Homemade Holiday Presents! Lets help each other! Ideas WANTED!

[GraceLuvsWDW]

One year I made magnets that were a big hit. Get the clear flat stones they sell in the mesh bags at the craft stores. Also buy little button magnets. Cut out pictures or any cute thing you find in a magazine. Hot Glue the clear flat stone to the picture and then to the magnets. Works really well and everyone still has them on their fridges.

 

[JackJack08]

Big Bump....but there are such great ideas here!!

 

[hipchickie]

first, some stuff we have done in the past

dartboards for the guys - we got fairly cheap dartboards at walmart (I think they were about $10 each, then we made several bags of snacks (chex mix, sweet and spicy nuts, etc) and taped them to the package

Jars of homemade hot chocolate mix

We often try to make something out of things we grew - we have made grape juice, foccacia mix with our own herbs, canned salsa from our garden...one year we made breakfast baskets with our own grape jelly, homemade pancake mix, a couple small quick breads (like banana) coffee, etc.

This year the kids are going to make these keystone paver snowmen that we saw in family fun. This is a website from a woman that does lots of other designs if anyone is artistic - http://www.porchpalsnmore.com/everyday.htm

 

[JackJack08]

There is a magazine out right now "225 Cards and Gifts" anyone seen it? Just wondered if there is any good ideas in it??

 

[sylvenmaid]

I didn't even realize how old the original post was. These are some really wonderful ideas. I do have some sewing experience, and have made simple fleece robes that zip down. I did this a few years ago, but I paid around $12 each including the zipper. It was a huge hit. I was going to make a Snuggie but then I found something better in the LTD catalog for about $8. I'm going to buy that for dh's granny. She's always freezing during the winter. DS really wants a Snuggie so again I saw the kid's one in that same catalog for $10 and it does include the socks. Much cheaper than the TV price.

I think I might make a journal cover for my best friend out this funky cat fabric I have. I will also get her a nice pen, bookmark, stickers, and some stationary. She loves cats!

I also have a ton of Tupperware from when I sold it so giving that away. I will use some of the bowls to make gift baskets. I love making themed gift baskets. Movie ones are always a huge hit. Wait for Black Friday and get lots of cheap DVD movies. I get them for $2-3 each at WM. I bought $25 worth last year. I'm also planning on making some homemade goodies. My mom makes homemade peppermint patties (so good) and peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. My dh goes nuts for these each year.

Last year I made a big batch of milk bath using 1/2 Calgon powder bath and 1/2 powdered milk. It was a huge hit and cost about $8 total. I had enough for at least 10 people which I put in a small Tupperware bowl. My ds's teachers loved it along with the mail lady.

 

[HLDisney]

I think I just came up with my gift for friends this year - reusable fabric grocery bags! I found a lot of different patterns online and these are some of the ones I like best:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/04/one_of_the_medi.html

http://www.morsbags.com/

http://blog.creativekismet.com/2007/10/27/pillowcase-tote-tutorial/

I have a lot of fabric at home left over from quilting and craft projects so I should be able to do these without too much cash outlay.

Helen

 

[5 'LIL *TWINKERS*]

http://www.familycorner.com/homegard...el_angel.shtml

Dishtowel angels!

I made many of these for xmas gifts last year. For teachers, bus driver, family, friends. They literally take less than 10min. to make!

In the link it looks like they used pretty cheap towels. I got mine at Target, they were a little nicer towels and dishclothes. I made them all different color towel, ribbon and potholder combinations. You could use whatever you want though. I also did not tie "the hands" together either. My poem was a little different too......

"I am your kitchen angel, I'll watch over all you do, Baking all those goodies and snitching one or two! And if you ever tire of me, or some help is what your wish is, just untie my little ribbons, and I'll help you with the dishes!"

Attached with a ribbon somewhere on your angel.

I have also given away potholder mitts with a brownie or muffin mix inside and recipe instructions included.

 

[jenlynn0808]

I've made at least one family member a fleece blanket the last four x-mas and 3 for Birthdays (they were requested-from DS4 and DNephew4). I wait for a good seal on the fleece or I use a 40% off coupon from Joann's (add it with an extra 10% off purcahse ). Walmart has even let me look through the catalogs and orded the bolt of fleece I wanted, and I only needed about 2 yards (it was for a smaller blanket). The are easily individualized. I put a solid fleece on the back and a printed fleece on the front.

 

[sharonmickey]

twinkers - I cannot get the link you provided for the dish towel angel to work. When I click on the link it says page not available. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[cmac609]

I didn't even realize how old the original post was. These are some really wonderful ideas. I do have some sewing experience, and have made simple fleece robes that zip down. I did this a few years ago, but I paid around $12 each including the zipper. It was a huge hit. I was going to make a Snuggie but then I found something better in the LTD catalog for about $8. I'm going to buy that for dh's granny. She's always freezing during the winter. DS really wants a Snuggie so again I saw the kid's one in that same catalog for $10 and it does include the socks. Much cheaper than the TV price.

I think I might make a journal cover for my best friend out this funky cat fabric I have. I will also get her a nice pen, bookmark, stickers, and some stationary. She loves cats!

I also have a ton of Tupperware from when I sold it so giving that away. I will use some of the bowls to make gift baskets. I love making themed gift baskets. Movie ones are always a huge hit. Wait for Black Friday and get lots of cheap DVD movies. I get them for $2-3 each at WM. I bought $25 worth last year. I'm also planning on making some homemade goodies. My mom makes homemade peppermint patties (so good) and peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. My dh goes nuts for these each year.

Last year I made a big batch of milk bath using 1/2 Calgon powder bath and 1/2 powdered milk. It was a huge hit and cost about $8 total. I had enough for at least 10 people which I put in a small Tupperware bowl. My ds's teachers loved it along with the mail lady.

OH, I LOVE peppermint patties, do u have your mom's recipe. I would love it if she doesn't mind. And also the pb balls? My ds and dh was just love that. They both LOVE chocolate and pb candy.

The milk bath looks easy. All u do is mix the power bath and powered milk together...that is it??

I love both of these ideas...

 

[cmac609]

I didn't even realize how old the original post was. These are some really wonderful ideas. I do have some sewing experience, and have made simple fleece robes that zip down. I did this a few years ago, but I paid around $12 each including the zipper. It was a huge hit. I was going to make a Snuggie but then I found something better in the LTD catalog for about $8. I'm going to buy that for dh's granny. She's always freezing during the winter. DS really wants a Snuggie so again I saw the kid's one in that same catalog for $10 and it does include the socks. Much cheaper than the TV price.

I think I might make a journal cover for my best friend out this funky cat fabric I have. I will also get her a nice pen, bookmark, stickers, and some stationary. She loves cats!

I also have a ton of Tupperware from when I sold it so giving that away. I will use some of the bowls to make gift baskets. I love making themed gift baskets. Movie ones are always a huge hit. Wait for Black Friday and get lots of cheap DVD movies. I get them for $2-3 each at WM. I bought $25 worth last year. I'm also planning on making some homemade goodies. My mom makes homemade peppermint patties (so good) and peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. My dh goes nuts for these each year.

Last year I made a big batch of milk bath using 1/2 Calgon powder bath and 1/2 powdered milk. It was a huge hit and cost about $8 total. I had enough for at least 10 people which I put in a small Tupperware bowl. My ds's teachers loved it along with the mail lady.

OH, I LOVE peppermint patties, do u have your mom's recipe. I would love it if she doesn't mind. And also the pb balls? My ds and dh was just love that. They both LOVE chocolate and pb candy.

The milk bath looks easy. All u do is mix the power bath and powered milk together...that is it??

I love both of these ideas...

 

[Kate and Pete]

I came across this site today: www.craftster.org - lots of great ideas - I've already made a scarfy/necklace thing from it.... http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=319479.0

 

[ontariomonkey]

1. Wreath photo frame ornament:

Cut a nice photo of a loved one into a circle

Paint some old puzzle pieces green

Arrange the puzzle pieces in a circle on the edge of the photo then do another layer, overlapping to fill in gaps and create depth.

Glue a ribbon bow on the bottom

Voila! I put a cardboard backing on and attached a the ribbon onto that for hanging on the tree.

2. Family tree canvas tote:

Buy a blank canvas tote ($3 from Walmart)

You are going to use fabric paint and will paint the names of your family in such a manner that you will create the outline of a tree. I did my parents, me and my siblings and all the children.

For the trunk: Mum and Dad's names written vertically from bottom of bag to about half way up.

Branches: Each sibling and her partner written at an angle to look like tree branches.

Twigs: Each grandchild's name is written sticking out at an angle from thier paren'ts names.

Now fill in the spaces with leaves. I used three different shades of green and just made a pointy oval shapes over and over.

I will post pics of the bag if I can figure out how, the ornament is packed away in the cristmas box.

 

[binny]

here is the bag I made last year for DD

the link to it is here, there are instructions there as well.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2026684&highlight=I-spy+bag

 

[binny]

Here are the instructions


Ok I will print out what I figured out. I just went by a picture online and winged it.


1) cut your fabric, this one is about 10X10 or so. The oustide fabric is a very light flannel so I added a thicker fabric as a backer.

2)On whatever piece is going be your front, cut out your center, again I just eyeballed it. I think the opening is about a 4X6 or. I only put the window on one side. Dont know if it would work to put it on both sides but it might?

3)cut a larger than your opening piece of plastic from a comforter bag or some other heavy weight plastic. I have about an extra 1/2 inch on all sides, doesnt have to be perfect

4) Sew plastic with zig zag stitch so that it is very secure. Sew close to the opening, not the outer edge of the plastic.

5) place fabric right side in and make a bag, leave about a 2 inch opening on side to fill.


6) turn bag right side out and fill half way with rice, then add several small toys, think whatever is in the bottom of your toy box! BEFORE you add the toys make an inventory of what youre putting in!
then add more rice until many of the toys are hidden.

7) find a ribbon that you like and add an empty keychain to it.

8) print out your toy inventory list and laminate it, again I cut it down to about 4X6. If you dont have a laminator, office depot will do it for I think 13 cents a sheet. Punch a hole in one corner and add to keychain.

9) put the ribbon about 1/2 in into the bag opening and sew up the top!


You just want to make sure that this is really sealed and that none of the toys could poke a hole in the plastic. Also find a fabric that is heavy duty and yet soft. A thick flannel or fleece might be good.


It really is self explanatory. I figured that all out from the picture.

 

[kathy320]

I did not read all 400 and some posts so forgive me if this was already posted. I make my own red sauce. Last year for my DD's teachers at school and at dance I gave them a 24 oz vacumm sealed jar of homemade suce. I just tied a pretty ribbon around it!!!

 

[Schmoodle]

I always try to make as many gifts as I can. I think it's more personal, and I treasure the handmade gifts I receive.
Every year we make a photo calendar for my husband's side of the family. They are overseas and don't get to see our kids much, so they like it a lot. My parents and grandmother also get one.
We try to come up with an ornament to make and pass out each year. We have a nice collection of these from over the years.
We have done lots of food gifts - jellies, salsas, candy, breads, etc.
One year I knitted scarves for all the ladies - I'm not much of a knitter, but this was very easy to do.
I did a family genealogy and had it bound for my dad's side of the family. Everyone loved this!
I needlepoint and get these framed for gifts.
Last year I made towel angels - you can google these, they are really cute.
Beeswax candles one year.
Clear glass plates hand painted with a Celtic Christmas Design (I know - Christmas/Celtic, whatever, it was pretty).
This year, I am making cute retro aprons for the ladies in the family.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, but I am always looking for ideas, so I plan to take the time to read all the posts!

 

[luvsJack]

I always try to make as many gifts as I can. I think it's more personal, and I treasure the handmade gifts I receive.
Every year we make a photo calendar for my husband's side of the family. They are overseas and don't get to see our kids much, so they like it a lot. My parents and grandmother also get one.
We try to come up with an ornament to make and pass out each year. We have a nice collection of these from over the years.
We have done lots of food gifts - jellies, salsas, candy, breads, etc.
One year I knitted scarves for all the ladies - I'm not much of a knitter, but this was very easy to do.
I did a family genealogy and had it bound for my dad's side of the family. Everyone loved this!
I needlepoint and get these framed for gifts.
Last year I made towel angels - you can google these, they are really cute.
Beeswax candles one year.
Clear glass plates hand painted with a Celtic Christmas Design (I know - Christmas/Celtic, whatever, it was pretty).
This year, I am making cute retro aprons for the ladies in the family.

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, but I am always looking for ideas, so I plan to take the time to read all the posts!

The handpainted plates sounds interesting. How hard was this? And, did it cost a lot for the supplies?

I am hoping to really cut some corners this Christmas and would love something special to make my Mom, MIL and GMIL.

 

[tinkerbell423]

Wow It took me most of the afternoon and evening but I read all 30 pages and have some great ideas for some cool gifts

Here are some I have done:

My nephew lives far away so to help him stay connected with his far off family members I made a memory game using family photos. I printed a close up of each family member in wallet size twice. Cut and laminated the cards.

I am also makeing T-shirts for everyone using the disgins for the boards. The kids have loved getting shirts with their names on them

My Aunt has made our upcoming trip possible so i sewed a tote bag (for her to use at the world) and i am adding an iron on on the poctet that says fairy godmother to with all the children's names

 

[Cinder-Belle]

Subscribing.

Thanks for all the ideas!!

I'm sure that it has been said, but I am doing homemade, gourmet-style, flavored nuts. I was going to use jars and I will for some, but I just got a sweet deal on pretty custard dishes. Could be used as nut dishes or on table for butter/sour cream. Will be putting nuts in these dishes with colored wrap and ribbon. My mom is putting hers in those clear Christmas bags.

Photo Ornaments- Also using an idea that I saw on VeraBradleylife dot com. It was also in their latest catalog. You can make ornaments out of cookie cutters. You back them with photo copied pictures or pretty paper. Tie a ribbon on top to create the hanger. They look cute in the catalog and online. You can get cookie cutters pretty cheap if you buy in bulk. I will need a bunch so that will be good for me.

You can also create a wreath with a group of cookie cutters and a bigger ribbon.