2011 - Homemade Christmas Challenge

**McD** · 12-29-2010, 10:59 AM

My SIL will have a 6 month old daughter by Christmas 2011, so I think I'll be making her the Sadie's Capelet from the book One More Skein by Leigh Radford. This website has a picture of it. Maggie has one also.

sadie's capelet | Plum Project Studio

And for my niece Kiley, who is big into princesses, I want to make her a fur capelet from my new knitting book FairyTale Knits.

**madhen** · 12-29-2010, 11:24 AM

I want to try to make HM Christmas stockings for 2011. I keep buying them every year, and my family keeps taking them home, and even though they aren't that expensive, it would be fun to make the stocking part of the gift.

**mauimagic** · 12-29-2010, 11:27 AM

Krbs - that's not a bad idea at all - kudos to your mom too!!

I'm thinking of makding some fleece pants for those cold days at home for my nieces and DD - mahalo for the idea!!

**monkeywrangler71** · 12-29-2010, 11:55 AM

Okay, just to get organized, here is my list of people, and I will keep updating when I get an idea.

Mother - calendar, look for celtic patterns to cross-stitch on afghan
Father -
MIL - calendar, basket: bath salts, candle, HM soap, knit washcloth
FIL - try to put together genealogy research into book
Niece 10 - mitts, (will probably have to buy something for these two)
Nephew 5 - mitts,
DD19 - pyjamas, mitts,
DD6 - pyjamas, mitts,
DS7 - pyjamas, mitts,
DH - pyjama pants,
Grandmother - calendar

**Parksfamily5** · 12-29-2010, 03:39 PM

Wow, you all are so inspiring. I have never made a homemade gift. Partly b/c I lack in creative skills and partly b/c I have never had such great ideas placed in front of me before.
I am going to start tinkering with some things and see which I can perfect for gifts.
I can't believe how many people say that their families don't like homemade gifts. I had a grandma that would make scarves, baked items, and blankets for my children every year before she passed and they absolutely loved them. They still are using their special blankets 6 yrs later. I would be happy to get anything homemade. It shows the love and that you were willing to use your time to think of them. You can only have so many electronic gadgets in your life.

**krbshappy71** · 12-29-2010, 04:15 PM

I got the fabric!!!

My mom & I went to JoAnns, but no major sales. However I found fabric that I love and used Christmas money, stayed under $20, so I feel really good about this project. I am going to do pj shorts, instead of pants, which cut the price down a little bit too.

**McD** · 12-29-2010, 04:48 PM

So I was tossing around the idea of making my SIL a set of knitted dishclothes. She and her hubby are purchasing their home soon and was thinking that by Christmas I could have her a batch of 12 dishclothes--kind of themed if you will. Like a flip-flop dishcloth for July, or clovers for March, you know? So I was doing some searching on Ravelry and came across a ton of patterns that will work.

I also found (quite unintentionally) a series of free patterns for Mario character dishclothes. Zac's step-sister-in-law will LOVE them. Woohoo, Christmas present ideas already!

**madhen** · 12-29-2010, 06:13 PM

Parksfamily5, my family LOVES home-baked items, but they aren't very appreciative of homemade items for daily use. My sister has enjoyed some of the jewelry I've made for her, but that is about it.

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 12-31-2010, 03:19 AM

I'm so in! I did pretty well with homemade gifts this year--Chex mix, muddy buddies, magnets, card sets, salad dressing mix, and seasoned rice mix.

I definitely want to step it up this year. I think I could make a lot more, and more meaningful, items if I gave myself the time and motivation to do it. Saving money has to be that motivation!

**madhen** · 12-31-2010, 10:12 AM

McD, I love the year's worth of dishcloths idea! I may steal that one for my mother and sister!

**writtenonmybody** · 12-31-2010, 03:16 PM

I'm in! I waited until last minute to finish my projects this year! It was horrible. I made about 6 sets of rice heat/cold packs. (Three sizes each.) I was still sewing them christmas eve night! I also made pillowcases for children and headbands. It was fun but I want to think and start earlier this year. I will be making stuff throughout the year for people.

**Labontet** · 12-31-2010, 03:26 PM

Lisa I may just take from your idea on pillowcases for kids. I saw some of these on another website(I know I have it saved somewhere) and they were such a great idea for kids, etc.
I think on that website, they had people making the pillowcases for kids that were in the hospital etc.

Thanks for a reminder of the idea.

**writtenonmybody** · 12-31-2010, 03:40 PM

I know exactly what you are talking about and there is a tutorial out there of some really cool and beautiful pillowcases. It's a fun and easy way to personalize a gift for a child with the things they like. Everyone we gave one to loved them.

**ellsta** · 12-31-2010, 03:53 PM

How are the candles that flicker and look like the little tea candles ?

**Debbie-cat** · 12-31-2010, 08:16 PM

Lisa - when you did the rice bags, did you do anything special to the rice first? I forgot about these until Christmas Day and plan on making some soon for gifts.