From here or somewhere, I got the idea to take old family recipes (written by hand by grandparents or great greats) and have them printed onto linen dishtowels. This was about the coolest idea ever.
I asked FIL if he could send me handwritten recipes. Unfortunately, he sent me *typed* recipes, which removes the whole point. Since I was going to give these to MIL and DH, I did not want to ask MIL. Well, finally, after the holidays, I asked MIL if she could find **handwritten** recipe, scan them, and send them to me. I said it was for a secret project for which she would be a beneficiary. She said she'd look. I think I have a better chance of her doing it than a guy. If she sends them, then I will work on the dish towel idea for next year.
This year, I am going to make things throughout the year. DD already wants me to make things for a doll she has, and knitting doll clothing is fairly easy and doesn't take a lot of yarn (so it's cheap).
Also, I saw a cool project for a leather wrist band/bracelet. It looks gorgeous. I am just not sure who would want it. Maybe I do. lol
I have been collecting corks for a bathmat project. I'm getting them from freecycle and from friends on FB. Every day, I get another package of corks in the mail! It's fun.