Let's talk about holiday gifts

[ddavis860]

I used to make candy wreaths for the teachers. They were an easy night of crafting. Some would hang them in the room and let the kids cut candies for different rewards... They were always a hit. I used to donate them to the Xmas bazaar too.

I've also make bag bags for trash bag storage...they were really easy too. When I got my embroidery machine, I made the teachers holiday hand towels. I figured if they didn't use thim, they could re-gift them...

I just know that I was told by the mom of a teacher...NO REFRIDGE MAGNETS OR COFFEE MUGS THAT SAID #1 TEACHER... He daughter had so many and was going crazy

As for family, DH used to be so easy, but that was 25yrs ago, and now he is harder to shop for...he has everything...

My kids give me a list, and I just go to Amazon and shop...E A S Y!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

My DH is tough too. He never says what he wants or he just goes and gets it. men!

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I talked to my mom yesterday and decided one thing for my nieces. They will be getting tutus like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ambrosialove/522118984/

the little boys probably art kits

Some people might be getting mittens or scarfs since I just learned to knit without looking.

I was going to add, the fleece blankets. I made one for Ds when he was a baby to put over the car seat to carry around in the winter. I used 1 yd and it is just a tad too small so if it is for a baby or child I would do around 1.5 yds and maybe 2 for an adult? Just a guess on that one.

 

[palpluto]

ddavis860- How do you make the candy wreaths?

 

[ddavis860]

ddavis860- How do you make the candy wreaths?

I'll try...This one looks something like mine did, but mine had the silver safety scissors attached that hung down in the back.

Macrame ring, 2 spools of wire, safety scissors, ribbon, candy with wrappers that have tails, like werthers original.

The wire is held 1 spool in each hand and crossed over the ring...so you start by wrapping the wires on to attach them. The pattern is cross in front, cross behind...repeat. But each time you cross in front, loop 1 side and stick in a wrapper end, finish the cross in front. Cross behind the ring and come back to the front. Loop the other side wire, stick in a wrapper end, finish the cross in front. Cross behind, and come back to the front. Just keep looping opposite sides of the wire and stick the candy wrapper end in the loops. Keep it tight so the candy is secure. I would hold the ring in my lap, between my knees, and just sit and wrap.

When the ring is full except for 1 inch, finish the wire ends by wrapping around the ring. Then cut a length of ribbon long enough to loop in the scissors and hang from the ring. Make sure it is long enough so the scissors can be used to cut the candy off. Make a wreath bow to finish and attach it on the ring over the scissors hanging ribbon.

Clear as mud?

 

[stefplus3]

I found this great FREE set of tutu instructions. Figured I'd share as they would make great gifts for little girls

http://www.lacijo.com/pages/tutuinstructions.php

 

[pyrateswife]

that candy wreath looks like a good idea but i am not crafty and i got lost in the instructions.. ( not to hard for me to do) lol

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I finished my 4 tutus. They are easy and cheap...hmm there is a joke in there somewhere.

Now I need to figure out my next project.

 

[stefplus3]

I finished my 4 tutus. They are easy and cheap...hmm there is a joke in there somewhere.

Now I need to figure out my next project.

hee hee

 

[stefplus3]

Me again more ideas!!

i just saw on www.youcanmakethis.com an e-book (for sale) that gives recipes on how to homemake body scrubs and other yummy goodies like that!! Jars are cheap at ac moore and michaels (when they're on sale) and I don't know a woman that would love some yummy bath supplies. The book would be an investment b/c you could use the recipes forever.....christmas, birthdays, mothers day, etc!!

You could make up a little set of different products with the same scent and put the jars in a basket. The Amy Butlet site has a FREE pattern for an eye mask and that would be a nice thing to throw in too. The site for the free pattern is www.amybutlerdesigns.com and click on the link for free patterns.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Me again more ideas!!

i just saw on www.youcanmakethis.com an e-book (for sale) that gives recipes on how to homemake body scrubs and other yummy goodies like that!! Jars are cheap at ac moore and michaels (when they're on sale) and I don't know a woman that would love some yummy bath supplies. The book would be an investment b/c you could use the recipes forever.....christmas, birthdays, mothers day, etc!!

You could make up a little set of different products with the same scent and put the jars in a basket. The Amy Butlet site has a FREE pattern for an eye mask and that would be a nice thing to throw in too. The site for the free pattern is www.amybutlerdesigns.com and click on the link for free patterns.

Thanks, that is a good idea. If you knit or crochet you could make some washcloths to go with it too. Here are some links to some other ones too:
http://diytv.com/diy/nh_pers_care_aromatherapy/article/0,2025,DIY_14148_2268205,00.html
http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2006/12/02/make-it-coffee-cinnamon-bath-salts/
http://www.dotcomwomen.com/crafts/homemade-gifts-bath.shtml
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugalgifts/bathsalt.htm

Here are some links I wanted to share too:
http://www.organizedchristmas.com/
http://www.heart4home.net/giftsinajar.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/our-featured-christmas-crafts.html

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I think I may be making some bath and body products. (I have to order all the stuff online)

I can't think of anything good for the men.

Any ideas?

I 'could' do bath and body in a manly scent for them I suposse or I could do my yearly cookie basket.

 

[ZPT1022]

subscribing to this. We're trying to make Christmas more personal and less commercial this year. Less expensive wouldn't hurt either. LOVE the tutus! All the little girls on our list will be getting those. If someone has the recipe for the cocoa that you make and put in the mason jars, I would love to have it. I'm thinking of doing that for all the teachers. My son is in special ed preschool and has two teachers, 3 paraprofessionals, an OT, a PT, a speech teacher, and someone else I'm forgetting. Plus his twin has two teachers, my oldest has a teacher plus an aide, plus the four ballet teachers I need to start now. I guess that would be another thing- I know the tutus and stuff can be made now, and I'll be making cookie dough and freezing it, but can I make things like the cocoa in the mason jars now or will it get stale?

*~*Becky*~*

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Here is the hot chocolate mix I use...
Which reminds me to add this to my list of things to do... Love this recipe..
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hot-Chocolate-Mix-I/Detail.aspx

I think maybe making some chocolate covered spoons would be cool to add with this... if you scroll down on this link you'll find the spoons.
http://www.organizedchristmas.com/

 

[PiperPizzaz]

This is the cocoa recipe I used and it was delicious:
http://www.heart4home.net/giajhotcocoamix.htm
I don't know about it going stale. Maybe wait a couple weeks or so to get started. It will last a long time. I would not mix marshamallows into it. I did tie little bags of marshamallows onto mine but, they still got air in them and were a little stale. I also tied candy canes on mine with raffia.

So which of these items do you think I should includ in my bath and body kit:

lip balm (I am for sure)
lotion bar (I am for sure)
lotion
bar soap
body wash
bubble bath
bath bomb (I am for sure)
bubble bath
bath salt
salt body scrub

Any others you can think of would be much appreciated.

I wanted to add I ordered my stuff for my bath products. $90 later, lol. But, that is for probably 12 people or so, so not too bad. I have a few more things to get for it but, it should cost more than $100 total and they will be really nice stuff.

 

[ZPT1022]

Thank you both for the recipe sites. Great idea about the dipped spoons! I will definitely do that too. Right now I'm thinking little baskets filled with the following- mason jar full of cocoa (I will buy some Christmas gingham and top the jars and tie with raffia or ribbon), dipped spoons, pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and then in Christmas sprinkles, plus a tin of homemade cookies. Hopefully that is a decent present.

This is the cocoa recipe I used and it was delicious:
http://www.heart4home.net/giajhotcocoamix.htm
I don't know about it going stale. Maybe wait a couple weeks or so to get started. It will last a long time. I would not mix marshamallows into it. I did tie little bags of marshamallows onto mine but, they still got air in them and were a little stale. I also tied candy canes on mine with raffia.

So which of these items do you think I should includ in my bath and body kit:

lip balm (I am for sure)
lotion bar (I am for sure)
lotion
bar soap
body wash
bubble bath
bath bomb (I am for sure)
bubble bath
bath salt
salt body scrub

Any others you can think of would be much appreciated.

I wanted to add I ordered my stuff for my bath products. $90 later, lol. But, that is for probably 12 people or so, so not too bad. I have a few more things to get for it but, it should cost more than $100 total and they will be really nice stuff.

Where did you find the recipes for how to make all the bath products? I think I would do the scrub and some sort of soap- either bar or body wash, if I were you. That would round out the gifts very nicely

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Thank you both for the recipe sites. Great idea about the dipped spoons! I will definitely do that too. Right now I'm thinking little baskets filled with the following- mason jar full of cocoa (I will buy some Christmas gingham and top the jars and tie with raffia or ribbon), dipped spoons, pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and then in Christmas sprinkles, plus a tin of homemade cookies. Hopefully that is a decent present.






Where did you find the recipes for how to make all the bath products? I think I would do the scrub and some sort of soap- either bar or body wash, if I were you. That would round out the gifts very nicely

That basket sounds really good. I have done the pretzels before and people loved them. I also have dipped them in smashed up candy cane, yum. When I do my dipping chocolate I use one bag of chocolate chips and one tablespoon of shortening, it works perfectly. Just make sure no moisture gets in it and you don't over heat it.

I got the recipes here and there online. The supplies I mostly got at brambleberry.com and they have some recipes there. I 'may' do some soap it is harder to do. I think I am going to do the scrub along with bath salts, lotion bar, and lip balm.

 

[terri01p]

I got this ideal off of the budget board last year and it was a big hit for me.
I went to the dollar store and bought some small cutting boards and big cutting knifes and made banana nut bread in loafs and placed one loaf bread on the board with a knife and wraped it nicely. It was very little money and made a nice gift that people loved.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

I need to really read this whole thread - but for men I have made "homemade" bbq rubs (print the recipe too) and pick up a bbq mitt or silicone pot holder (something I find on sale -of course) and pkg together. Also, check out the car care area for sales - I have gotten things like auto window wipes, mitts with a snow blade, sock hats on sale and then I just pkg that related stuff together. My goal is definitely spend less than $10 per person but to look like $20!

A favorite for most everyone on my list (and they always ask for it) is a bag of white choc popcorn with nuts and pretzels. I probably could just skip everything but that item and I could still qualify as "favorite auntie" for the day

also, we (ohMom is my DD) make cookies and candy and we always, always shop for containers at the end of the season for the following year - for work I generally get a "cutsie" candy dish and fill with a homemade choc (will post recipe at a later date if you want - it is easy and so YUM) sometimes, I will see the dish sitting on desks with paper clips, etc.

Wait, I just thought of a hit from last year - I bought the photo holders that "hold" a picture (mine were ornament shape and the wire holder a star shape- from Kohls) and printed the recipe of whatever item I gave and then suggested using the holder as a recipe holder in the kitchen. Lots of compliments on that idea. I bought some after Christmas last year and am going to use them as name place holders for a dinner this year and then suggest them as recipe holders for the recipient.

Okay - hope I made sense - it's just been one cup of coffee and it's still early but I, too, am starting to think holiday gifts

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I need to really read this whole thread - but for men I have made "homemade" bbq rubs (print the recipe too) and pick up a bbq mitt or silicone pot holder (something I find on sale -of course) and pkg together. Also, check out the car care area for sales - I have gotten things like auto window wipes, mitts with a snow blade, sock hats on sale and then I just pkg that related stuff together. My goal is definitely spend less than $10 per person but to look like $20!

A favorite for most everyone on my list (and they always ask for it) is a bag of white choc popcorn with nuts and pretzels. I probably could just skip everything but that item and I could still qualify as "favorite auntie" for the day

also, we (ohMom is my DD) make cookies and candy and we always, always shop for containers at the end of the season for the following year - for work I generally get a "cutsie" candy dish and fill with a homemade choc (will post recipe at a later date if you want - it is easy and so YUM) sometimes, I will see the dish sitting on desks with paper clips, etc.

Wait, I just thought of a hit from last year - I bought the photo holders that "hold" a picture (mine were ornament shape and the wire holder a star shape- from Kohls) and printed the recipe of whatever item I gave and then suggested using the holder as a recipe holder in the kitchen. Lots of compliments on that idea. I bought some after Christmas last year and am going to use them as name place holders for a dinner this year and then suggest them as recipe holders for the recipient.

Okay - hope I made sense - it's just been one cup of coffee and it's still early but I, too, am starting to think holiday gifts

Wow lots of great ideas. That made me think of something. I have been trying to come up with a good idea for altered clipboards and a recipe holder would be great. Just put an easel back on it. Might be good for my step-dad he is a big cook.
I would love to do bbq stuff for some of the guys but, where I live there is no bbq going on for quite some time after the holidays.