Inexpensive/homemade gift ideas

[Caitsmama]

One year for my mom, i made her a large print cookie cookbook, (We use to make cookies every year, but she started to complain that it was hard for her to read the small recipe print - so i reprinted them in LARGE print - on the computer, and put them in a 3 ring binder, so we could add new ones)
Then, i bought her a couple new cookie sheets and also a cheap apron, that i decorated & stamped with fabric paint and spelled out - "Christmas Cookie Queen!"

This yr, i am going to do some hand dipped oreos and stuff for my neices and nephews.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I just got some "blank on the inside" bold colored "invitations" at the Dollar Tree.
They are hot pink, teal, lavendar and white -- 8 in a pack for $1.

So they are just plain colored with no decoration on the front and plain on the inside. I plan on putting letter stickers on the front and making personalized stationery cards for the teen girls in my family. So, Elizabeth's card will have an "E" on all of her cards, Julia will have the "J" etc.

I think they will like them.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

one year for my elderly grandma, we bought her a book of stamps, a set of return address labels with her name and address, and a bunch of greeting cards for all occasions. We also gave her a list in BIG print of her close friends names and addresses. I think she really enjoyed it. Atleast she always told us she did.

 

[Feralpeg]

I admit I just saw this at Hallmark, but it seems like a great idea. Buy some of the old fashioned looking canning jars. Fill the jar a little over half full of cocoa mix. Buy peppermint sticks and break them into one inch pieces. Set them on end over the cocoa mix. Fill the rest of the jar will miniature marshmallows. Seal the jar and wrap a pretty ribbon around the top. You now have peppermint cocoa with marshmallows in a jar!

 

[HLDisney]

The calendars are such a great idea! What type of software did you use???
I'm alittle bit illiterate with computer stuff, so the easier the better!!! thanks!

I used Microsoft Picture It! but I think many of the computer programs that allow you to make cards and posters (like Printmaster or PrintShop) will usually have something for calendars

HLDisney

 

[KLAIT]

If you can find the "Invent It" brand of calendars that you can make on the computer it is really nice...comes with software, the sheets that already have the calendar holes on them with one side shiny for the picture and one side matte for the calendar...comes with a front, back and then 2 pieces of heavy clear plastic for covers....and the spiral to put it all together..

 

[HLDisney]

If you can find the "Invent It" brand of calendars that you can make on the computer it is really nice...comes with software, the sheets that already have the calendar holes on them with one side shiny for the picture and one side matte for the calendar...comes with a front, back and then 2 pieces of heavy clear plastic for covers....and the spiral to put it all together..

Actually, that's what I used for my calendars....but I didn't use their software. Ebay sells these for a reasonable price and I actually bought a lot of 6 calendars from one seller so my price was even better.

 

[Kahana-ri]

Since DS has been born, ok for the past two years, I always do a handmade framed picture. The first year was he hand and foot prints and last year he painted pictures for the family.
This year, although not completely homemade I an doing a calender through Walgreens. This way it'll be a gift that gives all year long.

I have also made baskets with cookies, fudge and dessert breads.

One year I also made bath salts for friends. Michaels Crafts sells natural bath salts and I just added scented coloring and put it in pretty sash bags. You can find sponges and candles at the dollar store to make a complete homemade spa kit.

I love making homemade gifts.

 

[KLAIT]

 

[DisneyObsession]

What great ideas!!!

Can't wait to use some of them for gifts this year!

I've made homemade cocoa mix and put it in a canning jar with mini marshmallows on top. I covered the top with a Christmas fabric and tied a ribbon around it with a tag with instructions on it that I printed on the computer. Everyone at work I gave it to liked it.

I like to search online for soups/coffees/cocoa in a jar. There are soooo many ideas!!!

 

[Polyfor30th]

I've done a lot of the home baked gift ideas--as some have mentioned; baking breads (banana, pumpkin, etc) inside pottery-style loaf pans. The Christmas Tree Shoppes sell these for $1 each, I'm sure other discount stores do as well. Dress the breads up in cellpohane with a ribbon-voila-pretty gift.

I also make a lot of cookies and dress up white paper sacks to give them in--punch two holes in the fold over the top and tie with a ribbon or a piece of twine for a rustic look--I love having fun with the various ways to present gifts--those marketing folks out there--I'm a dream, 'cause if it looks cool, more often than not--I will buy it (much to the dismay of Dh )

I'm working on handhooked wool felt pillows for gifts this year--nothing large--maybe 6x6..a checked pattern--add a nice little gift tag attached with a mini gold safety pin...I think these will go over well this year.

Have fun with whatever you make

 

[mickeyholic]

I found cute Santa and Snowman mugs at Wal-mart for $2.50 each. I also found a very good recipe for homemade hot chocolate. I am preparing the recipe and adding to clear party bags closing them with a red ribbon and sitting down inside the mugs with peppermint sticks. They are so cute, and teachers love them!!

 

[~Kathie]

You could also make candy wreaths...take a coat hanger and make it into a circle, get curling ribbon and make it about a pencil length long, buy any candy that has twisted wraps on both ends,,example, peppermint, rootbeer barrels, tie on one end in the middle of the ribbon then tie on the wire wreath when the wreath is filled get a bow or ornament and attach ,they are very cute,,,,if you want smaller go to craft store and get smaller rings....tie a ribbon around the top so they can hang it....

My aunt, God rest her soul, used to make these every year. They were wonderful.

Thanks for bringing back that memory!!

 

[mickeyholic]

last year I found plastic popcorn boxes in the dollar section of Target, I used these and added movie rentals with popcorn and theater size candy from Dollar Tree, added a couple of drinks and placed in a basket. They loved it!

 

[jstbcuz]

We have done calendars for the past 5 or 6 years for the gmas 5 of them in all. We do themes too. Jan has a snow theme or somebodys bday. Easter, 4th of July, ball pics, school, etc. The rule at our house is that only the kids get to be on the calendar tho. Trying to figure out pics can be difficult so that they are all in there about the same number of times, but every year they ask if they are going to get one. Its about the only thing they care if they get or not. Plus you get to see how the kids have changed over the years. They dont throw them away since they have pix of the kids on it, so it will be a keepsake down the road.

 

[Iott Family]

disneyred - I sent you a PM with the Pesto Chicken and Pasta recipe. I hope you enjoy it

I was skimming thru hoping you would post it to the thread !
Please????????

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

Bump