Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas for 2012

[Baby Pluto]

This is a lovely thread, especially for those of us trying to save our pennies!
My boyfriend and I are going to WDW in January 2013 so, needless to say, we'll be taking it easy with the Christmas gifts.

A homemade treat that everyone seems to enjoy is a mixture of my hot chocolate blend. I put all the ingredients neatly into icing bags, topped with chocolate chips and marshmallows, then trim the tops and tie them with ribbon and a candy cane. Very inexpensive, looks pretty, and tastes good too!

 

[momxx5]

Oldest son will be getting a blanket(quilt) made of "squares" of all his fav/memory t-shirts. I have bins of t-shirts from t-ball, soccer, thru last yr YMCA basketball and some from various vacation, favorite disney rides and fav bands. I have started on this as it will prob take me forever.

The girls will be getting crocheted afgans. I have been making baby blankets for so many baby showers and they just love them. So as a treat I'll make them each one.

My mom will be getting a fleece throw. Cut and tie, one side solid red/burgundy and the other a pretty Cardinal in winter tree. Cardinal is the bird of NC. On the solid side I am going to embroider "grandma" in one corner, maybe adding the year. She gets sooo cold in Canada.

Teachers and others (friends & neighbors).

-Large copper cookie cutter (purchased after Christmas sale) filled with always requested fudge.
-Cross Stitch bookmarks (fav teachers)
-Cross Stitch bread basket liners.....easy as all you do is a simple design in corners
-Cross Stitch kitchen towels

Fav home-made hit:
Snowman in a jar
Use large clear container, similar to one that cheese puffs or balls come in.
Add $1 scarf, 2 painted rocks for "eyes made out of coal", felt sewn orange "carrot", a few large buttons for belly, and usually a knit ski hat. Some years I can find corn cob pipes which really make it awesome. I also add sticks from yard for arms.
I make a label on computer with instructions kinda like...... kit includes....etc, for ages 1 to 101, just add snow.

For some people it is just a Christmas decoration for families they have used them when we get our once a year snow dusting.

 

[momxx5]

Not too sure how it would go over in this decade, but my mom used to make beautiful decorated soap for a "proper/fancy powder room".

She would use the smaller hotel/personal size bars of soap. All year she would collect pretty pictures....some of flowers, some from Christmas cards, etc. She would carefully press the picture/print onto the soap and then even more carefully dip the front into paraffin wax. She would repeat the dipping process a few times. The picture/image would be on front of soap and the soaps could still be used because the backs were just the soap.
She would put them into small boxes in pairs, lined with tissue paper. Now this was when I was in elementary school (ummmmm like over 25 yrs ago). Most people put them out as decorations.
The teachers always loved and looked forward to them.

 

[java]

Decorated Clip Boards * nice teacher gift along with a gift card

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/08/decorated-clipboards/

Gives you the basics- but I have painted the hardware and added all kinds of "stuff" to the clip and top of the board by punching holes in it.

 

[Kayka]

Decorated Clip Boards * nice teacher gift along with a gift card

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/08/decorated-clipboards/

Gives you the basics- but I have painted the hardware and added all kinds of "stuff" to the clip and top of the board by punching holes in it.

I L-O-V-E the decorated clipboard.

 

[jdcthree]

Knitted things--the pom-pom scarf is really easy, BTW. They sell the yarn like that--you just have to knit.

You can crochet them, too.

Fav home-made hit:
Snowman in a jar
Use large clear container, similar to one that cheese puffs or balls come in.
Add $1 scarf, 2 painted rocks for "eyes made out of coal", felt sewn orange "carrot", a few large buttons for belly, and usually a knit ski hat. Some years I can find corn cob pipes which really make it awesome. I also add sticks from yard for arms.
I make a label on computer with instructions kinda like...... kit includes....etc, for ages 1 to 101, just add snow.

I've seen these and forgot all about them! I might try that this year.

 

[jacksmom]

The pom-pom scarf is really cute! Has anyone actually made one?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Yes, I've made a few of the pom-pom scarves. Michael's had the directions (free), or they were on the package--sorry, I forgot which. In any event, you knit (or crochet, I guess, but I knitted) the cord that the pom-poms are "string" on. It really looks impressive for the amount of time/skill needed, which is very little--I mean that nicely, I know how we all get into that crunch as the holidays approach.

 

[ckshultz]

Im planning on buying some of the glass jars (large ones at walmart with the lids) and using my cricket to do vinyl initials and put cookies in them for people! Last year I made the kids in my family fish purses for the girls and drawstring backpacks for the boys.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

The pom-pom scarf is really cute! Has anyone actually made one?

The blue one pictured I made for my daughter. It literally took me the length of one movie to make. The youtube video I referenced made it super easy.

I have been waiting for a sale on specialty yarns so I can stock up. They take one skein of the yarn, and I have six to make this year.

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks! I think I will give the Pom-pom scarf a try!

 

[Lisa0620]

I make chocolate houses. All chocolate with sugar candy decorations. I make 15 a year because they take so long. I paint the trim and edging different colors so each wall takes about 30 minutes. I wrap them in cellophane and a nice bow and deliver each one 10 days b4 Christmas. You can also make sleighs, pops, trees, or smaller pieces. It is very labor intensive but very affordable.

These sound amazing!!!!

 

[KelliLee702]

WOW! I knew this was the forum to start this thread.

I bought a "Travel Tea Bag Carrier" this summer with the hopes of deconstructing it and making for some of my "Tea drinking" friends. Its about 8x10 made of fabric with "pockets" to keep tea bags and sugar packets in it. It folds up and snaps at the top.

Keep the great ideas coming . . .

 

[lovesdumbo]

WOW! I knew this was the forum to start this thread.

I bought a "Travel Tea Bag Carrier" this summer with the hopes of deconstructing it and making for some of my "Tea drinking" friends. Its about 8x10 made of fabric with "pockets" to keep tea bags and sugar packets in it. It folds up and snaps at the top.

Keep the great ideas coming . . .

Here is a cool tutorial
http://sewitgirl.com/2011/11/09/tea-wallet-tutorial-6-bags/

I've made this easier version
http://blog.christyscreations.com/tea-wallet-tutorial/

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I've always thought these tile photo coasters would be fun to try.

http://leelala.net/2011/09/diy-photo-coasters-gussy-inspiration-workshop/

I know you can get the tiles at Home Depot. Not sure how much all the supplies cost. Has anyone made these before?

I made a few of these the other night using leftover scrapbooking paper. The tiles are 16 cents at Home Depot and Mod Podge is about $8.69 for a large jar. They came out great! I am also going to make a set using Disney park maps.

 

[Earstou]

Love the pom-pom scarf idea. Want to try to make one for my grown dd. It's simple enough I think I can handle it.

Also found these scarfs that require no knitting or crocheting: http://hobbylobby.com/assets/pdf/project_inspiration/inspiration_sets/is-yarnscarves.pdf
Really like the knotted one at the end. Might try that one, back in the day, I used to macrame, so know the knots!

 

[Pesky]

I L-O-V-E the decorated clipboard.

Me too! Definitely keeping that in mind as that can be a fun Christmas present this year!

 

[KelliLee702]

Has anyone posted an example of the decorated clipboard?

Thanks

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I really love the rice in a tea towel idea! I think I will this a try. Several years ago I purchased something similar to this,it doesn't have rice in it,but it does smell like lavender. I have used this so many times,it's worn out!

 

[we3travellers]

I will be making a set of personalized note cards for the ladies in the family, a couple of friends and of course DS's teacher. I have a lot of stamping supplies, decorative paper and cardstock, including a letter set stamp set.

I know this sounds weird, but my Dad will be getting a large mason jar each of pickled eggs and pickled onions! He loves them!

My stepdad always gets a large container of my homemade caramel corn.

Brother is getting a pair of flannel pyjama pants made of the craziest flannel I can find! I will let my DS help with the fabric choice. Brother is single and in his 40's....there's a funny story behind this!