homemade gifts

**perSue** · 02-15-2008, 01:51 PM

okay i'm making a list of gifts to give this year - any time, any occassion.
i dont usually follow a calendar for gifts, but do like to have things on hand for those who expect them (ie, kids, others who give you a gift & have that "look of expectation", some holidays).

so, what ideas do you have for homemade gifts that go over well for both men and women?

be it made of wood, metal, thread/yarn, or cooking, scrapping, etc.

**luvs2scrapbk** · 02-15-2008, 06:48 PM

I lost my job in October, so I have been making gifts as often as possible!!
I found different websites for making fleece scarves. Very affordable! I bought some black and grey fleece at JoAnn's, cut some are 55 " long and some are 72" long. I bought a rotary cutter like they suggested but I am sure good scissors would work.

Also, I have been having fun with felt and embroidery thread. I made some heart coasters for my niece, dd and ds gf that cost pennies.

Tole painting can be fun too on wood, welcome signs, "wipe your paws" I still want to make one for my ds that says
"don't make me come down there.....God"

I am still working on learning to crochet, I made a scarf but I am still not good enough to give one as a gift, hopefully by Christmas!!

**suki** · 02-15-2008, 07:03 PM

My gifts run the gamut and depend on my mood and the person. Anything from homemade jewelry to decadent caramel/chocolate nut dipped apples or a box of homemade candies.

Some things I've made in bulk for gifts include:
Bath Salts
Spiced Tea Mix
Placemats and Napkin Rings
Candles
Soaps

Ugh... I can't think. We've done homemade gifts for 10 years now and I can't remember all I've done over the years. I get bored and try new things all the time.

**sweetlittle** · 02-15-2008, 09:37 PM

I usually give special jams and jellies and pickles with something fresh baked.

**imforpeace** · 02-16-2008, 07:58 PM

I made gift baskets one year for each family or couple. I made soaps, smelly jelly {air freshener}, bath salts, candy, cookies etc and added a disposable camera and cinnamon scented pine cones for that something extra. They were a big hit. It took a few weeks to pull it all together but so worth it. Homemade is so much better than store bought!

**freyadog** · 02-16-2008, 09:33 PM

One year I made ds, ddil and dgd stockings. HUGE stockings. They live in Pa. I stuffed those things full because I had bought all year at sales, dollar stores etc. They were thrilled.

This year my grand-niece who is 12 a christmas stocking that looks like a cowboy boot and an apron with horses all over it. she rides in competition so thought it would be something that she would enjoy. My sister is getting an apron with cows(free material) on it and a cookbook on crockpot cooking that I got for a 1$. Thats all I've got completed at the moment.

I am also working on a Monday washday, Tuesday ironing, Wednesday etc. raggedy ann wall hangings. I am doing these free motion on the sewing machine. There of course is 7 of them. and I will have dh cut dowls or twigs whatever to hang them from.

I saw a picture of a coat rack in a catalog. It was made of limbs of a tree. The bottom looked like it was a limb that had separated into 3 sections. the parts where you hung your coats and hats was nothing but small crooked limbs that had been screwed into the main branch. Of course there was no bark on it and it had been varnished. I was thinking of something like this for my bil.

**known2him5** · 02-16-2008, 11:18 PM

For kids -- I make puppets. . . sewn ones from fabric scraps or reclaimed fabric from old clothing . . . knitted / crocheted ones. . . plastic canvas ones.

Even finger puppets are a welcome treat for little ones.

**dolphin** · 02-16-2008, 11:59 PM

I was surprised to find out how many men/older boys like quilts. Just make them twin size or a bit bigger so they can wrap themselves in them. Also make the theme more manly like racing, hunting, gaming, things that they love. If you have to buy the fabric new, consider the theme, get a yard or 2 of that and then make the rest of the quilt with matching fabric in solids that you get for around $1 to $2.00 a yard. You can end up make a gorgeous quilt for under $10.00 if you try hard and use what you have or can get cheaply.

Dishtowels: Cut muslin 18"x22" and hem 1/4" all around. Cut out shapes like hearts or doggies, etc., and apply 'wonder under' to them. Iron on and whala! You have a really cute dishtowel! A role of wonder under is expensive but will last forever!

Make a quilt block of any kind. Attach ironing board cover fabric and include some batting. Sew wrongside out, turn and hand sew closed. REally cute potholders!

Baskets are always great and you can gear it toward the person. They have always been a big hit for me because when I do them, I consider the person and what their 'likes' or home themes are.

I have found that even a plain loaf of white bread wrapped pretty in clear plastic with a bow is a very good gift since not many of my friends bake their own bread. They recall it being just like Mom used to make, lol.

Pumpkin and Bananna Loaf bread is also popular as well as Zuchinni bread. Most teenagers would LOVE a dozen or 2 of homemade chocolate chip cookies!

If you do a search here on FV you will find MANY gift projects that have been done in the past.

Most people don't remember years later the gift that they got, it's the thought and the fact that they received a gift from you that counts.

Last year I made dishtowels and quilted potholders for my mother-in-law. Don't know her very well and only met her one time in 32 years but I got the sweetest thankyou from her. No one had ever taken the time or thought to make her something like that and she was much appreciative and I believe will always cherish those gifts no matter that they basically only cost me the time and the cost of shipping.

**perSue** · 02-17-2008, 12:01 AM

these are great ideas!
thank you everyone.

i've gotten inspiration from here and also taking a trek out to a craft store today. so many options, so little time!

thanks

**dolphin** · 02-17-2008, 12:34 AM

knowntohim5

Even finger puppets are a welcome treat for little ones.

That's a great idea! I have a finger puppet pattern that you make the 3 piggies and the red riding hood and the big bad wolf out of a regular white garden glove. Thanks for the reminder! There are also lots and lots of idea's online. Do a search for BoyScout and GirlScout crafts also as they are normally very economical and easy to do projects and things that kids love. They usually have ideas for making moms and dad's things also.

**imforpeace** · 02-17-2008, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by hunertime

imforpeace - How do you make smelly Jelly??

Hunertime,

Here ya go:

Smelly Jelly
2 Cups liquid potpourri
4 pkgs plain gelatin
2 T salt

Heat 1 C potpourri and the salt in a saucepan. Add gelatin and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and add second cup of potpourri, stir until dissolved. A small bit of dried flowers or dried potpourri may be added before the gelatin sets. Pour mixture into small jars or votive holders. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use so it doesn't evaporate. Decorate the tops with ribbon if desired.

I found many jars at thrift stores or yard sales and the potpourri was at the dollar store. It's pretty easy and inexpensive to make! The best part is that it almost completely evaporates so there's no waste.

**imforpeace** · 02-17-2008, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by imforpeace

Hunertime,

Here ya go:

Smelly Jelly
2 Cups liquid potpourri
4 pkgs plain gelatin
2 T salt

Heat 1 C potpourri and the salt in a saucepan. Add gelatin and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and add second cup of potpourri, stir until dissolved. A small bit of dried flowers or dried potpourri may be added before the gelatin sets. Pour mixture into small jars or votive holders. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use so it doesn't evaporate. Decorate the tops with ribbon if desired.

I found many jars at thrift stores or yard sales and the potpourri was at the dollar store. It's pretty easy and inexpensive to make! The best part is that it almost completely evaporates so there's no waste.

I forgot to add that this recipe makes 2 cups and that I found that the smaller jars set up better than the larger jars did. {votive or slightly larger}

**geckoace** · 02-27-2008, 05:30 PM

This was in cookie mag this issue and i thought it was a super simple idea and very adaptable to whatever the child's interests are. it's a DIY "dollhouse" made of foam board that comes apart for travel or storage.
http://www.cookiemag.com/magazine/bl...dollhouse.html

**POOTERSMOMMY** · 02-27-2008, 07:46 PM

Love all the ideas. I am a big basket person. Have done baskets for years. Many different themes. We've done movie night (a tape or DVD with all the munchies you'd get a movies), cajun theme (all spicey foods and mixes), college care baskets, beauty baskets for young teens, HM jar baskets (full of jar recipes), comfort foods (tom/chicken noodle soup, cocoa wheat, hot choc mix, hot cider mix, etc) Always include a puzzle, puzzle book, or reading book (most bought a yard sales or recycled from my house), Soups of all sorts. You name it. Pick a theme, then go with it. I get stuff cheaply for months, baskets are either clearance or garage sale.
I have made alll the nephews no sew fleece throws in past years. The oldest one didn't get one, and begged for one. He got one a little later. Made neices no sew fleece ponches 2 years ago. They are still wearing them (they look so cute with jeans) Jean purses, pillows, you name it, I've made it.

I have people ask each year if they get care baskets again. They all love them. The kids tell me when they think they are old enough for gift baskets. It gets younger every year!

Have fun with your projects