Homemade Gift Ideas

[NYEmomma]

Do we have a recent incarnation of this thread? I love making some of my own Christmas gifts and am ALWAYS looking for new ideas.

What are you making for the holidays this year? What are some of your favorite past (or go-to) homemade gifts for friends & family??

My 4 SIL's and I are doing a homemade gift exchange. I got the SIL that I hang out with the least, know the least, and have the least in common with so I'm wracking my brain for ideas that she won't hate. She's very earthy, hippy, vegetarian, artsy, etc. I'm crafy but more in the conventional, happy homemaker kind of crafty. We did make a "wishlist" of sorts and this is what hers said:

"Candles, art, mug/tea (herbal), unique. I like orange, green & paisley print. I love lavender too."

I'm making her lavender scented bath bombs but after that, I'm stuffed. Our sense of art isn't the same so I don't think there's anything artsy that I could like make that she'd like. I know I definitely couldn't paint a mug that would be her taste. I'm not much of a painter at all unless it's step-by-step instructions. I can sew, embroider, cross-stitch, basic knit/crochet, bead jewelry...

Any ideas?

I'm also stumped for my 3 DD's for Christmas. I always make them something but I feel like I've run the gamut of ideas already. They're 5, 2 & 2. I was thinking crocheting the twins blankets for their toddler beds but they already have blankies, comforters and Disney personalized fleece blankets so I feel like another would be overkill?

 

[frenzy70]

Look at Pinterest. They have some shadow box crafts that I'm using for some gifts some have m&ms and say break in case of emergency . Others are filled with jingle bells and have holiday sayings. There are teacup candles and etched Pyrex dishes with names or holiday sayings super easy to make. Tons of ideas on that website.

 

[Malibustyle23]

What about a set of coasters made out of tiles? You can find directions online of how to put pictures onto the tiles and coat them so they are waterproof. Pics of her kids, family, favorite sports team logo, nature scene, etc, etc. I've always wanted to do it but haven't yet. Seems super simple.

 

[NYEmomma]

What about a set of coasters made out of tiles? You can find directions online of how to put pictures onto the tiles and coat them so they are waterproof. Pics of her kids, family, favorite sports team logo, nature scene, etc, etc. I've always wanted to do it but haven't yet. Seems super simple.

My friend makes and sells these. They're cute, cheap and REALLY easy!

 

[NYEmomma]

One gift I've already planned for Christmas. A medal holder for my SIL for the 5ks, 10ks, marathons, etc that she runs. Paint/decorate/modge podge the R-U-N letters and then attach them together with hooks at the bottom to hang the medals on. And hooks for hanging on the wall.

 

[sharonmickey]

I did photo coasters as gifts last Christmas. It was fun and easy. DD liked her so much that she made sets for her in-laws.

As far as your children, what about using family photos and making a memory match game? Print two of each photo then place them on card stock or cardboard. Mod Podge a few coats and the kids can play memory using pictures of their family.

Another gift I've made is a tea wreath. I included different types of herbal teas clothespin them to a wreath. I painted the clothes pins and decorated the wreath form.

 

[NYEmomma]

Another gift I've made is a tea wreath. I included different types of herbal teas clothespin them to a wreath. I painted the clothes pins and decorated the wreath form.

Ooh, that's a good idea! I'll have to track that down on Pinterest.

 

[NYEmomma]

We just got a bushel of apples on Friday and I'm in the midst of my first attempt at making apple butter. If it turns out any good, I'll probably pretty some jars up and gift a couple.

 

[tnd]

What about a rice pillow/neck wrap for your SIL that can be microwaved (and scented with lavender)? Someone gave me one of those once and I loved it!

For your DDs, what about a blanket for them and a matching one for their dolls? My mom, who is not very crafty, made a very simple fleece blanket set for my daughter (3) and her doll and it was a huge hit.

 

[kreckl]

Some ideas- I'm so jealous you can sew!
For sil:
-Homemade sugar scrub. Can add lavender or whatever else. Google for recipes.
-Not sure what its called- but book buddy is what we call it. Since you can sew you can do it easily. Its basically a piece of fabric/book pocket. One part tucks in between the mattress and box spring and the other is the pocket that hangs down for the book/glasses/book light so you don't have to get out of bed or use a table.

Kids-
--art boxes. I've made these before for gifts and they are always a big hit. Buy an inexpensive tackle box, and fill with art supplies. All of the little sections are great to sort crayons, stickers, whatever. Tons of organized space that can grow with your child, is portable, and can be personalized.
- also pajama bags are sweet for kids. Simple little flannel ( or whatever )cloth bags that hang on the end of a bed, over a doorknob, wherever to hold pjs and a lovey. As these usually can be worn few times before needing to be washed we would put the pjs in the bags in the morning after getting dressed, and they were there for bedtime at night. No scrambling or searching with a tired kid. Gifting these as a surprise with new pjs could be special- maybe add a little book light or new book...

 

[NYEmomma]

- also pajama bags are sweet for kids. Simple little flannel ( or whatever )cloth bags that hang on the end of a bed, over a doorknob, wherever to hold pjs and a lovey. As these usually can be worn few times before needing to be washed we would put the pjs in the bags in the morning after getting dressed, and they were there for bedtime at night. No scrambling or searching with a tired kid. Gifting these as a surprise with new pjs could be special- maybe add a little book light or new book...

I LOVE this idea! Have never heard of it before but you're right, we do wear pajamas a few nights in a row (well, not my twins yet since we're still in pull-ups overnight) and they ALWAYS end up on the floor. Even DH's and mine!

 

[MomToOne]

I'm also stumped for my 3 DD's for Christmas. I always make them something but I feel like I've run the gamut of ideas already. They're 5, 2 & 2. I was thinking crocheting the twins blankets for their toddler beds but they already have blankies, comforters and Disney personalized fleece blankets so I feel like another would be overkill?

When DD14 was little, my mother crocheted her a small blanket for her dolls. She loved it. In fact, she still has it today hidden away in a drawer. How about something like that for your daughters?

 

[la79al]

I made my girls Mei Tai carriers for their baby dolls last year. And for vacation last year I made them I Spy bags. This year I am thinking about making them some super hero capes (maybe it will make them fly further when they jump off the sofa ).