Homemade Holiday Presents! Lets help each other! Ideas WANTED!

[binny]

I decided on my mum's project!

I found deep framed canvases at Michaels last week for BOGO. I am going to cut out with my cricut all the names the Grandkids call her.
So it will say "Grandma, Nana, Gammy... 3 names, one meaning... Love"
then make it into a clock.

I am hoping it will come out well!

 

[DisneyBrooke81]

I decided on my mum's project!

I found deep framed canvases at Michaels last week for BOGO. I am going to cut out with my cricut all the names the Grandkids call her.
So it will say "Grandma, Nana, Gammy... 3 names, one meaning... Love"
then make it into a clock.

I am hoping it will come out well!

What a great idea!!! I love it.

 

[Cruise]

Ok so anyone make candles here? Husband used to make candles just for fun and was thinking it would be fun-- add scents and colors...Just wondering about where you'd find supplies cheapest.

** Update:

Yeah so I'm completely excited about this now. I've decided on soy wax as it is 100% American product and not petroleum like paraffin. Lol-- who woulda thought? We have a honey store here in Eugene producers of local honey that sells really nice wax for the going price.
I'd love beeswax but it's expensive. Now I'm gonna want jars. I'm thinking canning jars would be nice and cheap.

Wholesale Supplies Plus has all kinda of candle, soap, lotion, lip balm, etc making supplies. They've recently started including shipping in the prices of their items as long as you buy $15 worth. I've bought lots of soap/bath/body supplies from them and been very pleased. But I get my candle making stuff locally just because there happens to be a candle supply place close by. WSP prices seem to be pretty good compared to other things I've seen on the web though.

 

[Tweevil]

Great ideas everyone!

I am going to either make everyone PJ's or a tote bag - depending on what they like to go with a gift card.

 

[JillandFamily]

"bump"

 

[mommyto2]

I was thinking about making fleece hats and/or scarves for all my nieces and nephews. I found instructions for scarves all over the place, but no-sew hats are not as easy to find. I had seen fleece hats with the fringe on top. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[kc10family]

I have been thinking of the applesauce ornaments but wonder if dried herbs would work. Might need to get it a try.
Anyone made anything lke this?

 

[winnie 38]

crocheting throws, scarves and socks. I also do clay pot crafts and make jewelry.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

My dsil and I were discussing just doing christmas gifts for our kids (we each have one), and instead exchanging gifts with the adults (me, husband, dsil, dbil) we will be doing a "family gift" for $30...time to get creative. I know the basic ideas we have all done in the past (fleece blankets, movie kits, cookies, etc) I am looking for something new..any ideas?

 

[momtosam]

Check around your area for an embroidery shop if you don't already do this on your own on your sewing machine. Last year I bought cheap tote bags and had a local woman embroider on our kids' grandmothers and aunts names. then I traced the kids' hands with permanant marker and dated them. I think the embroidery lady charged me about $2 per bag -- super cheap gift! This year I picked up fleece blankets at RA for a song and am having the same lady embroider our school's logo on them for other teachers I work with. In the end, these blankets will cost me less than $5.

 

[winnie 38]

very easy bath salts recipe.

bag of Epsom salts
food coloring your choice
fragrance oil {from craft store]

mix together - only use 2 to 3 drops oil and food coloring put in pretty jars makes several and friends love them.

I make no sew fleece throws and pillows very easy.

divinity.[secret recipe been making since i was around seven.

gift baskets with products I find marked down throughout the year.

My dad is hard to buy for and the gift he got very excited about was the year I made the gift basket. He restores John Deere trackers as a hobby and I made a clay pot man that was John Deere themed it sits in the living room not his John Deere room.

 

[kc10family]

I just learned how to make "no slip grip" socks. Buy whatever socks you want put carboard inside and decorate both sides with puffy paint.
I have yet to try it, but sounds good to me.

 

[ChiCat]

I am not crafty at all unfortunately and I read about this idea on another forum and I think I'm going to do it. I'm thinking about making up jars of homemade hot chocolate mix paired with a bottle of booze to go with it. Maybe Kahlua or Creme de Menthe? I may do up little baskets of "a night to yourself" or "a night of relaxation" and buy a dvd they would like, the hot chocolate booze, and some bubble bath. Or something a long that lines. Anywho I never do this kind of thing but it sounds fun so I think I'm going to do it for a few of my friends.

 

[snowgooseltd]

I have been thinking of the applesauce ornaments but wonder if dried herbs would work. Might need to get it a try.
Anyone made anything lke this?

I made the applesauce/cinnamon ornaments several years ago, and still put them on our tree. They still have a fragrance albeit not as strong as when first made. Someone mentioned that you could add fragrance oil to them to restore the scent. I haven't tried this yet but plan to when I unwrap them to decorate this year. I used my Mickey Mouse icon cookie cutter for the shape, poked a hole with a coffee stirrer and used ribbon to hang them.....very cute and easy.

 

[Gina]

I really would like to make some homemade drawer sachets, but can't seem to find a good recipe/directions. Does anyone have one they've tried and like?

 

[CherylA]

My dsil and I were discussing just doing christmas gifts for our kids (we each have one), and instead exchanging gifts with the adults (me, husband, dsil, dbil) we will be doing a "family gift" for $30...time to get creative. I know the basic ideas we have all done in the past (fleece blankets, movie kits, cookies, etc) I am looking for something new..any ideas?

If they go to sporting evens for thir child one of those colapsible chairs and a travel blanket or one side waterproof blanket makes a good gift maybe with an insulated tote bag or some travel mugs. We spend a lot of time sitting on soccer fields, i wish someone would give my family a gift like that!

 

[Minnie M6]

I am not crafty at all unfortunately and I read about this idea on another forum and I think I'm going to do it. I'm thinking about making up jars of homemade hot chocolate mix paired with a bottle of booze to go with it. Maybe Kahlua or Creme de Menthe? I may do up little baskets of "a night to yourself" or "a night of relaxation" and buy a dvd they would like, the hot chocolate booze, and some bubble bath. Or something a long that lines. Anywho I never do this kind of thing but it sounds fun so I think I'm going to do it for a few of my friends.

Love this idea!

 

[magiclj]

For the hard to buy for older mom/aunt/neighbor. Buy a selection of cards (get well, birthday, etc) at the dollar store (a variety of 20 would only cost $10). Place them in a nice tin or decorated box (possibley Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Joann's - 40% off coupon) along with a decent pen ($3-$5). You could also get blank address labels and print personalized address labels. Could also include a book of stamps.

Here is a coupon for $1 off 3 american greetings cards. (I shrank it since it takes up the whole page and it still scanned).

http://corporate.americangreetings.com/couponbumper.html

I know of a woman who is somewhat housebound. She always sent cards for every occassion. I think this will be the perfect gift for her.

 

[hmdavid]

For the hard to buy for older mom/aunt/neighbor. Buy a selection of cards (get well, birthday, etc) at the dollar store (a variety of 20 would only cost $10). Place them in a nice tin or decorated box (possibley Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Joann's - 40% off coupon) along with a decent pen ($3-$5). You could also get blank address labels and print personalized address labels. Could also include a book of stamps.

Here is a coupon for $1 off 3 american greetings cards. (I shrank it since it takes up the whole page and it still scanned).

http://corporate.americangreetings.com/couponbumper.html

I know of a woman who is somewhat housebound. She always sent cards for every occassion. I think this will be the perfect gift for her.

I did this for my 93 year old Grandmother for her birthday. She loves to send out cards but doesn't always have one for the appropriate occasion. I included a variety of occasions as well as blank cards. She loved it!

 

[Fantasmic23]

For the past few years, we have stopped the "extreme" holiday gift-exchanging with both my family and DH's (i.e. toys/clothes for nieces and nephews). We do a lot of visiting with both families during Christmastime though, and I never like to arrive empty-handed. Besides giving my mother and MIL candy cane vases (See other post within this thread), I like to give each family (My sister, my brother, DH's siblings and their children, etc.) "Treat Towers".

I love to bake and I bake in bulk. I always seem to have cookies, brownies, etc. coming out of my ears, so I put the extra goodies to good use.

I buy cardboard gift boxes in different sizes (the local dollar stores and The Christmas Tree Shoppe are great for finding these dirt cheap). I fill each box with various homemade treats: Cookies, brownies, fudge, caramel corn, etc. I stack the boxes into a tower, top with ribbon and voila ... A treat for the whole family to enjoy. Often, these Treat Towers are opened while we're visiting and we all enjoy the cookies and what have you with our coffee while we're catching up.

The finished product looks a bit like this:
https://www.giftbasketvillage.com/store/images/categories/category_39.jpg