Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas for 2012

[mjantz]

I'm going to start working on Scrabble tile necklaces for the ladies in the family & folded corner bookmarks for the guys. I also order photo calendars for everyone.

 

[Chereya]

My kids and I made small bath bombs last year for Christmas. I had wanted to make these cupcake ones but the frosting part got too complicated for me to manage with 2, 6 and 8 year old "helpers"! But just the bottom portion of the cupcake worked fine as a gift and we inserted those "sponge in a capsule" toys as a surprise in the middle.

I bought a big bag of baking soda from Costco and bought some of the other ingredients online. I think I got the citric acid and clay from a scientific/chemical supply company on Ebay.

http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/bath-bomb-cupcakes-instructions-2/

 

[jdcthree]

A friend made one of these for my mom and I thought it was beautiful, everyone at her holiday party commented on it.
http://my.hgtv.com/share-my-craft/H...Block-Christmas-Present/detail.esi?oid=540097

Those are really cute! I keep meaning to make something with those blocks.

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

I am making most of my gifts this year.
Mom, Grandmas, sisters: Personalized scented items like soap, lotion, lip balm, bath salts, candle(s), therapeutic oil blends for headaches, joint pain, etc. Mom is also getting a GC for a 60 minute massage (easy enough since I'm a MT).
My niece is getting a "Pamper basket" with a soap, candle, lotion, a book or two, nail polish, and pj pants.
My Dad is getting an OSU basket. I am going to tie dye a shirt in scarlet and grey and add a block O. He'll also get some foot powder and a couple of therapeutic blends.
My brothers are getting food. Mom hasn't made Buckeyes or Haystacks in years, so the boys always ask me to make them. They'll get a box of those and possibly a shirt. I am also making candles for one of them because he's a candle freak.
I am making pj pants for my boys and dyeing some sheets for DS5.
Teacher gifts: Modified Pamper baskets with soap, lotion, candle, candy/cookie goodies.

 

[red712371]

I would love to hear some gift ideas for the men in the family. I already did the fleece blanket thing and I'm definitely not creative! Any ideas?

 

[AngieMouse86]

I've done some homemade gifts before (body wash, lotions, lip balms and wax tarts) but it was easier before because I was actually running a business selling them, so it was more like pulling stock than making the gift.

This year I plan on not participating in the Secret Santa at work (usually $15-20 min) and instead making chocolate covered pretzels for all my coworkers. Prob cost around the same, but I'd feel better being able to give everyone a little something.

Not sure about my family, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to make my little sister shoes inspired by Sphinx610's post http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2978604.

 

[4 Ears]

Have thought about it before, a clock for their man cave. Can use inexpensive tools, fishing lures.... Personalize without being tacky.... Plenty of options at Michael's.

 

[stitchywoman]

I love these ideas. I think I might try a few of them. I just hope I can figure out friends that will like them. I am subbing to this thread!

 

[wellsronald18]

This year I am going to make ceramic design on the flower pot with the greeting card and stamps of some vegetables on the card using colors.
How is my idea?

 

[bas71873]

And after spending $15 on boxed beer bread mix, only to find a recipe and realize how cheap & easy it is to make myself, I'm going to put some packets together with a 6-pack of tasty beer for the male members of the family.

Can you share your beer bread recipe please? You've inspired me (actually this whole thread has) to go with some homemade gifts this year

 

[Fly4free]

Have thought about it before, a clock for their man cave. Can use inexpensive tools, fishing lures.... Personalize without being tacky.... Plenty of options at Michael's.

I like this idea! I will have to look into it for DH he and the kids love to fish.

 

[Tinkermommy]

Thanks everyone for these great ideas.

I made 2 of the pom pom scarves last night. My daughter wore hers to school today.
I found the yarn (not Bernat) at Michaels on sale for $2.50 yesterday. I bought about 8 skeins to make scarves for Christmas. I crocheted them and be aware that the string between the ones on sale seems shorter so you may need to allow for that.

I have also crocheted caplets and ponchos for my daughter and young cousins.

I love the hand lotion bars and clipboard ideas.

I recently made two front door wreaths out of burlap ribbon. I have been seeing them and they were too pricey. I am planning on switching out the decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Spring since the burlap color will go with all of these. Total cost per wreath was about $12 for an 18" wreath.

I am also thinking of making vases with coffee cans and either white or chalkboard paint.

My last project is to make a chalkboard out of a cookie sheet with chalkboard paint so you can write on it and use magnets.

 

[Chereya]

My last project is to make a chalkboard out of a cookie sheet with chalkboard paint so you can write on it and use magnets.

I love this idea! Thanks for sharing it! It would make a great teacher gift, too!

 

[POOH1060]

Wow there are so many great ideas, I don't know which ones to start.
Keep them coming

 

[dakcp2001]

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 got something similar to this as a gift years ago from a coworker. Except she made a collage out of magazine clippings of all of my favorite things, people, and some cute sayings. I still use it and love it to this day! It is a clipboard with the collage, and some sort of shiny shellac type sealant spray on it. I have had it more than 10 years. Now that I saw this I am going to facebook her to let her know i still love it and use it.

 

[bas71873]

I recently made two front door wreaths out of burlap ribbon. I have been seeing them and they were too pricey. I am planning on switching out the decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Spring since the burlap color will go with all of these. Total cost per wreath was about $12 for an 18" wreath.
I am also thinking of making vases with coffee cans and either white or chalkboard paint.

My last project is to make a chalkboard out of a cookie sheet with chalkboard paint so you can write on it and use magnets.

Great ideas! Can you post a picture of the wreathe? Would love to see it!

 

[stitchywoman]

Great ideas! Can you post a picture of the wreathe? Would love to see it!

OOOHHHH me too....My mom used to do these all the time when I was younger. I think I lack the ability...but perhaps I should try it again...

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I'm going to make DH this for Christmas

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Cold-Shou...sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1347208327&sr=1-31

 

[jillily]

I love making home made presents! I try to do something for each family member. In the past I have done: glass block lights decorated in vinyl cut from my cricut, fleece blankets, pre- made scrapbooks, bath salts,sugar scrubs, etched glass containers/vases, crocheted blankets, scrapbook style calander with pics of the kids, ornamants, stamped notecards/stationary, DVD slideshow of pics and videos set to music of our year.

So this year my DH and I have started raising chickens and pigs and well as out very large veggie garden. We are making cooler packages similar to what omaha steaks sends out, that will include the following:

Homemade: Spaghetti gravy, gnoccchi, bread, pork sausage, meatballs (mix of beef & sausage), dried basil, and a bottle of our favorite wine. We are doing 5 of these for parents, grandparents and siblings. Very excited about this one.

Other things I am making:

For my sister: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lelah-top ( w/ wide straps )
For my mother: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-central-park-hoodie (with a collar not a hood)
For my mother & MIL: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/poinsettia-wreath
For my SIL: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lelah-top ( making it longer to be a beach cover up)

For my mother, sister, MIL, SIL, SIL: knitted scarfs in various lace patterns

For my DH, brother & BIL: knitted hats

For the grandparents from the kids: scrapbook calendar w/pics, handprint ornament made from clay, DVD slideshow of pics and videos set to music of our year.

Still need to figure out what to give the godparents from the kids. Something that they make them selves.

Ok novel over!

 

[java]

This is a new one and I'm all over it!

No sew tote bags!

http://www.marthastewart.com/268380/no-sew-tote-bags

and another version here

http://www.livingrichwithcoupons.com/2012/09/do-it-yourself-reusable-tote-bag.html

I am going to try it out for Halloween totes then if they work using it for gift ideas.