Hand Made Christmas presents

[Triskasue]

I usually handmake a portion of my Christmas presents each year after seeing something at a craft show or a picture in a magazine.

I haven't been inspired yet this year.

Does anyone have any good ideas for Christmas presents? I don't crochet or knit- so those ideas are out.

I made photograph sun catchers a couple years ago that were big hits. I usually wrap all my gifts in the brown wrapping paper with the brown twine. Last year, my bows were pine cones, raffia and bow-time macaroni that I had painted red, green, blue, and white.

I also made the spiced pine cones by painting them with diluted glue and then sprinkling cinammen and cloves on them. They smelled great for months.

Thanks for any input
Pattie

[brenda67]

Heres some ideas.

Hot & cold packs
Bubblebath jelly
pine cones dipped into melted crayons
bath bombs


I know theres alot of creative people here that will give you more ideas..

[Triskasue]

Ooooh - give me more info, please

Hot packs - is that where you sew beans or rice in a sack or old sock that can be microwaved?

How do you make cold packs, bubblebath jelly and bath bombs?

thanks
pattie

[Odilia]

These are ideas for kids that we've got on our list:

Bead maze toy

Learn-to-dress toy -- probably in a fabric book with pages for zipping, buckling, snapping, buttons, lacing, and velcro

Hide-and-seek bottle (discussed in recent thread)

Bean bag toss game -- we still have a cardboard Elmo game with a big open mouth that one of the boys received from his siblings almost 4 years ago! Thick cardboard holds up really well.

Magnetic chalkboard -- made with that metal sheeting painted with chalkboard paint. We'll either frame it for hanging on the wall or mount in on the lid of a box and do a sort of frame around that. The edges need to be covered, so it's safe. One of the kids had the great idea to tape off and paint a permanent tic-tac-toe board in one corner -- it could be played with magnet pieces or chalk!

Painting smock -- I've seen sweatshirts made into cardigans, so I'm thinking of cutting down the back center instead of the front center; finishing the edges, and adding ties, so it can be tied in back. The front can be decorated with fabric paint or iron transfers and pockets.

HM bubble wands and bubble solutions. When we've done this in the past, we bent wire around cookie cutters to get cute shapes on our wands. We finish the handle part of the wands with colored electrical tape.

Lacing cards

Fabric books of colors, shapes, or vinyl pockets to hold pictures (as in a "who loves Baby" book)

Flip books

Books on tape -- homemade recordings of favorite or original stories

Painted canvas floor mats -- roads, train tracks, neighborhood, etc...

Homemade games (can make a spinner using a margerine tub/yogurt lid or use dice). Pick a child's favorite game and then make your own version using people/places/events known to the child.

Marshmallow gun -- google this for instructions. The kids made one for our oldest boy last Christmas, and it's such a hit. My husband plays with it, too....LOL!

Lap desk -- this would be nice for anyone

Top Toss game -- I saw this in a catalog, and I think we can make a version from PVC pipe

Washers game -- another game I saw in a catalog -- for around $90!!! Easy for Hubby to assemble from scrap lumber, and a couple dollars worth of rope and paint.

That's all we've got jotted down at this point.

My kids made me lovely coasters one year just by cutting out fabric squares with pinking shears and gluing them on slightly larger squares cut from denim (old jeans).

We've decorated picture frames (puzzle pieces on one for Grandma, who's an avid puzzle builder; washers and small bolts, screws, etc. for my carpenter brother; dried leaves and twigs for the avid gardener sister, etc...)

[tbs727]

I'm making this for the women in our family. http://www.thegivingflower.de/?p=920

[brenda67]

Sorry for not giving you more info..I have to find the online sites that I got the other ideas from..


Bubble Bath Jelly Jars


Supplies:

1 packet Unflavored Gelatin
3/4 cup Water
1/2 cup Clear Liquid Soap or Bubble Bath
essential oils (or fragrance)
Food Coloring - optional
Small objects (silk flowers, toys, small figures, etc.)
Ribbon, Yarn or Raffia (for bow to tie label on jar)
Clear container with lid, such as a small glass canning jars





Instructions:

Empty the packet of gelatin into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Heat water in a saucepan, until just boiling. Immediately remove water from heat source. Carefully pour the hot water into the large mixing bowl and gently mix with gelatin powder. Allow gelatin to completely dissolve. Be patient! This may take a few minutes.

Slowly and gently stir in the liquid soap to the gelatin mixture. Add a drop of food coloring and 5-8 drops of fragrance oil. Be careful not to beat mixture or bath jelly will become foamy.

Pour mixture into a clean, clear container. Place your chosen small object inside container, nesting it inside jelly.

Refrigerate Bubble Jelly until set (about 4 hours). As the jelly sets, come up with a name for your creation. Then using your cardstock paper and ribbon, make a label for the jar. Attach label to bath jelly jar by punching a hole in one corner of the label. Thread ribbon, cut long enough to tie around the jar, through hole on label. Tie around the jar! (You can also decorate your jar with additional small items or dried flowers, as desired.)

To use: Scoop a small amount of jelly (1 - 2 Tbsp.) into your hand and hold under warm running water for a bubbly bath treat!

Note: This craft can be made for both children as well as adults! The container and object placed in the jelly can be adjusted to the likes and interests of the person you are making it for. Let your imagination run wild, and you can come up with some very imaginative bath jelly jars! Enjoy!



Fizzy Bath Bombs... Makes 7 medium sized bath bombs ...

These bath bombs make fantastic gifts - they are just dropped into a hot bath & they fizz & dissolve releasing a beautiful fragrance! Suprisingly easy to make, let your imagination run WILD & experiment with different oils & colours - I also like to add dried rose petals, dried lavender & fine glitter......the possibilities are endless! I use heart shaped moulds, friand cake tins & round Christmas baubles for moulds. Let me know your ideas! I buy the citric acid in a large bag from an Asian supermarket.

1 1/2 cups bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
1/2 cup citric acid, powder
2 teaspoons sweet almond extract
essential oils (or fragrance)
food coloring

First you need to make the base mix, to do this sift together the bicarb soda& citric acid in a large dry bowl.

Transfer 1/2 cup AT A TIME to another dry bowl, to this add any dried flowers, glitter etc.
Set aside.
In a small bowl mix together 1/2 teaspoon AT A TIME of almond oil, 6- 8 drops of your chosen essential oil& 6 drops of food colouring.
Pour the oil mixture into the 1/2 cup of base mix& mix QUICKLY before it starts to fizz!
Combine with your fingertips until all colour is evenly distributed.
Wipe a little sweet almond oil inside your moulds.
Fill the moulds with the mixture, packing it in firmly.
Repeat this process with 1/2 a cup at a time, using different fragrance/colour blends if you wish.
Leave the bath bombs to set for 24- 36 hours.
When set lightly tap the mould& ease out gently.
*Hotwater activates the fizzy bath bombs alot better than cold water!

[brenda67]

Heres another that I made for my Sil last Christmas and she loved it!


Original Irish Cream

1 cup heavy cream
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 cups Irish whiskey
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

1.In a blender, combine heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, Irish whiskey, instant coffee, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract and almond extract.
2.Blend on high for 20 to 30 seconds.
3.Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
4.Shake well before serving.
5.Will keep for 2 months if refrigerated.

I bought the bottle at the dollar store..Or you use your own empty bottle..

[brenda67]

Make Hot/Cold Packs



save remnants of material from sewing projects and cut a large square (I find one about 12 in. x 12 in. works great). I fold it in half, and sew around the edges leaving the top side (opposite the folded side) open and turn. I press it really well and sew evenly spaced lines, starting about one inch from the top (open end) to the bottom (closed end) parallel to the stitched sides. I usually sew two of these, making three evenly spaced "channels."

Into the channels, I place long cooking white rice into which I have mixed a few drops of essential oil (such as eucalyptus or lavender). I fill the channels, making sure I have left enough room to fold over the raw edge and stitch it closed across the top. I usually double stitch this top seam to avoid losing any grains.

Heat this in the microwave about one to one and a half minutes on high. Watch it carefully. It is great when you have a stiff back, cold, headache, etc. The eucalyptus is a wonderful addition for both aches and pains and stuffy noses. My kids fight over these in the winter. It is also nice to have them in the freezer for bumps, bruises, twisted ankles, etc. They retain the cold for quite a while and are flexible enough (like a bag of peas) to place around a knee, leg, elbow, etc. You can make a decorative tag to go with these on the computer.

[brenda67]

In regards to the pine cones dipped into melted crayons..Well I never made these but it's pretty much self explained..You use them for colorful fire starters..

[Edna_E]

MMMmmmm. That sounds good! I make have to make that for ME for Christmas!

[brenda67]

Candy Cane Bath Salts..


2 cups epsom salts
1/2 c. sea salt
4-6 drops peppermint oi
2-3 drops red food coloring

Place one cup of epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil.

Place the remaining ingredients in a socond bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or Jar. Half litre Naya water bottles work well because they have the stripes. tie with a ribbond and some small candy canes. Thsi makes a great holiday gift for friends.

If you are a good cook, try homemade cookies. I make cookies for gift giving. I put them in cellophane bags that are decorated with holiday print. Most craft stores carry those bags. Search the library for good recipes. Most people don't have time to bake so the gift is appreciated.

[brenda67]

Special Oils
Make home made vinegers and olive oils with used bottles ( wine , coolers any kind of bottle) Use herbs you grow ore buy fresh or dried at the store buy lrg olive oil at bulk stores as costco. Wash bottles dishwasher soak off labels make your own label. Small bottles stretch the budget do not buy bottles recycle. Red small Chile peppers look great experiment look at the gourmet bottles in the store and use the same herbs they use. I did it last year it was a real hit with requests for more.

[brenda67]

Special Spoons




Inexpensive home-made gifts for the Holidays. Buy a package of plastic spoons, perferrably in festive colors. Dip them in chocolate (melted chocolate chips work well) and shake off the excess. Place them on wax paper and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. After they dry, wrap them in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Put a few spoons in a coffee mug along with some individual hot cocoa or coffee packets and you have a great gift for those chilly nights!

[Dancing Lotus]

Just this morning I made some paded coat hangers for a friend.


-You will need plastic hangers.
-12 or so plastic shopping bags per hanger
-Tape
- 4 1/2 yards of riddon (1 1/2 inches wide) per hanger



1. To pad each hanger , wrap plastic bags evenly around it. Useing tape to hold the ends. Cover the entire hanger except the hook. IF you dont have enough plastic bags you can also use two or three garbage bags.

2. Next wrap the ribbon around the plastic bag padding , starting at the base of the hook but not covering the hook. Also leave a foot of extra ribbon so you can tie a bow .overlaping so you cant see any plastic.

3. when you get back to where you started, cut the ribbon so that you have another 1 foot tail , then tie the two ends together into a tight bow.

[pita1213]

to make the pine cone fire starters, you'll need an old muffin tin, parrafin wax, some string, and old crayons. wrap a piece of string around teh bottom of the pine cone leaving a tail that will be long enough to easily light once it's in the wax. melt hte parafin in a double boiler according to the package directions(you can use and old pot sitting on top of a slightly larger pot that is filled with simmering water.) drop the crayons in the melted wax to color it, then carefully pour the wax into the muffin pan. then put the pinecones into the muffin tin. the string should be cotton. if you don't have cotton string it can be left off as you can light the pine cones themselves. my mom always used the string.
if they don't pop out easily once they have cooled. pop them in the freezer for a bit and then they should pop out easily.