The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: swick on January 15, 2017, 12:03:02 PM
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The Challenge: Make some or all the Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
The BONUS Challenge: Move your family to a Homemade/non-consumer Christmas as much as possible.
Lots if ideas and inspiration in previous challenges here:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2013/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2013/)
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2014-edition!!/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2014-edition!!/)
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2015-edition!!/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2015-edition!!/)
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2016/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2016/)
Starting the thread pretty early this year is we want to tackle some more mindset shifts in extended family as well as incorporate more things that can be made in the spring/summer so starting to plan early is key!
Want to join me?
EDIT: Idea Board:
I have created a "secret" Pinterest board that we can share ideas on called "MMM Homemade Christmas!" I have kept it secret because it may not be something that you want showing up in your regular feed. If you want to join so you can see/add to it, please PM me the email that you use for your Pinterest account. It is currently empty, waiting for your contributions! Updated with all the links I could find from previous years. Lots of ideas for kids and edibles and other cool crafty-ness
EDIT: MINI MONTHLY CHALLENGES!!
There has been some interest in doing some mini challenges to keep us motivated and on track throughout the months. I'll update this OP with the monthly themes and you can chose to participate or not in any of them as you like.
January - Inspired by Chippewa: Create your gift list and a list of projects with a TIMELINE attached
This will be especially important for those bigger projects and projects such as infused liquors, soaps and others that need a longer lead time or ingredients that can only be harvested at specific times of the year. Please share your project list and timelines so we can inspire each other!
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I'm in! I actually have been thinking this quite a bit and want to make a spreadsheet about what projects to work on. If I start now then hopefully I can do pretty good by holiday.
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I'm in! I knit a fair portion of my gifts as it is, but I'd love to make some other things, AND finish everything on time. *glares at the pile of 2016 knitting left to do*
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Checking in for 2017!
One year I grew luffa, then made lots of things with the resulting fruits for Christmas gifts: exfoliating soap, wash mitts, scrubbies, etc. In my mid-Atlantic climate, the growing season wasn't quite long enough for fully mature luffa, but it would be good for someone a little warmer. Get those seeds started early!
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Love the spreadsheet idea!
Wonder if it would be worth it to create some very mini-challenges each month or a specific area to tackle/look at/plan each month. So something along the lines of:
January - Create a projects spreadsheet and gift list
February - Look at Present packaging (less waste, reusable gift bags, etc)
March - Examine traditions what to keep what to reevaluate (Specific things might include advent calendars, Christmas crackers etc)
Apri....
If anyone is interested in looking at it from that way, I can noodle some ideas around.
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Well I love plans that would help forward my movement. I would be up for it.
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Well I love plans that would help forward my movement. I would be up for it.
Cool, any ideas for mini-challenges/areas to consider?
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I did not do much for Homemade Christmas 2016 because I started quite late. But the two things I did do were quite well-received, and very easy, so I recommend them. This recipe in a little jar with a tea infuser and cute mug that would appeal to the recipient: http://www.thekitchn.com/the-5-spices-you-need-for-homemade-chai-200440 and this recipe in a 8 oz. mason jar: https://smittenkitchen.com/2011/12/peppermint-hot-fudge-sauce/ Homemade vanilla ice cream might have made a nice addition, but also a hard-to-package one!
This year, I'd like to start earlier for sure but I'll probably focus on food stuffs since that's what I do best.
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I didn't get as much done for homemade Christmas this past year as I would have liked, but I am going to start earlier this year. I suggested that the adults on my side of the family draw names next year and the idea was well received, so hopefully we go forward with that!
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I'm in for some of my gifts. One of my goals for this year was to focus on homemade and keeping overall budget to $20/person for gifts (not counting shipping). Been toying with making vanilla extract after an herbal tincture I made turned out well. Whew. You all have inspired me and I will get the vanilla started in Feb.
I do not have a lot of the crafty skills that some folks here do (OMG, Cherry Lane, your pics from last year wow me) but I can embroider well and am doing wall-hangings for my nieces for their birthdays based on their loves. Will continue to watch this post (and read the others) for more ideas.
Thanks for starting this thread. Super fun!
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I'm in. Thinking about...
*food....baked goods, ingredients in a fancy jar to make soup...
*knitting scarves, slippers...need to learn to knit first!
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Posting to follow. My nuts were popular- egg nog varied. Some people just don't like it.
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I'm in for 2017 too! Such great ideas here!
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Has anyone collected all the recipes, patterns,etc. in one place? If someone did it, could we get it pinned somewhere?
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I didn't do anything homemade for Christmas 2016. I give few gifts - cash for my niece and nephew because they are teenagers and then we take my parents out for dinner in January as their Christmas present.
One side of my family celebrates Orthodox Christmas which is January 7. My cousin usually does home-made gifts which are really great. I reciprocate by buying chocolates for the kids and bringing wine as a hostess gift. I think for 2017 I will do some candied nuts in cute jars for my cousins and my aunt. Chocolates for the kids still though. :)
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*knitting scarves, slippers...need to learn to knit first!
I found the videos at http://knittinghelp.com to be immensely helpful when I was learning to knit. Once you feel comfortable, Ravelry is a great place to find patterns.
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My family has pretty much converted to either homemade gifts or no gifts (and either is fine, some years we give, some years we don't, depends on time, other demands, illnesses, etc).
I made two potholders after Christmas this year. I bought a couple yards of insulbrite with a 60% off coupon, added terry cloth on one side, so seeing how they work. If they are good with the heat then I'm set-- I like their thickness, but haven't used them yet (cook a lot, but haven't thought about using the new ones when I'm doing it). I received a pan handle pot holder as an "extra" in a fabric postcard swap, and really like it, so will probably make everyone at least one of those (everyone in our family cooks).
I'm also going to hand quilt a queen size quilt for the parents. My sister and sister-in-law are both helping make blocks for the top, but not sure if they will be able to help with the quilting, since one doesn't hand quilt and the other lives too far away. If we can get the top completed this spring or early summer, I should have enough time to get it finished.
Not sure yet what I'll do for my son. We'll see if he goes away for school in the fall or spends one more year at home.
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2016 was a success (thanks to several ideas from this forum), so I'm going to do it again in 2017! Fortunately, a lot of what I gave were consumables, so I can just make them again! Melt and pour soap, chocolate-covered graham crackers, roasted almonds, soup mix in a jar, tea mixes. All were well received.
The chocolate-graham crackers were probably the best, mostly because my mom (who is a really good cook, so this should not be foreign to her) kept asking me how I made them, like there was some kind of magic to it. Um, buy graham crackers and chocolate chips. Melt chocolate chips. Dip. Cool. Package.
The soap was also great because I now have plenty of leftovers for myself, which means I don't have to buy any for a long time or maybe ever, if I continue to make more.
As for packaging, I got ribbon 70% off at Michael's, and while I was standing in line, I used their free Wifi to download a 50% off coupon for the little bags I was buying.
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Posting for motivation. I failed miserably last year, but am undeterred. Well, I actually gave my husband a painting I made some creative but not made by me gifts based on my photographs, but I think I can do better. I loved everyone's ideas from the 2016 post. I think I just need to start much earlier, and build practice and confidence in my newbie sewing skills.
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One of the semi-homemade gifts I gave was a huge hit with my sister and her family! I put an iTunes card in a small canning jar for each of them and filled it with Christmas candy (the cheapest ones I could find) bought in bulk. It was cute because at first her 11 and 13 year olds were like "oh fancy ... cool" and THEN one of them spotted the iTunes card tucked into each jar. I was pleased with this as a gift and would do again.
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LITERALLY just mentioned wanting to do this to SO this morning. Thanks for making the thread!
I'm considering making calendars with a series of paintings, and also looking for other ideas that don't require too much technical ability, haha!
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Love the spreadsheet idea!
Wonder if it would be worth it to create some very mini-challenges each month or a specific area to tackle/look at/plan each month. So something along the lines of:
January - Create a projects spreadsheet and gift list
February - Look at Present packaging (less waste, reusable gift bags, etc)
March - Examine traditions what to keep what to reevaluate (Specific things might include advent calendars, Christmas crackers etc)
Apri....
If anyone is interested in looking at it from that way, I can noodle some ideas around.
Oh I'm already winning at this one. I found my Christmas gift tags in January. After not being able to them at, you know, Christmas.
I always save proper ribbons when I receive them, so haven't bought ribbon in years.
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I am interested in this and thankfully we have shifted to a no-gift-giving-for-adults rule. But I still have a fair amount of children to buy for (6 in total under the age of 8...youngest 3)). I'd love to hear some ideas for homemade gifts that might fly for kids. I am so tired of buying shite at toys r us. This year, I gave candy and money because I just didn't have the time/creativity on my side. I don't love giving money because (as horrible as it is to say about some family members...I think the parents often keep it for themselves). I haven't read through all the past forums, but the ideas generally seems tailored to adult gift giving...so if any one has any great ideas I am all ears!
Looking forward to seeing the ideas flow!
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I'd love some ideas for men that don't involve sewing/knitting or meat. My fiance, dad, and brother have everything, buy whatever they want (which isn't much), and are generally impossible to shop for. And they're not really into all the soap, tea, chocolate, etc. that works so well for my mom.
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GreenSheep, men are difficult to get gifts for, in general. Would they enjoy limoncello or some other homemade liquor?
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I'm tentatively in. Not sure how much will be achievable given I'll have a bub halfway through the year, but I'm keen to crochet some simple tree ornaments earlier in the year and then make consumables later on if I can...
And I definitely want to follow everyone's ideas and successes :-) this is always one of my favourite threads!
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Actually, if you're prepared for gift making, you might have a better than usual chance at getting gifts made. Baby will make you busier than ever before, sure, but not in a running around kind of way, and not in the first few months especially. In those early days, especially if you are breastfeeding, you spend a lot of time sitting around with an infant on you. Once you get nursing down, you could probably crochet with baby snuggled up to you. They also sleep a lot at first. 18 months old? Forget it. But 3months old? Lots of time to make stuff.
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I'd love some ideas for men that don't involve sewing/knitting or meat. My fiance, dad, and brother have everything, buy whatever they want (which isn't much), and are generally impossible to shop for. And they're not really into all the soap, tea, chocolate, etc. that works so well for my mom.
Is all food out or just chocolate? Applesauce? Caramel corn? Brownies or chocolate chip cookies? Banana bread? Or if you cook and they live close, could you make a real meal for them? (All of the guys I know like food of some kind.)
Massage for fiance?
How old is your brother? What kind of stuff does he like?
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I'd love some ideas for men that don't involve sewing/knitting or meat. My fiance, dad, and brother have everything, buy whatever they want (which isn't much), and are generally impossible to shop for. And they're not really into all the soap, tea, chocolate, etc. that works so well for my mom.
Is all food out or just chocolate? Applesauce? Caramel corn? Brownies or chocolate chip cookies? Banana bread? Or if you cook and they live close, could you make a real meal for them? (All of the guys I know like food of some kind.)
Massage for fiance?
How old is your brother? What kind of stuff does he like?
That's a good point; other food would be fine. It's just that my mom is always cooking for both of them, so homemade goodies and meals are a daily thing for them. (Brother doesn't live at home anymore but is 10 minutes away, whereas I am across the country.) They are also both ridiculously picky. I'll have to try to come up with some new and different food!
Hmm... in thinking about what my brother's into, it occurred to me that he recently bought a house which he is fixing up himself. So really what I should do is offer my services to help paint a room, put in a tile floor, etc. -- assuming those projects are still under way a year from now. That would actually be kinda fun! His frugal girlfriend bought some chairs at a thrift shop, sanded off the horrible old paint, and repainted them as his Christmas present. She's a keeper!
Sorry to derail the thread... just thought others might find it harder to come up with gifts for the men in their lives, too!
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Sorry to derail the thread... just thought others might find it harder to come up with gifts for the men in their lives, too!
Not a derail, this is something that is pondered and discussed every year as we all seem to a man or two in our lives who we find it difficult to figure something out for. If you want to make some fancy pants liquor for your bro and have access to a walnut tree, you could make Nocino http://homestead-honey.com/2015/06/17/homemade-black-walnut-liqueur-recipe/ (http://homestead-honey.com/2015/06/17/homemade-black-walnut-liqueur-recipe/) We did a bunch for Christmas a couple of years ago, went over really well! You do have to start in June though, when the walnuts are still green. They are still a pain to cut (I crushed them with crab crackers. And they will stain everything they touch. I had brown stained hands for about a month.
I haven't read through all the past forums, but the ideas generally seems tailored to adult gift giving...so if any one has any great ideas I am all ears!
Looking forward to seeing the ideas flow!
Lots of ideas in the 2016 thread, play food, felt books, capes and other wearables! Also experience gifts are always good too if they live close by and you can do something with them.
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Paracord is pretty straightforward to work with! I haven't ever done much with it but it is fairly smooth and knots easily.
Ideas for kids:
Recycled crayons: http://www.makeandtakes.com/recycled-chunky-crayons
Pajama pants
Personalized anything
Superhero capes
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I really like this idea. My wife and I tried to do a few home-made gifts last x-mas, but mostly we did not start preparing in time to cover a significant portion of our gift-giving. We'll work on that this year for sure.
I'd like to give away some of our homemade hard cider, or mead (honey wine) next x-mas. The basic recipes for these are surprisingly easy to follow. The mead takes a long time to age to a drinkable condition and good honey from which to prepare it can be expensive. However, it seems a very novel gift!
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I'd like to give away some of our homemade hard cider, or mead (honey wine) next x-mas. The basic recipes for these are surprisingly easy to follow. The mead takes a long time to age to a drinkable condition and good honey from which to prepare it can be expensive. However, it seems a very novel gift!
Welcome to the forums! Mead is an awesome gift! My sister usually has a batch going - and I know I'm going to get some, so I don't do it myself :) She's done a reg mead, a spiced mead and a huckleberry. She did hand illustrated labels and always looks super duper fancy. You can't really buy commercial Mead here, so if you can find it it is upwards of 75 bucks for an ice wine-sized bottle.
Jan mini-challenge:
I've added a gifts spreadsheet to out budget and listed out Birthdays as well as Christmas gifts. Still working on gift ideas and this is probably going to be ongoing.
I have created a "secret" Pinterest board that we can share ideas on called "MMM Homemade Christmas!" I have kept it secret because it may not be something that you want showing up in your regular feed. If you want to join so you can see/add to it, please PM me the email that you use for your Pinterest account. It is currently empty, waiting for your contributions and updated with all the links I could find from previous years. Lots of ideas for kids and edibles and other cool crafty-ness
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I bought the vanilla beans and vodka this week and started my vanilla! Have been shaking it in the morning and at night and it already looks pretty lovely. Need to start working more on my embroidery projects today!
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I bought the vanilla beans and vodka this week and started my vanilla! Have been shaking it in the morning and at night and it already looks pretty lovely. Need to start working more on my embroidery projects today!
Wat to go getting an early start!
Going through all the old threads reminded me of a few ideas I wanted to do but didn't have the time for in previous years so my list is coming along.
Does anyone have any ideas for homemade gifts that can be made with a Dehydrator or Pressure Canner? Really want to do as much as we can with these pieces of equipment this year. So far on my list is dog and cat treats in the dehydrator.
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Apple rings in the dehydrater would be good! In a jar with ribbon around it :-)
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I bought the vanilla beans and vodka this week and started my vanilla! Have been shaking it in the morning and at night and it already looks pretty lovely. Need to start working more on my embroidery projects today!
Wat to go getting an early start!
Going through all the old threads reminded me of a few ideas I wanted to do but didn't have the time for in previous years so my list is coming along.
Does anyone have any ideas for homemade gifts that can be made with a Dehydrator or Pressure Canner? Really want to do as much as we can with these pieces of equipment this year. So far on my list is dog and cat treats in the dehydrator.
Thanks! :) Wouldn't have done it in time without this thread!
Re. dehydrator: I agree with the dried apples suggestion and also would add pears, if you can get them for a decent price. I absolutely adore dried pears and would love them as a gift. My sister also dries pineapple when it's on sale at the grocery store.
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I bought the vanilla beans and vodka this week and started my vanilla! Have been shaking it in the morning and at night and it already looks pretty lovely. Need to start working more on my embroidery projects today!
Wat to go getting an early start!
Going through all the old threads reminded me of a few ideas I wanted to do but didn't have the time for in previous years so my list is coming along.
Does anyone have any ideas for homemade gifts that can be made with a Dehydrator or Pressure Canner? Really want to do as much as we can with these pieces of equipment this year. So far on my list is dog and cat treats in the dehydrator.
Thanks! :) Wouldn't have done it in time without this thread!
Re. dehydrator: I agree with the dried apples suggestion and also would add pears, if you can get them for a decent price. I absolutely adore dried pears and would love them as a gift. My sister also dries pineapple when it's on sale at the grocery store.
All of these are great. You can dehydrate just about any fruit and make it into a nice gift. I usually add some cinnamon to my apples.
Dehydrated raspberries are a pain to make (have to stand each one upright, hole facing down) but look gorgeous in a jar because they keep their shape. They're worth the effort for a gift. If you have some that turn out looking not so pretty, you can crush them into a powder. Then they make a nice bright (and delicious!) addition to the tops of cakes instead of powdered sugar.
I've also done dehydrated cranberries (if I remember correctly, you have to boil them first because of the thick skin), which are nice and seasonal and can be added to muffins, granola bars, etc. throughout the year. Oh, and mangoes (get the ataulfo ones -- the smaller, yellower, sweeter, less stringy ones) with chia seeds sprinkled on top for a sweet and crunchy treat. Candied ginger would also probably be easy and well-received for the holidays, but I haven't made it myself.
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You can make jerky in the dehydrator for carnivores (good gift for guys).
Fruit leathers? Tomatoes. Could make up a veggie soup mix from dehydrated veggies.
Wasabi peas? I've bought these before, they might be dehydrated - but it's hard to tell.
Herbs - if you have a garden you can get massive amounts of herbs to dry down. Including mint (for tea). You can dry at peak season.
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In. Last year I made chocolate truffles, beef jerky (good for men), jardiniere (good for men), and apple butter. I also gave gift certificates for ski lessons, day of household repairs, and homemade granola.
A decorations section would be good. A few ideas: white pine clippings wired onto a coat hanger with thin green wire makes a nice wreath. Pine cones glued on with a glue gun are good. Save greeting cards, and use the front part for gift labelling. If anyone is taking a ceramics class, ornaments are easy to make. Of course, there is the age-old popcorn and cranberries garland. As a kid, I used to make ornaments with pins and beads stuck into styrofoam balls.
What I need help with is the overspending on the holiday meals. We did non-traditional meals last year, and I spent a fortune on ingredients for a 20-course tapas extravaganza for 11 people. I'd like to slash that spending considerably, while still maintaining the feeling of extravagance for the holidays. Dishes where the preparation can be spread out over days or weeks are especially appreciated, because we were cooking for about four days straight last year.
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Apple butter, tomato/pizza sauce, relish (green tomato relish is really good), are great things to make in the pressure canner. If you use it though, please follow an "official" recipe (from something like Ball or the Extension Office) and all the instructions. I've taken canning classes, and my dad has as well, so I feel safe eating anything we can, but I have a sister who wouldn't follow a recipe and thought she was "canning like gramma" (she wasn't). I'm a little afraid to eat anything she cans... The PNW has a lot of botulism in the soil, so it's a pretty legitimate concern.
Not sure what all you plan to do for dog/cat treats with the dehydrator, but my dog just loved dried sweet potatoes. I wonder if pumpkin would dehydrate well? She would have loved that, if I had thought of it, too.
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I found an idea to make my pot holders even better... We all love my mom's peanut butter bon bons she makes every Christmas. I need to have her hand write the recipe for me again (I can't find my copy! :( ) I'll get some fabric made with her writing and the recipe (from Spoonflower), and make potholders for everyone with that. Just need to come up with a similar short recipe from my dad, then everyone would have a set.
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What I need help with is the overspending on the holiday meals. We did non-traditional meals last year, and I spent a fortune on ingredients for a 20-course tapas extravaganza for 11 people. I'd like to slash that spending considerably, while still maintaining the feeling of extravagance for the holidays. Dishes where the preparation can be spread out over days or weeks are especially appreciated, because we were cooking for about four days straight last year.
Do Italian-ish next year? We do a charcuterie/antipasti Christmas Eve buffet. Lots of different cheeses/meats, crackers, pickles, chutneys, salsas, roasted olives, dips, sundried tomato, roasted peppers, bruschetta, baked brie, palmiers, mini quiches, chicken wings. You don't need too much of each of the expensive stuff (By a variety of the smallest pieces of cheese you can) but it looks like a ton once everything is laid out. Play with display using different dishes and heights on the table.
The great thing about this is most of the stuff can be prepared earlier, a lot of it can be done in the summer if you are canning your own stuff. Then chose only 1 or 2 more labor intensive hot appys and you are ready to go!
Not sure what all you plan to do for dog/cat treats with the dehydrator, but my dog just loved dried sweet potatoes. I wonder if pumpkin would dehydrate well? She would have loved that, if I had thought of it, too.
Most of the time we do Sweet potato, but I was also thinking liver for the pups and tuna for the cats.
I've also done dehydrated cranberries (if I remember correctly, you have to boil them first because of the thick skin), which are nice and seasonal and can be added to muffins, granola bars, etc. throughout the year. Oh, and mangoes (get the ataulfo ones -- the smaller, yellower, sweeter, less stringy ones) with chia seeds sprinkled on top for a sweet and crunchy treat. Candied ginger would also probably be easy and well-received for the holidays, but I haven't made it myself.
Love the idea of the Cranberries! It's hard to find ones here that don't have a ton of sugar in them. I also plan on doing a ton of plums.
I LOVE everyone's dehydrating/canning ideas, THANKS!!
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I never thought of dehydrated food in a jar as a gift! Awesome idea! I just did a whole bag of clearance apples for us last week. They were fantastic!
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I'm in. No grand plans yet.
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What I need help with is the overspending on the holiday meals. We did non-traditional meals last year, and I spent a fortune on ingredients for a 20-course tapas extravaganza for 11 people. I'd like to slash that spending considerably, while still maintaining the feeling of extravagance for the holidays. Dishes where the preparation can be spread out over days or weeks are especially appreciated, because we were cooking for about four days straight last year.
Do Italian-ish next year? We do a charcuterie/antipasti Christmas Eve buffet. Lots of different cheeses/meats, crackers, pickles, chutneys, salsas, roasted olives, dips, sundried tomato, roasted peppers, bruschetta, baked brie, palmiers, mini quiches, chicken wings. You don't need too much of each of the expensive stuff (By a variety of the smallest pieces of cheese you can) but it looks like a ton once everything is laid out. Play with display using different dishes and heights on the table.
The great thing about this is most of the stuff can be prepared earlier, a lot of it can be done in the summer if you are canning your own stuff. Then chose only 1 or 2 more labor intensive hot appys and you are ready to go!
We did do that for another holiday meal the day before the tapas feast! I made 2 lasagnas, freezing one for later, homemade gnocchi gratin, and also had the charcuterie/antipasto. Oh, and a delicious cheesecake made with ricotta as well as cream cheese. I do like the challenge of making new fancy dishes for feasts, and so for this year, I'll cut down on the number of dishes, as well as choose dishes that use less expensive ingredients.
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Replying to follow. Also did this late last year, and am still working on a few gifts for friends who live out of state. Hmm, will need to make up a gift timeline though...
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I'm in. I only have one thing on my list so far -- desk 'emergency' kits for a couple of people. I saw a link somewhere to buy them for like $30 and I remember thinking -- I could make those!
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All of these are great. You can dehydrate just about any fruit and make it into a nice gift. I usually add some cinnamon to my apples.
Dehydrated raspberries are a pain to make (have to stand each one upright, hole facing down) but look gorgeous in a jar because they keep their shape. They're worth the effort for a gift. If you have some that turn out looking not so pretty, you can crush them into a powder. Then they make a nice bright (and delicious!) addition to the tops of cakes instead of powdered sugar.
I've also done dehydrated cranberries (if I remember correctly, you have to boil them first because of the thick skin), which are nice and seasonal and can be added to muffins, granola bars, etc. throughout the year. Oh, and mangoes (get the ataulfo ones -- the smaller, yellower, sweeter, less stringy ones) with chia seeds sprinkled on top for a sweet and crunchy treat. Candied ginger would also probably be easy and well-received for the holidays, but I haven't made it myself.
This is brilliant! I have been looking for a reason to pull out my food dehydrator again!
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Following. I love the idea of a potholder, etc, made from fabric with Grandma's recipe printed on it.
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I'm in! We did everything last minute for 2016, and it was good, but we could have spent less and made better gifts if we started earlier. We gave out cookies, and two different tea mixes, one chai and one lavender, in 4oz mason jars.
I am thinking vanilla extract and limoncello for this year, which means I need to start as soon as possible!
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I am thinking vanilla extract and limoncello for this year, which means I need to start as soon as possible!
The limoncello doesn't take very long (a few weeks maybe), but the vanilla does need an early start. I did mine in early October, which was not enough time. Fortuantely, my vanilla giftee won't be home to use it until March, when it should be ready.
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I found an idea to make my pot holders even better... We all love my mom's peanut butter bon bons she makes every Christmas. I need to have her hand write the recipe for me again (I can't find my copy! :( ) I'll get some fabric made with her writing and the recipe (from Spoonflower), and make potholders for everyone with that. Just need to come up with a similar short recipe from my dad, then everyone would have a set.
i love this idea. My Mom has a bunch of recipes that the DIL is asking for - I think an apron with her favourites printed on it would be a big hit.
I made stained glass garden stakes for my best friend, and I have several requests now from family for more. Those are great, because I can use smaller pieces of glass, and my local supplier gives away anything that is less than 6"x6" for free. I just have to be patient and check the free box whenever I am in the area. I work in the garage, so can't start anything until warmer weather (it's Canada - it's cold!), but I am figuring out my patterns/glass now, so I'm ready to go in the spring.
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PTF, I haven't made my list yet! I "invested" rather heavily last year in wicker, which takes up a lot of room and is annoying my husband, so I suspect I will be weaving baskets and Christmas ornaments. Maybe if I get my act together we can make apple butter or beer to fill the baskets.
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2016 was a spectacular fail in the frugal/homemade christmas department, so I am P2F here for inspiration and to make sure I get started early.
In the past I have made little rice hand warmers/ice packs and they were a BIG hit for my kids. Put them in the microwave for pockets on cold winter days, stick them in the freezer for boo-boos or for hot days.
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I made granola using an orangette recipe, and spiced cashews using an Ina Garten recipe. I bought mason jars at Ace Hardware and gave in sets of two. Was great for teachers and also for family presents.
Sometimes I give homemade ceramics, but am never sure if the recipients are just humoring me with their thanks.
Will look for some vanilla beans for homemade vanilla. Do folks recommend Costco or online?
Excellent granola recipe:http://orangette.net/2014/04/maybe-hes-right/
Cashews: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rosemary-roasted-cashews-recipe.html
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A few non- food ideas:
For a child: decorate a large box with child's name on it, fill it with "dress up" clothes, costumes, accessories, etc. This has pleased ages 2-9.
For girl or boy: inexpensive tool box with good quality (but not necessarily new) couple of screwdrivers, hammer, screws, and nails and a bag of wood scraps to practice on. (Clear with parents first!)
Paper whites (also known as narcissus bulbs). You just put 3-5 of these in a bowl of small rocks a few weeks before Christmas and keep them watered. Bulbs run $1 each. I buy the bowls at goodwill or on clearance elsewhere for a dollar or two.
Especially nice for a grandparent: Make a photo book of pictures of the grandparent and grandchildren, decorate with kid's art.
Type up a journal....my mother had a handwritten journal her aunt wrote of a trip to India decades before. The writing was spidery, hard to read. I typed up the journal so my mother could read it easily.
One food idea: a travel bag of food. A good friend was flying cross country to visit her son last Christmas. I packed a compact mini picnic (that I knew would get through security) and gave it to her the day before.
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I have my mom's hand-written peanut butter fudge recipe, ready to make fabric! It was her mom's, so it includes "remove from fire" in the directions (I love that recipe). Now I just need to get her to copy her two bon-bon recipes for me without letting her know why. If I can get one from my dad as well, then I'll have a nice set of pot holders for all the grandkids!
I'm also thinking about making small coin purses from selvedges, and maybe even a stocking or two.
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Great ideas. The fabric recipes will no doubt be beautiful.
In a resolution of preparedness, I will buy ingredients during the year when on sale, and test plus choose new recipes before December. I'm thinking ahead (now) about alcohol that needs time to be ready.
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I think I'll make Christmas ornaments + cookies for most of the siblings in the family, most of whom have recently moved into their own homes and occasionally spend the holiday by themselves. Small and stored for the most of the year, so they don't create so much clutter.
I'll do a set of three for each couple: make some in the glass studio, find a pattern for weaving straw hearts and stars, and maybe make a few out of felted wool (got a needle felting kit back in 2003, have never used it!)
Will knit a cardigan for BIL's baby expected this year.
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Posting to follow
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This is a totally great thread and wonderful ideas.
Last Christmas I had a great first start with homemade teacher gifts -- homemade turtles. Pecans from Aldi, buttered, salted, toasted, caramel and chocolate coating from a candy store and a dash of coarse ground salt on top. Teachers loved them. Yay! I probably made 12 dozen. It was a few days work.
This Christmas I'd like to do that again and I'd like to expand. Love some of the ideas here. Two things I'd like to try making are essential oil room spray and homemade pretty soaps, like with the swirls that you can buy at gift shops for $5 - $6 each.
For the guys, what about homebrew beer or homebrew root beer soda? I do not know how to make it and it may be supplies intensive, but could be fun.
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I think I may have posted this on a previous "homemade Christmas" thread:
A few years ago I made cardamom poached chocolate dipped apricots. I tried to find a recipe online just now, and couldn't find quite the thing.
But it probably wouldn't be too hard to figure out. It involved simmering dried apricots in water with cardamom pods (or maybe a sugar syrup - I don't really remember!) then letting them drain, and dipping them in chocolate. A small plate or container of them seemed pretty decadent, but made an inexpensive gift for neighbours and a few co-workers. And a nice combination of healthy and sweet!
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This is a totally great thread and wonderful ideas.
Last Christmas I had a great first start with homemade teacher gifts -- homemade turtles. Pecans from Aldi, buttered, salted, toasted, caramel and chocolate coating from a candy store and a dash of coarse ground salt on top. Teachers loved them. Yay! I probably made 12 dozen. It was a few days work.
This Christmas I'd like to do that again and I'd like to expand. Love some of the ideas here. Two things I'd like to try making are essential oil room spray and homemade pretty soaps, like with the swirls that you can buy at gift shops for $5 - $6 each.
For the guys, what about homebrew beer or homebrew root beer soda? I do not know how to make it and it may be supplies intensive, but could be fun.
I am a home brewer, and it is supply and time intensive. It may also take a while to tweak the process until you can consistently make good (gift quality) beer. It is fun though!
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I found this, http://www.mykitchenmagazine.com/cardamom-poached-apricots-mascarpone-pistachios-recipe/ which isn't quite the same but boy does it look good! Thanks for the excellent idea, PJ.
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I'm in! I knit a fair portion of my gifts as it is, but I'd love to make some other things, AND finish everything on time. *glares at the pile of 2016 knitting left to do*
Goals for this week:
1. FINISH the 2016 knitting, no ifs, ands, or buts (2.5 gifts to go with bulky yarn)
2. Create a knitted gifts 2017 spreadsheets and look through stash for appropriate yarns
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How is everyone doing with Christmas 2017 Planning?
What mini-challenge should we set for February? err the rest of February? See this is how time gets away from me every year :)
Paper whites (also known as narcissus bulbs). You just put 3-5 of these in a bowl of small rocks a few weeks before Christmas and keep them watered. Bulbs run $1 each. I buy the bowls at goodwill or on clearance elsewhere for a dollar or two.
I LOVE this idea!
I'm in! I knit a fair portion of my gifts as it is, but I'd love to make some other things, AND finish everything on time. *glares at the pile of 2016 knitting left to do*
Goals for this week:
1. FINISH the 2016 knitting, no ifs, ands, or buts (2.5 gifts to go with bulky yarn)
2. Create a knitted gifts 2017 spreadsheets and look through stash for appropriate yarns
[/quote]
Awesome! How is it going, tortoiseshell?
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I'm in! I knit a fair portion of my gifts as it is, but I'd love to make some other things, AND finish everything on time. *glares at the pile of 2016 knitting left to do*
Goals for this week:
1. FINISH the 2016 knitting, no ifs, ands, or buts (2.5 gifts to go with bulky yarn)
2. Create a knitted gifts 2017 spreadsheets and look through stash for appropriate yarns
Awesome! How is it going, tortoiseshell?
It's going pretty well! All three gifts are slippers using this pattern: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/maggieslippers.html. The yarn is tough on my hands, so I have to take more frequent breaks than I would with other projects. I finished the first pair this morning and am 25% of the way through the second pair.
During this particular break, I am working on my gifts spreadsheet. :D
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Wow! I'm so inspired! Last year, I knitted one pair of mittens as a gift. Not a great year, but it's a good place to start.
I'm hoping to knit a few more gifts this year. I also would like to make a few gifts throughout the year for hostess gifts.
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I am totally LOVING the Lego ideas and other pins people are adding to the board! We have lots of lego figures kicking around (lego advent calendars *sigh*) so this would be a GREAT way to use them, melt and pour soap, lego brick molds (which of course, we already have) a figure in the middle. DONE :D
It's going pretty well! All three gifts are slippers using this pattern: http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/maggieslippers.html. The yarn is tough on my hands, so I have to take more frequent breaks than I would with other projects. I finished the first pair this morning and am 25% of the way through the second pair.
During this particular break, I am working on my gifts spreadsheet. :D
Whoot! Way to go!
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Okay, I have made my spreadsheet!
I also want to add other gifting days such as birthdays, Father's Day, Mother's Day, etc. before I add the deadlines.
Feeling very uninspired today, just goofing around.
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Cross posting from the odd chore a day thread with a great idea from one of the contributors for a homemade wreath:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938 (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938)
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Cross posting from the odd chore a day thread with a great idea from one of the contributors for a homemade wreath:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938 (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938)
Hi everyone! I'm the person who made the wreath PJ linked to. I'm re-posting a picture of it here, since a few people on the odd-jobs thread suggested this would be a good place for it. It's very easy to make, super cheap, and came out quite pretty, if I do say so myself. To make it:
- cut a donut out of standard foam core (sold in the same place where you'd find poster board), about 2 inches wide. You can vary the diameter depending on how big you want the wreath to be
- collect a bunch of straight twigs in some nice walks in the park. It looks best if there are a few different varieties of trees in there
- hot glue (use actual hot glue, not cool hot glue, if you want the wreath to hang outside) the twigs to the foam core donut, alternating the lengths. I put the longest pieces at 12, 3, 6,and 9, and then alternated long and short ones in between.
- cut long narrow triangles out of felt. I used the 8.5x11 felt sheets we had lying around, and cut the short way, so that each triangle's base is about 1-1.5" and the length is 8.5". Make the sides of the triangles wavy rather than straight - that'll make the flowers look better.
- roll each felt triangle tightly, putting the narrow end in the middle. Secure with hot glue to the twigs.
- loop and twist a piece of wire to make the hanger, and hot glue that to the back of the foam core donut.
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Cross posting from the odd chore a day thread with a great idea from one of the contributors for a homemade wreath:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938 (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938)
Hi everyone! I'm the person who made the wreath PJ linked to. I'm re-posting a picture of it here, since a few people on the odd-jobs thread suggested this would be a good place for it. It's very easy to make, super cheap, and came out quite pretty, if I do say so myself. To make it:
- cut a donut out of standard foam core (sold in the same place where you'd find poster board), about 2 inches wide. You can vary the diameter depending on how big you want the wreath to be
- collect a bunch of straight twigs in some nice walks in the park. It looks best if there are a few different varieties of trees in there
- hot glue (use actual hot glue, not cool hot glue, if you want the wreath to hang outside) the twigs to the foam core donut, alternating the lengths. I put the longest pieces at 12, 3, 6,and 9, and then alternated long and short ones in between.
- cut long narrow triangles out of felt. I used the 8.5x11 felt sheets we had lying around, and cut the short way, so that each triangle's base is about 1-1.5" and the length is 8.5". Make the sides of the triangles wavy rather than straight - that'll make the flowers look better.
- roll each felt triangle tightly, putting the narrow end in the middle. Secure with hot glue to the twigs.
- loop and twist a piece of wire to make the hanger, and hot glue that to the back of the foam core donut.
It's a very pretty wreath - and I don't usually like these things!
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What a great thread! I love the one challenge a month idea.
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Cross posting from the odd chore a day thread with a great idea from one of the contributors for a homemade wreath:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938 (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938)
Hi everyone! I'm the person who made the wreath PJ linked to. I'm re-posting a picture of it here, since a few people on the odd-jobs thread suggested this would be a good place for it. It's very easy to make, super cheap, and came out quite pretty, if I do say so myself. To make it:
- cut a donut out of standard foam core (sold in the same place where you'd find poster board), about 2 inches wide. You can vary the diameter depending on how big you want the wreath to be
- collect a bunch of straight twigs in some nice walks in the park. It looks best if there are a few different varieties of trees in there
- hot glue (use actual hot glue, not cool hot glue, if you want the wreath to hang outside) the twigs to the foam core donut, alternating the lengths. I put the longest pieces at 12, 3, 6,and 9, and then alternated long and short ones in between.
- cut long narrow triangles out of felt. I used the 8.5x11 felt sheets we had lying around, and cut the short way, so that each triangle's base is about 1-1.5" and the length is 8.5". Make the sides of the triangles wavy rather than straight - that'll make the flowers look better.
- roll each felt triangle tightly, putting the narrow end in the middle. Secure with hot glue to the twigs.
- loop and twist a piece of wire to make the hanger, and hot glue that to the back of the foam core donut.
It's a very pretty wreath - and I don't usually like these things!
I can imagine this as a nice wreath for people who live in apartment buildings, but still want to stick something on their door :-)
Ok, in keeping with the spirit of spreadsheets and monthly goals, and all that organizeded-ness, I have made a little notepad list on my phone of my thrift store finds (see Thift Store Gifts thread too!) and I have just checked the Toronto Public Library holdings to make sure that they have some terrarium themed books. There are lots, several of which have multiple copies, and a couple are even available online. So good odds that I'll be able to get a book or two whenever I'm ready to start making the terrariums. This is a Thrift Store Gift/Homemade Christmas cross-over item. Glass containers, and probably little figures/toys from the thrift store (I even found a small container of glass "gems" at Sal Army), then assemble myself for the homemade touch.
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I love the thrift/homemade cross-over, PJ!
My parents live in an affluent community with lots of incoming and outgoing people so their thrift store is AMAZING and not part of a chain so super cheap! Most of our stuff in our immediate family is thrifted if not homemade.
It leads to funny situations like last year. My mom unwrapped a super cute scarf from the thrift store from my sister. I asked her if she got it from the thrift. She said yes. I said: "well I would have just given it to mom, but I couldn't remember if she had given it to me but I don't wear it, so I donated it, and you bought it for her!" That sort of thing happens ALL the time. Now I just drop donations off at my mom's let her and my sister go through them and they donate them after :)
Oh...so my best laid plans got a little changed. Better to happen now than in Dec!
Hubby came home from work super excited about the idea of Tea Advent Calendars but was outraged at the price his co-worker's wife was buying them for.
So naturally, he wants to make his own. He spent the weekend figuring out the flavours he wanted and cost comparing across suppliers and working out how much it would be per gift for Christmas and who would enjoy it and how we could customize it to the different people we have on our gift list.... I was able to do bring the price down, find some coupons and get some extra cc points. It is well within our cost per gift limit, it is a fun idea which will be appreciated, and we will have a few frugal weekends of crafty time while we make the calendars.
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A tea advent calendar sounds amazing. Hmmm.
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The tea advent calendar is a super idea! My DIL loves trying new teas, and would be thrilled to get something like that.
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The tea advent calendar is a super idea! My DIL loves trying new teas, and would be thrilled to get something like that.
I think it will be good, the only hard part will we still need to have a little something for people to open on Christmas, or *we'll* feel like it is not enough. SO I have to work on that, either making some other little things or working on the mindset. Not sure which :)
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A chain here had the tea Advent calendars, and also January "New Years resolutions" calendars
The latter each had a separate tea sample and encouraging thought/quote for each day of the week. I'm not sure if it was for the 21 Dayan it takes to form a new habit? (I know the idea of 21 days may not be all that sound, but I digress) . I wonder if it might be a good gift along with a goal-setting planner or sign or other resolution-focused gift.
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I've been thinking more about the tea calendar. I would have to ship it, but at least it's light. I love the countdown. I've been thinking of making a woodblock print calendar and they would be perfect companion gifts.
But, if I do spend Christmas with family I could do a Christmas detox tea calendar, or could count days until old Christmas or something.
None of those sound as lovely as the original idea. Good thing I've got months to ponder it.
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I've been thinking more about the tea calendar. I would have to ship it, but at least it's light. I love the countdown. I've been thinking of making a woodblock print calendar and they would be perfect companion gifts.
But, if I do spend Christmas with family I could do a Christmas detox tea calendar, or could count days until old Christmas or something.
None of those sound as lovely as the original idea. Good thing I've got months to ponder it.
I think a 12 days of Christmas tea calendar sounds like a lovely idea!
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I've been thinking more about the tea calendar. I would have to ship it, but at least it's light. I love the countdown. I've been thinking of making a woodblock print calendar and they would be perfect companion gifts.
But, if I do spend Christmas with family I could do a Christmas detox tea calendar, or could count days until old Christmas or something.
None of those sound as lovely as the original idea. Good thing I've got months to ponder it.
I think a 12 days of Christmas tea calendar sounds like a lovely idea!
And this is why we should have floated the idea to the group BEFORE buying 25 boxes of tea! Ahh well.
A chain here had the tea Advent calendars, and also January "New Years resolutions" calendars
The latter each had a separate tea sample and encouraging thought/quote for each day of the week. I'm not sure if it was for the 21 Dayan it takes to form a new habit? (I know the idea of 21 days may not be all that sound, but I digress) . I wonder if it might be a good gift along with a goal-setting planner or sign or other resolution-focused gift.
I think that is a nice idea as well. We definitely went with the "Christmas" themed teas, but we are going to do something customized in the calendars as well. Need to ponder what that will be.
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It leads to funny situations like last year. My mom unwrapped a super cute scarf from the thrift store from my sister. I asked her if she got it from the thrift. She said yes. I said: "well I would have just given it to mom, but I couldn't remember if she had given it to me but I don't wear it, so I donated it, and you bought it for her!" That sort of thing happens ALL the time. Now I just drop donations off at my mom's let her and my sister go through them and they donate them after :)
That is Hilarious!!
I think a tea calendar is a great idea for my MIL... I'm so glad I joined this challenge. Meanwhile, I have two days to knit the collar and sew up a birthday cardigan for my son!
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Well I know I can do some homemade if I plan ahead. My sewing lessons might just get more useful.
Love the ideas so far. Is there an old Pinterest board or other place with a recap of ideas? I'm not sure I have the umpf to go through the prior years.....
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I am totally LOVING the Lego ideas and other pins people are adding to the board! We have lots of lego figures kicking around (lego advent calendars *sigh*) so this would be a GREAT way to use them, melt and pour soap, lego brick molds (which of course, we already have) a figure in the middle. DONE :D
That was me and my kids are going to go ballistic over the Lego soap! They love the movie and I think they are going to find it hilarious. I'm keeping my eye out for a construction worker or a batman at the local thrift shop.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Well I know I can do some homemade if I plan ahead. My sewing lessons might just get more useful.
Love the ideas so far. Is there an old Pinterest board or other place with a recap of ideas? I'm not sure I have the umpf to go through the prior years.....
Yes, we have a secret Pintrest board. If you PM me your user name (or email) I can add you :)
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Oooh, definitely in! We tried to do this last year, but I've run out of things to make for people, so new ideas are awesome.
I've started making these baby booties as presents, since the only other thing I can make is flannel blankets, and EVERYONE gives you baby blankets and it's ridiculous.
http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com/2016/08/how-to-sew-baby-booties-free-pattern.html?m=1
They're actually fairly straightforward, once you learn how to get the snaps on. I'm really enjoying having something semi-unique for presents.
Cross posting from the odd chore a day thread with a great idea from one of the contributors for a homemade wreath:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938 (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/one-'odd'-chore-a-day/msg1432938/#msg1432938)
Hi everyone! I'm the person who made the wreath PJ linked to. I'm re-posting a picture of it here, since a few people on the odd-jobs thread suggested this would be a good place for it. It's very easy to make, super cheap, and came out quite pretty, if I do say so myself. To make it:
- cut a donut out of standard foam core (sold in the same place where you'd find poster board), about 2 inches wide. You can vary the diameter depending on how big you want the wreath to be
- collect a bunch of straight twigs in some nice walks in the park. It looks best if there are a few different varieties of trees in there
- hot glue (use actual hot glue, not cool hot glue, if you want the wreath to hang outside) the twigs to the foam core donut, alternating the lengths. I put the longest pieces at 12, 3, 6,and 9, and then alternated long and short ones in between.
- cut long narrow triangles out of felt. I used the 8.5x11 felt sheets we had lying around, and cut the short way, so that each triangle's base is about 1-1.5" and the length is 8.5". Make the sides of the triangles wavy rather than straight - that'll make the flowers look better.
- roll each felt triangle tightly, putting the narrow end in the middle. Secure with hot glue to the twigs.
- loop and twist a piece of wire to make the hanger, and hot glue that to the back of the foam core donut.
It's a very pretty wreath - and I don't usually like these things!
You can also use scrapbooking paper to make flowers like that. I usually just cut out a big spiral (still using the wavy edge technique), then roll from the outside of the spiral to the center. I love the rest of the wreath look, though! I've only ever made very simple wreaths like this - twiggy wreath for half off at Hobby Lobby, 4 or 5 flowers of various sizes, a few leafy shapes, and hot glue.
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My first gift completed! Thanks to the odd jobs challenge.
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My first gift completed! Thanks to the odd jobs challenge.
Cute!
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Awesome job, Poundwise!
Our tea came in, I didn't think of the logistics of storing 25 boxes of tea... ahh well! Now to start figuring out the presentation side of things.
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Well, I have a few ideas together.
Food items: Cordials, Chai Mix, Salted Caramels, Sour Gummies, Pecan Pralines
Photo Books/Calendars/Etc: not fully handmade, but involves effort
Advents: I like the tea idea, but am also thinking of making some humorous ones. will also have to look up this new years resolution calendar mentioned in the thread.
Sewing: considering indoor tents for the kids and sleeping bags, maybe hammock chairs as well. Costumes/Dress Up items always good too, scarves for some of the adults
Plants for neighbors: narcissus idea, maybe succulents or cactus
Lotion Bars and Kids Soaps (with legos or dinosaurs, etc)
I'm sure there will be more, but just wanted to get some ideas posted.
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I started some more vanilla beans in vodka today. I really need to find a cheap source for beans ... vanilla was $27 at Costco the other day (Canada).
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I started some more vanilla beans in vodka today. I really need to find a cheap source for beans ... vanilla was $27 at Costco the other day (Canada).
How long do you plan on leaving yours in the vodka? I just started some yesterday as well! And yeah, vanilla beans are definitely costly.
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My boyfriends sister is very crafty and she and I often exchange homemade gifts. I try to give her consumables or items she doesnt have to display all year, as they have two small kids and a smaller house. So I was looking for a unique ornament to make her that would be made from up-cycled items.
Well my boyfriend recently gave me a set of vintage children's alphabet blocks he thrifted and I already had another thrifted set. I did a little googling for inspiration and I will be making some items like these:
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Joining! I always start trying to make homemade gifts in October, but then time gets away from me. If I do it intentionally now, maybe I'll have much better luck : ). We're living on much less income this year, so I need to be intentional about cutting Christmas costs!
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I'm in for this challenge in 2017. I always start thinking about handmade gifts far too late in the year to get anything good done. My sibling and I have talked about doing a "no-STUFF" Christmas, so I'm hoping that will hold for the adults at least.
Hits from the past
For kids:
-Fort kit in a bag. I made this for my nephews once. Thrift store sheets with p-cord ties and and loops tied on, a few clamps, all wrapped up in a simple flannel bag. I don't think it got a ton of use, but they were excited about it for a while.
-Freezer-paper stencils combined with easy appliques on t-shirts or onesies. These have been big hits. I like to sketch out silly ideas in simple shapes--robots, dinosaurs, etc.
-We received a homemade "ABC" book with photos from our family, and that was a ton of fun.
2017 ideas
For grandparents: kid-decorated photo album including some cute Q&A with the 4-year-old (what kind of monster do you want to be, what is your favorite thing to do with grandma, etc).
Poundwise, that's a lovely gift! Care to share the pattern? I don't know what to call something like that, and I have one little skein of beautiful yarn that would be perfect for it.
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I started some more vanilla beans in vodka today. I really need to find a cheap source for beans ... vanilla was $27 at Costco the other day (Canada).
How long do you plan on leaving yours in the vodka? I just started some yesterday as well! And yeah, vanilla beans are definitely costly.
I find that I can start using it after 3 months ... but its still quite boozy. After 6 months, its the same as Costco vanilla, except better tasting.
I broke down and bought some Amazon vanilla beans this week. When they get here, I'll go buy some more vodka and get it going in the back of my cupboard. I bake a lot and I'm having to use my boozy vanilla already.
KID: "Mom, these cookies are reeealllly good!"
ME: "Mmmm-hmmmm"
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Poundwise, that's a lovely gift! Care to share the pattern? I don't know what to call something like that, and I have one little skein of beautiful yarn that would be perfect for it.
Thanks! It actually looks much nicer than the photo... I'm really happy at how it came out. Yes, this neckwarmer was done with a single skein of hand-dyed alpaca-merino single ply that I bought on impulse some time ago. It felt like knitting cream, just lovely stuff. I don't exactly have a pattern, but basically, I started with a couple of inches of seed stitch (http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/blog/?p=827), then about 6.5 inches of stockinette, followed by another 2 inches of seed stitch again. I knit until I was almost out of yarn, then bound off. I let it sit in a closet for about 4 years :) during which time, my favorite fabric store went out of business :~( but had a big closing sale in which I bought the clasps for about $2. Finally, I wove in the two ends, wrapped it around my neck at a slight diagonal and used pins to mark where I thought the clasps should go (they will be placed diagonally along the knitting), then sewed them on!
Total time to make: approximately 4 years, 3 hours. Your timing may vary.
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Poundwise, that's a lovely gift! Care to share the pattern? I don't know what to call something like that, and I have one little skein of beautiful yarn that would be perfect for it.
Thanks! It actually looks much nicer than the photo... I'm really happy at how it came out. Yes, this neckwarmer was done with a single skein of hand-dyed alpaca-merino single ply that I bought on impulse some time ago. It felt like knitting cream, just lovely stuff. I don't exactly have a pattern, but basically, I started with a couple of inches of seed stitch (http://www.creativeknittingmagazine.com/blog/?p=827), then about 6.5 inches of stockinette, followed by another 2 inches of seed stitch again. I knit until I was almost out of yarn, then bound off. I let it sit in a closet for about 4 years :) during which time, my favorite fabric store went out of business :~( but had a big closing sale in which I bought the clasps for about $2. Finally, I wove in the two ends, wrapped it around my neck at a slight diagonal and used pins to mark where I thought the clasps should go (they will be placed diagonally along the knitting), then sewed them on!
Total time to make: approximately 4 years, 3 hours. Your timing may vary.
:-)
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I'm in. I am just about finished with the first of six pairs of socks I want to knit for Christmas. Also have the fabric and pattern for four pairs of "pajama" pants. Of course I had that for last year's Christmas, so here's hoping. Have some Orangecello started. Looks like I need to go back to the January mini-challenge and set up a spreadsheet so I'll be organized. Determined to be done with everything by the first of November so I can actually enjoy the time leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks for the motivation!
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I'm not so interested in making foodie gifts, and not sure if folks in my circle would be particularly interested in receiving them anyway. But, I was recently gifted a mickey of overproof white Jamaican rum (I think it's 63% alcohol) and I already have a 26 ounce bottle of vodka that someone gave me - leftover after a party. At home, I'm more of a wine drinker, when I'm out, it's wine or coolers so I'm not going to drink them.
Obviously, I could just gift the bottles of booze to someone!
But, other than making extracts (vanilla, coffee, etc) does anyone have other ideas for using these bottles of liquor for gift-giving?
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I'm not so interested in making foodie gifts, and not sure if folks in my circle would be particularly interested in receiving them anyway. But, I was recently gifted a mickey of overproof white Jamaican rum (I think it's 63% alcohol) and I already have a 26 ounce bottle of vodka that someone gave me - leftover after a party. At home, I'm more of a wine drinker, when I'm out, it's wine or coolers so I'm not going to drink them.
Obviously, I could just gift the bottles of booze to someone!
But, other than making extracts (vanilla, coffee, etc) does anyone have other ideas for using these bottles of liquor for gift-giving?
Making hard alcohol into Kahlua or Bailey's makes it much more drinkable and makes for a fancy-pants gift :)
Few links to get you started:
https://www.beanilla.com/blog/homemade-kahlua-recipe (https://www.beanilla.com/blog/homemade-kahlua-recipe) - This one uses instant coffee and is most like the one my mom makes.
https://www.popsugar.com/food/12-Days-Edible-Gifts-Homemade-Kahlua-2624013 (https://www.popsugar.com/food/12-Days-Edible-Gifts-Homemade-Kahlua-2624013) - Uses whole coffee beans
Bailey's usually uses Whisky but we have done it with Vodka or rum and it is good too. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/23534/original-irish-cream/ (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/23534/original-irish-cream/)
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Thanks swick, I'll keep that idea in mind!
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Vanilla beans in vodka are officially 'made' and stewing in the cupboard.
I'd make the coffee liquor now, but I should save something to post tomorrow, no?
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My fourth-grader had to do a project for school. They are fundraising for an overnight camping field trip learning about The Oregon Trail. There will be a market at their elementary school where everyone can buy products the fourth and fifth graders made. They've tied it into a study of business so the kids are learning about developing products and marketing and pricing and selling, etc. I think it's neat. Anyway, she had to come up with something to make and we ended up finding these doughnut key chains made out of socks. We made a couple of prototypes and they came out so cute, and were so popular with all the kids at her school, that I thought I'd share the link to the tutorial here. If you have any kids in your life, I bet they'd like one of these! They are really easy to make. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTweMrJyw8s#t=748.01624
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Vanilla beans in vodka are officially 'made' and stewing in the cupboard.
I'd make the coffee liquor now, but I should save something to post tomorrow, no?
Wow, Drole, I should just give you my vodka and my rum, and ask for a small bottle each of vanilla extract and coffee liquor in return! ;-)
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Not sure how many ounces in a mickey, but you can make rum balls, which take about 1/2 cup of rum per batch. Or have some friends over and have a signature drink, like a Dark and Stormy or Bloody Mary.
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Rum balls and coffee liquor...let's go to PJS. /might have to add rum balls to the list).
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Rum balls. Ooh. Yes!! One of my friends gave us all bourbon balls last Christmas. We are working hard to convince her that it is tradition now.
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Anyone here from Oregon? If so, can you identify what this quilt block represents? I'm hoping it's pretty obvious for my parents who love this place...
I think I mentioned earlier in the thread that this year's big homemade Christmas present is a quilt for my parents (my sister and SIL are both contributing some blocks, but most the work falls on me, since it was my idea).
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Enchanted Forest!
Yes?
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Enchanted Forest!
Yes?
Yes!! I would have spent hours on that shoe slide (and the fort slide) if I could. Sometimes they would set up lunch and eat on a nearby bench while I did the slide.
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It's a really neat place. I love your quilt; I'm sure your parents will too.
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So it took an extra day, but I made the coffee liquor...Kahlua style bc we have a lot of cheap vodka on hand.
This is the recipe I ended up following:
http://www.goodcocktails.com/liqueur_recipes/coffee_liqueur_recipe.php
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Wahoo for progress! Love the quilt squares, Sparkytheop!
Anyone have any ideas for a mini-challenge for April? I've been bad at setting them...see this is how I always end up in a panic in Dec :)
I was thinking maybe something along the lines of:
- Coming up with some ideas and creating a plan for some "Assembly Line" gifts you can have ready for those last minute gifts. The hostess gift, the gift for someone you forgot about or gave you a gift, or that person/service provider you really appreciate, or the office white elephant gift...
I usually have something on hand because I find all the little, unexpected gifts are the ones that really stress me out and lead to last minute scrambling and anxiety. It is so much easier to be able to go to the pantry, grab a little gift bag and away we go.
Also, floating the idea because I think it would be fun...anyone interested in doing an MMM homemade gift exchange? Might be a fun way to share our homemade goodness, and I could organize it to match people by country for whoever wants to participate to cut down on shipping costs.
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I need to make an effort to figure out something as a hostess gift for the entire year. My friends have started hosting more events at our houses instead of going out, which is great for my budget. However, I've just been bringing some sort of food item and a bottle of wine (since we live so close to wine country, no one wants another bottle of wine in their house). I would love to have something unique to give my friends.
A friend of mine cans jam in those cute little 4 oz. quilted jars, then brings those for hostess gifts. She usually has some unusual fruit or flavor combination, and everyone loves them.
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Also, floating the idea because I think it would be fun...anyone interested in doing an MMM homemade gift exchange? Might be a fun way to share our homemade goodness, and I could organize it to match people by country for whoever wants to participate to cut down on shipping costs.
IF I weren't trying not to start new things for Lent, I MIGHT jump on the gift exchange, and mention that though I have the most skill at knitting, I'm good at origami, baking cookies, do some sewing, and nowadays I'm doing a lot of basketry. Ahem. Not that I'm trying to join any gift exchange. Ahem. Nosir. Not me.
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I posted about this in the budget decor thread but it fits in here too. Lately I have been thrifting unusual planters and then making miniature succulent gardens from cuttings, plants I propagated or plants I bought on super sale.
It is super addicting and I am finding myself wanted to grow more and more. Then I showed a few friends my practice gardens and now everyone is requesting I make them one. I am going to do some research and start propagating more because I am pretty sure this is what I am going to give everyone for Christmas, not to mention potential birthday and hostess gifts for the year. As long as I propagate my own plants, it's really not that expensive.
I have also been adding little statues I thrifted over the years and I know I could find some good ones for specific people's gifts.
These are some of my test creations:
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I posted about this in the budget decor thread but it fits in here too. Lately I have been thrifting unusual planters and then making miniature succulent gardens from cuttings, plants I propagated or plants I bought on super sale.
It is super addicting and I am finding myself wanted to grow more and more. Then I showed a few friends my practice gardens and now everyone is requesting I make them one. I am going to do some research and start propagating more because I am pretty sure this is what I am going to give everyone for Christmas, not to mention potential birthday and hostess gifts for the year. As long as I propagate my own plants, it's really not that expensive.
I have also been adding little statues I thrifted over the years and I know I could find some good ones for specific people's gifts.
These are some of my test creations:
They're amazing!!!
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My wife plans on making some wreaths out of burlap to give as gifts. Last time I went to the craft store, burlap seemed awfully expensive. Anybody know of an inexpensive source?
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My wife plans on making some wreaths out of burlap to give as gifts. Last time I went to the craft store, burlap seemed awfully expensive. Anybody know of an inexpensive source?
Oh I can answer this. Go to your local nursery / garden centre and request some untreated burlap. Make sure it is untreated as the treated stuff smells awful and is not something you want hanging in your home. We sell 72" wide yards for a few dollars, it's ridiculously cheap. Garden centres might be a bit more, but still way cheaper then a craft store.
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My wife plans on making some wreaths out of burlap to give as gifts. Last time I went to the craft store, burlap seemed awfully expensive. Anybody know of an inexpensive source?
Lots of rice comes in burlap bags. Also, if there are any coffee roasters near you, so do coffee beans. Never hurts to ask what they do with them.
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They're amazing!!!
Thank you! I just took a bunch of cuttings today to start the new plants, I am quite excited!!!
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I'm going to try to make lemon curd this weekend! We have a large lemon tree, so one ingredient is free.
How did it turn out?
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My wife plans on making some wreaths out of burlap to give as gifts. Last time I went to the craft store, burlap seemed awfully expensive. Anybody know of an inexpensive source?
Oh I can answer this. Go to your local nursery / garden centre and request some untreated burlap. Make sure it is untreated as the treated stuff smells awful and is not something you want hanging in your home. We sell 72" wide yards for a few dollars, it's ridiculously cheap. Garden centres might be a bit more, but still way cheaper then a craft store.
Rats!! I recently covered 5 bulletin boards with burlap and paid craft store prices...
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I'm going to try to make lemon curd this weekend! We have a large lemon tree, so one ingredient is free.
How did it turn out?
Thank you for checking up on me, Cherry Lane! I need someone to hold me accountable because I didn't make any curd! I did order the jars. I overestimated how much time all of my recipes would take (trying out new recipes that are fresh vegetable heavy), and I didn't want to see the kitchen after that. I'll follow through this weekend.
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I just came across this little tutorial. I have never learned to sew (I know, I know... the shame!), but maybe I will poke around thrift stores in search of t-shirts that would match the people I have in mind for gift-giving. The bag could serve as the wrapping for other little gifts. Might be fun as part of a hostess gift, too. And if you have kids in your life, it would be really fun to get your hands on their old favorite t-shirts that don't fit anymore.
https://www.mommypotamus.com/no-sew-t-shirt-tote-bag-tutorial/
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My ideas on this keep growing...so to help teach the kids how to sew, I decided we'd start making drawstring bags for all gifts (we go to a lot of kid bday parties). So we made and gave the first one today. Chopping up old clothes for fabric and also got a bag of fabric free from a friend.
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I'm in! Just started my list.
4-5 people I am thinking could get homemade vanilla as part of their gift...which means I need to start that stuff soon! I'll pick up jars tomorrow.
I am *attempting* to made journals/sketchbooks about of old Reader's Digest hardcovers that have lost their pages. The binding will be those clippable keychain sized things....can't think of the names. And husband will drill holes and I will sand and wrap the rough interior edges.
I hope to paint a small painting for most people on my list too this year...which means I should get started on those this summer (my slow work months).
I'm making my sister a coffee scrub for her birthday this May, to go with a gift card she requested.
I'm not much of a sewer....and I don't have any super special cooking skills. I will need to think on it....especially for the guys.
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You guys inspired me. I decided that homemade vanilla, which I have made for myself before but not for others, would be a good Christmas party/hostess/office gift to give.
I made 8oz jars to steep, added fabric covers and tags all ready for December. I can still open to strain, if I choose to. (I leave the beans in the bottom and just scoop from the top at home).
The break down, with all my supplies bought locally, was about $5.11 a jar, and I should have enough for 2 families we do an annual Christmas dinner with, my 4 office-mates, and a few for last minute hostess gifts. I had the fabric in a leftover stash (probably thrifted at some point) and the tags I punched myself from card stock or leftover Christmas cards. Most I painted this past year and just didn't use for 2016 gifts. I also had 3 jars leftover, which i plan to use for coffee/salt scrubs closer to the holidays.
Thanks for the motivation! I'm glad to have something started already, no matter how small in the grand scheme of things :)
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First things first, I saved coffee grounds for a week, mixed them up with some coconut oil and peppermint oil, and wow! Did it ever turn out well! Absolutely going to be some coffee scrubs made closer to Christmas time :) Kinda like a minty christmas latte smell <3
Also: I made these for my nieces. The letters are their first initials. The color is watercolor paints. What do you think?
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And another shot:
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This will be a future Christmas gift, but for Mother's Day my MIL said she was on her last bar of goats milk soap. I've purchased it for her many times before, and this time I decided to make it instead of spending $5-6 per bar plus shipping. I got a $7 silicone soap mold. I already have essential oils on hand. I purchased the goats milk melt and pour soap base from Brambleberry. I had that in my cart for a few days, and they sent me a free shipping coupon so I got a pound of it for $3.50. (~$22.50 savings for doing it myself!)
As for Christmas...
I'll use the soap molds to make my brother soap.
Mini bird seed wreaths for the grandparents.
Jewelry for the ladies.
Banana bread.
Honey butter.
Seasoned pretzels.
I have more thinking to do.
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Following because I am determined to do mostly homemade gifts this year!
Going to start vanilla soon...I've wanted to do it the past few years but I always forget until it's way too late to start it. Where does everyone get their beans? Amazon? I see they are around $40 for 25 of them...is that a decent price?
I was reading about making vanilla sugar with the pods once you are done making vanilla, so will probably add that to my list too.
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Following because I am determined to do mostly homemade gifts this year!
Going to start vanilla soon...I've wanted to do it the past few years but I always forget until it's way too late to start it. Where does everyone get their beans? Amazon? I see they are around $40 for 25 of them...is that a decent price?
I was reading about making vanilla sugar with the pods once you are done making vanilla, so will probably add that to my list too.
That looks about right. Grade B is fine for making extracts (if you wanted to use it in desserts and stuff, you'd want grade A, as that has more moisture). When I first started a few years ago, you could get 1/4 pound for $16 (about 27 beans). I'm hoping the price goes back down eventually (read somewhere there is a vanilla shortage, but depending on factors involved, the price may not improve, and some quality may even go down).
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That looks about right. Grade B is fine for making extracts (if you wanted to use it in desserts and stuff, you'd want grade A, as that has more moisture). When I first started a few years ago, you could get 1/4 pound for $16 (about 27 beans). I'm hoping the price goes back down eventually (read somewhere there is a vanilla shortage, but depending on factors involved, the price may not improve, and some quality may even go down).
Thanks for the info!
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Status Update of Current Homemade Gift Ideas
1. Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
-Won't be made until December
2. Homemade Dog Treats
-Won't be made until December
3. Two Paracord Dog Leashes
-Bought 2 dog leash snap hooks
-Next Steps: Purchase paracord
4. Homemade Clock(s)
-Bought a used Harley Davidson clutch cover to turn into a clock
-Bought clock parts
-Next Steps: Paint hands orange
Worked a little on the clock project today. I got the clutch cover in so I drilled a pilot hole (which helped determine cover thickness) and bought the clock parts.
Only thing left to modify will be painting the hands orange not only to be more visible, but to tie in the Harley theme.
This is gonna look AWESOME!
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Following because I am determined to do mostly homemade gifts this year!
Going to start vanilla soon...I've wanted to do it the past few years but I always forget until it's way too late to start it. Where does everyone get their beans? Amazon? I see they are around $40 for 25 of them...is that a decent price?
I was reading about making vanilla sugar with the pods once you are done making vanilla, so will probably add that to my list too.
That looks about right. Grade B is fine for making extracts (if you wanted to use it in desserts and stuff, you'd want grade A, as that has more moisture). When I first started a few years ago, you could get 1/4 pound for $16 (about 27 beans). I'm hoping the price goes back down eventually (read somewhere there is a vanilla shortage, but depending on factors involved, the price may not improve, and some quality may even go down).
Wow, prices really have gone up. I split a pound with 6 friends about 5 years ago, and we had to pay $5.50 each for our 17 beans (for a liter of vodka). Since I didn't give much away, it's still steeping... I trust it won't go bad, but maybe I should bottle up some for gifts, huh. I also have a bunch of cut up vanilla beans in a big bottle with an inch or two of vodka in the bottom (I drained off most of the "finished" vanilla into a smaller bottle). Is there anything I can do with those beans? I've read vanilla sugar, but I just get lumpy sugar.
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Is there anything I can do with those beans? I've read vanilla sugar, but I just get lumpy sugar.
I fish them out of the vodka, dehydrate them and pulverize them to make vanilla "powder" and use it in baking, smoothies, sugar scrubs that sort of thing.
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Not a fantastic photo, but I finished the felt food for my niece. She is 4 and LOVES playing with dishes and 'cooking' food. She tries to 'feed' my dogs blocks and stuff out of her toy dishes. So my hope is that she will enjoy these :)
This will pair with one of the initial paintings from above...the M. Her little sister gets the A initial and hopefully felt blocks, if I can make them square and stackable ;)
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Those are adorable. I bet she will love them.
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Got two fruit cordials started on their 'brewing' yesterday. Starting to run low on our supply of cheap vodka.
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*edited to fix broken link
Upon seeing these hand-carved address stamps today (like these (https://www.etsy.com/listing/483542259/hand-lettered-and-illustrated-address?ref=listing-shop-header-3&source=aw&awc=6939_1493383826_b46df558c4d63249f3a583403e45945e&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ca_location_buyer&utm_content=136348) and these (https://www.etsy.com/listing/287002163/whale-address-stamp-hand-carved-return?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=whale%20address%20stamp&ref=sr_gallery_2&source=aw&awc=6939_1493383824_24fd450d59f796514a0051470524af5f&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ca_location_buyer&utm_content=136348)) it seems they are very DIY-able! With inexpensive materials
I found a couple tutorials (http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Diy-Custom-Eraser-Stamps/) (also this (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Linocuts/)) to start and I actually have a lino carving tool (but I'm sure a regular knife works great too). I'll experiment with erasers, linoleum scraps and maybe just out of a block of wood since I have a lot of scraps.
To finish them off, a handle/wood from scrap and some ink pads ($1 a pop at a Michaels, less with their normal $40% off coupon) and some nice packaging.
We have 2 family members that will be in their house the rest of their lives and enjoy this aesthetic.
I'll update whenever I do this about how they turn out!
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Posting to follow... I'd like to try and do more handmade gifts this year. There are some great ideas in here!
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Posting to remind myself to get started on my gifts this year! Last year I made fruit cordials in a bunch of flavors (the standouts were the plum, the blackberry vanilla, and the ginger liquor - the lavender pear not so much) and a set of baking extracts for those who don't drink (did vanilla, orange, almond, and mint). For this year, I don't want to repeat, since I'm sure no one is going to go through the extracts so quickly, so I'm planning on doing homemade soap. I also love the tea ideas several people mentioned, that might be my secondary for people who might not want soap, or if my soaps don't come out well. First time making soap, so we'll see.
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I finished the felt blocks. They are about 2x2 inch squares of felt, sewn together into blocks and stuffed. She will be just over a year and a half (the niece) when Christmas rolls around, so she should be getting close to the stage of stacking. Before she stacks them, they are also nice and squishy...so they will be good soft squish-able and throw-able toys that can't hurt anything.
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Posting to follow! I bought a sewing machine at the thrift store and want to learn how to use it. Any beginner-friendly sewing projects that make good gifts?
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Those felt blocks are gorgeous!!
Posting to follow! I bought a sewing machine at the thrift store and want to learn how to use it. Any beginner-friendly sewing projects that make good gifts?
I haven't learnt how to use my sewing machine yet (received it as a hand-me-down) but I've been browsing beginner projects found via google and it looks fairly easy to make a whole range of cute and practical items.
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Posting to follow! I bought a sewing machine at the thrift store and want to learn how to use it. Any beginner-friendly sewing projects that make good gifts?
Simple tote bags.
Double sided receiving blankets--take two pieces of flannel/other soft material, right sides together, sew 1" seam around the edge, leaving a hole to push fabric through. Turn right side out through the hole, then sew another seam about 1/2" around the edge, folding the fabric from the hole under and stitching closed as you go. Flannel really frays when washed, so you want a good seam allowance. When doing these blankets, I don't wash the flannel first. You don't have to stitch in the middle, but you could if you wanted. My machine has some fancy stitches, so I use those for the outer edge.
PJ pants (I purchase patterns from JoAnne's when they go on sale).
Pillowcases
Stocking
Gift bag (basically a pillowcase with a drawstring)
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I want to jump on the vanilla extract bandwagon! What do you guys bottle them in? I'd imagine jars are kind of hard to pour out of, should I look for bottles on AliExpress or something where shipping time doesn't matter this far out?
I've had my eye on soapmaking for some time and think I will give that a shot too. I can make Oatmeal Stout soaps for the men and maybe green-eyed bentonite or goat's milk and honey for the ladies. Ideas appreciated!
I'd like to also make a sugar scrub to go with the soaps, I'll have to look up recipes.
I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract. 😊
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I want to jump on the vanilla extract bandwagon! What do you guys bottle them in? I'd imagine jars are kind of hard to pour out of, should I look for bottles on AliExpress or something where shipping time doesn't matter this far out?
I've had my eye on soapmaking for some time and think I will give that a shot too. I can make Oatmeal Stout soaps for the men and maybe green-eyed bentonite or goat's milk and honey for the ladies. Ideas appreciated!
I'd like to also make a sugar scrub to go with the soaps, I'll have to look up recipes.
I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract. 😊
You can wait on final containers for the vanilla until close the holidays. I bought a couple of cases from the local glass bottle company but only bc we were making a lot of herbal medicines at the time. I think Amazon has some pretty good deals for small quantities or just save up interesting small jars/ask friends/ go to thrift stores...... I then used a cricut to make a pretty label for them last time.
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I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract. 😊
Many moons ago someone on a Homemade Christmas thread suggested Specialty Bottles: http://www.specialtybottle.com/ (http://www.specialtybottle.com/) They are great! The only thing I would suggest is what you need for packaging BEFORE you start sopiing or you will see many uses for all the packaging and end up not having to buy any for years *cough* which is not a bad thing, per se.... But yeah, cobalt blue containers with a fancy looking label make everything look super professional. I had an aunt *gush* over a sugar scrub I made and then argued with me when I tried to tell her I didn't buy it :)
Loving everyone's project shares! Those felt food and felt blocks are AWESOME!
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I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract. 😊
Many moons ago someone on a Homemade Christmas thread suggested Specialty Bottles: http://www.specialtybottle.com/ (http://www.specialtybottle.com/) They are great! The only thing I would suggest is what you need for packaging BEFORE you start sopiing or you will see many uses for all the packaging and end up not having to buy any for years *cough* which is not a bad thing, per se.... But yeah, cobalt blue containers with a fancy looking label make everything look super professional. I had an aunt *gush* over a sugar scrub I made and then argued with me when I tried to tell her I didn't buy it :)
Loving everyone's project shares! Those felt food and felt blocks are AWESOME!
Do you happen to still have the recipe for the sugar scrub??
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I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract. 😊
Many moons ago someone on a Homemade Christmas thread suggested Specialty Bottles: http://www.specialtybottle.com/ (http://www.specialtybottle.com/) They are great! The only thing I would suggest is what you need for packaging BEFORE you start sopiing or you will see many uses for all the packaging and end up not having to buy any for years *cough* which is not a bad thing, per se.... But yeah, cobalt blue containers with a fancy looking label make everything look super professional. I had an aunt *gush* over a sugar scrub I made and then argued with me when I tried to tell her I didn't buy it :)
Loving everyone's project shares! Those felt food and felt blocks are AWESOME!
Do you happen to still have the recipe for the sugar scrub??
Ohh it was a few years ago, I'll have to dig through my notes (if I kept them, I've moved a couple of times since) It is basically just a carrier oil combo (Almond, apricot, jojoba, whatever you want to use) The very cheapest would be grapeseed oil as it is light and absorbs well and is neutral in colour and smell, Sugar, a few drops of essential oil* and whatever mix-ins you want. I went with lavender oil and ground up vanilla bean. You basically add your dry ingredients into the bowl and add enough carrier oil to make it moist and scoopable.
*If you are using EO's stay away from any citruses that are Photosensitive or make sure you buy ones that have the terpenes removed.
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I guess my first step is to figure out recipes and containers! I'd like to print sleeves for the soaps and find jars for the scrubs and vanilla extract.
Many moons ago someone on a Homemade Christmas thread suggested Specialty Bottles: http://www.specialtybottle.com/ (http://www.specialtybottle.com/) They are great! The only thing I would suggest is what you need for packaging BEFORE you start sopiing or you will see many uses for all the packaging and end up not having to buy any for years *cough* which is not a bad thing, per se.... But yeah, cobalt blue containers with a fancy looking label make everything look super professional. I had an aunt *gush* over a sugar scrub I made and then argued with me when I tried to tell her I didn't buy it :)
Loving everyone's project shares! Those felt food and felt blocks are AWESOME!
Wow, thanks so much for that website! I'm looking at it now and it's perfect. So I guess at this point I'm trying to figure out how to be the most frugal with this - limiting and re-using different ingredients. I'm going to start on the vanilla extract in June so that it's got plenty of time to get where it needs to be by December 25, and then I'm thinking I can just put 1/2 or 1/4 of a bean (split and halved) into each of 10 bottles for decoration, and then dry out and powder the rest of the beans for a sugar scrub / soap? Hmm.
This is going to be my first Christmas doing primarily hand-made, and I'm definitely appreciating the planning that goes into this! I had no idea.
I've already decided I'm making 10 bottles of vanilla extract, 12 jars of peppermint-sugar scrub, and have the bottles/labels/jars/decorations planned for those. I'm trying to organize a "theme" so that the gifts don't feel too piecemeal. I'm in the process of planning a vanilla (maybe vanilla-mint?) handmade soap and/or lotion bars that I could put some of the vanilla bean powder into once the extract is ready, but then the vanilla extract kind of seems out of place.
Any ideas as to how I should tie that in? Or should I keep that as maybe a separate gift type and pair it with candied almonds/pecans and other goodies?
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I've already decided I'm making 10 bottles of vanilla extract, 12 jars of peppermint-sugar scrub, and have the bottles/labels/jars/decorations planned for those. I'm trying to organize a "theme" so that the gifts don't feel too piecemeal. I'm in the process of planning a vanilla (maybe vanilla-mint?) handmade soap and/or lotion bars that I could put some of the vanilla bean powder into once the extract is ready, but then the vanilla extract kind of seems out of place.
Any ideas as to how I should tie that in? Or should I keep that as maybe a separate gift type and pair it with candied almonds/pecans and other goodies?
Sounds to me Like Vanilla is your theme :) You could customize it a couple of different ways depending on what aspects of Vanilla (or it's history or facts) you want to use.
This is a fun one: "Because vanilla has always been so valuable, it has a long history of robbery and intrigue. In Madagascar, vanilla rustling has been a major problem when the price for vanilla is at a cyclic high. Growers brand the individual beans with pins or a knife when they are green and the marks remain after the beans are dried. Whenever someone suspects that their beans are stolen, they can determine by the distinctive tattoo whether or not the beans are theirs."
http://www.vanillaqueen.com/facts-about-vanilla/ (http://www.vanillaqueen.com/facts-about-vanilla/)
You could play up the rarity aspect or the luxury or what some of the traits of the scent are and used for. You could incorporate the extract by including a recipe for a Vanilla Panacotta or something else that would be awesome but perishable so wouldn't work as part of the basket. If you have someone who is into soda or cocktails, pair it with a bottle of coke and a recipe for a Vanilla rum and coke. Or you can get fancy, do it in a smaller bottle add another complimentary flavoring or two and make a Vanilla "bitters". It would go father AND seem more fancy-pants.
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I've already decided I'm making 10 bottles of vanilla extract, 12 jars of peppermint-sugar scrub, and have the bottles/labels/jars/decorations planned for those. I'm trying to organize a "theme" so that the gifts don't feel too piecemeal. I'm in the process of planning a vanilla (maybe vanilla-mint?) handmade soap and/or lotion bars that I could put some of the vanilla bean powder into once the extract is ready, but then the vanilla extract kind of seems out of place.
Any ideas as to how I should tie that in? Or should I keep that as maybe a separate gift type and pair it with candied almonds/pecans and other goodies?
Sounds to me Like Vanilla is your theme :) You could customize it a couple of different ways depending on what aspects of Vanilla (or it's history or facts) you want to use.
This is a fun one: "Because vanilla has always been so valuable, it has a long history of robbery and intrigue. In Madagascar, vanilla rustling has been a major problem when the price for vanilla is at a cyclic high. Growers brand the individual beans with pins or a knife when they are green and the marks remain after the beans are dried. Whenever someone suspects that their beans are stolen, they can determine by the distinctive tattoo whether or not the beans are theirs."
http://www.vanillaqueen.com/facts-about-vanilla/ (http://www.vanillaqueen.com/facts-about-vanilla/)
You could play up the rarity aspect or the luxury or what some of the traits of the scent are and used for. You could incorporate the extract by including a recipe for a Vanilla Panacotta or something else that would be awesome but perishable so wouldn't work as part of the basket. If you have someone who is into soda or cocktails, pair it with a bottle of coke and a recipe for a Vanilla rum and coke. Or you can get fancy, do it in a smaller bottle add another complimentary flavoring or two and make a Vanilla "bitters". It would go father AND seem more fancy-pants.
That's really clever! Thanks so much!
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Well, they are not for xmas, but I did just make a couple of placemats like this for the kids. Thought someone else might like the idea too.
The ones in the picture aren't mine---I'm a beginner in sewing so let's just say mine are not the prettiest. I just stitched the outlines right on the placemat fabric because cutting out the shapes on other fabric and stitching the edges of the cut outs was too difficult for me.
I guess I need to make a couple more for the DH and I....just because.
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Well, they are not for xmas, but I did just make a couple of placemats like this for the kids. Thought someone else might like the idea too.
The ones in the picture aren't mine---I'm a beginner in sewing so let's just say mine are not the prettiest. I just stitched the outlines right on the placemat fabric because cutting out the shapes on other fabric and stitching the edges of the cut outs was too difficult for me.
I guess I need to make a couple more for the DH and I....just because.
Those are SUPER cute!
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Well, they are not for xmas, but I did just make a couple of placemats like this for the kids. Thought someone else might like the idea too.
The ones in the picture aren't mine---I'm a beginner in sewing so let's just say mine are not the prettiest. I just stitched the outlines right on the placemat fabric because cutting out the shapes on other fabric and stitching the edges of the cut outs was too difficult for me.
I guess I need to make a couple more for the DH and I....just because.
Those are cute.
If you want to try the cut outs... You can use fusible interfacing (like wonder-under). It has paper on one side where you can draw your design--it's see-through enough that if you have a light box or use a window, you can put a drawing underneath and trace it. Then you iron the glue side to the wrong side of the fabric you want to cut. Cut the fabric and paper to the shape you drew. Peel off paper and iron to your background fabric. It will be stuck together nicely and you can then stitch around it (you could use a straight stitch just inside the cut fabric, or you could zig-zag stitch around the edge). The fusible interfacing makes it much easier since it will hold everything in place for you.
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If you want to try the cut outs... You can use fusible interfacing (like wonder-under). It has paper on one side where you can draw your design--it's see-through enough that if you have a light box or use a window, you can put a drawing underneath and trace it. Then you iron the glue side to the wrong side of the fabric you want to cut. Cut the fabric and paper to the shape you drew. Peel off paper and iron to your background fabric. It will be stuck together nicely and you can then stitch around it (you could use a straight stitch just inside the cut fabric, or you could zig-zag stitch around the edge). The fusible interfacing makes it much easier since it will hold everything in place for you.
Thanks Sparky. I actually tried to make them cut outs first and as I tried to zig-zag the edges they got all buckled and ugly bc I wasn't using interfacing. I've used it once on the-most-complicated-dress-ever that I am still trying to finish for my daughter and kinda guessed that's what I should have done. Though I have my doubts that I could do it! I ended up deciding that the kids were just going to spill stuff all over these anyway, so "okay" would be good enough. I'll know to harass you with questions though when I pick back up that dress. :-)
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If you want to try the cut outs... You can use fusible interfacing (like wonder-under). It has paper on one side where you can draw your design--it's see-through enough that if you have a light box or use a window, you can put a drawing underneath and trace it. Then you iron the glue side to the wrong side of the fabric you want to cut. Cut the fabric and paper to the shape you drew. Peel off paper and iron to your background fabric. It will be stuck together nicely and you can then stitch around it (you could use a straight stitch just inside the cut fabric, or you could zig-zag stitch around the edge). The fusible interfacing makes it much easier since it will hold everything in place for you.
Thanks Sparky. I actually tried to make them cut outs first and as I tried to zig-zag the edges they got all buckled and ugly bc I wasn't using interfacing. I've used it once on the-most-complicated-dress-ever that I am still trying to finish for my daughter and kinda guessed that's what I should have done. Though I have my doubts that I could do it! I ended up deciding that the kids were just going to spill stuff all over these anyway, so "okay" would be good enough. I'll know to harass you with questions though when I pick back up that dress. :-)
You could use fabric paint - and then zip-zag or use another stitch around the painted shapes.
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My online source for vanilla beans: https://saffron.com/
My team at work is 50/50 male and female, and includes a diabetic and a vegetarian. My gift solution was a selection of homemade herb/salt blends in cute canning jars. Not sure yet what I'm going to make this Christmas!
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Made watercolor and ink paintings for my mom for Christmas. Framed them the other day!
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Made watercolor and ink paintings for my mom for Christmas. Framed them the other day!
Quite beautiful!
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Those are lovely, alewpanda!!
I have a friend who does stained glass and is teaching me enough to make some pieces for DH's extended family. I never have any idea what to make them since I don't know them very well, but they always send gifts for us. Here's a photo of a cross for his grandma - getting close to being ready for foil and solder!
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I started some more vanilla beans in vodka today. I really need to find a cheap source for beans ... vanilla was $27 at Costco the other day (Canada).
How long do you plan on leaving yours in the vodka? I just started some yesterday as well! And yeah, vanilla beans are definitely costly.
I find that I can start using it after 3 months ... but its still quite boozy. After 6 months, its the same as Costco vanilla, except better tasting.
I broke down and bought some Amazon vanilla beans this week. When they get here, I'll go buy some more vodka and get it going in the back of my cupboard. I bake a lot and I'm having to use my boozy vanilla already.
KID: "Mom, these cookies are reeealllly good!"
ME: "Mmmm-hmmmm"
Haven't checked this thread for a while but this is just gold!
I found the same when I made vanilla with rum. After three months it was just vanilla-flavoured rum. Had to wait six months.
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Posting to follow. Definitely going to jump on the sewing bandwagon. I'm thinking maybe grill aprons for men? Has anyone ever tried those? There's a lot of grilling by the males here abouts.
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I plan on doing homemade Christmas gifts. I havent yet decided what to make.
Last year I made everyone knitted wash cloths and soap, strawberry wine jelly, and salted caramel hot chocolate mix.
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I'm making progress on the quilt for my parents. I ended up making all but about 10 of the blocks myself, but at least I got them done. I am waiting for one piece of fabric, and then I'll add a section for us "kids". I have two small sections that represent the 6 grandkids already. Hopefully I'll be able to get it sandwiched next week and start quilting soon.
(https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19642722_1583869574977156_3943808020275078226_n.jpg?oh=5466d585e70c16dde510a191433dd9c1&oe=59CF109D)
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SCOTTIE DOG, ^^
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Thanks everyone for the fantastic ideas. I'm going to make the Lemoncello and start collecting tea bags to make something like this http://www.thriftyfun.com/Making-a-Tea-Bag-Wreath.html. (http://www.thriftyfun.com/Making-a-Tea-Bag-Wreath.html.)
Now all the kids are grown and there are no grandchildren as yet we do a Chris Kringle for gift giving among the family. Out young adult kids are starting out so we don't want them to feel they need to spend lots of money on presents. Everyone buys/makes a gift to the value of no more than $20, suitable for anyone. Thrifted gifts allowed. We play a game where gifts can be stolen, it's good fun. Appreciated gifts have included: homemade bread boards (made by my DH, supply is low so he'll get busy making some more), house plants (kids now living out of home really loved these), movie tickets, herb vinegars/oils, icecream sauces eg. salted caramel.
We are travelling next month to visit friends and family 'over East' (East coast of Australia) so I've started making thank you gifts. The orange wholegrain mustard turned out great. It's made from whole mustard seeds, very easy to make. I used a recipe from a cookbook but Jamie Oliver has a recipe, made with Beer which sounds tasty http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/uncategorised-recipes/wholegrain-mustard/ (http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/uncategorised-recipes/wholegrain-mustard/) Beware, this has a powerful taste, very delicious, nothing like the commercial supermarket brands IMHO. I'll also make Lime Marmalade with limes "from Grandad's tree" so special.
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SCOTTIE DOG, ^^
Yes :) but, in this case, it's representing miniature schnauzers, lol.
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SCOTTIE DOG, ^^
Yes :) but, in this case, it's representing miniature schnauzers, lol.
Them too! Very cute.
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This is one of the wooden boards my partners makes. We use one for olives, cheese and crackers. They have always been very gratefully received. The bowls I brought yesterday $1.40 each. One present ready for gift giving!
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Saw these in Vogue and thought folks here may be interested. Reported for use in pedicures.
Pink Himalayan Salt Foot Soak
2 T pink Himalayan salt
1 drop cypress essential oil
1 drop tea tree essential oil
1 tsp. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap
Tub of warm water
Directions: Mix ingredients until equally distributed. Soak feet 15 minutes, or until skin plumps and softens.
Coconut Oil Foot Scrub
1/4 cup sea salt
1/2 T Dr. Bronner’s soap
3 T organic fractionated coconut oil
2 drops peppermint oil (or any essential oil)
Directions: Mix ingredients into a rough, uniform paste. Apply to entire foot and ankle area, and massage gently for 10 minutes, concentrating on heels and balls of feet. Rinse off with warm water.
Wild Orange and Coconut Oil Moisturizer
1 part organic fractionated coconut oil
1 part organic aloe vera gel
1 drop wild orange essential oil
Directions: Mix ingredients in a glass jar with lid. Coat foot liberally with oil treatment and massage for five minutes or longer.
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I'm in. I did it last year, but only left myself three months. I pulled it off (mostly), but it was a tight one.
I'm still not sure what I want to do this year yet. I lean towards food items, because then it isn't something someone has to store and keep forever (or give away), so I was thinking maybe jar soup mixes. I was also thinking of making something like this: http://www.craftideas.info/html/wood_burned_ornaments_f.html We have a ton of trees, and I think we have a wood burner somewhere, so this could be cool.
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I think I'm going to steal your homemade peanut butter cups idea. Easy, and everyone will love it!
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The clock turned out great, I'm sure the recipient will love it!
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I just finished the quilt top a few minutes ago. That thing is a beast! 90" x 108".
I'm still debating whether last weekend was mustachian, or completely not, but I don't really care... I found a Viking Husqvarna mega quilter, complete with a frame (so that I can use it similar to how you would a long arm machine, just without all the throat space of a long arm). It was a good deal, and they are great machines. I was also ready to upgrade, so timing and price both worked out. I'll need to practice with it before I can use it on this quilt, but I'm now pretty confident I'll be able to finish before Christmas. I'll still hand quilt portions of it, but the towering task of quilting my first queen sized quilt is a little less towering now. The machine will definitely get a workout over the next several years!
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I'm in! Here's my tentative list:
Parents: Embroidery Project + Donation Card
Inlaws: Embroidery Project + Restaurant Gift Card
Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Cousins: Photo Card
Friends: Photo Card & Homemade Salsa
Co-Workers: Baked Goods (I make huge batches for me and DH to take to work)
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BTW, does anyone have good recommendations on ordering labels for homemade canned goods like salsas, pickles, and hot sauces? I am not crafty (other than embroidery) and am worried it will look like garbage if I try to DIY.
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What about sheets of labels from an office supply place like Staples that you then run through your printer with a template of the font that you could find online?
Or if you have a friend who has decent handwriting or hand-lettering skills, could you trade them a jar or two of your canned goods in exchange for writing up your labels?
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BTW, does anyone have good recommendations on ordering labels for homemade canned goods like salsas, pickles, and hot sauces? I am not crafty (other than embroidery) and am worried it will look like garbage if I try to DIY.
Have you done a search on Pinterest for "free printable canning labels"? That should turn up lots of options for designs and hopefully you can find something you like.
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So I took a soap making class today....i think I now have some soap to gift! And here I didn't think i'd make any progress on gifts while traveling.
Also for labels, I had bought one of those stamper/puncher do-thingies at Tuesday Morning on super clearance. So I just used a regular large label, punched out a pretty border on it and then tried to nicely write "homemade rum vanilla" or something.
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I think I am going to make edible gifts. At this point, I'm thinking of making truffles (though I like the peanut butter cups idea) and maple strawberry sauce. We have grape vines and blackberry bushes so I might also make grape jelly or blackberry jam.
I also like the idea of making some quilted pot holders, but haven't decided if I am going to do that.
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Thinking off adding beeswax cloth food wraps to my list. Has anyone tried making them before? Did you like them? I figure they would pair nicely with my homemade vanilla and strawberry jam that's currently on my gift list.
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Bracken_Joy posted a recipe for homemade, room-temperature stable, pseudo-bouillon cubes over in the Moustachian People Problems (just for fun) forum, and I think I might make them for my mom (and myself). I have an infinite supply of frozen chicken carcasses, and also some grass-fed beef soup bones, and I'm kind of tired of storing jars and jars and jars of bone broth in my freezer - it's taking up space that I could use for a pig!
http://nourishedkitchen.com/homemade-bouillon-portable-soup/
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I just finished the quilt top a few minutes ago. That thing is a beast! 90" x 108".
I'm still debating whether last weekend was mustachian, or completely not, but I don't really care... I found a Viking Husqvarna mega quilter, complete with a frame (so that I can use it similar to how you would a long arm machine, just without all the throat space of a long arm). It was a good deal, and they are great machines. I was also ready to upgrade, so timing and price both worked out. I'll need to practice with it before I can use it on this quilt, but I'm now pretty confident I'll be able to finish before Christmas. I'll still hand quilt portions of it, but the towering task of quilting my first queen sized quilt is a little less towering now. The machine will definitely get a workout over the next several years!
Good quality sewing machines last a lifetime and that's definitely Mustachian! Plus, if you are a good quilter that's a skill that could earn you money, if you want to. If you buy all new fabrics, then quilting is not super frugal, but if you can turn down the heat because of it then it's a good investment! I have started to make practical daily-use quilts from used fabrics, but a heritage project like this is worth buying new fabrics for. It's absolutely wonderful and I'm sure the recipient of the gift will be really happy with it.
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I harvested a bunch of mint from my garden yesterday and started some mint extract. I tried to do this last year, and it didn't really work. Hopefully this year, it'll work better. I also took a saw into our woods and cut down a tree branch that I want to slice into disks to make Christmas ornaments from. I'm going to wait for DH to get back from a trip before I attempt to use the table saw, however.
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Got two fruit cordials started on their 'brewing' yesterday. Starting to run low on our supply of cheap vodka.
Would you mind sharing the recipe/directions used? Will they be stored in the freezer, or did you find a good shelf-safe one? I really want to try this but all the directions I've found say to store in the fridge for a few weeks or the freezer for 6 months, which is tricky for a gift and for not having any freezer space. I'm guessing "don't get sued" is a factor in saying it needs to be in the fridge/freezer but I'm still hesitant to go out on a limb.
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I've just been pulling ideas from a few sites:
http://www.goodcocktails.com/liqueur_recipes/strawberry_liqueur.php
http://inhabitat.com/diy-a-cordial-event-making-your-own-flavored-liqueurs-at-home/
http://seekingjoyfulsimplicity.com/herbal-infused-cordials/
https://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/how-make-cordials-naturally
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/cordial-recipes-zmaz81jfzraw?pageid=2#PageContent2
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I'm in!
Although, it feels a bit like cheating, since previous years I have just given charity donations in a card to really drive home the idea that I would like them to give me the same, if they have to give me anything.
SO's mother is getting spruce shoot syrup. That stuff is liquid gold. We only have the one bottle, because I was living with a friend during the shoot season and left most of the bottles with her as a thank you gift, but next year we'll make loads more. I did not understand syrup on pancakes until we made this. Amazing.
Another frugal friend is planning on hosting a truffle-making evening before the season hits, and we also have some baking planned. Plus I am sending out one of those mails about "I'd rather not get anything, but if you feel like you have to get me something, please do something homemade, don't spend a minute in malls on my behalf."
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Thanks, Drole!
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I have made a small amount of progress on this. We had a tree come down on our house (thankfully no damage and we got the power company to take it off the roof for free), but I used it to my advantage. I picked out several appropriately sized branches and had my husband show me how to use his table saw. I now have 60 neat looking wooden disks drying in my dehydrator. I'm going to paint them as Christmas ornaments to give as gifts!
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I have ordered flannel fabric to make flannel pyama pants for ourselves and the friend who's visiting. We always spend Christmas lying on the sofa and watching Netflix, so this seemed like the perfect gift. Last year we were so immersed in a movie we forgot to go to church .... but this year we'll do gifts and traditionally we wait with the gift giving until after church on Christmas Eve, so I'm sure we won't forget to go.
We don't normally give gifts at Christmas, but this year we will. The visiting friend is an extremely generous person who always helps us out without wanting anything in return. She's managing on a very low income. We want to put a pile of gifts for her under the Christmas tree to spoil her. We are still staying mustachian: we won't give random expensive stuff, but mostly homemade, frugal things that I know she'll appreciate. We have a lot more money so we could shower her with luxury things from the shop but we'd all feel awkward.
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Seville Oranges are in season here. We were gifted a couple of kilos so made a double recipe of Seville Marmalade. 15 jars of assorted sizes, total cost $6. We'll use these as gifts throughout the year and at Christmas for English grandad who loves it.
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So, I need to make:
18 cards
5 boxes chocolate bark
2 'home sweet home' cross-stitch patterns, framed
3 big bottles coffee liqueur
8 batches cookies (for DH and I to take to work)
That should take care of my Christmas gifts, aside from whatever I get for DH! I think I'll start gathering the materials (bottles, paper for labels) now and start on the cross-stitch this coming weekend!
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I'm thinking about making foam-core mounted photographs for some people. Yesterday I made a DIY thread about homemade Mixtiles and went out, got everything I needed, and made 3 of them yesterday of the 16 prints I made. I'll make more tonight. I think making a set of 3-4 for each person would be a nice and thoughtful gift. I'd just have to find good photos to use for them. Is something personal like that not a good gift idea? I was thinking it was easy for people with kids and pets but maybe home decorations are too personal to gift.
They cost about $3.50/ea to make.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/637e9773426ffa2844bbd62074545ba1.jpg)
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I, personally, would love to receive a gift like this -- especially if the pictures were of me with the person who made the gift for me, or of my pets!
I'm thinking about making foam-core mounted photographs for some people. Yesterday I made a DIY thread about homemade Mixtiles and went out, got everything I needed, and made 3 of them yesterday of the 16 prints I made. I'll make more tonight. I think making a set of 3-4 for each person would be a nice and thoughtful gift. I'd just have to find good photos to use for them. Is something personal like that not a good gift idea? I was thinking it was easy for people with kids and pets but maybe home decorations are too personal to gift.
They cost about $3.50/ea to make.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/637e9773426ffa2844bbd62074545ba1.jpg)
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A couple of years ago, I got two unpainted wooden Advent calendars for the price of one. I painted one and it came out beautiful. I am going to paint another one midnight blue with golden stars, angels, etc. for my brother-in-law's family.
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I'm thinking about making foam-core mounted photographs for some people. Yesterday I made a DIY thread about homemade Mixtiles and went out, got everything I needed, and made 3 of them yesterday of the 16 prints I made. I'll make more tonight. I think making a set of 3-4 for each person would be a nice and thoughtful gift. I'd just have to find good photos to use for them. Is something personal like that not a good gift idea? I was thinking it was easy for people with kids and pets but maybe home decorations are too personal to gift.
They cost about $3.50/ea to make.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/637e9773426ffa2844bbd62074545ba1.jpg)
If you know your recipient well enough, I don't think it's too personal at all. I would think it was a great gift! However, I do know some people don't like to receive any decor, or even handmade, items, so I'd keep that in mind.
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Ok guys now it seems like the time of year to get rolling on Christmas gifts! Also I want to take some photos of my family for our holiday cards.
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Yesterday I finally sat down with my SO to make a list of who we need gifts for and who will get what. I made a batch of brandied pears, which will make gifts for a few people, and today I'll be making a batch of poached plums in rum syrup for a few more. We need to acquire some materials for the rest of the gifts, but now at least we have a list of what we need. Progress!
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Christmas 2017 - 10 weeks away???
Hmm - I guess a list is a good start:) Then I'll have a look at my pinterest account for inspiration and join the secret pinterest account for even more inspiration.
So here goes nothing - my preliminary list:
A gift for five couples - all are foodies. Keep at $10 or under. Anything goes - food-chocolate-scents-air fresheners.
A gift for a couple in their late thirties - who have everything - he's a foodie, she would go for something classy - like lavender sachets or similar (laundry additive - fancy healthy snacks.
A gift for a young couple - early twenties - possibly jewelry and chocolate related.
A gift for my SIL - chocolate related - and/or ready made food, so she doesn't have to cook - she'll appreciate that.
A gift for a dear friend and hubby - not a foodie - garden gift or beauty or goat milk soap - she mentioned she liked fig scrub......maybe a bag with a photo of her 65 Mustang - meant to do that last year, but didn't.
A gift for a friend and her daughter - I'll make jewelry for the daughter - possibly Tia Maria style liqueur....
A gift for two couples - one not foodies - possibly soup in a jar for one - garden gift for another - jewelry?
Rum cake???
I have a pan with six mini bundt cake forms - I could do rum cake - using an old Bacardi recipe with brown sugar and nuts for topping and old fashioned icing, marbled cake with chocolate glaze, blueberry with lemon icing, vanilla with vanilla-raspberry swirl icing, lemon with lemon icing.
Maybe something with peanut butter or pistachios or Nutella or cashews for about five of the guys???
I made killer french coconut confection from a very old recipe last year, if I can find that recipe again... - not entirely easy to do, but oh so so worth it.
I'll be back once I have a better idea as to what I want to go for - then I need a schedule.
Jewelry can be made well ahead, but I need to find out how long that Tia Maria style liqueur is good for. Maybe three or more bottles?
Soaps or anything scented can all be started now.
I certainly want to do the shopping bag with the photo of her antique Mustang. Possibly make her a bird bath from thrifted glass?
The jewelry gifts may not cost me anything, since I have a nice stash of gemstones and beads as well. Possibly three necklace and earring sets.
I do like the mini bundt cakes idea, but I'll have to research wrapping and transportation - since that could be a problem. Mushed cake would not be attractive:)
Rum balls??? - not sure that I have a good recipe - how long do they keep? Container? The ball jars in that antique french blue look great and they are not too large either. Also, the dollar store had pretty sealed jars, like antique cut glass, candy jars - small ones, I could do a set of three which would look fancy...
Looking forward to doing this - although I've shied away from anything homemade in the past for fear that my gifts might not be enjoyed as much. But, I've dabbled a bit here and there, so hopefully I have a good grip on what might be well received.
... and while I'm at it - who has a killer caramel - soft caramel - recipe - idea? I love caramel... :)
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I recently made this blackberry liqueur (https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/blackberry-liqueur-creme-de-mure?amp) and it was delicious and easy. Just in case anyone is looking for an easy crowd-pleasing alcoholic gift!
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Posting to trawl through later for ideas for neighbour gifts. Edible gifts are ideal but on one side there is a family including 3 gym junkies who don't eat carbs or sugar (they got spiced nuts last year).
I read a book recently where someone had a rosemary bush trimmed in the shape of a xmas tree. I hadn't seen that before but I figured (ok this is a very long term plan) that if I could propagate some rosemary bushes, at some point I would have a handy gift ready. Likewise chillis with the red fruit and a bit of xmassy sparkle added could be good.
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Rosy, I've been making these caramels (http://www.shutterbean.com/2013/bourbon-salted-caramels/) for a few years and they're always well received. Just leave out the bourbon and dial way back on the salt for normal caramels.
I've got three stained glass crosses made with help from a friend for DH's extended family who I never know what to get for.
Knitting:
A pair of house socks for my best friend - started last week and almost 25% complete
A beanie for my brother's girlfriend - the Koolhaas pattern is my go-to but I've got my brother subtly asking questions to find out what color and if she'd prefer something plainer
A Daniel Tiger sweater for my son - just a simple red hoodie with a trolley patch stitched on.
I've recently become intrigued by the concept of bento bags, and am thinking of sewing some up with the Christmas fabric I have stashed to use as reusable gift bags. Last year I did furoshiki style wrapping with Christmas fabric for gifts within my family (so I could get the fabric back to reuse).
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Apparently I'm the food-producer in the family, which is weird. I'm guessing I'm just the one who enjoys it the most. I've recently gotten requests for:
- Reece's Peanut Butter cup banana bread
- Jam
- Homemade rosemary and garlic bread
- Kolach (I actually don't know how to make this, but she "has a recipe" for me, lol)
- Shortbread
- Sugar cookies
- Tiramisu (which I also don't know how to make, so I guess I get to experiment)
- Liverwurst
- Muddy Buddies/puppy chow for everyone
So, everyone in my immediate family is getting food :) Easy enough for me! It is a good plan, honestly, because my aunt and uncle live in a little house with no room for extra tchotchkes, my parents have lived in the same house for 25 years and need nothing, my mother-in-law is trying to downsize so she can move, and my sister and sister-in-law live in bedrooms in other people's houses. Now if only I could get them to give me consumables for gifts too...
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I'm making 3 pairs of flannel pyama pants as gifts today. One will be for myself :D The others for my partner and a friend who's coming over at Christmas. We are planning to watch Netflix in our pyamas.
I will also do a lot of cooking, but for our guests, not as gifts. In my country, gift-giving at Christmas isn't that big of a deal as it seems to be in the US, luckily.
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Rosy, I've been making these caramels (http://www.shutterbean.com/2013/bourbon-salted-caramels/) for a few years and they're always well received. Just leave out the bourbon and dial way back on the salt for normal caramels.
I've got three stained glass crosses made with help from a friend for DH's extended family who I never know what to get for.
Knitting:
A pair of house socks for my best friend - started last week and almost 25% complete
A beanie for my brother's girlfriend - the Koolhaas pattern is my go-to but I've got my brother subtly asking questions to find out what color and if she'd prefer something plainer
A Daniel Tiger sweater for my son - just a simple red hoodie with a trolley patch stitched on.
I've recently become intrigued by the concept of bento bags, and am thinking of sewing some up with the Christmas fabric I have stashed to use as reusable gift bags. Last year I did furoshiki style wrapping with Christmas fabric for gifts within my family (so I could get the fabric back to reuse).
Oh my - thank you ever so much froogle poodle:)! Sweet-salty-boozy, why YES please. I'll try a coffee liqueur and dark rum instead of the bourbon - just for fun and of course plenty non-alcoholic salty and non-salty caramels too.
Giving that a trial run this weekend - yes, ma'am:)
You know I like the idea of using Christmas fabric to wrap or make a bag - I'm not good at sewing, but I think I could handle that. If I just stitched it together and then used pinking shears instead of doing a nice corner sewing job - maybe attach some jingle bells? and use a pretty ribbon instead of sewing a proper threaded band?
Maybe make a couple of placemats?
Then again, the caramels might look prettier in a box or a fancy glass jar...
If I did a trio or mix of something - say three different mini bundt cakes and three kinds of "adult" chocolates or confections - maybe rum balls - caramels - ?
I think it will be fun doing a creative presentation.
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Is mid-October way too late to be planning to do an all homemade Christmsas?! Eep.
Feeling very inspired, and looking forward to getting access to the Pinterest board. My ideas:
Dad: Healthy food trio (he's recently vegan-ish) - spiced nuts + apple rings + chocolate covered espresso beans
Mom: Jam trio (plum, orange marmalade, maybe raspberry?) + jar of granola that she loves (http://www.badgirldiy.com/2016/10/30/the-best-ever-granola/)
Brother: Homemade Kahlua, or if I can get my knitting game strong enough in time - a toque (beanie for you non-Canadians!)
Husband: "Man-Bombs" = manly bath bombs! Going to try to find some fun flavour/scent combos. (http://abeautifulmess.com/2015/03/homemade-bath-bombs.html)
Father-in-Law: Homemade Kahlua?
Mother-in-Law & Sister-in-Law: Soap + sugar scrub + moisturizer combo? A girlfriend made this for me years ago, and spraypainted the top of small mason jar lids gold, and glued gold-painted animal figurines on top. It was very cute (and pretty) to have these little jars with gold giraffes, hippos, etc on top)
Brother-in-Law: "Man-Bombs"
5-year-old Nephew: Hidden toy soaps? http://homemadeforelle.com/homemade-soap-kids-hidden-toys/
2-year-old Niece: Pom-pom scarf http://sheepandstitch.com/shop/the-baby-pom-scarf-pattern/
Grandma: Jam trio + jar of granola
For work and for the friends that stop by I'll have extras of the jams and snacks, plus I'll do some baking.
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I sewed up the first pair of pyama pants today! It was easy to do and really fast. The only problem i have is that they take a little more fabric than I thought they would - 2,2 yards instead of the 2 I calculated, so I'm ending up more than half a yard short if I want to make 3. I'm trying to find some more of this fabric, or a different fabric all together for the last pair now.
My youngest brother is moving out around Christmas, so I'm thinking of making something for his new place. I'm still deciding what I'll make.
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I've been thinking of trying to pickle Daikon Radish, and have found a number of recipes online, but I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone has a tried and true recipe?
I LOVE pickled radish and it's the perfect complement to spicy food (especially Asian), so I think it would be a great gift to friends who LOVE spicy food.
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I'm thinking of making "simmer pots" with fancy labels and dried ingredients.
Like this, sort of:http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2014/11/christmas-jar-mulling-spices/
Apparently bulk "mulling spices" are about $7 a lb, and contain orange peel, cloves, cinnamon and most spices.
If I use dried orange slices (DIY) and pine sprigs, my only question is how well the fresh cranberries keep.
Does anyone know how well fresh cranberries keep out of the fridge, or if something like this would be OK out of the fridge for a few days?
I've also thought about selling some at holiday craft fairs, but I wonder if I'd have to separately baggie the cranberries inside the jar and give it a "lifespan" in the fridge.
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I'm thinking of making "simmer pots" with fancy labels and dried ingredients.
Like this, sort of:http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2014/11/christmas-jar-mulling-spices/
Apparently bulk "mulling spices" are about $7 a lb, and contain orange peel, cloves, cinnamon and most spices.
If I use dried orange slices (DIY) and pine sprigs, my only question is how well the fresh cranberries keep.
Does anyone know how well fresh cranberries keep out of the fridge, or if something like this would be OK out of the fridge for a few days?
I've also thought about selling some at holiday craft fairs, but I wonder if I'd have to separately baggie the cranberries inside the jar and give it a "lifespan" in the fridge.
Use dried cranberries maybe? Would it work?
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I'm thinking of making "simmer pots" with fancy labels and dried ingredients.
Like this, sort of:http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2014/11/christmas-jar-mulling-spices/
Apparently bulk "mulling spices" are about $7 a lb, and contain orange peel, cloves, cinnamon and most spices.
If I use dried orange slices (DIY) and pine sprigs, my only question is how well the fresh cranberries keep.
Does anyone know how well fresh cranberries keep out of the fridge, or if something like this would be OK out of the fridge for a few days?
I've also thought about selling some at holiday craft fairs, but I wonder if I'd have to separately baggie the cranberries inside the jar and give it a "lifespan" in the fridge.
Use dried cranberries maybe? Would it work?
I think it would SMELL fine, but the visuals aren't as great as fresh pine/cranberries.
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I'm thinking of making "simmer pots" with fancy labels and dried ingredients.
Like this, sort of:http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2014/11/christmas-jar-mulling-spices/
Apparently bulk "mulling spices" are about $7 a lb, and contain orange peel, cloves, cinnamon and most spices.
If I use dried orange slices (DIY) and pine sprigs, my only question is how well the fresh cranberries keep.
Does anyone know how well fresh cranberries keep out of the fridge, or if something like this would be OK out of the fridge for a few days?
I've also thought about selling some at holiday craft fairs, but I wonder if I'd have to separately baggie the cranberries inside the jar and give it a "lifespan" in the fridge.
Cranberries should be fine on the counter for a few days. I'd think they'd last about as long as the pine before starting to turn (depending what kind of pine you use, I guess) - fresh ingredients are never going to last that long, but they should be good for a few days, as long as you inspect them for soft spots, etc before adding them in.
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I'm not hand making my entire Christmas... but I have almost 20 work gifts and a handful of friend that I want to make things for:
Sugar scrubs
Herbs in recycled containers
Banana bread
Shortbread
Maybe rum balls
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We started a batch of Christmas Ale this weekend -- using hops we grew. We'll bottle this in Grolsch-type bottles with a fancy label and gift it to friends and neighbors -- always a hit.
So far I've made some zippered pouches out of fancy fabric and filled them with useful desk items (band-aids, lip balm, nail file, breath freshener, etc.) for a couple of friends. I knit my MIL a pair of slippers. I was shopping with another friend and she was oohing and ahhing over these fancy patchwork and lace hearts, so I made her a couple of those. I'm going to make some jewelry for my MIL and a couple of other friends, and several food gifts. My husband and I are taking a big trip to Alaska next June and have agreed to only exchange stockings this year, so I'm still trying to think of a few little things to go in his stocking -- and something for my FIL, who wants or needs nothing. I have a good supply of homemade jams to hand out to our mail carrier, choir director, etc. I usually give an assortment and they have always been well received.
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finished. Made a block print and attached calendar pages to it, like an old timely hardware store calendar. It's pretty cool, but was a really low cost gift. I'm traveling, so left them all with a sibling to hide them under the tree. Will be a surprise for most of the rest of the fam. It's a small gift so I guess the surprise will add weight to it.
18 gifts. My only expense was a roll of plain dollar tree paper to wrap them. I cut snowflake name tags out of scrap paper. And supplies for the rest were on hand, left over from previous projects.
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Oh, I really like the calendar idea!
We bottled the Christmas Ale this morning -- most of it in our collection of Grolsch bottles. All that's left is to make a fancy label. It looks and tastes fabulous.
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finished. Made a block print and attached calendar pages to it, like an old timely hardware store calendar. It's pretty cool, but was a really low cost gift. I'm traveling, so left them all with a sibling to hide them under the tree. Will be a surprise for most of the rest of the fam. It's a small gift so I guess the surprise will add weight to it.
18 gifts. My only expense was a roll of plain dollar tree paper to wrap them. I cut snowflake name tags out of scrap paper. And supplies for the rest were on hand, left over from previous projects.
Do you have pictures? I love this idea!
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finished. Made a block print and attached calendar pages to it, like an old timely hardware store calendar. It's pretty cool, but was a really low cost gift. I'm traveling, so left them all with a sibling to hide them under the tree. Will be a surprise for most of the rest of the fam. It's a small gift so I guess the surprise will add weight to it.
18 gifts. My only expense was a roll of plain dollar tree paper to wrap them. I cut snowflake name tags out of scrap paper. And supplies for the rest were on hand, left over from previous projects.
Do you have pictures? I love this idea!
No photos. Sorry Mbot. Maintaining anonymity on these forums. My art is too revealing.
I can give a little more of a walk through.
I used a heavy cotton paper roughly 12 inches wide by 15 inches long.
I registered it so that my 8.5x11 block print was centered L-R and 2 inches down on the page. After drying I scored and folded the top 1.5 inches of paper toward the back and glued it down to prevent sagging. Punched a hole for hanging (reinforced some holes with packing tape hidden on the back, punching after taping.
Calendar pages are stapled under the print. I formatted each month to print 4x11, two to a page of regular sized landscape printer paper. This made it really cheap to print, but it looked less like a standard size. This fit my stapler so I didn't need a long arm. You could use any size and staple from the sides vertically, but I wanted the staples horizontal.
It would be easy to use a family photo or kid's drawing, slap it on poster board and add calendar pages.
I wanted something that played between practical and fine art. Each one I made is an original print, signed and numbered. But they are casual. My family will enjoy these, but not be obligated to keep a piece that might not fit their aesthetic.
Calendars have been my thing the past couple years. The older generation loves to have something so practical be something personal, and they always need a new one each year! My siblings are all digital, have never used a paper calendar, but I know they are going to be into this quaint but modern take on it, with no strings attached to the gift. They are also inexpensive to mail and about the right time investment for me.
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A friend asked me to make items for a table for a bazaar she is running. I'm not interested in selling my stuff at all, but agreed to help her out. I will make some tote bags, some reusable gift bags, little zippered coin purses and small zippered bags, pot holders, skillet handle pot holders, etc. I'm using "fun" fabrics with Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, Nerds (the candy), frogs, etc, rather than Christmas fabric. Whatever I have left after the bazaar will likely end up going to family as gifts.
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Update:
Made a little bit of progress...
1. Found two cool, fancy, red velvet lined Christmas baskets at the thrift store for $3.99 each and discovered I had a third, a plain gold basket suitable for re-gifting, once I spray it with glitter white/gold.
At the discount store, I found a white china bowl with gold antler handles perfect for packaging up baked goods and/or rum balls. Adding in some fun Christmas kitchen towels and one of my gifts and nice presentation is done!
(I know it will match her china and decor)
2. Still dealing with outdoor projects, so I doubt much will happen before the 15th of Nov - trying to have my studio work area set up by then, so I can start making the two, perhaps more, jewelry gifts. I don't like to be rushed when I design my jewelry, but I checked to see that I have everything, except I may need to pick up a couple of different closures-depending.
3. It will definitely not all be homemade, but I was happy to find some exquisite, quality scented candles at Marshal's at a good price. Scented candles and sweets are always appreciated by 80% of my friends and family. So there will be baking and caramels and rum balls for everyone along with the candles.
The other 20% is a little tougher to find appropriate gifts for.
4. Ordering a set of canvas shopping bags in three sizes to be printed with my photo of my friend's 1965 turquoise Mustang. Can't wait to see how that will turn out. It is from my own photography website, so I will get a discount, thankfully - since that is rather pricey, but I think the end result will be worth it. She takes her bags to Saturday market etc...
5. Found two serene, grey Buddha head planters for only $5.99, which I will plant with herbs (maybe lemon balm for tea or a spiky zebra grass for show). Maybe I'll add in new garden gloves and a couple of seed packets or a new windchime. We are all garden buddies, so I know that gloves, seeds and wind chimes are always welcome.
6. The third gift basket is also practically done, except for the baking - set of Christmas towels (her old ones are wearing out), found several brand new mystery books at the local thrift store for one dollar each-her favorite read:), a frozen casserole - she hates to cook:), but I love to cook:) and a bottle of Bailey's - decorated in a Christmas theme.
Pinterest had some amazing ideas, can't wait to give it a try - I love decoupage projects mixed with other art media.
Great ideas and some very talented people on this thread - enjoy the season:)
Each holiday season only comes around once in your lifetime...
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We worked on some gifts this past weekend. My husband bottled the Christmas Ale he brewed. The portion we plan to give as gifts is in Grolsch-style bottles. He added some labels he designed.
I made rosemary-peppermint shaving lotion for my FIL and hubby. I also made some therapeutic bath tablets (think bath fizzies that look like giant alka-seltzers, made with Epsom salts and essential oils.) These are going to my FIL and one of my best friends, both of whom really struggle with arthritis pain. I know my FIL takes baths instead of showers, so I'm hoping popping a couple of these in the bath will be soothing. (These exactly fit in a Pringles can, which we don't usually eat, but we do like them, so I'm going to buy a couple cans, empty out the chips for us, then cover the cans in Christmas paper, stick a bow on top and call it good.)
My FIL is particularly difficult to shop for -- at 86 he doesn't need anything, and has a lifetime supply of clothes. Two years ago we gave him a Kindle, which he does enjoy, so we'll add an Amazon GC to his gift for more books.
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Mtngirl - can you share the shaving lotion recipe.
I have rosemary, mint, lavender, and lemon balm and am always looking for ways to use them.
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Mtngirl - can you share the shaving lotion recipe.
I have rosemary, mint, lavender, and lemon balm and am always looking for ways to use them.
I used the recipe at this site -- really easy and it came out great -- http://foodformyfamily.com/manic-organic/rosemary-mint-shaving-cream-homemade-gift-ideas
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I have two pairs of homemade pyama pants, I finished up a pile of quilted potholders made from mostly scraps and I'm working on a cross stitched picture for a friend. I am looking for fabric to make more pants, but flannel and fleece are hard to find around here, especially if you want a print fabric instead of a solid colour.
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Mtngirl - can you share the shaving lotion recipe.
I have rosemary, mint, lavender, and lemon balm and am always looking for ways to use them.
I used the recipe at this site -- really easy and it came out great -- http://foodformyfamily.com/manic-organic/rosemary-mint-shaving-cream-homemade-gift-ideas
e
Thanks!
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Got the stained glass ornaments done finally. I did a dinosaur for grandson, a Bearded Collie for DS, and a tree made out of different types of clear glass for DIL. I use the ornaments as gift tags - everyone knows which one is theirs because I try and make them personal. Also made 2 plant stakes for my Mom - a rose, and a sort of generic yellow flower. (can't post photos because the site is refusing to upload!).
I think I will make the cinnamon almonds again - those seemed to go over well last year.
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I'll be traveling to stay with my family for almost three weeks this year, which means any food gifts either cannot require refrigeration or have to be made covertly in the house of the people they are for... Which is a shame, because I have a flourishing basil plant and homemade pesto sounded like a great idea. Unfortunately I don't trust it at room temp on a plane ride, nor do I particularly want to go through security with it.
I do plan to help a lot with meal prep while I'm there, which will be a gift of its own to my mom. I've also thought of jars of pre-mixed mug cookie materials - add butter and egg, no measuring necessary. I'd love to do homemade candles but I think that will have to wait until next year. Dad and brothers are harder. And my sister has already cornered the market on family knitted/crocheted/fabric gifts!
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I just finished up my first batch of Raspberry Rhubarb Jalapeno jam. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it set well, at least. I still have a lot to do, but now I've got jam and pickles done, so it is a good start :)
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I'm gifting two x couple friends that don't have gardens a tomato plant with a marigold and nasturtiums planted on the edge. I just used old plastic pots I had and the seeds and seedlings cost cents. It's not at all gifty looking but I think they'll like it - we don't formally exchange gifts between the adults. I'm going to get a mini watering can to go with it to involve their kids. I might sound like Scrooge but last year the kids got so many presents from their large extended families and there was barely a thank you for ours that got lost in the piles and piles of plastic stuff so I'm not going to bother with specific kid stuff this year. I won't see them close to the actual day anyway.
Other couple friends who have black thumbs and no kids are getting tiny succulents in a pot. Impossible to kill. Got the succulents free from the garden and the pot was free on the side of the road. I might give the same to my neighbours. One side is brand new and I want to start off on the right foot with xmas gift expectations (homemade & low cost!)
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Ack, is it too late to start??
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Ack, is it too late to start??
Never!
Our Advent calendars have been an adventure. We originally started with the idea of bags, becuase my family has the traditional Danish advent calendars with little loops. After doing three sets we decided there was no way we were going to all that work in packaging the bags - So I have several hundred muslin bags to do something with (damn cheap bulk rate) so I'm thinking mulling spices, bath teas...ummm anyone got some good ideas?
Hubs designed and crafted tea boxes and they are pretty cute. We created descriptions and quotes for each Tea. Hubs went to a huge amount of work creating a spreadsheet and figuring out which tea would be best for which day depending on if it was a workday or if it would be a good mid-week pick me up and such. We have given out one set so far and the response has been awesome so we'll see how everyone else likes them.
Although, this was a huge project and we are way behind on everything else we wanted to get done, so crunch time!
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Ack, is it too late to start??
Never!
Our Advent calendars have been an adventure. We originally started with the idea of bags, becuase my family has the traditional Danish advent calendars with little loops. After doing three sets we decided there was no way we were going to all that work in packaging the bags - So I have several hundred muslin bags to do something with (damn cheap bulk rate) so I'm thinking mulling spices, bath teas...ummm anyone got some good ideas?
Hubs designed and crafted tea boxes and they are pretty cute. We created descriptions and quotes for each Tea. Hubs went to a huge amount of work creating a spreadsheet and figuring out which tea would be best for which day depending on if it was a workday or if it would be a good mid-week pick me up and such. We have given out one set so far and the response has been awesome so we'll see how everyone else likes them.
Although, this was a huge project and we are way behind on everything else we wanted to get done, so crunch time!
Agreed, never too late to start, KBecks, though you should adjust your expectations accordingly! ;-)
Does it count if something I'm giving is homemade by someone else? Bought some hot pepper jelly at my old church's Christmas bazaar. My friend and her mother are two of the main organizers (and makers of things!) so I like to support them. It was a bit pricey, because I got there after the loose jars had already sold, so I had to buy the little sets packaged up with plates and bowls and holiday frippery. I had to pay the higher price, but I got them to open up the sets and just give me the jam - I didn't really want everything else! Anyway, the jam, plus a smallish box of chocolates each (bought on sale and/or unashamedly re-gifted), will go into gifts for the 4 main volunteer leaders at my church. I'm also planning to make a loaf of onion bread for each of them. A quick bread (non-yeast), easy to mix up one big batch and bake in disposable loaf pans. These were a big hit a few years back, a little savoury to break up all the sweets people get at this time of year. So I guess you could say there's a bit of a savoury/sweet theme going on.
edited to add - swick, you don't make jewellery, do you? Because little muslin bags sound perfect for packaging a quick pair of earrings, which are quick and easy to make.
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Got this great email today - toilet paper wrappers => fancy gift bows. Life changing. Sorry for terrible link.
https://au.whogivesacrap.org/pages/naughty-and-nice-crafting?utm_campaign=XMAS_CraftReminder_NonXMASPurchasers_yp60days+%28P3TP8K%29&utm_medium=email&_ke=amFuZS50eWxlckBpaW5ldC5uZXQuYXU%3D&utm_source=Who+Gives+a+Crap+Australia
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Got this great email today - toilet paper wrappers => fancy gift bows. Life changing. Sorry for terrible link.
https://au.whogivesacrap.org/pages/naughty-and-nice-crafting?utm_campaign=XMAS_CraftReminder_NonXMASPurchasers_yp60days+%28P3TP8K%29&utm_medium=email&_ke=amFuZS50eWxlckBpaW5ldC5uZXQuYXU%3D&utm_source=Who+Gives+a+Crap+Australia
I'm now envious of Australian toilet paper that comes in fancy paper wrappers. Ours is either in white paper or plastic.
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This weekend I made a necklace for the woman who is like my adopted grandmother. I have a lot of pretty beads I've collected over the years, so this was easy and I know she will enjoy it.
I am making a bunch of bookmarks to go in books we are gifting my husband's parents, and some for us as well. One of our dogs likes to steal bookmarks and tear them up, so we are always in need.
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Used this mulling spice (https://www.amazon.ca/Davidsons-Tea-Loose-Mulling-16-Ounce/dp/B000SANR5M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512072167&sr=8-1&keywords=mulling+spice) (not an affiliate link, is a Canadian amazon link for any Canadians out there) + some small craft store baggies + homemade dried lemons to make "simmer pot potpourri." The lemons are more for additional bulk in the bag than to add any real scent.
It smells VERY nice when simmered in a pot of boiling water... about 2 teaspoons to a tablespoon each time... and I've already given two as small gifts. I left out the cranberries for now.
The local gift store sells small cheesecloth-wrapped bundles of mulling spice, so I'm also going to try doing some with gift tags at a craft sale tomorrow - we'll see if it sells any that way. If not it makes more nice gifts!
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I'm 3/4ths of the way through knitting these fingerless gloves for a wonderful older lady who does a lot of volunteer work. They are very fast!
http://www.artqualia.com/patterns/Swirling%20Gauntlets.pdf
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I am taking over the stocking stuffer role from my MIL this year. Everyone will get bags of Snowman poop, the women are getting monogrammed Redneck Yeti's and the men are getting toilet paper (they all have different sayings). Plus lottery tickets (my SIL is buying) and candy and cookies.
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DD and I made lavender and rose scented soaps for her teachers. Her class got a gingerbread house to share and gingerbread cookies with homemade icing to decorate as a class activity.
There are some great gingerbread cookie recipes on allrecipes.com.
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I made 5 little zipper pouches, using supplies I had on hand, for teacher gifts. I added a $10 gc in each to a local coffee shop, but next year I think I'll just put cheap candy inside. For the preschool teachers (who I know really well, as opposed to the public school teachers), I made Japanese knot bag wine totes and put a bottle in each (4).
That was the extent of my homemade gifts this year, and pretty much the extent of our gifting besides our own kids.
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https://draxe.com/homemade-deodorant/
I made little pots of this for some of my adult children's stockings. I've been using it myself for a year and love it! I also made a HUGE batch of granola to give as gifts. It started with 32 cups of oats, 8 cups of coconut etc etc.
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I decided to make all the guys a set of hot pads, choosing fabrics that matched their interests (logs, sailboats, and Star Wars), and made little bag/mini purses for the gals. The guys like to cook, and we all use cast iron, so the hot pads should go over well (the skinny one is for skillets).
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Sparky! These are amazing! I hope you have an etsy store as a side hustle! <wink>
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Finished mixing up a big batch of chai masala and packed it up in cute tins for most of our gifts. As a bonus, my kitchen smells delicious now. We also finalized the recipe for a mint tea blend for a relative who doesn't do dairy, I just need to measure out, blend, and package that one this afternoon. Brandied pears and poached plums in rum are also all done, just need to write up some pretty labels.
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I also did some sewing, making a bag remarkably like sparky’s above for a niece in law, some “sweet pea pods” for the nephews, a rice filled neck warmer for another in law, and a very basic coupon caddy for my mom (not pictured) because she keeps losing them.
That and a few pounds of cinnamon sugar pecans and almonds should keep the family happy.
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I made very similar hot pads too! And I kept a couple of for myself as well. It's such a useful gift, they're easy to make from scraps and are easily customised.
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I also did some sewing, making a bag remarkably like sparky’s above for a niece in law, some “sweet pea pods” for the nephews, a rice filled neck warmer for another in law, and a very basic coupon caddy for my mom (not pictured) because she keeps losing them.
That and a few pounds of cinnamon sugar pecans and almonds should keep the family happy.
I think we use the same basic pattern :) I make the pods as well, and use them for coin purses, etc. I gave those to the people in my quilting group. I make the lanyards with scrap fabric and batting or webbing instead of zippers though. Watched the Craftsy class when they had a free day.
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Sparky! These are amazing! I hope you have an etsy store as a side hustle! <wink>
Thanks :) No etsy store though. I do most of my crafting at work, so can't sell anything I make there, but I did make some stuff on my own time to sell at a bazaar. Lots of compliments and interest, but people didn't buy much. Oh well, more gifts for friends and family!
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I hope that all the recipients appreciate the thought, time, and work that went into everyone's homemade gifts!
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This was a very confidence building project! I totally hand sewed it in a few hours out our leftover jeans for the top and leftover striped cotton for the bottom. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an easy gift that is really nice looking. I stuffed the fins and topstitched a lot of the main seam.
http://www.allmyfriendsareflowers.com/2013/12/denim-whale-tutorial-printable-pattern.html