and some cute Winnie-the-Pooh toys for her grandbabies to play with when they come visit. My daughter loves “Hello Kitty”, I have a stash of “Hello Kitty” things in my hiding place waiting to be wrapped. I spent probably about $50 total for my presents, but my truly thoughtful gifts, wrapped in plain brown paper I recycle from shopping bags (…”brown paper packages tied up with string…”) are usually the only Christmas gifts used and appreciated over and over again. The only recipient of a handmade gift this year will be my young friend who needs a warm blanket. I make quilts, I will make her a quilt for her very own. She has already picked out the colors and likes the design, she is going to help me sew the top today and learn for herself how to make quilts for her own. My family doesn’t like homemade gifts – they don’t need them, but they have enough. They don’t need lots of presents. They do need to listen when I talk and stop making chocolate cakes for dessert at every family gathering. I am tired of only getting candles for Christmas presents (..”because I never know what to get you!”) when I have said over and over I really love things like horses and flowers and really good California Olive Oil.
The best gift any of you can give, handmade or not, is the gift that showed you really paid attention when someone else said something. It shows their thoughts were more important than your own. I only gave one sister a few real gifts over the years, but her favorite is a hand-painted picture of the Eiffel Tower I bought for all of fifty cents at the thrift store. It is framed nicely and hangs in her room and reminds her every day of her year studying in Europe. Fifty cents brings her back all her happy memories. What a cheap price for a meaningful gift!
Last year I took all of my mom’s photo albums and scanned each picture into a digital file. Then I created photo books on an online site for everyone. I included a CD of all the images for everyone. My mom had always kept the albums in an emergency “grab and go” kit so they wouldn’t be lost in a fire. Now that everyone has a copy and a nice book the albums are back on display to enjoy.
In any situation, homemade/hand-crafted gifts, or even if they’re hand-detailed/embellished, are always most appreciated in my book too. They show more effort and thought…
I bought cheap ordaments and painted them for my family
My husbands family is from Panama where lentil soup is a big thing, when i saw the gift idea for lentil soup in a jar i thought perfect! it has some curry seasoning for a little twist I plan to give it to all my friends
goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/curried-lentil-soup-december-recipes
For all of my friends this Christmas, I am making them each necklaces.
I took a jewel and ornamental design class this year (my senior year in high school!) and totally took advantage of it. I learned how to make bracelets, necklaces, even earrings and anklets.
Soo, I went to Michaels and totally loaded up my cart with everything I learned. I got boxes to hold my beads, sting and a few tools.
All of this cost me about fifty dollars. And all of my friends are covered!
I got unique ideas for necklaces from my teacher, and made my closest friends some really cool hand crafted necklaces. And my not so closest friends? A bracelet that doesn’t look cheap, and is not as time-consuming as a necklace
So my advice, go and get some information about jewlery making. I now go into stores thinking that half the stuff I bought before, I can make in the comfort of my kitchen!
I’m going to make fruit baskets, and take pictures of my kids and give that out as gifts.
First, for Holly – we did have Halloween – it was Oct. 31. Our Thanksgiving is a month after the one in Canada because our harvest is later than yours due to the different climate.
Now, onto gifts. What I would really like to do this year – is an alternative Christmas – where we exchange gifts to each other that help others – make a donations to feed a homeless family in the name of my brother in law, for instance. But, one whole side of my family is insulted if I even suggest it, so it will be the typical meaningless gifts, since I have no idea what they like. Sigh.
its a good thing to make homemade holiday gifts
because they are fun to make and you dont spent to much money
I agree with you, but you could please, just once, stop preaching at us? You only make this website more childish….
if you check out instructables.com some of the stuff you can make is really cool
I’m in year 7 this year, and I love making things for presents. I am buying things this year, but I have already promised myself that next year, I am spending the year teaching myself to Knit and Crochet and anything other that comes up. Next years present will all be hand-made. Also, in Wood technology and Metal Technology, we make all sorts of things, from money boxes to rings, everyone of them simple and nice presents. Not to mention what I make in Art, candle holders and vases out of Clay.
Suzie
P.S Cross-stitching is addictive =]
Im going to try. As a college freshman with 2 jobs im going to be busy.
I plan on doing baskets full of mostly homemade stuff
for the women Im going to put cookie mix in a jar, with the recipe attached, homemade shea butter, and bath bombs, as well as fuzzy socks.
For the men Im doing pistachios, homemade peanut brittle, a 5 dollar giftcard to starbucks, and doggy biscuits for their best friends. (the men in my family are SO picky, no aftershave, or cologne..)
I am with you on this. I have been talking to my kids about all of us giving homemade gifts or gifts of service. One daughter has already put all my Christmas music in iTunes, and another made Christmas cookies and put them in the freezer. Yesterday we all went out and composted a new garden plot for one child who wants a vegetable garden in the Spring (this is what she asked for)!
For my in-laws who have everything, I am sneaking over and borrowing their slides and I am scanning the good ones and putting them on a DVD so they can see them on their TV.
For my husband I am hosting his work Christmas party (I hate having parties). This is an act of love and sacrifice–lol.
I bought an old table from a second hand store and I am going to refinish it for a gift. It will look so good when sanded, varnished, and glued (yes. one of the legs has a bit of a wobble).
I am knitting scarves in school colors for friends and plan to put together a little blanket to give to charity. I LOVE the idea of homemade gifts, I would much rather receive homemade candles, scarves, picture frames, or other items that show someone’s time and efforts went into it! I am definately joining the movement for home made gifts this year!
If you’re not that crafty, you can find the perfect handmade gift on Etsy.com …
They’ve got gifts for everyone, including my favorite for men … beer soap.
PLUS you’ll be helping out small businesses.
ok…so the crafty stuff is great and everything…but i tend to be tight on money a lot…especially around christmas so i make hard tack candy for my family and friends…and give that out as gifts…the whole family loves it!
It is really good question i think personality is not change able because some time man can do a hobbit who can not change his personality.
i agree. i am making blankets for all of my cousins for chirstmas this year. while purchasing the fabric may be a little expensive i know that they would prefer something that i spent my time making for them rather than something that i went out and bought for them.
also when i make them i know they cant buy the same thing at a store somewere.
I love to give and recieve handmade gifts, I am currently finshing up a twin size granny square afghan for my daughter that will be five soon and I have one planned for my 9 year old son then I have three more to make for the kids although that will have to be for next year as I will probavly run out of time. Last year all my kids and husband recieved Pj from Santa the funny thing is that they saw me making them so I use a small fib “Santa calls me and tells me what he needs me to make for a special person but doesn’t tell me who and I wrap it and have it waiting on Christmas eve, then when he stops at our house he tells me who it is for” this has worked for years. As for handmade gifts being unappreciated, the only time I have given a handmade gift to someone who didn’t appreciate it is last year to my brother in law and he never appreciates anything that anybody gives him, the only thing that guy would apppreciate is cash so he could go and blow it at the casino. Six years ago I woodburnt plaues for everying in the family and my sister and sister in law have asked when I am going to make more because one sister got married and had a baby and the other one had a baby and they want to have one for everyone of their family members. I have even taken orders after Christmas for Items that I made for family at christmas that poeple like their friends and coworkers have seen and wanted one like it. My brother told me if this keeps up he’s gonna have me make up a catalog so he don’t have to call me and ask me how much I would want for making something. So yes handmade gifts are on my list every year, next year it is all handmade. I do food items also, My husband used to take my peanut brittle to the garage that he used to work at and one day he came home with four grocery bags of items that he knew I needed to make peanut brittle and informed me that he needed 50 quart bags by Friday that was wednesday, but I did it because I thought that he was being kind and handing them out when really people that came there likes it so much that he took orders. So handmade is the way to go, for me.
I love making gifts!
Last year I made my 3-year-old a huge set of blocks and a box to put them in, each block is painted differently, with things to do as he grows. Each has the standard letter or number on one side, then on some I painted a word onto, with some blocks having different punctuation so as he grows he can make sentences. On another side there is a phrase or quote for him to look back on long after I am gone. This endeavor took me 4 months, but a year later he still plays with them at leats once a week!
I occassonally make wreaths for a female member of the family, but not too often, as the supplies to make them often cost $100 or more.
A few years ago I got an unpainted gazebo at the craft store and ppainted it up and glued tiny lights in the roof for my mom, she loves it and uses it as a nightlight in her hallway.
This year I am making a set of garden markers for my mom since shes recently picked up that hobby.
I made different kinds of jellies this spring and summer. I also made fleece blankets with Sports themes and some with childrens themes. Now I’m working on fudges and cookies. I will also make some homemade jar candles. A little mixture of each in some baskets that I have and decorate them with ribbon, pinecones, a sprig of fresh pine and a bow. A nice gift without a lot of expense.
I envy all of you who have any sort of talent or skill to make anything! The only things I can make are food. If I sent out handmade gifts, people would be sending thank you cards to my toddler! If I could make anything, I would definitely do it!
A homemade christmas indeed!
Luckly i took an art/design course this year and am using most of my projects as christmas gifts. I did an artsy linoleum print of my finger print that came out pretty cool. I printed it many times in different colors to cater to my friends and families tastes.
I also made a couple clay things to give to my grandma and mother and made a paper mache snowman for my godmother.
I found this dolphin bottle for my friend at a tag sale and filled it with sand to give to her. Everything I’m giving away for christmas is cheap, handmade and will hopefully put a smile on my loved ones faces, not a grimace lol
I am making knitted afghans for the family this year. Anyone with basic knitting experience can make one pretty quick, simple and very cost conscious. Size 50 Yes 50. Huge, I know,
but they make a very beautiful afghan when completed.And start to finish it only takes about 6 hours. So you can crank out a few blankets in a week for about $10 each. I am using the basic red heart yarn. Using four strands fills in the holes made by the needles nicely. 2 skeins 6oz(can’t remember the length maybe 340yds?) yarn in main color, 1 skein 6 oz secondary color , one skein 6 oz accent color. Cast on 34 stitches, knit in stockinette stitch for 50 inches. Cast off and weave in ends Then cut 68 strands in each of the four colors to use as fringe on the begining(34) and ending(34) ends.
I like to use the stockinette stitch for about 8 stitches then turn and reverse the pattern. Meaning if you end with knit stitch begin the next row with knit stitch then continue with p,k,p,k then you can reverse again k,p,k,p, and again as many times as you like, making the texture of the afghan interesting.
You can also use the same size 50 needles and knit scarves using four strands as above by casting on 8 stitches and continue for desired length. Usually anywhere between 3′ and 7′ depending on the giftee.
Some of the coolest things I have ever received for christmas are things made by my children.
I still have the brick snowman painted by my son when he was 10 or so. He even gave it a mean, evil look on its face, because that was his sense of humor. Just last September when Hurricane Ike nearly blew my garage away, I was digging through the wreckage and came across that snowman in a bucket of rain water. It made me smile so wide, I almost didn’t care that I had no roof on the garage.
But I would be lying if I said I didn’t like store bought things too. Music, movies, fancy chocolates that I dont’ normally get to eat, computer games, shirts and bath robes, and so on.
My income since I retired has forced me to do hand made gifts, but since I’m an artist/crafter, that’s no hardship for me. Some of my family members have asked me not to make any more dust collectors. They know already that this year is going to be homemade regardless of requests. Some family members won’t be getting anything at all because I can’t afford the products to make that much stuff.
I always love creating gifts for people. I love to paint and lots of times I give something on that theme. They really appreciate it and put it to good use.
I would love to receive a quality handmade gift over a store bought one. It shows that thought really did go into the gift.
hi… im an artist. whenever i create art for someone’s birthday, i get abuse. my sister complains that i dont put any effort into it, and its just “really easy” for me to do it. they think it’s cheap.
im not so materialistic tho. the gift comes from my heart. my family cares more about how much a present costs, than what the present means
http://www.etsy.com is great! Thanks for the tip
For those who aren’t into knitting and such, fixing up old furniture (from eg. an antique / used furniture shop) is a good idea.
There’s also the gift of experiences… “gift cards” for massages, garden work, anything that is personal and based on your attention towards the person.
Handmade stuff doesn’t have to be mean just painted pasta and tea warmers…
I already made all my Christmas presents.I’m giving Comfort packs aka rice bags this year. I really use mine alot. I think my friends and family will enjoy the heat or coolness of the bag when they are hurting also.
I have been sorting through the pictures on my computer and organizing them into categories. I like to make slide show dvd’s with christmas music for the holidays. It makes people feel special I use windows movie maker, its super easy and fun. You can give one to each side of the family(spouses and yours) its a good way to put all of those digital photos to work that you havent printed yet.
Yep – I’ve been making stuff for Christmas for the last dozen or so years. I make a lot of wood knick-knacks, like jewelry boxes, back scratchers, puzzles and toy trucks and cars. My wife has been making soap from lye and oil for a couple of years now and last year she made soap and I made soap holders for the neighbors.
I have been a professional artist for over 10 years now. My busy time is always summer and the Christmas season. I sell my work at art&craft fairs around the community and now around the state of Wyoming. I’ve decided that what I don’t sell I will give as gifts. I draw Wyoming wildlife and portraits. I mat and frame them also and they usually go pretty well. I’ve earned a very good professional reputation around here. I am also a children’s book author and illustrator. Those haven’t taken off so well but I’m still pretty new at it so I’m going to be pushing those this craft fair season as well. Merry Christmas everyone!
I’m making all my Christmas gifts this year, but I have been making just about all of them for the past few years.
I’ve got about half of my gifts completed, and hopefully have enough time for the other half. So far I’ve made 2 hats, 1 scarf, 1 felted purse, 7 collectible dishcloths, 1 pair of fingerless mitts. I’ve got to finish 1 pair of slippers, 2 pair of fingerless gloves, 2 knitted dolls, a needle felted frog and 4 needle felted dove ornaments to place on gifts for the different families.
Hopefully I have enough time. I seem to be knitting the fingerless gloves pretty quick, and needle felting doesn’t take too long.
Wow, I’m sure glad my family isn’t as selfish as some of you! I’ve always made Christmas gifts, ever since I was three years old. To this day, my mom puts up my “wreath” that I made when I was 3! “Do I have to display this in my home?” No, you don’t, you can be heartless and throw it out. Jeesh people, get some compassion. I bet it’s people like you that make the Christmas shopping season miserable for the rest of us.
I’m definately thinking about going homemade this year. With the economy the way it is … it’s impossible to just make ends meet (especially sine I’m not working due to my maternity leave).
So I was going to make themed gift baskets for my family each being geared to something they are into. So far I have a movie night at home theme, beauty theme, beer theme, tired parents theme, and a bath tub theme. I might do a candle theme too.
But yeah that’s the way I’m going on this holiday since I’m not made of money.
Since I am horrible with creating gifts from scratch, I’m having a company make custom jewelry for my entire family and it’s only costing me $2.50 per item which is awesome because the price is low and you can’t make the product for any cheaper than what they are selling it for. I highly recommend jujucaps.com plus they are sincerely nice people and respond very quick!!!
Hey Tom thanks for the tip!! All my girl friends would love that stuff for Christmas! However, I think I might go green vs. homemade this year… check out GreenHome.com. They have some pretty awesome money saving gift ideas. Check it out I promise you won’t regret it!
-Rebecca
hehe haha she knows where my money is.hehe.:)))
That’s great, I never thought about handmade holiday like that before.
I also made home made gifts for Christmas, although I did not plan to do so. It is a nice feeling! I spent all spring, summer, and fall in my garden. I took pictures of butterflies and other wildlife in my back yard when the weather was nice. I also tried canning for the first time this fall. I was able to savor these hobbies over winter by giving them away as gifts for Christmas. I printed some of the most stunning photographs, and put them in frames for my family. I wrapped up numerous small jars of green tomato salsa for my friends. Everything was a big hit and very personal!
I have got some great ideas from this site. I love doing handmade gifts but I do think that there needs to be a balance, some gifts should be brought. If you are gonna buy something or make something mske sure the person recieving will actually use it
Here are some ideas –
1. Baskets of goodies – buy some old baskets, wash them and then fill them with loads of treats that the reciever would really want. E.G. If the person loved gardening fill it with packets of seeds and hand painted pots
I will write down some more ideas later