Author Topic: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition  (Read 11153 times)

Freedomin5

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #50 on: October 25, 2018, 04:13:41 PM »
Recipes for barks are really easy -- technique is a little more complex, because you have to temper the chocolate if you want a really high quality bark. The basic recipe is:

1. Melt chopped chocolate in double boiler/in glass bowl set over boiling pot of water; add a bit of extract if you're using any to flavor the chocolate (e.g. for peppermint bark I usually use .25 tsp of peppermint extract for a pound of chocolate).
2. Temper chocolate.
3. Spread chocolate on wax paper set on a cookie sheet or other hard, even surface.
4. Sprinkle your add-ins on top.
5. Cool.

Tempering chocolate's not hard, it's just annoying time-consuming. However, it will give your bark that glossy surface and wonderful snap!

@diapasoun Thanks! That’s really helpful!

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #51 on: October 28, 2018, 09:58:20 AM »
Smoking the salt today while I'm at work.  I'll see how 10 hours does (need enough time to let the smoker cool so I can cover it and put it away before I go home).
Since salt is corrosive, and I'll be smoking it for several hours, I put parchment paper over my cookie sheet.
Put a large amount of mesquite pellets in the smoker, then will finish it off with a blend (Pit Boss competition blend, got 40 lb bags cheap last summer).
The first three hours, I spritzing just a little bit of water mist from a sprayer over the salt.  The water should help make the smoke "stick".  Don't want to over spray or you melt the salt.
Stirring every hour.
After the first hour, the top layer already has a nice light brown look to it.  Looks like it's going to work really well!

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #52 on: November 12, 2018, 03:45:01 PM »
I finished the smoked salt and put them in nice 3 oz jars for gifting.  Took some to work as well.

I'm almost halfway done knitting socks for my mom.  She has a ton that she's knitted for herself, and has given away hundreds to others, but she'll like that I made them for her :)

My dad will get pie crust mix again, so I'll dig up a tin and throw some of those together later.

I'm almost done!  Usually I'm a big procrastinator, so it's kind of nice.  All I'll have left is finding something for my son.  I'll have to see if there are any plays coming to the area I can get him tickets for.  He'll get the only non-handmade stuff I'm giving.

Imma

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #53 on: November 15, 2018, 03:33:25 AM »
I'm doing pretty badly actually. I'm going to try to make some more gifts this Sunday. It's always the same: I love giving and receiving homemade gifts, but I'm just so busy all the time.

Poundwise

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #54 on: November 16, 2018, 10:04:25 AM »
Jumping in, love your ideas!!

I spent an evening making 8 lovely fleece neckwarmers... seven for locally settled refugee kids who don't have winter clothes, and one for my own daughter:
https://www.applegreencottage.com/2017/02/neck-warmer-free-pattern-cowl-scarf.html

Cut out many more rectangles so I can make more as needed.

Then I made matching mittens using this pattern and tips:
https://thru-hiker.com/projects/mitten_pattern.php
http://www.thisheartofmineblog.com/2012/02/28/fleece-mittens/

I also cut out pieces to make a fleece robe for my daughter. Now I feel confident that I'll be able to put them together before Christmas. My boys also need winter gear, but I don't have the right fabric for them.  On the fence on whether I should buy more fabric (clutter danger! I've owned the fleece that I just used for over ten years) or just buy the gear. Maybe I'll compromise and get them ski gloves but make ski masks.

I need to find the 2017 or 2016 editions of this thread so I can go back and find the patterns to some sewn Christmas ornaments that I didn't have time to complete last year.

Thinking of making cute pillowcases that would double as wrapping.

Freedomin5

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #55 on: November 17, 2018, 04:49:50 AM »
@Poundwise Links to 2017 and 2016 editions are in the first post of this (2018) thread.

Poundwise

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #56 on: November 17, 2018, 07:38:38 AM »
@Freedomin5 Thanks so much! I've been reading in haste, didn't notice I was on the second page of a 2 page thread!

@sparkytheop It's so great that you're knitting socks for your mom!  As a knitter herself, she will truly appreciate all the work and love that goes into them.  As a knitter/crafter, I personally love getting gifts of that sort.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2018, 07:41:40 AM by Poundwise »

esq

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #57 on: November 17, 2018, 08:57:47 AM »
I have done natural stone tiles in the past and they are still used by everyone that I gave them to.

If you can't tell, I am really just posting so that this thread keeps popping up for me!

What do your recipients use these for? Very interested in something like this.

freya

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #58 on: November 17, 2018, 09:59:48 AM »
PTF!

This isn't exactly homemade, but I've collected a few free or low cost "mathoms" over the course of the year that will end up being used as gifts.  Church fairs and sidewalk sales for example.  Also when I order stuff online direct from a manufacturer rather than Amazon, I often get free extra samples or small items.  Then I just put them into some pretty packaging and voila.

I've also made handknit items.  The biggest hits have been scarves with fun novelty yarns for kids, and fingerless handwarmers for adults (those are fast to make, too).

Serendip

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #59 on: November 24, 2018, 12:54:37 PM »
Good inspiration on here!

I just started chopping up socks to make a stuffed elephant for my nephew as he is the only one I really would like to give something to (my SO & I are completing a no-shopping year for 2018 so that includes C-mas).
I would like to also gift something small to the rest of the family, and since we CAN still buy food/experiences, I will comb through the above recipes for inspiration. Perhaps canned peaches & tomatoes from the summer would be good? ( as my family does not need more sweets due to health concerns--although they would love that bark..) :)

Peachtea

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #60 on: November 28, 2018, 05:48:59 PM »
Kaluha and peanut butter cups are done. Hurray! DH is hoping do some batches of cookies this weekend (that we’ll freeze to keep fresh). Still haven’t decided if we’re going to try doing something else like freezer jam or brandied pears as well.

Poundwise

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #61 on: November 29, 2018, 09:06:20 AM »
@Serendip A common gift I do for teachers is spaghetti dinner in a basket... fancy pasta, sauce, and parmesan from the Italian deli, plus sometimes a nice loaf of bread. Maybe you could do something similar with your lovely home preserves... like preserved peaches and biscuit mix, or pasta with tomatoes?

Serendip

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #62 on: November 29, 2018, 10:05:54 AM »
@Serendip A common gift I do for teachers is spaghetti dinner in a basket... fancy pasta, sauce, and parmesan from the Italian deli, plus sometimes a nice loaf of bread. Maybe you could do something similar with your lovely home preserves... like preserved peaches and biscuit mix, or pasta with tomatoes?

That's a great idea @Poundwise, I will definitely do something like this.

Finished my stuffed elephant, which actually turned out really well. Might crochet a tiny scarf for the creature as well..

Freedomin5

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #63 on: December 01, 2018, 07:14:03 PM »
Finished the first batch of cranberry pistachio chocolate bark, and white chocolate fudge!

Now that I know the recipes work, I will make larger batches over the next few weeks as treats for staff and Christmas gifts for friends.

Next up: Biscotti. I may have to nix the pistachio in the biscotti because I don’t have much left. Pistachio is expensive and a pain to shell and chop. I think I’ll just add cranberries, drizzle with white icing and decorate with sprinkles.

CloserToFree

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #64 on: December 02, 2018, 12:06:29 PM »
Found this thread today and it's making me hungry! Thanks for all the great ideas. I especially love the Italian dinner in a basket idea :-)

Fresh Bread

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #65 on: December 03, 2018, 11:41:12 PM »
Oh my goodness, Christmas is in less than 3 weeks! I have no gifts!

I am trying to be a waste minimiser in life so I'm trying to create gifts that are zero waste. Luckily I've got limited friends and family that I need to buy for but even so I'd like to make lots of a few things rather than many different gifts. I also need to give about 20 small gifts to my best clients. Hubby won't get homemade stuff, he'll get zero waste experience gifts (one for every month of the year) and a t-shirt and a second hand thing for the garden that he mentioned he liked.

I've got a few nice jars so I was thinking one option might be cookie ingredients in a jar type thing for those with kids? Is that still too much hassle for them do you think (they would still need to melt butter and beat a couple of eggs)?

My other options for friends and family are:
- spiced nuts (neighbour got them year before last, really liked them.) I think friends would also rate them.
- succulent arrangement - I have quite a few small plants I've been growing that I can put together in small arrangements. I'm just worried that I'm not all that good at presentation. I've put a pic of a teeny one in a little salt pinch type dish that I got from a thrift store. This removes the need for arranging multiple plants but is a bit lame on its own - but a group of three teeny pots might be nice. I could present them on a wood slice (see below).

My clients are a bit more awkward. I've been working on wood slice crafts (using a tree we chopped) and have been making my own stencils for wooden tree decorations. I'm not sure it's going to work and it may be creating an awful lot of work...

Imma

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #66 on: December 08, 2018, 09:15:11 AM »
I'm still working on my gifts and it's almost christmas :( All I need is about one solid day of sewing.

The good news is I'm off on 24 December, so in the worst case scenario I could always spend that day locked up in my sewing room....

Anette

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #67 on: December 08, 2018, 12:06:09 PM »
One of my favorite threads!
So far I've made a jewelry roll for my best friend, travel sets for my two editors (3 cloth charging cord keepers that fasten with velcro and a matching zip pouch for earbuds, in a matching zipper bag suitable for toiletries), and some of the cord keepers in a different fabric for my husband's stocking. I'm planning to knit leg warmers for my elderly FIL, who because of nerve damage suffers from chronic coldness in his lower legs. I've also canned various jams and salsa, some of which will be gifted.

Mtngrl thanks again, have made lots of cord keepers, sold quite a few at the school fair and will give some away for family and friends for Christmas.

Freedomin5

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #68 on: December 09, 2018, 03:45:00 AM »
Biscotti, chocolate bark, and fudge have been a success so far. One of DH’s coworkers (for whom DH needs to buy a secret Santa gift) loved the snacks so much DH decided to just gift the coworker a giant gift box of homemade goodies. Bonus Mustachian savings of USD $30 (the recommended cost of the gift)!

Fresh Bread

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #69 on: December 09, 2018, 04:34:16 AM »
I took this dish of baby succulents as a hostess gift to a Xmas party. The cost was under $2!

I have some terracotta dishes from posh store bought dip that I can make up similar ones for the neighbours. The cost will be a few cents for fancy gravel topping.

I made a good start on client gifts this weekend.

Mtngrl

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #70 on: December 10, 2018, 08:32:02 AM »
I would love to receive those succulents!
I made a big batch of shortbread in little squares. I dipped one half of each square in either dark or white chocolate, and decorated some with chopped nuts or sprinkles. Made up boxes of fancy shortbread -- a big hit!

Stachetastic

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #71 on: December 10, 2018, 10:43:09 AM »
DH and I are doing a fundraiser this year for a local non profit that involves us making lots and lots of spiced/candied nuts and puppy chow. The sale has been a huge success, and we should have plenty of supplies left over to make treats for family and neighbors.

Serendip

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #72 on: December 10, 2018, 03:31:45 PM »
Just finished making a ridiculously huge wreath made from a wine-cork collection. Now..to find somewhere to hang it!

Fresh Bread

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #73 on: December 15, 2018, 08:38:11 PM »
Show us a pic, Serendip! All my wine bottles have screw caps :(

This weekend I have been prepping jars to put goodies in for clients and neighbours... I spray painted the jar lids black to cover the food branding and then made a snowflake stencil and spray painted it white to add a bit of xmassy. I already had the white paint from a previous abandoned furniture project and all the card and knife tools.

They are fairly bodgy but I actually like the imperfect look. Pretty happy with the results.

Have also finished making wood slice tree decorations to hang on the outside (can't show you as sort of branded).

As for the contents I baked some cookies with my business name on to go in them and they didn't turn out that well - so I'm thinking I may have to put shop bought ones in - it's 2.30pm on Sunday and I've run out of time. But the gifts are half handmade!

I can probably still find time one evening to do spiced nuts for neighbours and succulent pots. I've got three free nights left and two hrs Weds am - arrg.


HappierAtHome

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #74 on: December 15, 2018, 08:59:40 PM »
Those lids look fantastic, Freshie.

Fresh Bread

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #75 on: December 15, 2018, 09:16:14 PM »
Those lids look fantastic, Freshie.

Thanks! It's fun doing this sort of thing.

Megma

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #76 on: December 19, 2018, 09:19:59 AM »
I love seeing what everyone has been making, so many amazing ideas! Basically, my facebook account is all maker groups porn, mostly sewing.

Super cool idea I saw on the ChooseFI facebook group (this isn't my photo), that I will be using next year, crocheted dish clothes with soap bars. I already crochet and make soap, but this was brilliant and I never would've thought of this!

I have made my scrappy trees for everyone in my husband's family that we are going to see and I bought some candles at a local craft fair. I made a passport wallet for my MIL. I have fabric to make an infinity scarf + skirts "Mommy & me" set for SIL and 2 nieces but I still need to do that...and maybe I'll be a good wife and hem some of my husband's pants (which I hate doing) as a Christmas bonus for him :)


Prairie Moustache

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #77 on: December 20, 2018, 10:41:08 AM »
Great thread! I'm procrastinating pretty hard this year... Does anyone have a good "soup in a jar" recipes? I've done a few google searches and a lot of the recipes I've found get sub par reviews based on what you can put in a jar that keeps for some time.

SimpleCycle

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #78 on: December 20, 2018, 11:22:31 AM »
I am behind, but will probably pull it off.

Done: these felt bacon and eggs for DD's play kitchen.  I want to make her a few more types of food, we'll see how that goes!
Made buckeyes for MIL and FIL and sent them off.

In Progress: Felt car mat for DS.  Dolls for both kids.

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #79 on: December 20, 2018, 05:39:06 PM »
I brought a jar of my smoked salt, along with a grinder, to work a few weeks ago.  I was just told yesterday that it was really good.  One guy (who doesn't use salt much at all) tried it in his soup and said it really added a lot of flavor.  So, I hope it's a win for the year (each family member is getting a small jar plus a decent sized grinder that I also filled).

HappierAtHome

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #80 on: December 20, 2018, 07:24:53 PM »
Done: these felt bacon and eggs for DD's play kitchen.  I want to make her a few more types of food, we'll see how that goes!

Those look AWESOME.

Football750

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #81 on: December 20, 2018, 08:04:50 PM »
That is really COOL!

Need2Save

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #82 on: December 21, 2018, 07:25:06 AM »
Wow. Loving all the photos above. Very inspiring. I better kick it up a notch next year and learn some new skills.

Although a pretty basic DIY gift, the strawberry jam I made in the summer was defrosted and delivered to work-mates this week and seemed to be a big hit.  I was also able to use fabric and ribbon I had on hand for presentation purposes and all gift bags and tags were from existing supplies.  So no money spent other than the cost for the jars which I got on sale, and with a coupon and for the strawberries. :-)  Probably less than $2 a person all-in.  Yay!

SimpleCycle

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #83 on: December 21, 2018, 10:17:12 PM »
Wow. Loving all the photos above. Very inspiring. I better kick it up a notch next year and learn some new skills.

Although a pretty basic DIY gift, the strawberry jam I made in the summer was defrosted and delivered to work-mates this week and seemed to be a big hit.  I was also able to use fabric and ribbon I had on hand for presentation purposes and all gift bags and tags were from existing supplies.  So no money spent other than the cost for the jars which I got on sale, and with a coupon and for the strawberries. :-)  Probably less than $2 a person all-in.  Yay!

That sounds perfect!

SimpleCycle

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #84 on: December 21, 2018, 10:24:28 PM »
December 21st setback: I embroidered four doll faces and then realized the eyes ended up under where the hair goes.  Tried to shorten the hair and they looked silly.  So tomorrow I'll re-embroider the faces AFTER I've sewn on the hair.

My wife did an AWESOME job on the car mat.  I did the roads, and she did all the buildings and other features.  I think she had a lot of fun doing it too.

Need2Save

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #85 on: December 22, 2018, 05:04:04 AM »
SimpleCycle, that is adorable!  My boys would have loved that when they were totsize (they are 19 & 20 now -haha).

Raenia

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #86 on: December 22, 2018, 12:31:31 PM »
Finally made the board butter (beeswax+mineral oil wood conditioner) to go with the hardwood cutting boards DH made.  Each giftee will get one little jar to go with their board.  If I have time, I may also make a food item to add to the gifts, but as of now the gifts are all ready for Christmas!

ETA: Made crystallized ginger as an extra treat.  I've been meaning to try out the recipe, since I had a ton of excess ginger from another recipe.  Came out quite well, though very strong.  Fortunately DH's family all loves ginger, so I'll make up a few tins once it dries.
« Last Edit: December 22, 2018, 06:02:14 PM by Raenia »

Fresh Bread

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #87 on: December 22, 2018, 05:26:38 PM »
I love all these things! Good work everyone.

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #88 on: December 22, 2018, 06:29:22 PM »
Finally made the board butter (beeswax+mineral oil wood conditioner) to go with the hardwood cutting boards DH made.  Each giftee will get one little jar to go with their board.  If I have time, I may also make a food item to add to the gifts, but as of now the gifts are all ready for Christmas!

ETA: Made crystallized ginger as an extra treat.  I've been meaning to try out the recipe, since I had a ton of excess ginger from another recipe.  Came out quite well, though very strong.  Fortunately DH's family all loves ginger, so I'll make up a few tins once it dries.

Would you mind sharing your crystallized ginger recipe?  I love ginger, and it helps settle my stomach when I have to transfusion from night shift to day shift.
I make ginger ale sometimes, but it only uses a bit, so i always have lots leftover (i end up peeling it with a spoon and freezing it).

Raenia

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #89 on: December 22, 2018, 07:33:56 PM »
Finally made the board butter (beeswax+mineral oil wood conditioner) to go with the hardwood cutting boards DH made.  Each giftee will get one little jar to go with their board.  If I have time, I may also make a food item to add to the gifts, but as of now the gifts are all ready for Christmas!

ETA: Made crystallized ginger as an extra treat.  I've been meaning to try out the recipe, since I had a ton of excess ginger from another recipe.  Came out quite well, though very strong.  Fortunately DH's family all loves ginger, so I'll make up a few tins once it dries.

Would you mind sharing your crystallized ginger recipe?  I love ginger, and it helps settle my stomach when I have to transfusion from night shift to day shift.
I make ginger ale sometimes, but it only uses a bit, so i always have lots leftover (i end up peeling it with a spoon and freezing it).

@sparkytheop I used this recipe: https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/candied-ginger-and-syrup-123111.  This is my first time making it, so it remains to be seen how long they take to dry fully so I can package them, but they certainly taste good!  Reduced the syrup down as well as a bonus.

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #90 on: December 22, 2018, 10:41:02 PM »
Finally made the board butter (beeswax+mineral oil wood conditioner) to go with the hardwood cutting boards DH made.  Each giftee will get one little jar to go with their board.  If I have time, I may also make a food item to add to the gifts, but as of now the gifts are all ready for Christmas!

ETA: Made crystallized ginger as an extra treat.  I've been meaning to try out the recipe, since I had a ton of excess ginger from another recipe.  Came out quite well, though very strong.  Fortunately DH's family all loves ginger, so I'll make up a few tins once it dries.

Would you mind sharing your crystallized ginger recipe?  I love ginger, and it helps settle my stomach when I have to transfusion from night shift to day shift.
I make ginger ale sometimes, but it only uses a bit, so i always have lots leftover (i end up peeling it with a spoon and freezing it).

@sparkytheop I used this recipe: https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/candied-ginger-and-syrup-123111.  This is my first time making it, so it remains to be seen how long they take to dry fully so I can package them, but they certainly taste good!  Reduced the syrup down as well as a bonus.

Thank you!

YellowCat

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #91 on: December 24, 2018, 06:29:35 AM »
I'm in! I mean, I'm always in, since knitting is one of my main hobbies year-round, and I typically start working on Christmas gifts around July. To keep this additionally frugal I'm trying to only use yarn that I already have (which is....a lot).
  • Mom, Dad, Brother-in-Law, Family Friend: knitted socks (already done!!)
  • Work Friend: knitted cowl (in progress)
  • Friends' Babies (2): knitted toys, TBD. There are just so many cute patterns out there it's really hard to choose.
  • Grandmother: ?? She already has everything, and I made her socks last year, so maybe a nice warm pair of felted slippers? Those tend to be a big hit and they'll keep her cold feet warm and cozy all winter long.
And in the non-knitted category:

I'm excited to see what you all will be making! Maybe I'll get inspired :)

And my final homemade Christmas tally is in...
  • Knitted socks: 6 pairs - 2 for mom, 1 for dad, 1 for BIL, 1 for family friend, 1 for grandmother. My hands are super tired and I *still* cast on a 7th pair yesterday, after finishing the pair for my grandmother. They won't be done before Christmas, but they're for a friend of mine who's expecting her 2nd child on 1/20/2019 and hopefully they'll be done by (or before!) he arrives.
  • Knitted cowl: done, given, & appreciated by the recipient
  • Knitted toys: 0/2, been too busy knitting all of the socks!
  • Knitted Christmas tree ornaments: 2, only 1 of which will be gifted this year. I make cute little stuffed stars (maybe 3" in diameter?) with the remnants of my sock yarn, so they end up in all sorts of fun colors.
  • Jewelry: one of my work friends had me over to make jewelry - super fun! - so I banged out a pair of earrings for a girlfriend and a beautiful green bracelet for my sister. Now even my sister, who can't stand wool, will finally get a handmade Christmas gift. I forgot how much fun beading is so I'm working on another bracelet this morning for a friend's birthday in Feb. Thankfully there's plenty of time to get that finished.
And that's it...not too shabby considering I work full time. My husband doesn't get anything homemade this year (though he does get a beautiful and hopefully indestructible computer bag) and unfortunately / fortunately my foodie gifts were purchased. I was also given a lovely wool scarf earlier this year which I re-gifted to my jewelry friend. It's in her favorite colors & she's been wearing it just about every day since. I'll count that as a re-gifting victory and it's definitely helpful with keeping the gifting costs down. 

Mtngrl

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #92 on: December 25, 2018, 01:23:45 PM »
I made four different knitted scarves, using yarn from my stash (much of it given to me by a friend whose step-mother died and left a full yarn closet behind) for the women who work at my church. They all professed to love the gifts.
My FIL loved the leg-warmers I knitted him and said they fit well. (He has nerve damage in his legs and suffers from chronically cold lower legs. These fit under his pants.)
My girlfriend professed to love the jewelry organizer and my editors seemed very appreciative of the cord keeper sets.
My husband loved his all-homemade Christmas -- he put the shirt on right away, tossed his old pajama pants in favor of the new ones I made, and (surprisingly, since they were so simple) raved about the homemade handkerchiefs in his stocking.
Neighbors loved the homemade pickles I gave them -- one says how 'killer' they were every time I see him.

sparkytheop

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #93 on: December 25, 2018, 03:00:41 PM »
My mom's socks were a success!  She's knit over 200 pair, but hadn't used this yarn/color before :)  My dad enjoyed getting the pie crust mix and plans to use a bag of it later this week.  I try to keep him stocked up through gifts.


Poundwise

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #94 on: December 26, 2018, 03:59:02 PM »
Got too busy to do any fabric based presents this year, except for a handknitted neckwarmer that made a friend very happy (she said nobody has ever given her anything homemade)  and I baked a lot of gifts that seemed to be well received.  Brioche, orange cake, and cinnamon rolls don't clutter!

Teachstache

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Re: Homemade Christmas (and other holidays)- 2018 Edition
« Reply #95 on: December 27, 2018, 06:47:31 PM »
A bit late, but our homemade gifts to extended family were: family photos, homemade jams & fruit butters, homemade muffins, and homemade hard cider & blueberry Mead. The gifts that we loved receiving the most were homemade Christmas ornaments & homemade elderberry wine, along with home-grown pork chops. We really cherish homemade photo gifts & homemade consumable gifts, and several of our extended family members also enjoy giving & receiving those same types of gifts.