Homemade Holiday Gifts

[Lydia]

Hey, I know it's really early for this (Halloween, right?), but I wanted to get a move on it so I don't run out of time. I was just wondering if anyone has any good ideas for homemade Christmas/ holiday time gifts. I'm trying to save money right now, and I don't want to go crazy buying gifts for everyone, so maybe you guys could help me out. I think the hardest things to make will something that my 17 and 20 year old brothers would like. I'm a little stumped.

And sorry if this isn't a good spot for this thread! It can be moved if need be.

[kraftykraft]

I have gained several more people on my gift list this year. Usually I am unable to attend the Christmas celebration at my grandma's (my mom's side) so I don't have to worry about producing gifts, I just help mom pick out gifts and then she puts my name on it. This year, my family is hosting it and I will be there, hence I really should have gifts for everyone. I am thinking about doing something food - chocolate covered pretzles and nuts in a gift tin (you can get these at Wal-Mart or the dollar store) for each family. I also thought about making my own flavored popcorn or baking cookies. People (well most people) like food and it isn't another thing that will just be put in a drawer or given to away. It is tough because I don't really know this side of the family very well and I don't want to spend tons of money.

[starwitch78]

I'm trying to be frugal this year -- I'll be making rice bags (the ones that work like a heating pad), bath salts, flavored olive oils and food mixes. I'm still researching for more ideas, but that's what I have to start with. :) Oh, and homebrew for the beer fans in our family. :P

~StarWitch~

[cowgirrlup]

I'm trying to be frugal this year -- I'll be making rice bags (the ones that work like a heating pad), bath salts, flavored olive oils and food mixes. I'm still researching for more ideas, but that's what I have to start with. :) Oh, and homebrew for the beer fans in our family. :P

~StarWitch~

Those are all good ideas! I wish I was in your family!:D

I recently picked up 3 books at the thrift store and they are all about making gifts at the holidays. I'll check them out and if anything seems interesting and not too expensive, I'll post the ideas.

[cowgirrlup]

I have gained several more people on my gift list this year. Usually I am unable to attend the Christmas celebration at my grandma's (my mom's side) so I don't have to worry about producing gifts, I just help mom pick out gifts and then she puts my name on it. This year, my family is hosting it and I will be there, hence I really should have gifts for everyone. I am thinking about doing something food - chocolate covered pretzles and nuts in a gift tin (you can get these at Wal-Mart or the dollar store) for each family. I also thought about making my own flavored popcorn or baking cookies. People (well most people) like food and it isn't another thing that will just be put in a drawer or given to away. It is tough because I don't really know this side of the family very well and I don't want to spend tons of money.


I made chocolate covered pretzels a few years ago and everyone loved them! (even my spoiled SIL)

I got some of my decorative tins at the thrift store...they were good as new and only 25 cents each.

Ok, now I am craving the choc & the pretzels..:D

[Malcontent]

I'm going to be making gift baskets filled with dried fruits and nuts for a few people who are the ones with everything type. I was thinking about ordering them a gift basket until I saw the price - $30 to $40 something per basket. Eeek! The contents inside aren't even worth that much. So I'll be packing things myself so I could customize to their taste for probably half the prize thus saving me money to use it for a few people who I do want to spend a little more on.:D

[cinders7]

I like the dried fruit and nut idea,i have a few baskets floating around.I also have some vases which i thought i could decorate.How about filling jars. layered with items.Like for the handy man nuts and bolts,sweets(candy) for the sweet tooth,cookie mix ingredients(indivually wrapped),seeds for a gardener.Try wrapping your gifts within a gift for example use a christmas tea towel to wrap an another item or use a scarf etc

[Michael]

I made chocolate covered pretzels a few years ago and everyone loved them! (even my spoiled SIL)


That's what I was going to suggest. We use pretzel rods and dip them in chocolate or white chocolate. And then drizzle one on top of the other. They look pretty fancy. We made a bunch for our wedding. I bought bags for them on eBay, they came with twisty ties but we wrapped them with ribbon for a classier look. People thought we bought them. You can use colored ribbon for just about any holiday (black/orange for Halloween, etc).

I'm not sure we'll go through the trouble this year. We'll probably just make cookies.

[mazikeen]

There are some old threads on homemade gifts with lots of ideas:

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=45546

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=79853

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=63555

[dezerei]

A real easy thing I have made is to take some chocolate almond bark and melt it in a pot, then crush up some candy canes or peppermint candy (put them in a plastic bag and then crush with hammer) and add them to the almond bark. Then I pour into mini muffin papers or you can use foil candy papers also. It makes a great candy and tastes expensive. I figured this out by accident after having leftover almond bark from covering pretzel sticks.

[LadyFaile]

2 years ago i made hot cocoa jars for everyone. i put sugar, cocoa, and soymilk powder in little jars and attached a bag of peppermint teabags and a card with instructions. you put a couple spoonfuls of mix into a mug with a little bit of boiling water, mix it up into a paste, toss in a teabag and fill the rest of the way with water and stir. makes peppermint hot chocolate. i didn't like it with the soymilk powder though, and the tea i got was not the best. if i do this again i'll skip the soymilk and splurge on better brand of tea, or maybe even try different teas. we have hazelnut tea in the staffroom at work, i bet that would be good in cocoa :)

oh i also made beaded jewellery and christmas ornaments. i'm making ornaments again this year i think, i found a really easy one in a martha stewart magazine using christmas cards (supposed to reuse ones that people have sent but nobody sends me cards so i bought a couple boxes at the dollar store), glue and that elasticy ribbon you can get for giftwrapping. all from the dollar store, i think it cost me about $5 and i made 8 or so and still have enough stuff to make a few more. i'm going to pick up some more cards though. antiquey type designs work the best, ones with outdoor scenes etc, where the whole front of the card is detailed with no big empty spaces. i can post the instructions if anyone wants to try it. i cut out a template but still had a hard time keeping all the pieces equal, this time i might try putting them through the printer and printing the guidelines right on the cards.

[LadyFaile]

piccy of one of the ornaments :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

I'm making homemade granola with dried fruits and nuts and putting it in pretty jars. Simple and cheap. I have really NO money for gifts this year...

[Malcontent]

How about mendiants? Super easy to make and elegant looking.

[karenlovessnow]

^^^wow...those look awesome! I think I might give that a try!

[Veggily]

A couple of handmade things I found to be popular with teen young/adult guys is tee shirts and pillowcases. Tee shirts are a bit challenging if you don't have appropriate sewing equipment, but pillowcases can be made with just a sewing machine, scissors and thread, plus fabric, of course. You can even make one without a sewing machine; it'll just take a lot longer. Find fabric in their favorite color (if you really want to keep the budget down, you can get scrap fabric at the fabric store, or cut up old clothing), and make sure to embellish the pillowcases with applique or embroidery - their names or some saying they like, perhaps?

You could also make fleece scarves, which is fun, and no sewing required. All you need is fleece (you can bargain fleece pieces, which are usually priced down quite a bit) and a pair of scissors. If the fleece is at least 44inches (110-115 or thereabouts cm), you can just cut the width that you want the scarf to be (so, even if you are buying the fleece, you really won't need much, but make sure that the store has cut it straight across). Make sure you have right angles on all sides, so the fabric isn't crooked. Then, use your (good sewing) sharp scissors to cut into the fabric for the fringe, maybe 3-5 inches into the fabric? Make sure the cuts are even. (i.e. If you are cutting them 1/2 inch apart, all the cuts should be 1/2 inch apart.) Do this on the other end as well. If there is a nub at the edge of the fabric, you will probably have to cut that off first.

When you buy the fleece, either make very sure that it is cut completely straight at the fabric store (which it won't be), or buy a little bit extra since you'll have to cut some off to make it straight at home. You can draw a line with a ruler/yardstick and chalk, charcoal, or even a felt pen if you don't have anything else. You'll probably need about 1/3 yard for one scarf.

You can also cut the scarves lengthwise, which is nice because then you can make really long scarves, but since you pay by the yard for the fabric, it will cost more money and you will end up with leftovers that you might not need, unless you are making duplicates of the same scarf using the same fabric.

[Veggily]

How about mendiants? Super easy to make and elegant looking.

That would never work for me. I'd end up giving away empty bags...

Day-ang, those look good!

[jessicarose]

I've made flavored vodka for gifts with much success.
Cranberry cordial: Roughly chop a bag of cranberries, add vodka and berries into a larger jar/tupperware etc. shake occasionally. I usually let it sit about 3 weeks. Turns the most beautiful fuschia color! strain berries after a few weeks, put in original or pretty bottle and give.

Chile pepper vodka- very good for bloody marys- same as above, add 3-7 dried chile peppers. You don't have to remove the peppers actually and it looks kind of cool in the bottle.

For nondrinkers, homemade vanilla extract- Slice a vanilla bean lengthwise so the seeds are exposed. Add to about 4 oz. vodka ( for "plain" vanilla) or bourbon for "spicier" vanilla. Keep at least 3 weeks and up to several months. Discard vanilla bean and use as you would any other vanilla extract.

Jessica

[Hamry]

How about mendiants? Super easy to make and elegant looking.



Wow,definitely think I'll give those a go.

I made lavender and lemon bath salts this evening. I filled up a whole wine bottle with the lavender and split the lemon in to smaller jars. I decorated over the old labels too. When I have some nice ribbon and string I'll take a photo and post them here.

I'm also planning on doing cookie mix jars for my cousins and possibly some kind of soup mix for someone else. I think a gingerbread house might be in order too. My gifts are mostly going to be very jar related, but I'm really skint and can't seem to think of anything suitable but gift jars!

[animallover7249]

piccy of one of the ornaments :)

We made those one year when I was in middle school, for the children's hospital. We all brought in cards to make them, but you couldn't have any with glitter incase it fell off in the hospital. It was a lot of fun to know what you were making them for.

[LadyFaile]

i didn't use glitter on mine anyway i find it kinda tacky lol

[TigerLover]

I alway love ceramics. I used to do them when I was a kid. I think making ceramic xmas decorations would be cool. I have been considering for the last few years to take a ceramics class. I love ceramic trees, santas, snowmen.