Help with Christmas gifts to make!

[KLAIT]

WE have a large family that we exchange gifts with...4 parents, 2 step parents and one grandpa.

Last year my DS(6) and I made those soft snuggly fleece blankets that you tie around the edges for all the men (2 dads, 1 step dad, 1 grandfather, hubby and I made one for my son). Not inly are they fun for my son and I to make together, all the men loved them and use them.....and it knocked the 1 large gift we buy for them.

Any suggestions for something that we can make for family this year?

I know there are a lot of brilliant people here on the DIS and am hoping for some great ideas!!!

 

[poohtown]

don't have an idea off the top of my head - will think about it. But....is 7 people considered a large family? This isn't typed sarcastically, I'm just curious - we exchange between 20 and 30 people and that's just close family.

 

[mt2]

I'm doing the same type of thing. I made pillow cases last year for my nieces and nephews out of their favorite characters or Christmas fabric. I used them as the "wrapping paper" and tied a bow around the top.

they were a big hit. The adults have put in their orders already. LOL

mt2

 

[KLAIT]

poohtown-

No, 7 people is not considered the large part of my family...these are just the few that I have a problem with every year because they have everything they want and all have more money than I do.

We exchange with a lot more than this....If I am counting correctly, we have 19 people with 8 being children

As for any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it.......I try to make sure we spend the same amount on everyone and usually try to keep it at around $100 per person...with a main gift and some smaller ones.....

 

[nkjzmom]

I love to give out homemade goodies. You could make cookies, brownies, pie-in-a-jar. You layer the ingredients in a jar, make a cute cover for the lid, include the directions and there you go...a cute and useful gift.

You could also give them a homemade frame with your kids picture.

 

[H&Hmommy]

I did the blankets last year too. The year before I got each child their favorite character pillow case, I then embroiered (sp?) their names on them. For the parents I bought a embroider kit and made them matching emb. pillow cases. I had never emb. before, just bought a small book with the descriptions and pics. of each stich. I had a great time making them and everyone loved them. For the older teens I just emb. their initials on solid color cases.
Kim

 

[KristiKelly]

Just curious, how do you make the blankets. Sounds like this might be fun for DS & DD to make.

As for ideas, not really something to make, but I get 12 pics of my kids throughout the year (I try to get somewhat seasonal or WDW pics). I take the pics to Office Max & have calendars made. I give these to my Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Mil, Fil, & DH grandma. Last year they had coupons for these in the newspaper. I think they're around $20. They always love them.

We also do homemade goodies.

 

[beavismom]

How about towel wraps. I wanted a new one a few years ago and asked my SIL to make them for our family as part of their gift to us.

 

[rcyannacci]

How about making everyone an individual picture/scrap book? You can buy the basic ones cheap at craft stores with all the sticky pages, then cover the outside with fabric you chose for each person. Essentially you use a thin quilt batting and fabric on the outside, cover the inside and back pages with 2 rectagular pices of covered cardboard (I always use a different print), and 2 long lenghts of nice ribbon (glued on behind the cardboard pieces) to tie the book shut. And, if you wanted, you could include some scrapbooking supplies-- colored paper, some family photos printed out from the computer, some paint pens, etc. Plus, it would be a great activity for the family to do on Christmas day once the meal was over.