Christmas thoughts already..

[Syn D]

The cold weather has stopped and today was a nice spring day, yet I find myself only thinking about the coming Christmas... Not as much as who I am getting what, but things like ~ I wanna do the ornament and card exchange, what gifts can we make this year to save money, should I look for after winter sales to get our grandson some sweatshirts and hoodies for Christmas (we never get him clothes for Christmas), etc..

It's not odd for me to think of Christmas this early, last year I was done with my shopping by this time, but the amount of thought of it that consumed my day was odd..

Maybe it is due to the fact money will be really tight this year, cos' we have to save for a car (hubby broke mine), or cos' as I said, I was done last year by this time.. I don't know..

I would like to ask a question that goes with the money is really tight this year ~~ My hubby made our oldest daughter some throw pillows last year and she just loved them, she is a skull person and that's what the fabric was..

My question is, would it bother any of you if someone made and gave you throw pillows that fits your taste as a Christmas gift???

Hubby makes gem trees and I make earrings, but we have already gave many of those to the people on our list, we need something new..

Thank you in advance for your input...

[hotprincesscm]

I would love to receive homemade gifts. But I know that my family doesn't feel the same. I made some homemade gifts for family and they were nice about it, but I'm pretty sure they just thought it was weird. But I feel better about giving a homemade gift, it takes thought, time and love to dedicate to make something for each family member! I would love to receive homemade throw pillows that fit my decorating tastes...I think that's a very thoughtful gift! I am also thinking about Christmas. I have made two homemade gifts already, and working on the third. I'm trying to perfect my knitting and crocheting skills. I would also like to sew some things as well. Some basic shopper/tote bags for a couple of women/friends. I will also be making some mugs filled with homemade hot cocoa mix. I'm sure there will be some store bought gifts thrown in as well......But I love the crafting aspect and the creativity involved by homemade.

[Spirit Deer]

I think any gift suited to the taste of the recipient is appropriate, homemade or not.

I've been thinking a lot about homemade soaps lately. I've never made soap but some of the instructions I've been reading look simple enough, although of course there are always safety precautions to be observed when working with lye. Pretty baskets are cheap at garage sales, so it would be easy to make up gift baskets with homemade soaps, bath salts, and other HBA or spa products inexpensively to give as gifts. Who doesn't need soap? Some are even scented with things you can gather for free, like pine which would be a nice scent for men. Here are soap instructions including how to recycle used cooking grease or oil. I haven't tried these yet so can't say how well it turns out, but a small batch could be made as an experiment.

Baked goods could also be wrapped prettily in inexpensive baskets for gifts. Many baked items keep well in the freezer, so could be made ahead. Maybe not this far ahead though. If you bake bread and know people who don't, but who love homemade bread, there's another idea. Homemade caramel popcorn could also be given, and would freeze well so you could make it ahead.

If you sew, there's a whole other world of gift ideas. I ran across these jewelry bags last night. I think they would be great gifts for a teenage girl or an adult, and would also make up quickly and inexpensively for church bazaars or other types of craft fairs.

If you have more time than money and are having a difficult time thinking of a gift for someone, print up a gift certificate to do a chore for them, such as lawn mowing or housecleaning, or anything else they may like to take a break from. This works especially well for older people who can't do some tasks as easily as they used to, and who may not need anymore possessions. For Mother's Day this year, my mom has asked me to make her a bag for her new power chair. She already has the material she wants, so I will provide the design and the labor. (I used to get big bucks for doing that kind of thing!) We both win. She gets a professionally designed and created bag she wants and can use, I don't have to spend money. Like many older people, she's trying to reduce the clutter in her house and she's reached the point in her life where she does not need anything. Doing chores for her is what she really wants.

Good luck with your gift list. It's fun thinking about this stuff, as it gets the creative juices flowing.

[mauimagic]

I think it's time for those who do not appreciate something made specifically for them to address their attitude. What could be nicer than such a gift

I've given HM pillows for gifts and they have een received really well - and been used too!! I think it's a great gift 0 love giving seasonal pillows too!!

[MsMarieH]

I don't really use throw pillows all that much (though I have one for decoration on my bed), so I probably wouldn't be properly appreciative. I generally don't care for people trying to "decorate my house" for me, you know? So it depends on a number of factors. In general though, I don't think it's a bad gift at all, if selected with the things you know the recipient likes in mind.

If you can sew throw pillows, there are other options for sewing you could do as well, such as decorative cloth napkins (there are some GREAT fun prints out there!), a table cloth, table runner, etc.

I am trying to spread christmas throughout the year by designating one day each month (usually the 25th) to do something related to christmas. It could be trying a new christmas cookie recipe, buying a gift (this week I am hoping to buy toys for toys for tots at the Borders bookstore that is going out of business), etc. That way the cost, effort and joy of Christmas is spread throughout the year.

I will likely be doing "in a jar" gifts this year as last year I came across some fabulous deals on cases of quart mason jars. There are tons of recipes out there and when I have seen them in the store (like sometimes Cracker Barrel sells them), they can go for as much as $10 each. There are recipes for soups (bean, pasta, split pea, etc.), cookies (LOTS of cookie ones), brownies, dips, etc.

I am also planning to gift my home canned items like salsa and spaghetti sauce.

Fortunately over the years hubby and I have cut way back on gift giving and have gotten folks to agree to just wish each other a happy holiday or maybe do a jar of some homemade jelly or something instead of expensive gifts. That's one of the best ways to reduce costs!

[Syn D]

If you can sew throw pillows, there are other options for sewing you could do as well, such as decorative cloth napkins (there are some GREAT fun prints out there!), a table cloth, table runner, etc.

I don't sew and hubby is limited in the interest of it, but I can get the pillows out of him , but thank you for the idea...

[Debbie-cat]

I think homemade throw pillows are a wonderful idea. I have made some for family and friends and they really liked them (I can tell as they are on their sofas when I unexpectantly drop in.

[mauimagic]

Like the idea of cloth napkins too - very green and practical!!

[Momto5RN]

i would appreciate them more for my family room which has a theme ( game room - phiilies etc ) if done in a like theme or colors to match but not so much for my living room which i have a very hard time pickiness wise on my own finding ones i like . even when the right color its often not a size type of fabric or style i like.

i think they would be great for kids bedrooms in teams or themes etc they like -

i would also make sure you factor on the costs of the supplies which i rarely see done anymore when people talk of saving by making home made - when you figure your costs you may find its less to just get them a low $ gift card to a place they go to if its someone you are unsure of.

IE by watching sales and online coupons i have bought a phillies themed blanket for my son for less then half what it would have cost me for enough of a much lesser quality fleece to make the same blanket . Hand made isnt always less .
so figure a budget for it .

IMO hand made- store bought - etc whats important is that the reciever is thought of first when it comes to the gifting - and then a gift made or bought for them specifically with them in the thoughts and mind of the buyer / maker - is what makes a nice gift .
also the pleasure the maker gets out of making them too otherwise it takes the fun out of gift giving away if - it should be something that you feel good about doing it - not a chore.


i watched for excellent condition sports teams mugs glasses at thrifts and used them filled with home made choc covered pretzel rods once foor my dh and son - my dh was given a 6 pack of beer glasses a few years ago as a gift ( and he doesnt drink beer anymore LOL ) i filled them with the pretzels etc and wrapped and gave as a gift for men .

tea cup pin cushions were cute for woman and were something i felt would get used and not shoved in a closet and forgot about .

i would love to be able to swap things with people - because of my fibro i dont do as much crafting anymore - but i find some excellent deals when i walk the malls for exercise - ( which is why i did pretty well when i sold on ebay before it went kind of downhill lol )

any little kids you can make very easily crayon caddys that you unroll and have a spot for each crayone and roll back up

they have those neat things that hang from the side of your bed that hold a magazine and glasses etc that doesnt look real hard to so .

rice bags are simple ( and the ones i made were shaped like little pillows - and are 11 yo now and the ones i made my kids are still working )

[Rhiamon]

I would love them. I love homemade gifts and because of money this year with rent going up that is what everyone is pretty much going to get. So I have started to think about Christmas as well. I am thinking everyone is going to get a painting.

[Momto5RN]

one of my favorite gifts from my grandmother is a painting by her - not one of her best as her arthritis was getting bad but its of a tree in a yard ( has house and gardens etc in background ) and has two boys and two girls holding hands in a way they look like they are playing ring around the rosie around the tree.
at the time she painted it i only had 4 kids - i wish there was a way to add in my youngest son without ruining the pix but i would be afraid to try

[ravenmaniac]

I have been thinking about what kind of Christmas card to make next year. I want to make them on my summer break.

I joined mr. rebates at mrrebates.com and it is free. I am getting a check back for my purchases made through mr rebates. There are tons of stores like Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, Nordstrom to name just a few. You search for the item, mr rebates gives you a list of stores to choose from starting with the best price, after you purchase that item you wait a few weeks then you put in to get your check.

I have found that homemade items are well received. Maybe it is the people and family I exchange with, the gifts are appreciated.

I know I love homemade gifts. Knowing that someone put there time and effort into making the gift makes me feel good. I also like second hand gifts. It takes a lot of thought and time to find the right gift at a thrift store, yard sale, etc.

[mauimagic]

Rhiamon - what a great gift your paintings will make - how thoughtful!!

Since I make most of my gifts from materials on hand - and I have a lot of materials on Hand!! - very little cost material wise and I also get so much enjoyment from creating goodies!!