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

[sarah4770]

I was thinking about making a scrapbook for my parents and one for my brother and his family. I have tons of old family photos , I think it would be nice to make a "min-history" of each families lives...

 

[Poohs Corner]

An idea I love, is to take a large glass jar and fill it with tons of "memories". Fill it with slips of paper, and on each slip of paper include one memory. Put a note on the jar that 1 paper is to be opened each day. Fill it with lots of memories. This is perfect for parents or grandparents!

Family recipe books. I am currently in the process of making one for my mom, and I am including 1 recipe for each family member (their favorites).

Make copies of treasured photos and put them in an album. Now there will be one "good" album, with all the best/most meaningful pics.

I love the Jar of Memories. WHat a special Gift and so personal.. Oh I am going to have to put a lot of thought into this..

Thank you

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I am planning on making a ton of edible goodies for 20 peeps at DH's work and 10 guys on his softball team and 10 family members/friends; does anyone know a relatively inexpensive way to keep everything nice and moist and not spoiling but still look pretty?

I am planning in making:
caramel cheesecake bars
chocolate caramel bark
lemon bars
pumpkin bread
and one other thing, yet to be determined. Everyone will get a few slices of bread, a few bars, a few pieces of bark, etc. I am seriously at a loss at how to present this!!! Especially since the 20 work ones have to be transported to the Bay area, 50 miles away! Thanks in advance!

In July, I made some goodies for a few friends and got these longish not tall Ziplock containers that were 2 sets for $4 (each set had 2) would like something cheaper than this! LOL A dollar per container plus all the ingredients sounds super spendy!

 

[Julia M]

I've done this for friends with families, especially working moms. I give a "basket" of everything needed to make homemade treats.

For example, I include peanut butter cookie dough and hershey's kisses to make peanut butter blossom cookies. I also include a sugar cookie dough, along with mini reeses peanut butter cups, for "loving cup" cookies. I also inclide a molasses cookie (drop cookie) dough and a basic cutout cookie dough. I add in frosting and some sprinkles.

I make recipe cards on the computer, printing out on index cards.

My friends have LOVED it, as they get the experience of cooking making, without all the shopping and measuring.

Julia

 

[mudman]

I am making Key Fobs with pretty ribbons for gifts this year. I love the apples and wrapped caramels idea too on a platter for teachers.

So many great ideas here.

 

[TNKBELL]

Chex Muddy Buddies

9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1. Into very large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1 qt. microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute. Stir; microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla.

2. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2 gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add powedered sugar; seal bag and shake until well coated. Spread on wax paper to cool, about 30 minutes.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

* You can also melt the chocolate mixture on the stove top in a saucepan


I really like the Candy Apple idea, I think I'll do that one next year

I love this stuff , at our house we have always called it Puppy Chow, one way to give this is to put it in a NEW cute doggy dish with a tag that says it is for HUMANS, the DollarTree always has cute little dishes with a doggie theme.

 

[MomofCKJ]

My MIL is wonderful, I love her dearly! She is also someone that loves a practical gift. She is financially very, very secure but has always been a very practical person (probably why she is so secure!). Anyway I was trying to think of something she would really like. The last few years I have knit something for her and she's really liked that. One year my SIL and her family gave her a coupon for a day of work, SIL/BIL/nieces would come over and do house projects, yard work, whatever. She LOVED this.

So I had an idea. She loves my cooking. I decided to give her for Christmas a Meal of the Month sort of thing. We visit her usually 2x a month or so after church. Once a month for a year I'll bring over a couple of things I have made, maybe a casserole and a dessert, two casseroles, etc. She just loves to try different things and really likes someone to cook for her. And it is just her so things will last a few mealtimes. It won't break the bank for us and I know she'll love it so I think it is like a win/win!

Allyson

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

My MIL is wonderful, I love her dearly! She is also someone that loves a practical gift. She is financially very, very secure but has always been a very practical person (probably why she is so secure!). Anyway I was trying to think of something she would really like. The last few years I have knit something for her and she's really liked that. One year my SIL and her family gave her a coupon for a day of work, SIL/BIL/nieces would come over and do house projects, yard work, whatever. She LOVED this.

So I had an idea. She loves my cooking. I decided to give her for Christmas a Meal of the Month sort of thing. We visit her usually 2x a month or so after church. Once a month for a year I'll bring over a couple of things I have made, maybe a casserole and a dessert, two casseroles, etc. She just loves to try different things and really likes someone to cook for her. And it is just her so things will last a few mealtimes. It won't break the bank for us and I know she'll love it so I think it is like a win/win!

Allyson

This is a beautiful gift. This is something I would like to do for my MIL. The real sad thing is that she really does not like me. I would love to do this for someone that would appreciate it. My MIL has fallen on hard times and could use a gift like this ...but not from me.

 

[merrily]

My MIL is wonderful, I love her dearly! She is also someone that loves a practical gift. She is financially very, very secure but has always been a very practical person (probably why she is so secure!). Anyway I was trying to think of something she would really like. The last few years I have knit something for her and she's really liked that. One year my SIL and her family gave her a coupon for a day of work, SIL/BIL/nieces would come over and do house projects, yard work, whatever. She LOVED this.

So I had an idea. She loves my cooking. I decided to give her for Christmas a Meal of the Month sort of thing. We visit her usually 2x a month or so after church. Once a month for a year I'll bring over a couple of things I have made, maybe a casserole and a dessert, two casseroles, etc. She just loves to try different things and really likes someone to cook for her. And it is just her so things will last a few mealtimes. It won't break the bank for us and I know she'll love it so I think it is like a win/win!

Allyson

I have been doing something similar for my stepfather for the past few years. We call it "Dinner of the Month". He is in his 80's and lives alone. I either bring over a fully prepared meal or make the meal at his house. Then our family eats with him. I make sure there will be enough for at least one or two additional meals. He loves it because it gives him company for dinner and because I make things that he does not usually cook for himself.

 

[dbogen]

Just bumping for the new week.

 

[bigsis1970]

I've decided to make home made dog cookies and bird seed cut outs for our friends and family..

Dog cookies
2 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup dry milk powder
1/2 cup veggie oil
2 tbs brown sugar
2 veggie bouillion cubes disolved in 3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 egg

Preheat oven to 300 degrees, Mix all ingredients into a ball and roll out to about 1/4 inch think. Cut with cookie cutter (dog bone shape is cute ) and place on ungreased cookie sheet. bake for 30 mins



Bird Seed Cut outs
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup water
3 tbls corn syrup
4 cups any type of bird seed

in large bowl mix all ingredients into a ball and roll out to desired thickness on a sheet of wax paper. Cut into round cookie shapes and make a small hole in each for the hanger. Let dry 4-6 hours or over night make sure to turn often so both sides dry. use a piecs of yarn for hangers the next day and hang in trees..

 

[merekc]

I have been doing something similar for my stepfather for the past few years. We call it "Dinner of the Month". He is in his 80's and lives alone. I either bring over a fully prepared meal or make the meal at his house. Then our family eats with him. I make sure there will be enough for at least one or two additional meals. He loves it because it gives him company for dinner and because I make things that he does not usually cook for himself.

We often took my grandma dinner for the last few years of her life. We always made sure we had extra and took it over so she had a real meal. She had food at least four nights a week between my sister and I. However, in hindsight, we regret not staying and eating with her more. It's awesome you are able to do this.

 

[dizluvah]

I was searching the web for just such ideas earlier tonight with minimal success - then I realized I should come to the Dis. This site never fails me - specifically the budget board. Thank you all, I look forward to reading all these ideas and stealing as many as I can.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've done pre-made scrapbooks for family members that have gone over really well. The lastest was one I did for my SIL's birthday for their WDW trip.

One year I made dollhouses for my nieces for Christmas (4). I started right after Christmas and got the last one done about 3 weeks before. Thye loved them! Everyone in the family knew I was doing them and bought the furniture and the dolls as their Christmas gifts.

 

[Grammyof2]

Another take on food. I have done this twice and might do it again this year. It works for everyone and it has been my biggest hit.

I make up frozen food baskets. Make several pots of soup, lasagna, mini meatloafs, spagetti sauce, sweet bread, anything that freezes well. I then freeze it in portion size according to the family, singles, for 2 or 4, whatever. I always use either throw away containers (cheap from restaurant supply store) or save up plastic containers from everyday use. Trust me, when they get home from work, are tired or not feeling well, they do not care about the containers just that there is a homemade meal waiting in the freezer that just needs popped in the oven, microwave or top of the stove.

For delivery I pack it all up in a box and wrap it in a tablecloth picked up super cheap on sale and once did it in coolers I found on sale at the end of the season.

I have been able to do my parents, inlaws, 2 brothers families and all 4 of my kids families, 2 neighbors and 2 friends families for about $400 complete. Just pick up the groceries needed when they are on sale.

 

[msmouse]

I made these "dalmation" cookies for my granddaughter. You could put these in a basket with the disney movie 101 dalmations!

 

[rileysmommy]

I really want to make some homemade gifts this year. I've got a few ideas going. Some things will be paired with a store-bought gift. Here's what I've come up with so far.

My sister who scrapbooks but is looking for an easier way to scrap our most recent trip to WDW...a set of Mickey journaling cards and a new magazine coming out in Nov on photo album scrapping.

My 3 sisters-in-law...a decorated recipe box and some really neat divider cards that I found on the internet and I will print them out.

My parents...a set of fabric photo coasters. Every year since 2001 we take a picture of the grandkids under the tree so I will use all of the past years photos. Found this idea in a book.

2 of my nephews and my ds...a no-sew fleece blanket. Plus I will get them something handmade from Etsy.

The families from dh's side of the family...a photo book from Shutterfly honoring their beloved uncle who passed away in August.

Dd...I'm knitting a blanket for her American Girl doll.

This is just what I have come up with so far. I guess I'd better get busy. It is October already.

 

[5 at disney]

Thank you so much for the memory jar idea. I just emailed my 4 siblings and are going to do this for my parents this year. I know they will love it.

 

[figgy4me]

WOAH!!!! So weird! My post from a year ago !! That's exactly what I did- and it was a big hit!!

Oops ! Didn't bring over the original quote - was about movie baskets she made.

I did this, but used big red bowls from Wal-mart. They were plastic and light - looked thick. Anyway, inside I added a couple of those plastic popcorn boxes from Target's dollar section. Had the popcorn out of the tops of them and the candy & a cheap movie on both sides, so it looked good from all angles. Used some nice curling ribbon and then added some Disney wine charms hanging down with different length ribbons for like an ornament effect around the heat & shrink bags.

I hope it was a hit. Never heard anything after the initial thank you. Was given to 3 co-workers, neice's family, step-daughter's family.

Did smaller versions with the plastic boxes + 1 movie + 1 popcorn + small version candy like for halloween from Dollar Tree. Wrapped them & used ribbon for 6 at work place that give only something small each year - 2 probably got a little extra.

 

[cruisindisney]

I'm toying with the idea of making a "family cookbook". It won't be a big surprise to anyone since they will have all contributed. It will be similar to what churches and clubs do, but smaller and much more personal. (I'll have to print it myself and get it bound at Kinkos I guess).
I want to include the recipes that my relatives are "famous" for: my aunt's rolls, my mom's chicken and noodles, Grandma's pot roast...that sort of thing. I think many will appreciate it and it will be something treasured as the years pass.
I hope some are willing to give up their "secret ingredients".
I'd also like to get family members to write up a short paragraph of a fun family memory that I could disperse throughout the cookbook. Adding pictures would be awesome, too.
Wow. I better get to work!

I did something similar several years ago, without the family paragraphs. My family LOVED IT!! I put all the recipes that I have found online for restaurant food copies as well as the famly recipes from my mom's recipe box and they raved. In fact I know that some of them us this as their everyday cookbook.