Ideas for Homemade Christmas Presents

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CatholicSam

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My husband and I would love to make some of the Christmas presents this year! We’ve given up all TV/DVDs from now until the New Year, and so we have lots of time in the evenings to DO things–like making Christmas presents. 🙂

Any ideas? Do any other families out there make Christmas presents instead of buying them? What were they? I’m really looking forward to this little “experiment”!
 
When I was about 15 my mom and I collected nice-looking pine cones and spray painted them silver and gold. Then my mom screwed small eye hooks on the bottom of the cone that she tied beautiful, christmas colored bows to. We tied silver, metallic string to each cone so it could be hung as a ornament. The people we gave them to LOVED the idea and creativity. We still see them hanging from Christmas trees of our loved ones.
 
Cookies are always good. I always bake dozens of cookies and give them to my extended family for Christmas. I make several different kinds, then mix and match them for each individual. My family knows we can’t afford to buy for everybody, but they seem to appreciate the effort that I’ve made-especially since the holidays are always so hectic for everybody.

Scout :tiphat:
 
Ever heard of movie baskets? You can get a decently priced DVD from Target or Wal-Mart, and stick it in a decorated basket with popcorn and candy.
 
CatholicSam said:
My husband and I would love to make some of the Christmas presents this year! We’ve given up all TV/DVDs from now until the New Year, and so we have lots of time in the evenings to DO things–like making Christmas presents. 🙂

Any ideas? Do any other families out there make Christmas presents instead of buying them? What were they? I’m really looking forward to this little “experiment”!
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**Good thing you didn’t give up CAF! 😉 **

**There are so many options here! It all depends on what your talents are. Painting, woodworking, sewing, needlepoint, etc. Be forewarned though that with today’s mass production economy, making your own items can often be MORE expensive than just buying it in the store. So if its something to save money, you will most likely fall behind. 😦 **

However, if its just for fun, then what a wonderful idea! 🙂 I always treasure homemade gifts, especially from those I love.

If you are really talented, you can save money by not buying “kits” and, rather, buying the materials in bulk and making lots of the same thing.

**However, if its a new craft/project, the kits are often the best way to go. They usually have instructions, as well as all the necessary equipment to get you started. **

**Also, you must find something you enjoy, or you won’t stick with it long enough to finish the project. Cross-stich is my thing. I love it and find it very relaxing. Now, some people love to cook/bake. I find that SUPER stressful, and only do what is ABSOLUTELY necessary for my husband and I to eat, and it sure isn’t gourmet. 😛 **

**I hope you find something fun for all of you. Don’t forget Joey. He’s certainly not too young to start some projects of his own. People LOVE things kids make, in fact, it just might make their day! 😃 **
 
Do you sew? Aprons are super easy and fun to make, if you start thinking about coordinating fabrics for a whole family, for example. You really don’t need to buy a pattern; just cut one out of paper & hold it up to yourselves.

Fruit baskets? (Kinda time/ripeness sensitive, I know, but…) Places like Walmart or even thriftier ones have good deals on baskets, then you pick out colored cellophane wrapping paper & fill it up with good stuff. Throw in some nuts and chocolates for the fruit-phobic.

Wreaths? Ornaments? Cookies and breads, for sure!
 
Don’t know if you sew or do crafty projects:

Lace Angel Tree Toppers are wonderful gifts along with home made christmas tree ornaments * I used small trees, Santas, Angels, Snowmen and fake snow. You can get all the stuff at your local craft store.

My daughter has been making wine glass charms for friends who entertain…they are usefull and can be personalized for the recipient …themes that peole collect - owls, cats, etc.

Remember the “pet rock” craze…I still have the Pet Rock Lighter my brother made that year…It is handy and pretty…sits on the mantel - is is a sculpted 4 X 4 post with a river run round rock on top…a hole drilled into the side at a slight angle to hold wooden matches [about 30 or so]…You strike the matches on the rock…use it all the time to light the fire in the fire place…

Can’t tell you how its made but my dad made my kids a teddy bear [20+ years ago] that climbs when they pull on the chords…it is a toy from the past - made with wood and string, my mom glued fake fur on the wooden bear…bet you could search it on the internet…It still climbs and intertains my grand kids now…He also made pistola and riffles that shoot rubberbands…don’t know how you feel about that - some people don;t allow any guns…we are country folks who hunt and fish…they were a big hit with the boys…

And then there is the mason jars with cookie ingrediences layered with the instructions for adding the eggs, oil and cooking directions…

👍 Good plan to make gifts from your heart and hands …my family does stuff like this all the time 😃 they are some of the best gifts… whether it is from financial need, boredom, creative passion or just because…*
 
Convert_in_99 said:
**Good thing you didn’t give up CAF! 😉 **
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Are you kidding me? No way am I giving up CAF unless it’s just 1) short term (a week or two max ;)), or 2) Lent…maybe! 😃
Convert_in_99 said:
**There are so many options here! It all depends on what your talents are. Painting, woodworking, sewing, needlepoint, etc. Be forewarned though that with today’s mass production economy, making your own items can often be MORE expensive than just buying it in the store. So if its something to save money, you will most likely fall behind. 😦 **

However, if its just for fun, then what a wonderful idea! I always treasure homemade gifts, especially from those I love.

If you are really talented, you can save money by not buying “kits” and, rather, buying the materials in bulk and making lots of the same thing.

**However, if its a new craft/project, the kits are often the best way to go. They usually have instructions, as well as all the necessary equipment to get you started. **

**Also, you must find something you enjoy, or you won’t stick with it long enough to finish the project. Cross-stich is my thing. I love it and find it very relaxing. Now, some people love to cook/bake. I find that SUPER stressful, and only do what is ABSOLUTELY necessary for my husband and I to eat, and it sure isn’t gourmet. 😛 **

**I hope you find something fun for all of you. Don’t forget Joey. He’s certainly not too young to start some projects of his own. People LOVE things kids make, in fact, it just might make their day! 😃 **
Click to expand...
Those are some great ideas, everyone! I would be open to trying all different kinds of things. I have sewn, made things with clay, made things with beads, I guess those are the main ones of recent times. But it would be fun to pick up something new too. So keep your ideas rolling! 🙂 I’m not doing it to save money, just for fun and to keep the consumeristic (is that a word?) feeling of Christmas shopping to a minimum.

Oh, and that is a cute idea to get Joey in on the action! I have used his crayon drawings as wrapping paper for his grandmother before, and she loved it 😛
 
I would suggest, if you know how to sew, to make pillows. You can chose from a variety of colors depending on who the pillows will be for. If its for a teenage girl, you might want to make it pink (approx. 12X12 inches). If its a teenage boy or young man, you might want to try a camouflage fabric for the pillow. If its a mature woman, you might want to try a fabric with sage colors or burgundy or black and whit in satin or lace. There are great characters patterns for children, too. They can put it in their rooms on their bed or even take it to work and put it on their work chair or they might have a couch there, too. You can also make it so that it can have a plastic window so that they can insert a picture approx. 4X6 inches.

Someone else suggested aprons, I think that is an excellent idea, too!

The baskets, oh my, those can look so beautiful, too and so inexpensive when filled out with snacks a little stuffed animal or fruit basket!
 
How about cookie, soup, etc. mixes in mason jars? That’s what I’m doing for the families in my MOMS group and other random folks. I figure baking cookies with mom (when most the work is already done) will perfect! I have a few cookbooks specifically for gifts in a jar. I was just looking through the ones for the crockport yesterday.

I also think I might do a few for a friend expecting a baby soon. I live too far away to bring meals over, so I’m sending mixes!

Oh, and your DS can help pour the ingredients into the jars!
 
Here’s the voice of dissent-- I dislike homemade gifts that to me are primarily dust collectors and rarely match my decor or taste. I’m not in to doilies, crocheted potholders, angels made from paperclips, etc. So, I can’t give you any ideas there.

However, I can give you some suggestions of things that I do like or have given to others-- anything edible, there are tons of magazines and books out with homemade gift ideas.

Also, it’s not totally homemade but it’s personalized-- that would be to collect family photos and compile a family history book with pictures and text using one of the really nice bookmaking programs available now such as www.mypublisher.com (I believe snapfish has a similar product). I did several mypublisher books for family last year, it was easy and very professional looking.

I also like the idea of taking a family photo and making it into canvas art (www.qualitycanvasphotos.com or www.canvasondemand.com for example)

Collecting recipes and making a family cookbook would be cool too-- places like Staples or Kinko’s can make nice books.
 
There are litterally hundreds of websites with ideas/plans etc. out there. It depends on your interests and skills and the interests of those receiving the gifts.

Parents can be particularly difficult.
One year I gave my mother a “personall” spiritual bouquet.
I gave her a card which promised that I would pray 3 rosaries per day during the month of January. These would be for whatever intention she wished.
It was a present she always charished.

James
 
JRKH said:
There are litterally hundreds of websites with ideas/plans etc. out there. It depends on your interests and skills and the interests of those receiving the gifts.

Parents can be particularly difficult.
One year I gave my mother a “personall” spiritual bouquet.
I gave her a card which promised that I would pray 3 rosaries per day during the month of January. These would be for whatever intention she wished.
It was a present she always charished.

James
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Wow, that has got to be the best gift ever! I would take that over some material gift any day! 👍 Thanks for the idea–I bet none of those hundreds of crafts websites have *that *idea!
 
When we had just one baby at home, I didn’t always know what to do with myself, so I taught myself how to crochet. Everyone’s skill level is different (for instance, I still can’t seem to get knitting! :rolleyes: ), but I picked up crocheting pretty quickly.

Anyway, if you learn that or already know how to do it – a few nice afghan blankets or throws would be super easy to crank out before Christmas. And if you know what people’s living rooms or bedrooms look like, it would be easy to match.

One caution…yarn can be expensive if you are going to do something big. Sometimes, buying a blanket can even be cheaper, but I know that people (myself included) always appreciate the homemade touch. It just means more.
 
1ke said:
Here’s the voice of dissent-- I dislike homemade gifts that to me are primarily dust collectors and rarely match my decor or taste. I’m not in to doilies, crocheted potholders, angels made from paperclips, etc. So, I can’t give you any ideas there.
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Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of. I’m scared people will dislike my homemade gift and wish I’d have gotten them the shiny thing from the store. Oh well, people are always free to do whatever they like with their gifts 🤷 I know I’ve donated plenty of store-bought gifts to Goodwill!

But contrary to your statement, you *did *give me some great ideas, thanks! 😃 (no, not the dust collectors, but the photo books, canvases, etc.)
 
I second gifts in a jar. A jar w/ ready to make cookie dough would come in handy when someone has to take a dessert to a get together. —KCT
 
YADA said:
Don’t know if you sew or do crafty projects:

Lace Angel Tree Toppers are wonderful gifts along with home made christmas tree ornaments * I used small trees, Santas, Angels, Snowmen and fake snow. You can get all the stuff at your local craft store.

My daughter has been making wine glass charms for friends who entertain…they are usefull and can be personalized for the recipient …themes that peole collect - owls, cats, etc.

Remember the “pet rock” craze…I still have the Pet Rock Lighter my brother made that year…It is handy and pretty…sits on the mantel - is is a sculpted 4 X 4 post with a river run round rock on top…a hole drilled into the side at a slight angle to hold wooden matches [about 30 or so]…You strike the matches on the rock…use it all the time to light the fire in the fire place…

Can’t tell you how its made but my dad made my kids a teddy bear [20+ years ago] that climbs when they pull on the chords…it is a toy from the past - made with wood and string, my mom glued fake fur on the wooden bear…bet you could search it on the internet…It still climbs and intertains my grand kids now…He also made pistola and riffles that shoot rubberbands…don’t know how you feel about that - some people don;t allow any guns…we are country folks who hunt and fish…they were a big hit with the boys…

And then there is the mason jars with cookie ingrediences layered with the instructions for adding the eggs, oil and cooking directions…

👍 Good plan to make gifts from your heart and hands …my family does stuff like this all the time 😃 they are some of the best gifts… whether it is from financial need, boredom, creative passion or just because…*

This was such a fun and creative post to read! Your dad’s climbing bear sounds so special 🙂 You really capture the spirit of making your own gifts that I’m trying to go for 👍 Reminds me of the wooden stilts my dad made for me when I was a kid. Boy those things were fun! 😃
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My husband began making his own homebrew this year and we have been giving it out as birthday gifts…it has proven to be very popular! And Dh is really enjoying the creative side of the process…trying out different kinds of beer…adding different flavourings…having in-depth conversations with other homebrewers on the pros and cons of their brewing set-up. 🙂

For mother’s day this year we gave my Mum a few bottles of homebrew (in nice glass bottles), a voucher to hire a DVD and a little selection of nibbles like her favourite potato chips and nuts. The card (homemade) said “Put your feet up and have a relaxing night in!” It was well received, fun to put together and very inexpensive.

My family has always given voucher gifts or a little book of vouchers like “One free massage for Mum” “One night off doing the dishes”. They seemed to carry so much more meaning because we put in lots of thought, time and effort.

Another year DH and I gave Mum a voucher promising to come over and clean her house…another “put your feet up” theme. She LOVED it! Unfortunately my dear MIL does NOT like these kinds of gifts and seems to prefer the useless shiny store stuff! Oh well.

I love homemade gifts. I agree that dust collectors are not always welcome, but practical, useful or edible gifts always seem to be appreciated. I also like wrapping paper and cards made from children’s artworks…these are especially appreciated by grandparents!

I wish I could come up with some good homemade ideas for pre-teens and teens. We have many nieces and nephews and they have many many things they neither need nor really want. I hate just adding to the pile of stuff and I try hard to come up with useful presents but it is getting very expensive with so many to buy for. It seems maddness to be giving the child with everything…one more “thing”. :whacky:
 
There’s a million things you could make! Depends on who you’re making them for as to ideas…

Blankets have always been a popular one. I’ve done a couple scrapbooks, written poems and then framed them, decorated frames and put a picture in them. My DH wrote out “The Story of Us” for our anniversary - from how we met to now (which isn’t very long - two and a half years really), but it could spark an idea for a Christmas present :).

My mom likes to make gingerbread manger scenes and lots of plates of cookies. We always gave our teachers decorated gingerbread men and angels. 🙂
 
Last year my youngest grandson and I did our presents as a joint venture. Went over well. He did the art work and I scanned it onto Iron on fabric then made aprons for the men and slippers for the women. Went over very big. And we had a ball doing it. This year we are doing cookies and candy. And they will all have a tag on them that says hand made by Kevin with Grandma’s help. It is great fun. And we spend alot of the year getting Ideas. He loves it because we do not let anyone know and it is our little secret. We give little hints but no one really knows. He is 9 this year so the cookies and candy will be alot of fun for both of us. I have most of my life made my gifts for Christmas. From quits to down jackets, lots of dolls and army outfits. When my mom was still here and my children were growing up it was a big thing for grandmas package to come because it was filled with homemade jam and jellies some sweet and dill pickles, tons of cookies and candies. Always a Christmas blessings and a family tridition we keep alive. There are lots of ideas from fancy breads and vinigars, homemade soap is a good one or your own sented candles, lots of things, second hand stores where you can find a lot of old door knobs and make the cutes little towel holders. Kind of your own little created thing. And you are recycling. It makes for fun things to do. We always have something for the empty stocking in our town. Several gifts of some kind for that but it is made. Some times it is a family quilt or a hand made doll or something on that order. Hope this helps.
 
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