Crafty Christmas Gifts..

**Thevail** · 10-02-2009, 01:44 PM

It's going to be a low budget Christmas around here. Which is actually kinda Ok with us.

My question is:
How many handmade, artsy craftsy things that Teen agers would actually want can we come up with?

**rsbs** · 10-02-2009, 01:52 PM

I only know about girls... so keep that in mind! 2 sisters growing up & 2 daughters... don't know a THING about boys!

Anyway -

Bath products. Soaps if your so inclinded. Bath salts. Scrubbies. washcloths in their fav. colors.
Do you knit or crochet? If so, scarves, hats, shrugs, wraps. All can be "teenage friendly" with the right colors or yarns.

Bags too.
Jewelry. Or better yet... jewelry making supplies! Put together a "bag" & let them design their own!
Coupons for a manicure or pedicure from Mom. Or one for a "friend" night where they can invite several friends over & have mom wait on them (as if you wouldn't anyway

)
If you sew, the possibilities are endless...

**frugalfranny** · 10-02-2009, 02:23 PM

For both genders I would say some 'personalized' clothing....that is close to the 'in' thing but designed for them.

Jeans......hopefully in their desired brand, from the thrift shop, and then designed with them in mind!

Do they have some favorite food, snack item......a supply of that just for them.

**ansley** · 10-02-2009, 04:15 PM

I second the home made goodies. My 15yob would like money but white chocolate covered pretzels are next in line.

**Debbie-cat** · 10-02-2009, 05:20 PM

How about...

- homemade key chains
- baskets full of health and beauty aids from the dollar store
- homemade lanyards
- homemade Ipod/mp3 player holders
- pillows for the bed or floor area in their bedrooms
- favorite food
- hats/scarves/headbands
- their own afghan
- homemade slippers

**Maine Girl** · 10-02-2009, 07:04 PM

no sew fleece blanket
movie baskets
journals (can be bought at dollar store)
Rubber band ball
instant digital camera with photo album or scrapbooking supplies
book marks
framed pictures
magazines
books from the second hand store
homemade stationary
coupons for favorite cookies, meal or movies

**mauimagic** · 10-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Great ideas!! Has anyone ever made their own rubber band ball? Are there any tricks to doing it? I know my DD would love one!!

**ravenmaniac** · 10-02-2009, 10:24 PM

Check yard/garage sales for video games. Favorite snacks are always a big hit, don't forget hot chocolate mix. Board games or card games are fun choices. School supplies, being a teacher's aid this time of year the pencils, pens, paper, markers, crayons, notebooks, etc. need to be replenished. Purchase these items with their favorite athletic team, camo pattern, Jonas Brothers, etc. logo or pattern. Long Underwear, socks, undergarments, etc.

**Thevail** · 10-03-2009, 12:59 AM

Some of my more popular projects to date:

Take three long body pillows or any series of large pillows and sew them together end to end to form a very large circular pillow. Cover in any bright (okay..obnoxious) heavy duty fabric with heavy velcro fastenings, tie type fastenings, or snaps if you've got the machine for them.

The cover needs to be removable so that it can be washed. Now you've got the ultimate slouch couch suitable only for teenagers and their oh so flexible backs! Works on a floor, a bed, camping etc. A very clever seamstress can easily build in a series of pockets that will hold I pods, etc. For a super, all-in-one gift fill the pockets with other things.

Girls age 12 to 15 will usually be thrilled with an apple box full of wierd high heeled shoes from thrift stores, your friends closets, your grandma's closet. The wierder the colors and the more decades you can cover.. the happier they are!

Again teen aged girl gift.. go to avon parties, Mary Kay parties, comb the mall.. as many cosmetic samples as you can come up with all in a pretty container with a couple of different shades of wet n' wild 99 cent nail polish is a guaranteed hit.

10 pounds of peanut brittle in various tins was a huge hit!

A get out of doing your chores today free card will usually light up any kids face.

**mauimagic** · 10-03-2009, 01:05 AM

TV - those are some very creative ideas!! Lucky people on your lis!!

**Maine Girl** · 10-03-2009, 07:55 AM

Also last year i found at the craft store the coloring books that are for older kids with geometic shapes and more intricate designs. I bought one coloring book and colored pencils and it was under $10.00

**klean163** · 10-04-2009, 12:29 PM

For the teenage girls you could do alot of beaded jewerly that you can do yourself very relaxing and some easy projects

:tronline to do . best of luck

Klean163

**perSue** · 10-04-2009, 01:21 PM

Depending on the teen, gender, age & likes/dislikes...

simple things like pillows, or their own set of sheets or just unique pillow cases... sewn, crocheted/knitted, felted, plastic canvas, whatever you can do! Even if it's taking felt or fleece and sewing together with yarn.

make them a specialized quilt or afghan that represents who they are.

iPod, cell phone covers/cases.

eye glasses case - or one for sunglasses... sewn, w/yarn or plastic canvas.

clothing is always welcome - but sizes are necessary.

Useful things like scarves, mittens/gloves, even fingerless gloves (usually for girls). Do a pretty pattern or mosaic w/their initials or a picture of something (think: skulls, flowers, or as simple as stripes).

Do they need more storage in their rooms?
You can sew or knit/crochet storage... think of those hanging rope-like hangers you could buy to hang in corners to hold stuffed animals. You can make that!

What about scrap booking personalized boxes? Photo albums? Picture frames?

Enjoy cooking/baking? Make a "family cookbook" for the teen chef - or a "starter" book w/simple recipes to help get them started & comfy in the kitchen.

What about collections?
Anything you can do to add to a collection? Help organize it? Maybe shadow boxes or other sort of containers to hold them.

What about making a name-plate? In plastic canvas or other medium, with the teen's name. Decorate it with shapes/figures/colors/etc. that represent them. It's a sign that can hang in their rooms (or dorms)... on a wall, a door, etc.

Teens love the latest/greatest... but they do also appreciate something that's unique for them. They may not understand the amount of time or work involved in what the gift is... but they DO appreciate personalized - because it shows you like, appreciate and respect them enough to do something "just for them."

G'luck!