Need inexpensive gift ideas for Grandparents & Aunts (homemade or purchased)

[mad hatter fan]

Things are going to be tight money wise this next Christmas. We are doing an inexpensive as possible Disneyland trip in Janurary and the tickets will be the kid's main gifts. I am also looking now for good deals on a few other toy type gifts now. What I need help with is our extended families. Two sets of grandparents and two aunts. We always make them a calandar with the kids' photos in it every year so that is a given. I know the grandparent would love a t-shirt or sweatshirt with the grandkids photo on it but I think that would be quite pricey. Does anyone have any idea of inexpensive gifts that the kids could make (with my help) to give them? I need some new creative ideas. Or does anyone know if there is a way to put photos on shirts inexpensively? Thanks everyone.

 

[lizally]

HI. Do you do any sewing? I am making aprons this year for the Grandmothers and Aunts. I am not a very experienced sewer, but I have my mom's old machine, and I purchased an easy-sew apron pattern, and some $2 per yard fabrics. You can even buy the personalized tags to sew in that say "made with love by _____". Also, Heat-N-Bond can be used instead of sewing, it is really easy to work with, though the kids would have to be careful around the iron. Maybe the kids could help by decorating the aprons with fabric paints or something.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

How about a tote bag. You know those canvas ones they sell at the craft stores. You could put an iron on picture on one side and then have the kids use fabric paint or markers to jazz it up. (That would be good for the grandma's and aunts and would probably get more use than a shirt)

Also, how about making chocolate 'gourmet' popcorn. Just pop plain popcorn and drizzle melted chocolate over it. Break it up when it is dry and put it in a tin or something.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You can make the sweatshirts cheap. Just get a sweatshirt on sale and then iron on paper for your printer. Scan the kids photos in, edit them however you want and then print them out. You then iron them on the sweatshirt and you can use sewing glue (I forget whst it's called) to add some lace on the collar or cuffs if that's Grandma's style. It should cost about $5 total for each shirt.

 

[grlpwrd]

You can buy photo transfer paper and put the photo on a shirt, bag, apron, etc.

One year we decorated bags with the kids handprints with paint and embellished with sequins, rhinestones, etc. They still use their's - I just wish I made one for myself. lol

One year we made decoupaged service trays with copies of photos of the kids. I think I got the idea from Family Fun magazine. You could make a decorated clock with kid pics. I think the instructions are at familyfun.com .

GL!

 

[McKelly]

Have kids cut out squares of fabric, use fabric glue to glue three sides together, stuff the square pockets with potpourri and then glue the final side together. Tie several of them together with ribbon. This is a simple, cheap gift for women - sachets for their drawers.