homemade christmas gifts/inexpensive

[muffyn]

what ideas do you guys have for some really great homemade christmas gifts. not too time consuming & inexpensive??

one I have is buying a small teddy bear( craft stores have them for a couple $$) melting candle wax , adding scent to the wax & dipping the bear into it!
the result is pretty cool & the scent can be re-awakened in the future by using a hair dryer on it.

 

[tink2dw]

Why would you do that to Teddy?? Poor Teddy!!

Go to the Dollar store and get stuff people can use. It's only a Dollar!! Calenders, make-up, mirrors, hair tyes, their favorite old time candy. There are hundreds of things that people need everyday at the Dollar store.

 

[laurabelle]

You just reminded me that I bookmarked this site...probably got it here on the Budget board. I never did get around to utilizing it, but there are ideas for all different holidays and even teacher gifts.
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/homemadegifts.htm

 

[ncbyrne]

You just reminded me that I bookmarked this site...probably got it here on the Budget board. I never did get around to utilizing it, but there are ideas for all different holidays and even teacher gifts.
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/homemadegifts.htm

THANKS sooo much for this site! What great ideas for the whole year! I have a secret pal at church and these ideas are wonderful!

 

[we3disneygo]

thanks for the directions on how to make the bears, these were a big hit at our school auction last year, so I plan on making a couple for this years. ! they would also make cute gifts for dd12's friends .

 

[va32h]

I made flannel Christmas pillowcases for all my siblings and their spouses one year. The sewing is easy (it's just a square!), and the fabric was purchased on sale, so the price for a dozen of them was less than $30.

 

[wright1baby]

My 92 year old grandmother grows tomatos this time of year. So many that we could NOT eat them all! For the past 3 years I have been making salsa from the tomatos and canning them for future use. They are great as house warming, hostess, teacher, christmas, or just something to bring to any get together. Get an inexpensive basket and a bag of chips and WALAH! People love it!

 

[maggiew]

thanks for the directions on how to make the bears, these were a big hit at our school auction last year, so I plan on making a couple for this years. ! they would also make cute gifts for dd12's friends .

Sorry, I can't picture this?? All I see is a wet looking teddy bear with dried wax on him?? Any further description??

Thanks,
Maggie

 

[bonkos6]

I love the salsa idea. You could make a little Mexican basket as a gift. I really the like the pillow case idea also.

 

[DizneyDogs]

My 92 year old grandmother grows tomatos this time of year. So many that we could NOT eat them all! For the past 3 years I have been making salsa from the tomatos and canning them for future use. They are great as house warming, hostess, teacher, christmas, or just something to bring to any get together. Get an inexpensive basket and a bag of chips and WALAH! People love it!

Mind sharing your salsa recipe? I am growing tomatoes for the 1st time this year and would love to make up some salsa with them.

 

[mickey'sbud]

Mind sharing your salsa recipe? I am growing tomatoes for the 1st time this year and would love to make up some salsa with them.

ME too!

 

[crl]

I plan to order small canvas covered photo albulms from oriental trader and letting DD (age 3) decorate them. Then we'll fill them with our favorite pictures of the kids and give them to family.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm going to let the kids try these padded hangers this year, I think that would be a practical gift for their Grandma:

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11337

Last year I baked banana bread for my neighbors and scout leaders. You could do cookies instead, but I'm cookie-baking impaired , mine never come out right, so I make bread.

If you have children or babies to get gifts for you could buy some fleece and make blankets (I can't remember what these are called). You just make two squares of fleece, then cut strips around the edge and knot them. My son got one of these as a gift when he was in the hospital and he loves it, his was Scooby Doo. Kids like having their own blanket to cuddle up with watching movies and stuff.

 

[kmebee]

I have is buying a small teddy bear( craft stores have them for a couple $$) melting candle wax , adding scent to the wax & dipping the bear into it!
the result is pretty cool & the scent can be re-awakened in the future by using a hair dryer on it.

These are AWESOME!!! DFMIL gave each DIL one last xmas. I love it!!! It doesn't really look like a drenched Teddy Bear either. I actually wondered how the woman did this & now I know.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Can someone post a picture of the teddy? I would love to see how it looks.

 

[Amii]

A few years ago I got inexpensive wood frames and decorated them with leaves that were turning colors. I got leaves that fit nicely on the frames and glued them on with a little Elmer's glue so they wold stay. Then I sprayed them with several coats of shellac. They came out beautiful, I made them in the fall before the holiday craziness sets in, everyone loved them and they cost me about $2.50 each.

 

[jacksmom]

I would also love to see pictures of the teddy! I am trying to think of some craft/gift ideas my ds (9) and I could do this summer to give as gifts! i was thinking of candles or maybe decorative soaps!

 

[jennbug]

That bear sounds cute!

 

[DawnM]

massage "tubes" for people for Christmas.

He cuts heavy fabric about the size of a large tube sock and does just a simple stitch to it. Then he fills it with corn millet (like the kind they feed animals sold at feed stores.

He fills the fabric with the corn millet and then attaches a cute ribbon and card with directions on how to use it and that it was made with love.

The massage "pillow" can be heated (smells wonderful!) or frozen and put around your neck or other body parts to soothe muscle pain.

He says each one costs less than a dollar and people love them!

They honestly look like they came from an expensive, more exclusive store.

Here is a link to a similar item. His actually look better, but you can get a general idea and then design as you want.

http://www.diamondthreadworks.com/mi...ating_bags.htm

I plan to make several for Christmas.

Dawn


Dawn

 

[macfamily]

I love the massage tubes idea! I'd also like to see the end result (and detailed directions!) on the teddy bear candle. I have several DFamily Members that are huge on Teddies