The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: HappierAtHome on July 24, 2016, 06:56:21 PM
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Note: I couldn't find a 2016 thread for this, though I know we've had threads for previous years, so if I've just missed it please let me know and I'll ask mods to merge them.
Challenge: make some or all the Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
Deliberately worded so that we're not aiming for perfection - I for one will still be buying some of my gifts (especially the ones for nieces and nephews, who will want books and science kits and art supplies).
Homemade presents I'm thinking of making:
Onion jam.
Eggplant pickle.
Vanilla extract.
Pecan chocolate toffee.
Spiced almonds.
Praline pecans.
Soap.
I've never made cold-process soap before, though I've used melt and pour mixes. So that will be an adventure!
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Those are great ideas! We usually make something but haven't decided what we will be doing yet.
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following! I was thinking of soap too - DH likes fancy Dr. Bronner's tea tree bar soap in the shower, and it's pricey. Making soap seems like a pretty fussy process, but who knows, maybe it will be fun.
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NOOOOOO!!! It's too early!!! Edit: Apparently it isn't I started 2015's thread on Dec 30, 2014. I have been slacking :)
I don't think a thread has been started, Happier, you beat me to it this year:)
I've dug up previous years, in case anyone wants a bunch of ideas:
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!!/)
As usual, I'm in! I haven't really thought about it too much yet. We have a new dehydrator so definitely going to make some jerky, and there are lots of neat ideas as far as flavoring powders and spice blends. Need to start looking into it.
I also have to make my FIL some more record bowls. The one I made last year was a hit, in fact, they have it out all the time and use it as a snack bowl. Given he is by far the hardest to do something for, I feel like I already have a head start :)
Hubby has been having fun making custom dice towers, so I imagine he'll make a couple for Christmas presents.
Soap is a lot of fun! By far the best website I have come across for homemade bath and Beauty stuff is Humblebee & Me: http://www.humblebeeandme.com/ (http://www.humblebeeandme.com/)
I have also made soap in my crockpot, it turned out really good, I'll have to go through my links and see if I can find it, it was pretty easy to do. You do want to start making the soap early so it has time to cure.
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I'm in. I will be finishing a few crafts for our home from last year (Advent calendar!), Xmas cards (maybe old family photos?) And a mix of homemade snacks for each family group.
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Look around Etsy for a while. You'll get TONS of ideas for good (and easy) handmade gifts.
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I just made strawberry sauce. First go, and it was amazing. Yup, now I know what everyone's getting this year!
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I just made strawberry sauce. First go, and it was amazing. Yup, now I know what everyone's getting this year!
Awesome Sauce! (North American Slang from the 90's but I thought appropriate!)
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I've dug up previous years, in case anyone wants a bunch of ideas:
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!!/)
Thanks!
I've already got kiddo's gift in mind (modifying our existing coffee table into a toddler play table). Last year I gave my parents and IL's all the same thing - digital frames preloaded with a ton of pictures of our son. I've already updated each frame at least once with more recent pictures since there's still a ton of room in the USB storage widget. The frames themselves were somewhat spendy since we bought three of them (one set of grandparents is divorced) but they absolutely loved the pictures. Since most of the pictures are the same for the different sets of grandparents it felt like I was only doing 1/3 of the work. I have no idea what to do for this year, though.
Edit: Oh, I remembered one more idea that someone can steal! Years ago I made super hero capes for my niece and nephew. I got one yard of fabric for each cape - bright pink for her and bright blue for him - and I think a half yard of yellow. I cut one corner into a U shape (so the overall square now looked like something took a bite out of that corner) for the neck area, and at the tips of the U I rounded it off and hemmed the whole thing and attached little velcro strips. The velcro is so the cape would stay on if they were running around but if, say, a sibling were to grab the other one's cape the grabee wouldn't get choked. Then I carefully traced out their first initials on the yellow fabric and cut it out. I can't remember if I sewed it on or attached it some other way, but I finished it off with black puff fabric paint to outline the letter (and hide the raw edges of the yellow fabric). Minimal cost, not that much time, but they loved the custom capes.
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Following. Love this idea.
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I think I will try this as well. I may set a rule that the kiddos (6 and 3) can pick one store bought item each.
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Following in the vain hope this will be the year MiL agrees to a small, thoughtful Christmas rather than just throwing money at it.
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Following in the vain hope this will be the year MiL agrees to a small, thoughtful Christmas rather than just throwing money at it.
I distinctly remember a fair amount of frustration last year wishing I could just throw money at it :) ...and I probably would have if I hadn't of made a very public statement of this is what we are doing. I think all you can do is tell people (with enough warning) that this is what you are doing, so this is what they should expect and invite them to join you if they wish!
Most of our friends and family jumped on board, easier than I expected, but we don't have little ones in the family yet.
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Many years ago, I made fleece blankets for my children. They still have them! It was so easy and I'm going to gift my niece and nephew with one this Christmas, I think. At the fabric store, choose a bolt of fleece that seems to suit the recipient's personality (ie: horses, flowers, woodsey plaid, etc) and have it cut to the size you'd like (bigger is usually better).
At home, even up the edges and cut in a fringe on 2 sides, tying a knot on each piece of the fringe.
The blankets are really lovely and have held up for over 18 years now:-) Sale days are the best day to buy your fleece, of course! haha
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I'm in! This is a great way to use up some of my craft supplies. I've cross stitched a couple of easy ornaments for my sister and a friend, and cross stitched a bookmark for oldest son. Working on the bookmark for youngest son now. Knitting has been ongoing, every time I finish a scarf I put it in the gift basket.
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
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Great suggestions so far.
A few years ago I made card boxes for the mothers and grandmothers on both sides of the family. They were filled with handmade cards. Now every year I give them a refill assortment of cards (birthday, thank you, blank, etc.) It allows me to distress with a favorite hobby plus use up my paper crafting stash. They love it because I guess the cost of cards has gotten ridiculous, but I wouldn't know since I make all my cards. I have also knit scarves, crocheted blankets, and stitched ornaments in the past as gifts. As far as food related gifts I always make caramel corn, toffee, and fudge.
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
Bummer. All I have is gin. I think I'll buy some vodka and start some jars this weekend. Just add a vanilla bean to a jar of liquor and leave in a dark cupboard, right?
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Generally, you have to add more than one bean. I never measure so googling a recipe is probably a good plan!
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my wife came up with an idea for xmas years ago...instead of gifts we each plan a trip and then weigh pros and cons of each and then take the trip sometime during the year. Not that this saves money, but the money spent is at least on an experience vs. a material something that might not add much value in the long run.
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I love it!! I need some ideas for gifts for SILs, and nieces and nephews.
I did start by buying books from yard sales/used book sales. I have a stash of a few beautiful, brand new books I bought for a song. Not homemade, but super frugal :) REALLY want to try to bring down the cost of my Christmas gifts this year. I'd love to give jars of something yummy but not sure what yet. My kitchen skills are somewhat limited.
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
Bummer. All I have is gin. I think I'll buy some vodka and start some jars this weekend. Just add a vanilla bean to a jar of liquor and leave in a dark cupboard, right?
There a recipe on www.nwedible.com, along with Erica's thoughts on what else to use as a base.
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Edit: Oh, I remembered one more idea that someone can steal! Years ago I made super hero capes for my niece and nephew. I got one yard of fabric for each cape - bright pink for her and bright blue for him - and I think a half yard of yellow. I cut one corner into a U shape (so the overall square now looked like something took a bite out of that corner) for the neck area, and at the tips of the U I rounded it off and hemmed the whole thing and attached little velcro strips. The velcro is so the cape would stay on if they were running around but if, say, a sibling were to grab the other one's cape the grabee wouldn't get choked. Then I carefully traced out their first initials on the yellow fabric and cut it out. I can't remember if I sewed it on or attached it some other way, but I finished it off with black puff fabric paint to outline the letter (and hide the raw edges of the yellow fabric). Minimal cost, not that much time, but they loved the custom capes.
This sounds so cool! Thanks for the idea, I might make this for my nephews.
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Yeah! I love homemade and I love Christmas! I've got a series of Star Wars themed Christmas cross-stitch ornaments going for various people, as well as some yarn related crafts.
So far, I'm planning to make:
-"I find your lack of holiday spirit disturbing" ornaments for friends and my Dad
-Felted dryer balls for Grandma and Mom - http://makezine.com/2014/02/06/3-ways-to-make-felted-wool-dryer-balls/
- Knitted American Girl doll clothes for a niece
I'm toying with making some felt flower wreaths (mostly because I want one), but I think they will take forever. I will probably also put together a craft supply kit for a friends kids' (7 and 2ish). This has been a great kid gift I've done before. I collect small odds and ends (pipe cleaners, random paper, googly eyes, felt, foam, wood pieces, ribbon, etc.) and put them in a small plastic organizer box and gift that along with some sticky foam board, so the kids can just take the random supplies and easily stick them on the board (no scissors, no glue). It's very cheap, since I get the organizer boxes from a thrift store or on sale and most of the craft supply pieces come from my own stash.
Yay! Excited for Christmas!
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Those are great ideas! We usually make something but haven't decided what we will be doing yet.
I forgot I already started on some blankets for my dad and 2 brothers. I crochet a lot so I decided to make them each one. My mother didn't want one as I made her a wrap a few years ago and my niece already has one. Both still use what I made them.
I've attached pics. The blue/gray one still needs edging put on and the "dad blanket" is almost at the length and width I want it to be (the outside color is red). I haven't started on the 3rd blanket. My brother is a big Doctor Who fan so I was thinking about making him a Tardis blanket.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I'm going to repurpose a coffee table into a home made train table/activity table for my toddler. I'd love to start on it now but I need to wait till the weather cools off and there's less mowing to do so I can actually spend time working on it. The coffee table itself was a Craigslist find years ago for $20.
Edit: I decided I'm going to do an under-the-bed type train table but build it to the dimensions of the coffee table so it can go over it like a wooden slip cover. When not in use we'll tuck it between the couch and the wall (note to self, may want to put felt on the corners to protect the couch/wall).
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Edit: Oh, I remembered one more idea that someone can steal! Years ago I made super hero capes for my niece and nephew. I got one yard of fabric for each cape - bright pink for her and bright blue for him - and I think a half yard of yellow. I cut one corner into a U shape (so the overall square now looked like something took a bite out of that corner) for the neck area, and at the tips of the U I rounded it off and hemmed the whole thing and attached little velcro strips. The velcro is so the cape would stay on if they were running around but if, say, a sibling were to grab the other one's cape the grabee wouldn't get choked. Then I carefully traced out their first initials on the yellow fabric and cut it out. I can't remember if I sewed it on or attached it some other way, but I finished it off with black puff fabric paint to outline the letter (and hide the raw edges of the yellow fabric). Minimal cost, not that much time, but they loved the custom capes.
This sounds so cool! Thanks for the idea, I might make this for my nephews.
An alternative cape approach is something I did for my 5 year olds birthday party.
I bought black t-shirts from goodwill and cut them into capes. Its exceptionally easy and requires no sewing (google t-shirt cape but in short you leave the neckband in place and cut down along the back. So the front of the shirt isn't used at all and the back becomes the cape.) I did go ahead and cut the neck and sew velcro on to remake the circle so that there was no choking hazard. Other people glue on velcro for a 100% no-sew project, but I didn't trust the velcro would stay in place.
I got a variety of cheap felt and cut into letters (their initials) and shapes (like the superman diamond, stars, etc). I let the children decorate their own cape and attached the felt shapes with fabric glue. So it was a fun craft project & a great party favor.
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An alternative cape approach is something I did for my 5 year olds birthday party.
I bought black t-shirts from goodwill and cut them into capes. Its exceptionally easy and requires no sewing (google t-shirt cape but in short you leave the neckband in place and cut down along the back. So the front of the shirt isn't used at all and the back becomes the cape.) I did go ahead and cut the neck and sew velcro on to remake the circle so that there was no choking hazard. Other people glue on velcro for a 100% no-sew project, but I didn't trust the velcro would stay in place.
I got a variety of cheap felt and cut into letters (their initials) and shapes (like the superman diamond, stars, etc). I let the children decorate their own cape and attached the felt shapes with fabric glue. So it was a fun craft project & a great party favor.
That's GENIUS. I still remember decorating tshirts with puff paint at my eighth birthday party, I loved that shirt even though it was ... well, it looked like an eight year old had been let loose with paints. Doing it with shirt-capes and some precut felt pieces sounds even better!
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I'm going to repurpose a coffee table into a home made train table/activity table for my toddler. I'd love to start on it now but I need to wait till the weather cools off and there's less mowing to do so I can actually spend time working on it. The coffee table itself was a Craigslist find years ago for $20.
Edit: I decided I'm going to do an under-the-bed type train table but build it to the dimensions of the coffee table so it can go over it like a wooden slip cover. When not in use we'll tuck it between the couch and the wall (note to self, may want to put felt on the corners to protect the couch/wall).
Some felt in the inside to protect the coffee table too?
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I'm going to repurpose a coffee table into a home made train table/activity table for my toddler. I'd love to start on it now but I need to wait till the weather cools off and there's less mowing to do so I can actually spend time working on it. The coffee table itself was a Craigslist find years ago for $20.
Edit: I decided I'm going to do an under-the-bed type train table but build it to the dimensions of the coffee table so it can go over it like a wooden slip cover. When not in use we'll tuck it between the couch and the wall (note to self, may want to put felt on the corners to protect the couch/wall).
Some felt in the inside to protect the coffee table too?
Hmm, maybe. I feel like the felt will get messy just by virtue of being in touching range of little kids and if it's attached to the table there's no way to clean it really, so I'm trying to figure out a balance between the end result being easy to wipe down and not damaging other furniture.
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I don't know what I'm making yet - but I just bought 8 mason jars at a yard sale so I can make something and jar it. Thought that would be nice for gifts to coworkers, etc. Any thoughts on something relatively simple to make that would look pretty?
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I don't know what I'm making yet - but I just bought 8 mason jars at a yard sale so I can make something and jar it. Thought that would be nice for gifts to coworkers, etc. Any thoughts on something relatively simple to make that would look pretty?
What about scarves/shawls? Thinner fabric could be squished into the jar? Scarves can be made from polar fleece if you don't see at all. Or thinner Infinity Scarves could be made with minimal sewing. Just an edge and the joining the two ends.
Or you could fill them with homemade candy. Almond Roca is so easy to make and is even nice with just the toffee part (almond Roca minus chocolate and almonds). It's just butter and water.
There's lots of neat jar recipes online, as I'm sure you know. Soups, muffins, cookies, etc
ETA: Daughter made chocolate covered popcorn today .. it was delicious and would be a terrific gift!
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So glad to find this thread. Will have to look at older threads for ideas.
So far I have made monogrammed handkerchiefs for my husband and FIL (cut and hem white muslin, embroider monogram).
Last year I made flannel pajama pants and knit beanies for all the men in the family and they were a hit. Pajama pants are one of the easiest things to sew.
I'm putting together jars of home-grown and dried herbs to gift, and made some fancy quilted pot holders to pair with them. I also have a bunch of fancy jams (strawberry-rhubarb, apricot-vanilla, carrot cake and peach-amaretto-pecan.) I give these every year to neighbors, mail carrier, choir director, etc. and they are always a hit.
For those who don't know, Jo-Ann Fabrics has a big sale for Black Friday -- best time to buy fleece and flannel and various craft supplies.
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I don't know what I'm making yet - but I just bought 8 mason jars at a yard sale so I can make something and jar it. Thought that would be nice for gifts to coworkers, etc. Any thoughts on something relatively simple to make that would look pretty?
I know someone who did sugar scrubs for the ladies and trail mix for the guys at work, all in mason jars.
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Following in the vain hope this will be the year MiL agrees to a small, thoughtful Christmas rather than just throwing money at it.
For years I allowed my MIL to set the just throw money at it Christmas theme. After about 8 years of that I flat out refused to keep doing it. Her rebuttal was to tell me something to the effect that it you don't buy gifts then you don't really love your family. Utter rubbish. I come from a much larger family than DH and my family simply can't afford a consumer Christmas. Marrying into DH's fam was a huge shock compared with our traditions. I simply told my MIL that "my fam doesn't really give much in the way of Christmas gifts and I love my fam very much. The one has nothing to do with the other." I held my ground and Christmas has been much less spendy ever since.
I also refused to give her a Christmas list. That seems so strange to me. I don't spend my time wishing for things I don't have. To me that just leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have. For a while I would give her a list with things like socks and my favorite charities. Now I don't even do that.
DH and I have always given very simple gifts to family. Even though we kept per gift/per person spending very low with my very large family and DH's semi-large family even modest gifts add up quickly. So this year we are looking into making gifts. DH makes furniture so we might do end tables for my parents. For the in laws we may make a customized wall art for their mountain cabin.
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My brother is a big Doctor Who fan so I was thinking about making him a Tardis blanket.
For easier and more subtle, you could make a 4th-Doctor-scarf blanket
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Following in the vain hope this will be the year MiL agrees to a small, thoughtful Christmas rather than just throwing money at it.
For years I allowed my MIL to set the just throw money at it Christmas theme. After about 8 years of that I flat out refused to keep doing it. Her rebuttal was to tell me something to the effect that it you don't buy gifts then you don't really love your family. Utter rubbish. I come from a much larger family than DH and my family simply can't afford a consumer Christmas. Marrying into DH's fam was a huge shock compared with our traditions. I simply told my MIL that "my fam doesn't really give much in the way of Christmas gifts and I love my fam very much. The one has nothing to do with the other." I held my ground and Christmas has been much less spendy ever since.
I also refused to give her a Christmas list. That seems so strange to me. I don't spend my time wishing for things I don't have. To me that just leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have. For a while I would give her a list with things like socks and my favorite charities. Now I don't even do that.
MiL is more the type who will spend carelessly at Christmas, then spend January fearing the arrival of the credit card statement.
She and FiL are teachers and receive gifts from almost every student, half the faculty, and from the school itself. Every year this means dozens of boxes of chocolate, calendars, other stationery, wine, coffee mugs, just piles of generic gifts.
MiL takes everything out of its packaging, piles it under the Christmas tree for a month, then stashes it in the linen cupboard, then after five years will talk about having a garage sale. (The chocolates she unwraps, places in bowls all over the house, then complains about Christmas weight gain.) Then she goes shopping to buy chocolates and generic gifts for her hairdresser, mailman, neighbours, etc...
I don't spend my time wishing for things I don't have. To me that just leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have.
You have articulated that beautifully.
So that I actually contribute something useful to the thread, these are super easy Christmas sweets that I make for parties, gifts for colleagues, etc.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14879/mini+christmas+puddings
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Following in the vain hope this will be the year MiL agrees to a small, thoughtful Christmas rather than just throwing money at it.
For years I allowed my MIL to set the just throw money at it Christmas theme. After about 8 years of that I flat out refused to keep doing it. Her rebuttal was to tell me something to the effect that it you don't buy gifts then you don't really love your family. Utter rubbish. I come from a much larger family than DH and my family simply can't afford a consumer Christmas. Marrying into DH's fam was a huge shock compared with our traditions. I simply told my MIL that "my fam doesn't really give much in the way of Christmas gifts and I love my fam very much. The one has nothing to do with the other." I held my ground and Christmas has been much less spendy ever since.
I also refused to give her a Christmas list. That seems so strange to me. I don't spend my time wishing for things I don't have. To me that just leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have. For a while I would give her a list with things like socks and my favorite charities. Now I don't even do that.
MiL is more the type who will spend carelessly at Christmas, then spend January fearing the arrival of the credit card statement.
She and FiL are teachers and receive gifts from almost every student, half the faculty, and from the school itself. Every year this means dozens of boxes of chocolate, calendars, other stationery, wine, coffee mugs, just piles of generic gifts.
MiL takes everything out of its packaging, piles it under the Christmas tree for a month, then stashes it in the linen cupboard, then after five years will talk about having a garage sale. (The chocolates she unwraps, places in bowls all over the house, then complains about Christmas weight gain.) Then she goes shopping to buy chocolates and generic gifts for her hairdresser, mailman, neighbours, etc...
I don't spend my time wishing for things I don't have. To me that just leads me to be dissatisfied with what I have.
You have articulated that beautifully.
So that I actually contribute something useful to the thread, these are super easy Christmas sweets that I make for parties, gifts for colleagues, etc.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14879/mini+christmas+puddings
Those mini christmas puddings actually look like something I could do, I normally epicly fail at making things that look good but that looks achievable. (I can make food that tastes nice but the presentation is never good...)
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So that I actually contribute something useful to the thread, these are super easy Christmas sweets that I make for parties, gifts for colleagues, etc.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14879/mini+christmas+puddings
Those mini christmas puddings actually look like something I could do, I normally epicly fail at making things that look good but that looks achievable. (I can make food that tastes nice but the presentation is never good...)
My tips:
- chill the royals in the fridge first
- melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water
- dip the top of the royals in the melted chocolate (don't bother messing around with piping bags)
Good luck. :)
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So that I actually contribute something useful to the thread, these are super easy Christmas sweets that I make for parties, gifts for colleagues, etc.
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14879/mini+christmas+puddings
Those mini christmas puddings actually look like something I could do, I normally epicly fail at making things that look good but that looks achievable. (I can make food that tastes nice but the presentation is never good...)
My tips:
- chill the royals in the fridge first
- melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water
- dip the top of the royals in the melted chocolate (don't bother messing around with piping bags)
Good luck. :)
Will update after I have tried making it. Usually my attempts at these things end up like one of these "Nailed It" memes
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Just remembered that this year, my mother is visiting from Nov - Dec. This means she can help me with my homemade Christmas gifts! She is an awesome baker and has amazing patience with decorating stuff. She is also a chocolatier (used to have her own gourmet choc business), makes cheesecakes and chocolate cakes to sell, and has recently learned how to make incredibly beautiful jelly cakes. Will have to brainstorm some ideas with her.
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One of the things I remember from Amy D's Tightwad Gazette books is the idea that presentation matters with a homemade gift. Her point was that if you give something simple like a jar of jam, taking the time to make a nice label, tie a ribbon around it and wrap it prettily, it makes a better impression -- especially with people who are hard to please. Think about if you went and bought jam at a gourmet shop -- it would be presented beautifully. She had the example of grape jelly they made -- which was accompanied by a label that included the story of picking the grapes for the jam, etc. The story itself was part of the gift. I always try to keep this in mind.
Last year I made copper bracelets for a couple of men in the family. I put them in little wooden boxes I had saved from who knows where. I decoupaged the boxes with botanical paper. A couple of guys commented on how they were saving the boxes to put stuff in. Here are instructions for the bracelets, which turned out wonderfully: http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Bracelet/
I also made lotion bars for women in heart-shaped molds and gifted them in heart-shaped metal boxes I bought on eBay. This is the tutorial I used: http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2010/01/homemade-lotion-bar-tutorial.html I may do some more of these this year, since I have ingredients left.
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Following for ideas.
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
Bummer. All I have is gin. I think I'll buy some vodka and start some jars this weekend. Just add a vanilla bean to a jar of liquor and leave in a dark cupboard, right?
There a recipe on www.nwedible.com, along with Erica's thoughts on what else to use as a base.
Thanks for that, choppingwood!
I also made lotion bars for women in heart-shaped molds and gifted them in heart-shaped metal boxes I bought on eBay. This is the tutorial I used: http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2010/01/homemade-lotion-bar-tutorial.html I may do some more of these this year, since I have ingredients left.
Possibly a silly question: how do lotion bars WORK? Do you... rub them on dry skin? What is the process for using one?
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The lotion bars are a solid option instead of liquid hand lotion -- so yes, you rub them on dry skin. They're more emollient than most lotions, so they are really good for very dry skin -- I especially like them on my feet and my husband likes them for his hands, which get very dry and cracked in winter.
Some people also use them for massage.
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We've got shitloads of mint and lemon balm. Any ideas?
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We've got shitloads of mint and lemon balm. Any ideas?
You could dry them and make a nice herbal tea blend.
You could make a lemon balm tincture
You could make a lemon balm infused oil and turn it into a salve ( Lemon balm is very good for cold sores, among other things)
You could make a mint/lemon balm simple syrup for cocktails
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I'll join for the most part - I have a few new but cheap things to incorporate but a lot of DIY also. I like doing gift baskets - you can find things at the dollar store with a theme, add some hand made stuff and wrap in a thrifted basket with cellophane and it looks really nice. To those doing vanilla, orange lemon and lime extracts are easy too. Thrift store frames with pics added are also great. I am stumped on gifts for men that have all they need. Any ideas?
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I am stumped on gifts for men that have all they need. Any ideas?
Men really are tough. Especially if, like the men in my family, they don't have hobbies. As I said in an earlier post. last year I gave all the men flannel pajama pants that I sewed and knit beanies. They still wear the beanies all the time and my husband, at least, loves his PJ pants. I've also done monogrammed linen handkerchiefs. I gave the copper bracelets to a couple of guys I knew would wear them. I've done hand-knit socks, but I don't think they were really appreciated, and socks take too long to give to someone who doesn't appreciate them. Food gifts work -- I did spiced nuts for my FIL last year and he really seemed to like them. One year my husband made his dad a clock for his shop out of machine parts (his dad was a mechanical engineer). That was a hit. Now that he is in his 80s and not very active, we usually give FIL food and books. I am giving him a fleece blanket this year -- he often gets cold and he can use this while reading or watching TV. (I'll probably add a large-print book to the gift). I did the rice-filled flannel bags for heating in the microwave one year and those were well received -- good for someone who suffers from back or neck pain.
My husband brews beer, so I am going to give him custom beer labels and some etched pint glasses. I will also probably give him one of the fleece blankets -- the one he uses in his recliner in winter is looking pretty ratty.
He has given home-brewed beer to the men who drink and that's always well received.
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I am definitely joining in on this! I already have 60% of Christmas done though(from garage sales and clearance sales) but I want to incorporate some homemade items for those I still have on list. Hm maybe I'll do edible gifts.. I also just got a sewing machine and could attempt making something with that (haha could end badly). This is probably the last year were buying gifts for Christmas, so would be nice to give some more personal gifts. Not sure about nephews.. Have 3 to buy for, ages range from 11-15. I don't know if there's anything handmade I could do for them..
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Following for ideas...
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Handmade all the time.
Presentation is key. Sometimes I spend more time on packaging than in the actual gift. Fortunately right now the brown paper "etsy" look is in. I haven't spent money on gift wrap/ packaging / cards in years.
One of my favorite cheap hacks is to use strips of fabric in place of ribbon. It's much cheaper, especially because I likely have something already that will work, and the color selection is wider.
Hot mats are my go to quick gift. They always get dirty and need replaced. I make mine slightly larger than the store ones. Sometimes I appliqué or paint monsters and aliens and fun things on them. I also keep an eye out for linen at thrift shops and hem it up into dish towels. Then I'll add a little cotton ruffle or something that coordonates with the hot mats. For grandma's birthday that's enough. If it's a wedding gift maybe I'll add a cookbook or bottle of wine... I give this same gift to men too. Equality yo. And the men in my circle cook and like having nice things. I don't use flame retardant fabrics like many store bought ones. I sew and quilt and make these out of scraps so they are generally free for me not counting time.
Almost homemade: I spent a couple months in Europe and all my fam wants to know what I got them. I am telling them to wait for Christmas. The analog people are getting calendars of my street photography in Paris. It's not just a cutesy family photo calendar, but pretty serious art photography. I have it put together on shutterfly but will wait to order when they send me The right code. I'll just pay shipping for three solid gifts. Last year I used the same method and paid $6 total for my gifts for 5 people.
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Putting this idea here so I don't forget - home made citronella candles (sort of): http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-citronella-candles-234057
I actually have citronella growing in my yard along with a bunch of other herbs and lemons, so all I'd have to do is buy the jars and something for the wicks (actually I may have something already if I can find it and we aren't out). Maybe I'll get extra ambitious and make actual candles with pressed herbs, but that would mean actually acquiring bees wax and either buying oil or figuring out how to get oil from the herbs I have on hand.
I can't remember if I mentioned this already - I'm also thinking about making a bunch of limoncello for a post-holidays/Friendsgiving kind of open house to have friends over some afternoon. The limoncello would be first come first serve gifts and the party itself would be potluck so it doesn't matter how many people show up.
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I'm trying soap making this weekend (having previously just used melt and pour soaps) - I'm hoping that the soap I make will be excellent Christmas presents for family, friends and neighbours.
Soap making thread is here if anyone else is interested: http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/do-it-yourself-forum!/anyone-make-soap/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/do-it-yourself-forum!/anyone-make-soap/)
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
What type of jars/ bottles do people use for this? It's an ideal gift for my neighbour who makes us a fruit cake every year and I have rum sitting unloved in the cupboard. I've only got a few jam jars though in the cupboard, they are probably a bit big and not very fancy looking.
I also need to think of other small gifts for her as she is always bringing us cake/ left over sweet things as her boys won't eat them (teenage gym junkies). I'm thinking vanilla bean sugar or flavoured salt or a chai tea mix?
It's probably best if I make the essence this weekend so she can use it in a couple of months in our fruit cake ;)
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What type of jars/ bottles do people use for this? It's an ideal gift for my neighbour who makes us a fruit cake every year and I have rum sitting unloved in the cupboard. I've only got a few jam jars though in the cupboard, they are probably a bit big and not very fancy looking.
I also need to think of other small gifts for her as she is always bringing us cake/ left over sweet things as her boys won't eat them (teenage gym junkies). I'm thinking vanilla bean sugar or flavoured salt or a chai tea mix?
It's probably best if I make the essence this weekend so she can use it in a couple of months in our fruit cake ;)
I typically tend to use pre-used bottles that pour well. My number one peeve with bottles are the ones that "drip" and make a mess. My favourite is the old "apothecary style" brown bottles. Personally I think 50-300 ml is the right size, but anything will do.
Also a tip: the used vanilla pods that you take out of the alcohol after steeping is exelent in vanilla sugar. I grind up pods and sugar together and thus get to use all of the vanilla.
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I am doing some homemade ones! I paint, so several family members will be getting art on canvas. I hope to try a candied nut mix for some of the men. I made marbled votive holders for some ladies, and often grow cuttings for gifts too. I have also thrifted gifts (bro in law wears ties for fun...so he gets unique ties sometimes). I'm still at a loss for a few of my more difficult family members. Some of the kids are probably getting balloons blow up with confetti, dollar bills, bracelets, erasers, and stickers tucked inside. The fun is in popping them ;)
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This year again I am so behind on my Christmas knitting. I still have another 20 inches to go on a cowl that's my first project for the season. Luckily both of my sisters moved somewhere it's actually cold, so I think they're getting mittens, which go quick.
My DIY project for my use this year is going to be a clothespin wreath to hold Christmas cards. I never know where to put them in my little house, and store bought ones always seem too expensive particularly for the quality of the product.
I'm ridiculously excited for fall and the holidays. Even though the leaves are already changing here, it's still too warm and too light to feel like fall.
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So I made a batch of chai tea, tastes pretty authentic. It actually took a bit of time to get around to because I had to dry some ginger in the oven for hours first. I am giving the little jar as a birthday gift tomorrow, I'll be sticking a tea infuser on the side in the string. If I do a heap of these I'll get those in bulk from eBay for $1 each because they're $4 each! The jar was $1.50 and all the spices probably $1 or less for this portion, I got most from an Indian shop.
Also did 3 x 100ml bottles of vanilla rum essence. The seal on this cheap $2 bottle is awful so I'll do future ones with a screw cap. This one is off to my neighbour :)
Edit: I think the spices were actually about $3 per batch because of the cost of fresh ginger. Can I grow ginger? Or buy it in dry pieces for cheaper? I'll look in the Indian shop..
I don't know why the picture is that way, soz!
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Freshwater, let us know how you go with sourcing the ginger... I'm interested in trying out that chai tea idea. Which recipe did you use?
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Freshwater, let us know how you go with sourcing the ginger... I'm interested in trying out that chai tea idea. Which recipe did you use?
Wow, what a mess I made of the earlier comments, was using my phone. I'll tidy that up.
I started here:
http://www.thekitchn.com/the-5-spices-you-need-for-homemade-chai-200440
And followed the 3rd link to this recipe:
http://www.thekitchn.com/edible-gift-idea-the-best-chai-132784
Except I didn't roast the spices first as I'm lazy (the other recipes didn't, so...) and I added about 4 star anise (broke them up a bit so they'd disperse through the mix more) and I didn't add the tea so it's just a caffeine free spice mix. I have a similar one from T2 with something fruity added, I suspect it's dried mango pieces, something tropical.
I've put on the other side of the label to steep for 5 mins, I think it needs a while.
I have chai mix just in water, so I haven't tried it with milk. The T2 one I have with milk - it's ok but I think I need to use more mix for the flavour to come through and some sugar.
EDIT: The ginger - I did a quick google and it's definitely a thing. I think I can get a decent bag to go across about 5 jars for about $7. Ginger is one of the biggest ingredients quantity wise and it looks like the most expensive too. All the other spices are big bags for a few $ and will last many gifts...
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Love homemade Christmas. Last year I made vanilla. This year I'm making flavored finishing salts for the hubby and a terrarium for his office, lotion bars and Shea butter for mom and sis, and fruitcake and the pomegranate gumdrops someone made last year for general holiday foodstuffs.
Edited to add: also some customized cork coasters.
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Love homemade Christmas. Last year I made vanilla. This year I'm making flavored finishing salts for the hubby and a terrarium for his office, lotion bars and Shea butter for mom and sis, and fruitcake and the pomegranate gumdrops someone made last year for general holiday foodstuffs.
Edited to add: also some customized cork coasters.
The pom gummies are still my most requested gift :) They are just so darn cute and classy and look expensive.
I got a huge box of plums from a friend's tree so I am going to dehydrate them as a Christmas gift for father in law who LOVES stewed prunes. He'll have enough to the last the whole winter and we will be able to easily have a gift for the person on our list who is the hardest to do anything for. I'll also add a couple of more record bowls - since we only made one last year and to our surprise they use it all the time.
Have to spend some serious time this weekend going through what we have supplies wise and figuring out what we want to do!
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I have started making tangelo marmalade. I've also got a pile of lemons that need using that someone gave us, debating whether to make it tangelo-and-lemon or a separate batch of lemon and ginger marmalade.
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Last year for Christmas my son and DIL gave me stained glass classes. They also included the cost of most of the tools. I wasn't sure I would like doing this, but it turned out to be fun. I am making a panel for the kids, and also my Mom. All my gift tags will be stained glass ornaments, themed to the recipient. e.g. My mom quilts, so hers will be a quilt suncatcher. Although I've had to purchase a bit of the glass, the owners of the business also have a free bin. It's full of off cuts from their glass restoration business, plus customers are encouraged to drop off unwanted usable glass rather than throw it away. I've been able to get at least 3/4 of the glass from there, so it is turning out to be pretty economical. I think the kids will be happy to have their gift 'returned' this way.
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I don't have the crochet skills for this, but someone needs to make this awesome mermaid blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkg0ccM3x6U)!
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Last year for Christmas my son and DIL gave me stained glass classes. They also included the cost of most of the tools. I wasn't sure I would like doing this, but it turned out to be fun. I am making a panel for the kids, and also my Mom. All my gift tags will be stained glass ornaments, themed to the recipient. e.g. My mom quilts, so hers will be a quilt suncatcher. Although I've had to purchase a bit of the glass, the owners of the business also have a free bin. It's full of off cuts from their glass restoration business, plus customers are encouraged to drop off unwanted usable glass rather than throw it away. I've been able to get at least 3/4 of the glass from there, so it is turning out to be pretty economical. I think the kids will be happy to have their gift 'returned' this way.
This is super neat! I love the idea of creating art to gift with the knowledge that you learned from a gift. Very full circle :)
I'm struggling to find the motivation this year to do anything. Work-wise the next three months are going to be very, very busy.
I'm tossing around the idea of coming up with some over-arching theme, other than "homemade Christmas" Something that incorporates a lot of homemade while still being different and maybe giving things a little bit of structure. Not sure what though.
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I don't have the crochet skills for this, but someone needs to make this awesome mermaid blanket (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkg0ccM3x6U)!
That's funny. Looks like pretty simple stiches (just from picture)
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Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing.
JoAnn's had a sale last week (and will probably repeat this sale at Thanksgiving) with all their fleece blanket kits on sale for 50% off. Plus, they ran a 25% off total purchase coupon. I purchased 3 kits that make 72" blankets -- my husband and FIL are getting two of the blankets and one is for our RV. Cost for each blanket is app. $11. They had a ton of kits in many different patterns.
Also, I am doing a print and play game for my husband. I did pay $14 to have everything printed up in color, and another $8 or so in supplies, but the results are going to be worth it. I'm having fun putting everything together. (this is the game -- https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27736/dead-night).
I have a bunch of homemade jams done, and homemade vanilla extract brewing. What's everyone else doing?
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Following! Thinking I'll try my hand at candle making this year. Lots of my relatives are traveling from elsewhere, so it makes a fairly compact gift option.
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I canned a bunch of things with plums from my plum tree this year: plum butter, Chinese plum sauce, and plum conserve. I've already given these as birthday gifts to my mom and sis, but I have a few more people I can gift them to for Christmas. I also have some umeshu (japanese plum liqueur) steeping that should make gifts for 2-3 people (depending on how much I keep to drink myself)
I ordered vanilla beans last week, so I'm off to find some jars for making extract in. I may try lemon extract and limoncello also.
I made applesauce earlier this week. I canned it for the first time (I usually freeze it, but freezer space is currently at a premium). While some of my jars failed (I'm a very inexperienced canner, and the quart jars I tried were too big for my canning pot) and had to be frozen anyway, the successful ones will make a good gift for a relative who loves homemade applesauce.
I have a 2/3 finished crocheted afghan that was supposed to be a gift for my dad years ago. I'm trying to motivate myself to finish it for this year. I already won't get it done for his birthday next week.
I like the PJ pants ideas from upthread. Do you all have any particular pattern recommendations? I made some once before by taking apart some worn out ones and using them as a pattern, but that only makes pants that are me-sized. That won't work for the men in my life. BTW, I'm not a very accomplished seamstress, so simpler is better.
I still need ideas for my sister as well as the children in the family (ages 14 (two boys and a girl), 12 (boy), 8 (two boys), and 2 (girl)).
Swick, given that I'm already planning umeshu, vanilla extract, and limoncello, my theme this year (for the adults) may be "a very boozy Christmas".
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I usually give the (teens and 20's) nieces and nephews a bit of cash for Christmas, but I like to put it in something interesting (usually knitted) to hang on the tree. I've been trying to learn to sew this year and have been getting a newsletter. Today the newsletter included pics and a pattern for this star shaped coin purse (http://so-sew-easy.com/stela-coin-purse-pattern-tutorial/). I don't think I'll be sewing it in silver leather, but I'm going to try it with fabric I have. Cute!
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My sister is giving me back my old breadmaker (I wasn't using it, passed it on to her, she's no longer using it so she's passing it back to me). Now, I won't use it to make bread much, but what it is *excellent* for is JAM. I'm thinking super easy berry jams for Christmas gifts now.
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
I've made it with bourbon and it is my fave way to extract. Made apple brandy as a gift this year.
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Geekette, thank you for the link to the coin purse, that's so cute! It looks like it would be great with fabric too.
My progress: almost done with the cross stitch bookmark for youngest DS. I finished knitting the last of the scarves for my dad's church --- all the ones I stashed in the gift basket came in handy for their fall fair.
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Mustachepungoeshere just pointed me in the direction of this thread from the "What small things did you do today to save money?" thread! I usually try to handmake at least a few gifts, depending on time. So many more ideas in this thread, and I haven't even started reading previous years yet!
I just started making glitter ornaments (directions here (http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2014/12/glitter-ornaments-diy-silhouette.html)) this past weekend as gifts for neighbors. With coupons, the plain glass ornaments are well under $1 each, and customizing each ornament with names will be a good way to use up my vinyl scraps.
Bourbon salted caramels (http://www.shutterbean.com/2013/bourbon-salted-caramels/) have become a tradition, and I was thinking about trying out wine gummy bears (http://cookingwithjanica.com/wine-gummy-bears-recipe-red-white-rose/) this year.
I am thinking about sewing my DH a flannel shirt for his gift. He owns one and wears it at least twice a week during the winter, so I need to start hunting for some nice thick flannel. One brother will be getting flannel PJ pants (originally started two years ago for DH, but he doesn't need them so that's one less gift to worry about), another will be getting a handknit beanie.
Need to figure out what to do for my parents, the in-laws, and DH's brother and sister-in-law. Our 8-year-old nephew will be getting Star Wars snowflakes (link (http://www.anthonyherreradesigns.com/starwarssnowflakes2012)) cut from window cling material.
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The door opened for me! DH and I built ourselves a sofa table a couple weeks ago. My mom visited and stopped short and said, "wow. Please build me two of those for christmas! I'll get you measurements, and you can just take the materials away from what you owe me" So now debt is cancelled for the gift, so it's basically just the labor we're doing as the gift. A win on two counts! Plus, it's always nice to impress people with DIY stuff.
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Jumping on board. I'm inspired by the kitchen suggestions!
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Our niece and nephew are young. Every year we get a Christmas themed book from the library and record our 9 year old son and daughter reading the book. Then we burn copies to our niece and nephew. Our kids love doing it and we've heard that the recipients drive their parents crazy wanting to listen to it over and over ; )
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Love the recorded book idea.
For the person upthread looking for flannel, JoAnn's usually marks down all their flannel for their black Friday sale. I bought a bunch last year and made pajama pants for all the men in the family. If you are making a shirt, here's a frugal tip -- buttons are stupid expensive. Go to the thrift store and buy a shirt for cheap and cut off the buttons to use. My local thrift has a dollar rack and I get most of my buttons for sewing there now. I cut up the now-buttonless garment for cleaning rags.
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I was working on a hat for my mom, but it was coming out too big, so I thought I would finish it for my husband who has a giant head. Unfortunately it was too large for him, but he had the brilliant idea to turn it into a Christmas sweater for my corgi. He's less than thrilled, but I'm trying to decide what to make for my other dog so that I can stage a Christmas card photo shoot.
(http://i64.tinypic.com/rkskg0.jpg) (http://i66.tinypic.com/v3dh5x.jpg)
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Oh, but Corgi + sweater is so cute!
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Found beeswax pellets that are available through amazon subscribe and save, so 15% off (comes to $9 for 1lb). So my candles plans are on their way... come November 17th, anyway. Need to order wicks though. Anyone have opinions on wick stickers?
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The corgi -- and the sweater -- are adorable!
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Love the recorded book idea.
For the person upthread looking for flannel, JoAnn's usually marks down all their flannel for their black Friday sale. I bought a bunch last year and made pajama pants for all the men in the family. If you are making a shirt, here's a frugal tip -- buttons are stupid expensive. Go to the thrift store and buy a shirt for cheap and cut off the buttons to use. My local thrift has a dollar rack and I get most of my buttons for sewing there now. I cut up the now-buttonless garment for cleaning rags.
Oh, thank you for the tips! I have a small stash of buttons I've picked up at estate sales and flea markets for cheap, but if I don't have enough matching ones, salvaging them from a thrift store shirt is a great idea.
I very much want to make soap now, but I'd need to start this weekend to give it time to cure and I don't have any of the supplies. Maybe next year!
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Posting to follow, and to answer a couple of the vanilla questions.
I get the cheapest vodka I can find (usually $7 or so for 750mL) and just make it in the bottle. Now that I've made it a few times, I keep the 750mL bottles and restock the vodka from a larger bottle. I use 7 vanilla beans per 750mL bottle, and I let it sit for at least 6 months. (Maybe this would go faster if I used more beans?) I don't mess around with trying to scrape the seeds out. I just slice open each bean lengthwise, put them all in the bottle, and shake gently -- and shake again every few days or weeks or whenever I think of it. You do have to remove a shot or two of the dirt cheap vodka first to make room for the beans. What you do with that is up to you....
When I give vanilla as a gift, I usually put it in a bottle from World Market. They have lots of different shapes and sizes that sell for $3-10 or so.
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I stumbled across a pumpkin butter slow cooker recipe that sounded easy and delicious, so I will probably make something along those lines. I also love making the ingredients for mulled wine and giving that spice mix by itself, or with a cheap bottle of wine. My favorite, non-headache inducing wine is called Menage A Trois California Red Wine, and goes for anywhere from 6.99 to 12.99 depending on where you shop. Hang a bag of the spice mix off of the bottle with instructions, et voila: http://www.bevmo.com/menage-a-trois-red--750-ml-.html
One of my best friends gave me a very personal gift last year that was cheap, but memorable and so thoughtful. It was loose leaf tea, but mixed according to my health needs (think of someone and what irks them - someone who might have menstrual pain or insomnia, etc.). She gifted another friend a different mix personalized for her "issues". We both got little single-use tea bags to fill with the loose leaf tea. You can buy expensive mixes, or just make them yourself for much cheaper. You could take this same idea further to create a custom item for those who don't like tea - a bbq spice mix for the griller in your house? Etc. That same friend has also made simple sugar or salt scrubs for me to use in the shower. Throw in a few drops of essential oils, and it feels like pure luxury. You could also make a little bundle of dried eucalyptus, and tie it up with a pretty bow, to be hung off of your shower and give that spa experience on the cheap.
I've also created a poster of all of our adventures together using https://www.socialprintstudio.com/poster/. I am sure you could find a cheaper option as well, but what really got him was that I described what I remembered from each of those days/trips/moments on the back of each of the little photos. It was a great snapshot of our years together so far, and he was teary-eyed reading through the memories.
One other thing I do for my boyfriend is to write down, when I have the chance, whatever he has mentioned in passing that he really likes. This makes it easier come birthday or Christmas, with a list to start from without having to explicitly ask. Usually it is some expensive thing, but often the thoughtfulness is in the little preferences we pick up about someone. Oh, you really like pomegranates? Yeah, you mentioned that 3 months ago. Here, I made you home-made pomegranate "fill in the blank". That kind of thing.
When I had access to a laser cuter, I laser cut wooden ornaments with couple's wedding dates. You could do something similar without access to such machinery.
There are so many ideas. Endless! Personal and thoughtful beats expensive for many people, even if they don't realize it when they're asking for things they might like :). I think they key is focusing on what you do best - I am one of the most creative members of my family, so they love when I make them art work, floral arrangements, etc. It's fun for me, and things they don't feel like they have the talent to make themselves. I usually also volunteer to wrap Christmas presents for the whole family, because I enjoy it, do it well, and the rest of the fam sees it as a horrible chore. I'm also the one to always decorate/set the table for holidays, and so forth. You might think of something a loved one views as a chore, that you love, and can give that labor as a gift. For example, if someone loves Christmas decoration but hates hanging the lights on their home, or even hires someone to do it, you could volunteer to take that on for them. There are many other things I couldn't do, that others might be talented at (like woodworking to build them a table or something truly useful). Just shine at what you do best! A little love and elbow grease towards a gift goes a mighty long way.
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One other thing I do for my boyfriend is to write down, when I have the chance, whatever he has mentioned in passing that he really likes. This makes it easier come birthday or Christmas, with a list to start from without having to explicitly ask. Usually it is some expensive thing, but often the thoughtfulness is in the little preferences we pick up about someone. Oh, you really like pomegranates? Yeah, you mentioned that 3 months ago. Here, I made you home-made pomegranate "fill in the blank". That kind of thing.
I do something like this. I have an online document that I keep an ideas list on, so it might be something they've mentioned or it might just be something I thought of it August. Part of what I like about it is I'll write down something thinking "this might be good" and looking at it with fresh eyes a few months later sometimes I still think it's a good idea and sometimes it's not as great as I originally thought but might lead me to another idea. Either way it's better than starting from scratch.
That said I'm still stumped on what to get my parents/in-laws this year. Last year I got them digital picture frames loaded with pictures of the new baby and I've helped them maintain up to date pictures through the year. This has been a huge hit, although the initial cost of the frames wasn't cheap. I figure nothing can top that, but I still need to come up with something.
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Count me in! I have no idea what to do, but instead of my usual 'ignore Christmas cause we're in Asia and Skype family the next day for their Christmas', I have visitors this year! My mom and an adventurous friend of hers I've never met. Staying for 2 weeks. In my flat. In Hong Kong, Christmas usually means shopping and eating bad facsimiles of British food, none of which they'll be interested in.
Looking forward to getting inspiration from this thread
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One other thing I do for my boyfriend is to write down, when I have the chance, whatever he has mentioned in passing that he really likes. This makes it easier come birthday or Christmas, with a list to start from without having to explicitly ask. Usually it is some expensive thing, but often the thoughtfulness is in the little preferences we pick up about someone. Oh, you really like pomegranates? Yeah, you mentioned that 3 months ago. Here, I made you home-made pomegranate "fill in the blank". That kind of thing.
I do something like this. I have an online document that I keep an ideas list on, so it might be something they've mentioned or it might just be something I thought of it August. Part of what I like about it is I'll write down something thinking "this might be good" and looking at it with fresh eyes a few months later sometimes I still think it's a good idea and sometimes it's not as great as I originally thought but might lead me to another idea. Either way it's better than starting from scratch.
That said I'm still stumped on what to get my parents/in-laws this year. Last year I got them digital picture frames loaded with pictures of the new baby and I've helped them maintain up to date pictures through the year. This has been a huge hit, although the initial cost of the frames wasn't cheap. I figure nothing can top that, but I still need to come up with something.
Do your parents have a lot of old photos on photo paper? One thing I'm helping my mom do, is get all the old paper photos and scan them in so there is a digital copy. This includes all the baby book pages.
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I'm making a dollhouse for my daughter. Ok, so, buying the dolls and furniture (Calico Critters, because they're adorable and resistant and I found most of them online at about 1/2 of the cost of retail), but we're building the house, since the commercially available dollhouses are HUGE (where the hell are we expected to store something that's like 6 square feet of floor space??!) and about 200$CAD, no thanks.
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I was thinking of making g bath bombs, but some people I know don't have baths! What are shower-friendly options?
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I was thinking of making g bath bombs, but some people I know don't have baths! What are shower-friendly options?
Sugar or salt scrubs? I love those and they are easy to make.
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I was thinking of making g bath bombs, but some people I know don't have baths! What are shower-friendly options?
Sugar or salt scrubs? I love those and they are easy to make.
http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/diy-aromatherapy-shower-steamers/
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I was thinking of making g bath bombs, but some people I know don't have baths! What are shower-friendly options?
Sugar or salt scrubs? I love those and they are easy to make.
http://www.thehippyhomemaker.com/diy-aromatherapy-shower-steamers/
ooh, both of those ideas are perfect. I think the only thing I'm missing is a slightly larger range of essential oils and citric acid. Yay :D
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Saw a recipe (Alton Brown) for aged eggnog and I might give that a try.
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Joining thread. Ideas so far:
Wine glasses with decoupage bases for bro and SIL
http://www.jewishboston.com/muse-schmooze-how-to-make-decoupage-wine-glasses-for-the-high-holidays-video/
Fleece cozy throw blanket and matching pillow with holiday theme for 90 YO dad
http://www.marthastewart.com/274920/homemade-blankets-and-quilts#203940
Herb scented heating pads for 84 YO mom
https://theoriginalthread.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/lavender-heat-pad-tutorial.pdf
Mason jars filled with home made fudge and cookies for grown sons.http://allrecipes.com/recipe/9368/fudge/
I like the pj pants idea for sons also.
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Found a new idea! DH wants one of those drawstring backpacks for the gym: http://www.instructables.com/id/Lined-Drawstring-Backpack-with-Pocket/
Great for using up leftover fabric. I have lots of leftover denim from an old slipcover project.
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I figured out this years gifts! I bought tin mugs and bottle openers for each sibling months ago while traveling. Sounds silly, but they are perfect. To complete the gift I will make some hot pads and hem up some linen tea towels. This will get placed in some scrap muslin drawstring bags (that can later be used for bulk foods,etc). All of it will be arranged in a homemade cardboard box/basket. I'll add a couple glass bottles of local soda (to use the bottle opener and fill the mug) and tie it all up with a wide deep purple satin ribbon.
I started sewing hot pads last night. I love making interesting ones for the recipient. I've got 8 ready for binding.
I have some clean cardboard that will work for box making. Goal is to have something that looks nice, not an Amazon box...
I have a piece of purple satin fabric that I'll slice up and use for ribbon. It will play nicely with the cardboard brown. This color scheme will allow me to use random brown paper and tissue for filler instead of needing Christmas colors.
I can add small things to individualize the gifts more, but I know they will be well received as is. I love the combination of practical and splurge.
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What do you use for insulation for the hot pads? I am thinking of making some, and wonder if there is a specific batting or other material I should use.
Thanks!
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I'm just using several layers of scraps of polyester quilt batting until I think it's thick enough. More stitching through it makes it less heat resistant. I think there may be less flammable options. And there are flame resistant fabrics that are recommended for this kind of project, but I've never gone there.
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The big challenge of homemade gifts for me is that if I'll be spending time on making something, I want it to be nice, and that often means that the supplies are costly. I try to think ahead and to monitor the thrift stores for wool, the fabric store remnants rack, etc.
Someone asked about ideas for kids. Here are some of my successes:
Capes/cloaks: sometimes felt for a medieval look, sometimes satin for a royal look, sometimes gauze for a fairy look.
Knight's outfit (this was a collaboration with my dad, and a huge hit that was played with for years): Shield cut out of thin plywood and painted, leather straps attached with nuts and bolts. Chainmail made of loosely knitted garter stitch grey yarn. Surcoat of fleece with applique on chest (matching the design on the shield). Sword made of PVC covered with pipe insulating foam, spray painted silver.
Bow and arrows: PVC bow (notched ends for the string, drawn into a curve by the tightness of the string), dowel arrows with foam balls on the end. Only good for people with a field, because these shoot far!
Marshmallow guns made of PVC, spray painted, plus a bag of mini marshmallows. This was a big hit with the recipients, not so much with the grandmother they were staying with, who kept finding marshmallows on her rugs.
Sleeping bag for their dolls. SUPER easy: just a rectangle of fleece folded over and sewn along one edge.
Custom-made apron.
Hair scrunchies and decorated barrettes.
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The big challenge of homemade gifts for me is that if I'll be spending time on making something, I want it to be nice, and that often means that the supplies are costly. I try to think ahead and to monitor the thrift stores for wool, the fabric store remnants rack, etc.
Someone asked about ideas for kids. Here are some of my successes:
Capes/cloaks: sometimes felt for a medieval look, sometimes satin for a royal look, sometimes gauze for a fairy look.
Knight's outfit (this was a collaboration with my dad, and a huge hit that was played with for years): Shield cut out of thin plywood and painted, leather straps attached with nuts and bolts. Chainmail made of loosely knitted garter stitch grey yarn. Surcoat of fleece with applique on chest (matching the design on the shield). Sword made of PVC covered with pipe insulating foam, spray painted silver.
Bow and arrows: PVC bow (notched ends for the string, drawn into a curve by the tightness of the string), dowel arrows with foam balls on the end. Only good for people with a field, because these shoot far!
Marshmallow guns made of PVC, spray painted, plus a bag of mini marshmallows. This was a big hit with the recipients, not so much with the grandmother they were staying with, who kept finding marshmallows on her rugs.
Sleeping bag for their dolls. SUPER easy: just a rectangle of fleece folded over and sewn along one edge.
Custom-made apron.
Hair scrunchies and decorated barrettes.
I am taking notes. That knight's costume, specifically, is brilliant. But you must have somehow sensed the pretty flannel fabric that I've got cut out on the sewing table for capes for my daughter and my niece. ;)
Other things I've made that have been well-recieved and played with:
Wood blocks (like, buy a 2x2, and cut into squares and rectangles with a hacksaw, sand by hand). It's surprising, but my toddler plays with these WAY more than with the Megabloks we had - we wound up selling those. For something nicer, you can paint patterns or letters or shapes onto the sides.
Wood rattles and teething rings for the very very little.
*Tip: if you're handy with woodworking, Ana White's website has a lot of patterns for small toys that are made from scrap wood. My daughter LOVES the little cars we made her out of scrap pieces of 1x4s and some wheels.
Paper dolls and clothing made out of felt (so the pieces stick together a bit).
Doll's crib (well, find a super battered one at the recycling center or garage sale, paint, make bedding). I had found one for 1$, so.
For adults, I've recently been making beeswax candles (Ikea votive holders left over from our wedding, thick wick at 3$, 2lb block of beeswax from the local honey producer at 12$, made 15 small candles total). They're accompanying mid-sized jars of local buckwheat honey, and are the gift of choice for our close friends and for my husband's grandparents and great-aunt. Total cost of each of those gifts is 7$CAD, including the nice wrapping to make it a schmancy gift set.
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I'm getting in on this, and just hope I'm not too late for everything I have planned. I'm making various extracts for my mom and sisters (vanilla, mint, lemon and almond specifically), and also making each one an apron (from this pattern: http://sewliberated.com/products/emmeline-apron-sewing-pattern). Not sure what to do for my dad or brother-in-law. I'm also making flannel pjs for my step daughters and husband. I'm also going to try to do a painting for my husband. Hopefully it doesn't turn out too terrible..
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Lots of great ideas! Anyone have progress to report?
Hubs and I have spent the morning casting lego Candles and forming bowls out of old records. We figure if we can get a couple of elements for the gift baskets we want to make done each weekend we should be in good shape and will take care of most of our gifts.
I'm excited that we were able to use up a lot of our scrap wax and tiny pieces that are no good for rolled candles.
Still to make:
- Cat treats
- Dog Treats
- Popcorn seasonings
- Duck prosciutto - This might be a pipe dream for this year but would like to try.
- Aromatherapy shower pucks
- Lip Chap
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Saw a recipe (Alton Brown) for aged eggnog and I might give that a try.
I made that last year and it was so good! I've been intending to get it started for this year, but I haven't bought the ingredients yet. The sooner you make it, the better it will be come Christmas.
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One of my closest friends has a set of house rules handwritten in her kitchen.
I bought a cheap frame and designed a proper print of them. I will run off a large print at work, so total cost is $10.
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Updating my list as I pluga way at it. Anyone else working on Christmas presents this weekend?
Lots of great ideas! Anyone have progress to report?
Hubs and I have spent the morning casting lego Candles and forming bowls out of old records. We figure if we can get a couple of elements for the gift baskets we want to make done each weekend we should be in good shape and will take care of most of our gifts.
I'm excited that we were able to use up a lot of our scrap wax and tiny pieces that are no good for rolled candles.
Still to make:
- Cat treats
- Dog Treats
- Popcorn seasonings - Made a test batch of BBQ seasoning today. Surprisingly BBQ like! Also, have some siracha dehydrating. If it works we'll make that into popcorn seasoning too. Might try a sour cream and onion flavour as well.
- Duck prosciutto - This might be a pipe dream for this year but would like to try.
- Aromatherapy shower pucks - Will be made after we finish making candles as we are using the same molds. working on more candles today.
- Lip Chap
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Updating my list as I pluga way at it. Anyone else working on Christmas presents this weekend?
Sort of? I realized that the DIY train table wasn't going to work out to be any cheaper than just buying one that actually has more storage than my idea, but I'm thinking of doing a DIY water table (Youtube link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwYayoo88E) instead that will probably end up being a Christmas gift just due to timing.
I did buy two large glass jars to make limoncello. I need to buy vodka and start the first two batches. I will need to buy smaller glass vessels to serve as the individual serving containers but I can put that off for a few weeks yet.
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Just finished glass garden stakes for my friend. The glass was from the free bin at my local supplier, and the stakes are actually carpet runner rods we got for free.
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Shinplaster, those are beautiful!!
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I'm germinating seeds for tomato and zucchini plants for a few people who I know will appreciate them. Thinking about trying lavender cuttings, too.
My MIL mentioned recently that she adores lemon curd and that HER late MIL used to make it for her as a gift. Challenge accepted!
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Shinplaster, those are beautiful!!
Thanks - I am just learning how to do glasswork, so am pleased that they at least look like flowers. : D And funny, the deck in the background is now all covered in snow. It has been a very weird couple of days. 18C yesterday, and all summery, leaves still on the trees, and boom! Snow tonight.
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It's now a month since I made a batch of vanilla (using rum as a base).
Still steeping. Husband still dubious. :D
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Homemade vanilla is so good. I refuse to buy imitation. Just isn't the same.
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I just finished up a batch of 6 hot mats. I need to gather everything I've made into the same place and start assembling gifts. I may be done with the sewing part.
I also made a canvas laundry bag for my SO's birthday, not Christmas, but I thought it might be a good idea to share. I used the dimensions he requested but it's similar to this one.
http://www.designlovefest.com/2014/04/make-it-56/
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I've just started on my first attempts at homemade soap and lotion bars. So far it's going well! You can do some pretty easy but impressive-looking stuff if you just have a nice mold or two. I'm starting with melt and pour soap because it seems a lot easier, but I'd really like to get into cold process eventually. I love to cook, and this feels like sort of an extension of that. Never would have occurred to me to try it if I hadn't read about it here. Thanks!
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I've just started on my first attempts at homemade soap and lotion bars. So far it's going well! You can do some pretty easy but impressive-looking stuff if you just have a nice mold or two. I'm starting with melt and pour soap because it seems a lot easier, but I'd really like to get into cold process eventually. I love to cook, and this feels like sort of an extension of that. Never would have occurred to me to try it if I hadn't read about it here. Thanks!
Recipe for homemade lotion bars, please!
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I've just started on my first attempts at homemade soap and lotion bars. So far it's going well! You can do some pretty easy but impressive-looking stuff if you just have a nice mold or two. I'm starting with melt and pour soap because it seems a lot easier, but I'd really like to get into cold process eventually. I love to cook, and this feels like sort of an extension of that. Never would have occurred to me to try it if I hadn't read about it here. Thanks!
Recipe for homemade lotion bars, please!
I looked around online and a lot of sites said basically this:
Equal parts of: oil (coconut, olive, etc.), shea or cocoa butter, beeswax
Essential oil (20 drops if using 3/4 cup each above, 15 drops if 1/2 cup each)
Melt oil, butter, and wax on stovetop or in 15-20 second bursts in the microwave in a glass container. Add essential oil and pour into molds.
So I used 2oz. (by weight) each of beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil, plus a few drops of lavender essential oil. That was enough to make 3 small bars. They don't smell lavender-y enough (which is okay... I'd rather underdo it than overdo it), but they look and feel great! Add a nice label and shrink-wrap with a heat gun and basic grocery store plastic wrap, and they look darn near store-bought!
I got a lot of my supplies from brambleberry.com (thanks to someone who mentioned the site here). There are also a lot of molds on Amazon. Soapqueen.com and soapqueentv on youtube have a lot of great tips. La Fille de la Mer, also on Youtube, has some great videos made in her workshop in Quebec.
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Thanks!
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I made lotion bars today too! I scented mine with peppermint oil and put them in heart-shaped molds. I'm putting them in heart-shaped tins I bought on eBay. The tins were about $2.75 each and all the bar ingredients were stuff I had left over from making these a couple years ago -- which I originally purchased from Brambleberry, so another shout out for them.
I finished the print-and-play game (Dead of Night) that I was making for my husband, and two of the three fleece blankets I'm making. Still need to do some jewelry for various folks.
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Just finished putting together some tea mixes in tiny Mason jars with cute handwritten labels on top. Lavender lemongrass mint green tea, chai, lavender chamomile (can you tell I have a recipient who loves all things lavender?!). I got the ingredients from either my garden or the local Asian supermarket (cheap!), and it was fun to put everything together. My kitchen smells great! I'm "taste testing" a mug of the chai now. :-) Thank you to whoever mentioned the tea idea! It's another item that seems fancy and high-end but totally isn't.
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I have finished two out of the three aprons I am making for my mom and sisters. I've also finished (I think) a painting I'm doing for my husband. One apron and four pairs of PJs left. (Hopefully the PJs will be easy...)
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I'm almost finished with a fleece bathrobe for my son. I got some Luxe fleece at JoAnn Fabrics, and it is so soft I just want to pet it. It's not cheap, but I was able to get it at 60% off, then with an extra 25% off. He's a big kid, so a lot of bathrobes are too short in the arms, etc, so I wouldn't find anything long enough, with the same quality, for less than I'm making it. I'll probably use the scraps to make him a pair of pj shorts and me a pillowcase.
I'm working on a quilt for my parents with my sister and sister-in-law, but we won't have it done before this Christmas. We've knocked out about half the blocks, and if we can get together in the spring to lay it out, I should have enough time to hand quilt it before next Christmas.
In past year I've done picture frames, extracts, chia seed/oatmeal smoothie powder, dessert in a mason jar, lotion bars, candles, dog treats (always a big hit), etc. I think next year I'll aim for hot pads and maybe learn how to carve some mixing spoons.
Not sure what I'll do for the rest of the family, if anything. Some years we exchange small homemade items, some years we might not.
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I finished and bottled the strawberry jam! Now I have strawberry jam, tangelo marmalade, and spicy tomato chutney.
Next: start fruit mince marinating, for later baking into mince pies.
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DH is using a laser cutter to make Christmas ornaments for our siblings and a Cnc machine to cut out a lawn ornament for his parents and a tray table for my parents. I'll post pics once they are done. I think we will spend $150 in materials. The tables for my parents alone would probably cost that much in a store. In previous years we've spent $300-400 to buy gifts for everyone and I think the gifts we give this year will be nicer.
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DH is using a laser cutter to make Christmas ornaments for our siblings and a Cnc machine to cut out a lawn ornament for his parents and a tray table for my parents. I'll post pics once they are done. I think we will spend $150 in materials. The tables for my parents alone would probably cost that much in a store. In previous years we've spent $300-400 to buy gifts for everyone and I think the gifts we give this year will be nicer.
That sounds very cool! I look forward to see pictures.
I'm about halfway done with the socks I'm knitting for my dad, but have not made a whole lot of other progress on my other projects.
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There are so many ideas. Endless! Personal and thoughtful beats expensive for many people, even if they don't realize it when they're asking for things they might like :). I think they key is focusing on what you do best - I am one of the most creative members of my family, so they love when I make them art work, floral arrangements, etc. It's fun for me, and things they don't feel like they have the talent to make themselves. I usually also volunteer to wrap Christmas presents for the whole family, because I enjoy it, do it well, and the rest of the fam sees it as a horrible chore. I'm also the one to always decorate/set the table for holidays, and so forth. You might think of something a loved one views as a chore, that you love, and can give that labor as a gift. For example, if someone loves Christmas decoration but hates hanging the lights on their home, or even hires someone to do it, you could volunteer to take that on for them. There are many other things I couldn't do, that others might be talented at (like woodworking to build them a table or something truly useful). Just shine at what you do best! A little love and elbow grease towards a gift goes a mighty long way.
I think you're right about doing what you're best at. A few Christmases ago I made handmade gifts that were things like hand salve and other ointment/lotion/bath types of things. The recipients were gracious but I don't think they really liked them and I don't think they really got used. Last year, I made all food items and everyone was thrilled. I have a reputation in my family for being a great cook so they perceived the gifts as awesome because they were made by the great cook. To me they were easy, good, but easy. But to them, awesome, because it is stuff that is not easy for them. Plus, I enjoyed making the food gifts much more than the body stuff. So yeah, stick to your strengths!
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Has anyone made vanilla essence using something other than vodka? Do you think gin would work, or does it have too much flavour?
I don't tink Gin would work since it is more herbaceous flavored, where vanilla is a warming spice. I have used black strap molasses rum which was awesome! Any rum would work.
I've made it with bourbon and it is my fave way to extract. Made apple brandy as a gift this year.
I'm a little late answering this one, but I used a bottle of lovely artisan gin to make vanilla. (I chose to stop drinking alcohol and couldn't bear to waste the bottle of gin) The resulting vanill was... weird. Good with rhubarb or very simple cakes or shortbread, but you couldn't use too much. The gin is just too overpowering. With such a distinct flavour it's not great for making vanilla.
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I've decided to make some new pajama pants for my husband for Christmas. He has a favorite pair that has been patched and mended many times. I'll use those to make a pattern for a new set. I've done a lot of sewing over the last few years but this will be my first foray into sewing clothing. If it goes well I think I'll make a matching set of pants for our toddler.
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I'm still trying to figure out what to make for this year. I'm kind of kicking myself for using up too many ideas on one year last year!
Last year, I gave homemade vanilla extract, limoncello, butterscotch sauce and candied nuts. Why didn't I just pick one and giver everyone that? Then I'd be set for a few more years. Oh, well.
Here are some links, in case it would help anyone:
Vanilla, I got guidance from here https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/01/make-your-own-vanilla-extract/ and here http://www.nwedible.com/vanilla-extract/
Butterscotch sauce: https://smittenkitchen.com/2009/12/ridiculously-easy-butterscotch-sauce/
Limoncello: http://limoncelloquest.com/limoncello-articles/how-to-make-limoncello
Nuts: http://damndelicious.net/2013/10/30/cinnamon-sugar-candied-nuts/
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Lemon curd
Blueberry jam or other jam
Toffee
Peppermint bark
Banana bread
Cookies
Kahlua
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Freckles - I might make that butterscotch sauce! Thank you for sharing!
I have an easier cinnamon candied nut recipe (with no egg white, so better for my particular family with its food allergies) if you'd like me to share that?
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It's probably a better recipe. I remember this was a little clumpy. Tasted good, but I would be happy to try a different one.
You should do the butterscotch sauce! It is easy and really delicious.
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I made the first batch of this Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate mix this weekend: http://www.seededatthetable.com/2011/12/22/salted-caramel-hot-chocolate-mix/. I found the recipe on a previous Handmade Christmas thread and wanted to re-post it. DH felt it wasn't very caramel-y but he likes the overwhelmingly sweet coffee shop holiday drinks. I thought it was perfect!
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This Christmas I am making:
For my brother/father in law/best friend:
Saltet Caramel Sauce
Bacon Jam
Brownies
Caramel Corn
Truffles
For my mother in law:
Hand knitted sweater (also her 60th birthday present)
For my nephew:
Wood blocks in fun colors
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I see nuts mentioned above, and I realized I should share this recipe! Sweet, smoky almonds that are super easy to make. I'm going to make a few bags or jars of them to give as stocking stuffers. I've made them for myself before, and family members who have tried them have really liked them.
http://thevegan8.com/2012/10/24/sweet-mesquite-almonds/
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I made the first batch of this Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate mix this weekend: http://www.seededatthetable.com/2011/12/22/salted-caramel-hot-chocolate-mix/. I found the recipe on a previous Handmade Christmas thread and wanted to re-post it. DH felt it wasn't very caramel-y but he likes the overwhelmingly sweet coffee shop holiday drinks. I thought it was perfect!
Yay! Glad you liked it! Yeah, it is more of a traditional old school caramel, it definitely wouldn't measure up in terms of sweet overload that a commercial sticky caramel sauce would. I'm glad you found the recipe and reposted, I had someone ask about it the other day and I couldn't for the life of me remember where the recipe was!
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This arrived in my inbox today, so I thought I'd share. I've made many recipes from Smitten Kitchen over the years and have rarely been disappointed. I'm thinking about peppermint hot fudge sauce and the coffee toffee. And then I'm remembering my resolve to just make one thing and not use up all ideas in one year! Hmmm...
Scroll down to the Put A Ribbon On It section:
http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f07178f792cf265906ce71917&id=53a75edd68&e=21d3318ef9
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Someone posted a recipe for sugar/cinnamon almonds last year - maybe Serpentstooth? I never got around to making them last year, so tried it today. Oh my, I will be making more of those to give as small gifts. Yum! I'll tweak the recipe a bit - I think increasing the amount of almonds to sugar mix will make them a little less 'crusty', but otherwise, these taste so good. And so easy!
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I made those almonds last year and they were excellent! I brought them to the office if i recall correctly.
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Two posts about delicious almonds and zero recipe links. The shame!
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Two posts about delicious almonds and zero recipe links. The shame!
I concur!!
I've been buying cinnamon almonds out of the bulk bins and they are cheaper per oz than the regular almonds. How much is cinnamon weight?! What would be the cost break down of making my own... and if I made my own would I just eat more of them and spend more money?! oh the dilemma.
I usually buy just a scoop or so and toss some raisins in the bag later and keep it in my backpack for a snack on long days.
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Haha. OK - this is the recipe I used:
http://damndelicious.net/?s=candied+nuts&submit=%EF%80%82
If you want a little less of a crust, decrease the sugar/cinnamon a bit I think, or increase the amount of almonds. I did not use pecans, just the almonds.
I also cooked them a little longer than the recipe recommends - about 45 minutes instead of 30. YMMV, depending on your oven.
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I made Spiced Apple Cider Mix (http://www.savorynothings.com/wprm_print/7231) for some friends and neighbours today. I put it in jars
and used the printable on the website on the front of the jar. They turned out better than expected! Cost was minimal and I'm using repurposed jars.
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Three aprons made, one for my mom and each of my sisters. Two pairs of PJ pants made, one for each of my step-daughters, and 1.75 pairs of flannel shorts for my husband (one isn't quite done yet...) I've decided to make chocolate dipped pretzel rods and festive short bread cookies for my dad and brother in law. Those will need to be made closer to Christmas though.
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I have a 2/3 finished crocheted afghan that was supposed to be a gift for my dad years ago. I'm trying to motivate myself to finish it for this year. I already won't get it done for his birthday next week.
Update: I've been crafty!
I finished the afghan for Dad's bday/Christmas:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5495/30631739464_3015e79699_n.jpg)
This afghan has a story: 9+ years ago, as I was heading to a job in Afghanistan, my dad said (as dads do), "Wouldn't it be neat if you made an afghan in Afghan-istan?" I decided I would do just that, and give it to him on my return. I got about 2/3 done before I came home, but then put it in a closet where it sat for 8+ years. It is now finished, and I'm very happy to have a gift for one of my most difficult-to-gift relatives.
In addition, I've made some play food for my 2.5 year old niece:
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5587/30664915933_ed43e38b18_n.jpg)
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5598/31435882326_2dc1014a66_n.jpg)
I was watching movies at a friends house while working on part of this. When asked, "what are you making?" I replied simply, "A sandwich." Later another friend said, "I have what may be a silly question, but are you making ... bread?" Yes! And I was so happy it was recognizable by someone with no context to what I was making.
My girlfriends and I have an ornament yankee-swap each year, and I often craft something. This year I cut up some beverage cans to make stars:
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5559/31435883646_6681de6273_n.jpg)
I still have some crafting to do for my niece (a felt board book) and a gift for the swap with my crochet group (still undecided).
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That's really clever! I love that felt sandwich!
I make earrings for all my female friends and relatives which are always a big hit.
Unfortunately I have so many male relatives and they are so hard to craft for (and shop for).
I think it will have to be homemade food/goodies since I can't think of anything else.
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I have a 2/3 finished crocheted afghan that was supposed to be a gift for my dad years ago. I'm trying to motivate myself to finish it for this year. I already won't get it done for his birthday next week.
Update: I've been crafty!
I finished the afghan for Dad's bday/Christmas:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5495/30631739464_3015e79699_n.jpg)
This afghan has a story: 9+ years ago, as I was heading to a job in Afghanistan, my dad said (as dads do), "Wouldn't it be neat if you made an afghan in Afghan-istan?" I decided I would do just that, and give it to him on my return. I got about 2/3 done before I came home, but then put it in a closet where it sat for 8+ years. It is now finished, and I'm very happy to have a gift for one of my most difficult-to-gift relatives.
In addition, I've made some play food for my 2.5 year old niece:
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5587/30664915933_ed43e38b18_n.jpg)
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5598/31435882326_2dc1014a66_n.jpg)
I was watching movies at a friends house while working on part of this. When asked, "what are you making?" I replied simply, "A sandwich." Later another friend said, "I have what may be a silly question, but are you making ... bread?" Yes! And I was so happy it was recognizable by someone with no context to what I was making.
My girlfriends and I have an ornament yankee-swap each year, and I often craft something. This year I cut up some beverage cans to make stars:
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5559/31435883646_6681de6273_n.jpg)
I still have some crafting to do for my niece (a felt board book) and a gift for the swap with my crochet group (still undecided).
Phenomenal!
I'm still giggling at 'Are you making a sandwich?' :D
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Update: I've been crafty!
I finished the afghan for Dad's bday/Christmas:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5495/30631739464_3015e79699_n.jpg)
Awesome! I'm curious, what do you do with the yarn ends when you switch colors? Do you just snip them off and weave them in, or somehow leave the ends attached and then pick them up later?
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The afghan is gorgeous and will be well received, I'm sure.
Love the play food too. I'd like to do something like this for my niece, but they live in a shoebox so I can only gift consumables with them.
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Not sure if this counts, but it might be the only Christmas present I receive. A present to myself! I was decided to skip a batting and back it in fleece instead. I also machine pieced/quilted it so it would be finished quickly, but hand stitched the front of the binding (it was six nights, start to finish. And, because I get curious, I record the time spent working on it-- 24 hours 45 minutes from start to finish.)
My Grinch quilt:
(http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo192/akaapple/71b17fa8-662e-4748-8830-7a41c3f9dd6d_zpsrkmbfoai.jpg)
Stockings I made for DS and myself with the extra fabric:
(http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo192/akaapple/15277850-9680-4b32-ac57-51c715be5a03_zps3ag1qjsm.jpg)
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Mustachepungoeshere - I love the felt sandwich. I just may have to steal that idea for next Christmas for our grandson. Thanks for posting the photos. (I really like the afghan too).
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The only thing I'm making is lavender sachets, but also thinking about some cinnamon/clove sachets too. I like the idea of the potholders with scents in them. Maybe next time.
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Progress is being made.
Finished the popcorn seasonings: Sour cream and onion, Ranch, BBQ, Sriracha - Hubs is working on making fancy labels for them.
Made "Old Bay" seasoning and Black garlic Truffle salt for my mom
Several different types of chutney ready to go
Lego, Deathstar, and D-20 Candles
Printed photo books for both sets of parents are designed and ordered.
I just have to figure out how the packaging of everything is going to work. <--- not my strength!
So enjoying seeing everyone's creations! :D
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I think I'm done with the homemade gifts, with the exception of some cookies and caramel corn, which will be made closer to Christmas. Oh, and homemade dog biscuits.
I made fleece blankets for my husband and his dad, patchwork potholders for my MIL and best friend, a bracelet for the best friend, lotion bars for important women in my life such as my pastor and next-door neighbor, a game for my husband, knitted fingerless gloves for two women on my list and my husband. We're giving books to my MIL and FIL, so I made bookmarks for them and one for my husband as well. I also made jams to give to neighbors, the mail man and a few other folks. I still have to wrap everything, but I'm using stuff leftover from previous years, and I made some cute gift tags with stuff I had.
We also bought a few gifts, and supplies to make gifts, but the grand total (including Christmas cards and the permit to cut our tree) came to just under $260, so I'm pretty happy.
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Awesome! I'm curious, what do you do with the yarn ends when you switch colors? Do you just snip them off and weave them in, or somehow leave the ends attached and then pick them up later?
Thanks. This pattern was horrible for the number of ends that had to be woven in . I do not recommend it. There were very few places where it was possible to carry the yarn until it was needed again, so it was a lot of cutting and weaving.
It also turns out I've learned a lot about weaving in ends over the last 9+ years. My original work was embarrassing, but I didn't leave enough tails to go back and fix it. I just hope it all stays together for a while.
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Mustachepungoeshere - I love the felt sandwich. I just may have to steal that idea for next Christmas for our grandson. Thanks for posting the photos. (I really like the afghan too).
Thanks! I meant to post the link to the sandwich pattern. It's here (http://www.myrtleandeunice.com/2009/11/you-must-be-starving-tutorial.html).
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Mustachepungoeshere - I love the felt sandwich. I just may have to steal that idea for next Christmas for our grandson. Thanks for posting the photos. (I really like the afghan too).
That was Cherry Lane's craftiness, I was just quoting to reply. ;)
Full credit goes to her.
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Mustachepungoeshere - I love the felt sandwich. I just may have to steal that idea for next Christmas for our grandson. Thanks for posting the photos. (I really like the afghan too).
Thanks! I meant to post the link to the sandwich pattern. It's here (http://www.myrtleandeunice.com/2009/11/you-must-be-starving-tutorial.html).
Sorry Cherry Lane - full credit to you. Seems I got lost in the quotes. : D
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Mustachepungoeshere - I love the felt sandwich. I just may have to steal that idea for next Christmas for our grandson. Thanks for posting the photos. (I really like the afghan too).
Thanks! I meant to post the link to the sandwich pattern. It's here (http://www.myrtleandeunice.com/2009/11/you-must-be-starving-tutorial.html).
Sorry Cherry Lane - full credit to you. Seems I got lost in the quotes. : D
That's easy to do. No worries.
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My toddler has a recent obsession with a book in which a princess receives a cloak for Christmas (and it is "soft and red and Christmassy"), and has informed me repeatedly that she would like and cloak to wrap up in "so that I will be warm, mama!"
Ok, child. Message received.
2 layers of thick lush flannel, just for you.
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My toddler has a recent obsession with a book in which a princess receives a cloak for Christmas (and it is "soft and red and Christmassy"), and has informed me repeatedly that she would like and cloak to wrap up in "so that I will be warm, mama!"
Ok, child. Message received.
2 layers of thick lush flannel, just for you.
That looks "soft and red and Christmassy". Nice work!
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Well, this kid refuses to wear a robe... and the house is chilly until the fire gets going in the morning! So if she'll wear a cloak and feel fancy and be warm, I will be happy. :)
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My toddler has a recent obsession with a book in which a princess receives a cloak for Christmas (and it is "soft and red and Christmassy"), and has informed me repeatedly that she would like and cloak to wrap up in "so that I will be warm, mama!"
Ok, child. Message received.
2 layers of thick lush flannel, just for you.
SOO cute! I can totally see a little kid loving a cloak. My kids just do the old school of wrapping themselves in a polartec throw when sitting at the cold morning kitchen table. My oldest though one year insisted on some Halloween costume that had a cloak. She still keeps the cloak in her wardrobe.
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Gosh, I love toddlers!
Nice work on the cloak. It's beautiful. I wish I could sew. Maybe by the time I have grandchildren I will have learned and I can make adorable things for them. I kind of missed the boat on that for my own kids.
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My toddler has a recent obsession with a book in which a princess receives a cloak for Christmas (and it is "soft and red and Christmassy"), and has informed me repeatedly that she would like and cloak to wrap up in "so that I will be warm, mama!"
Ok, child. Message received.
2 layers of thick lush flannel, just for you.
I love this. She will be so happy!
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Has anyone made lemon curd / lemon butter before? Am I right in my understanding that it needs to be kept in the fridge? And how long will it stay good?
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Has anyone made lemon curd / lemon butter before? Am I right in my understanding that it needs to be kept in the fridge? And how long will it stay good?
I made it once, but then used it right away. Sorry I'm no help when it comes to storage experience. I'd definitely keep it in the fridge. I'd expect if you always serve it with a clean utensil it should keep for a few weeks, at least.
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I've made microwave lemon curd twice in the past month. First recipe was with used whole eggs which was pretty good, but not quite what I was looking for. Second time, I used a recipe that used 3 eggs and 2 extra egg yolks. Which was more what I was looking for. I found it again by looking for "microwaved lemon curd" and choosing the Masterchef Australia recipe. I don't know how long it could be stored for. I had some a week after I made it and I didn't die. ;)
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WHOOT WHOOT! We are done!!!
Record bowl gift baskets for the immediate family and gift bags with a candle and one popcorn seasoning for the extended family.
We found some shrinky dink paper in our craft bin and turned our T-rexmas cards from last year into the cutest little tags/ornaments.
Crappy pics, but you'll get the gist of what we did :)
How is everyone else doing?
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I think my crafting is done! With almost a week to spare, I'm proud of myself. There's been more than one year I've been crocheting on the way to Christmas dinner.
I made two pairs of mittens, nearly identical. One for my crochet group's annual gift exchange that was yesterday, the other as a gift for my mother. She's been having trouble with tremors, and is finding it difficult to put on gloves (can't get her fingers into the proper slots). I'd suggested mittens, but she laughed me off. I figure if I gift her handmade mittens, she'll at least have to try them. I have some similar ones I made for myself 5 years ago, and they are my go-to handwear.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/612/30924714643_3f9096fa8d_n.jpg)
I finished the felt board book for my niece, with a few felt pieces to play with. The book instructions are here (http://mothersniche.com/how-to-make-a-felt-book/).
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/636/31618990421_e69ae6064a_n.jpg)
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/679/30924809933_28f501e4ef_n.jpg)
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/645/31696960326_a008b2af59_n.jpg)
I still need to scrounge up a few more bottles for my various infusions.
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Has anyone made lemon curd / lemon butter before? Am I right in my understanding that it needs to be kept in the fridge? And how long will it stay good?
I live in Florida and have lemons growing outside my window, so I make this a lot:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/lemon-curd-104568
I keep it in the fridge. Wonderful on graham crackers! It lasts a week, at least.
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Thanks pbk and everyone else who's chimed in on the lemon curd. If I'm giving it to people I want it to last more than a week, but maybe they'll finish it before then anyway ;-)
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My preferred recipe for cinnamon almonds!
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Neighbour cane round with leftover cake for us today and told us our annual fruit cake will be over shortly. But I still haven't made her marmalade, aaaarg! All hands on deck. She likes ginger biscuits so that's plan b if the marmalade is awful.
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Haha. OK - this is the recipe I used:
http://damndelicious.net/?s=candied+nuts&submit=%EF%80%82
If you want a little less of a crust, decrease the sugar/cinnamon a bit I think, or increase the amount of almonds. I did not use pecans, just the almonds.
I also cooked them a little longer than the recipe recommends - about 45 minutes instead of 30. YMMV, depending on your oven.
I made a batch of these (just almonds) last night to give to coworkers, and they were easy as heck to make and turned out delicious! Thanks for sharing the link!
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Wow Swick very impressive!! (how can I get on your Christmas list? ;-)
And Kitsune I love that little cape for your daughter. Very beautiful!
So not that I leave anything to the very last second but help!
I noticed recipes for candied almonds on this thread but does anyone have recipes for spiced nuts?
People I know don't eat sugar (at all) so was hoping for savoury, not sweet.
Thanks!
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Wow Swick very impressive!! (how can I get on your Christmas list? ;-)
And Kitsune I love that little cape for your daughter. Very beautiful!
So not that I leave anything to the very last second but help!
I noticed recipes for candied almonds on this thread but does anyone have recipes for spiced nuts?
People I know don't eat sugar (at all) so was hoping for savoury, not sweet.
Thanks!
Thanks! :) (Full disclosure: we're still painting the dollhouse we made for her. Here's hoping it gets done before weekend!)
And for spiced nuts: you asked, and you shall recieve. Here's the recipe I've used! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/spiced-rosemary-nuts.html
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Wow Swick very impressive!! (how can I get on your Christmas list? ;-)
And Kitsune I love that little cape for your daughter. Very beautiful!
So not that I leave anything to the very last second but help!
I noticed recipes for candied almonds on this thread but does anyone have recipes for spiced nuts?
People I know don't eat sugar (at all) so was hoping for savoury, not sweet.
Thanks!
Thanks! :) (Full disclosure: we're still painting the dollhouse we made for her. Here's hoping it gets done before weekend!)
And for spiced nuts: you asked, and you shall recieve. Here's the recipe I've used! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/spiced-rosemary-nuts.html
Have you made these? Do you think you need all the sugar/ do they taste really sweet? I'm going to the supermarket today and I might get some peanuts!
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This should be the last photo from me: the consumables
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/777/31793258715_430cf6ed78_n.jpg)
plum butter and conserve made in July, applesauce, vanilla, limoncello (already gifted one bottle), umeshu (plum liqueur, more bottles not pictured), and aged eggnog
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Wow Swick very impressive!! (how can I get on your Christmas list? ;-)
And Kitsune I love that little cape for your daughter. Very beautiful!
So not that I leave anything to the very last second but help!
I noticed recipes for candied almonds on this thread but does anyone have recipes for spiced nuts?
People I know don't eat sugar (at all) so was hoping for savoury, not sweet.
Thanks!
Thanks! :) (Full disclosure: we're still painting the dollhouse we made for her. Here's hoping it gets done before weekend!)
And for spiced nuts: you asked, and you shall recieve. Here's the recipe I've used! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/spiced-rosemary-nuts.html
Have you made these? Do you think you need all the sugar/ do they taste really sweet? I'm going to the supermarket today and I might get some peanuts!
I didn't find they tasted particularly sweet... I mean, you could probably leave it out? But the minor amounts of salt/sugar seemed to make the spices stand out better.
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I made an afghan for our house and everyone loved it so much that they wanted one. So I have 7 to make. Not all will be done by xmas. Actually I could have bought them cheaper but I thought it would be nice that the kids would have this to remember me when I am gone. Hopefully, they last for many years since I don't plan on leaving anytime soon:)) I have one that my Mom made 30 years ago.
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Wow Swick very impressive!! (how can I get on your Christmas list? ;-)
And Kitsune I love that little cape for your daughter. Very beautiful!
So not that I leave anything to the very last second but help!
I noticed recipes for candied almonds on this thread but does anyone have recipes for spiced nuts?
People I know don't eat sugar (at all) so was hoping for savoury, not sweet.
Thanks!
Thanks! :) (Full disclosure: we're still painting the dollhouse we made for her. Here's hoping it gets done before weekend!)
And for spiced nuts: you asked, and you shall recieve. Here's the recipe I've used! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/spiced-rosemary-nuts.html
Thank you so much Kitsune! That recipe sounds really good. Now the hunt begins for fresh rosemary.
I'd love to see pictures of the finished dollhouse.
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I like the salty/ combo so will defo make some, sounds good.
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My toddler has a recent obsession with a book in which a princess receives a cloak for Christmas (and it is "soft and red and Christmassy"), and has informed me repeatedly that she would like and cloak to wrap up in "so that I will be warm, mama!"
Ok, child. Message received.
2 layers of thick lush flannel, just for you.
Looks amazing kitsune!! Well done :)
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This should be the last photo from me: the consumables
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/777/31793258715_430cf6ed78_n.jpg)
plum butter and conserve made in July, applesauce, vanilla, limoncello (already gifted one bottle), umeshu (plum liqueur, more bottles not pictured), and aged eggnog
You have the same mini jam jars as me I think - cute!
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3pm, December 23rd: have just spent an hour taking apart and re-assembling my sewing machine to make the thread stop f-ing snapping every 12 inches. Solution found!!
Also, 6 toddler headbands finished (reversible, for 2 different kids), 3 toddler necklaces ALMOST finished, and final touch-ups to that dollhouse and we're done.
Let's see if I get around to making my daughter that nightgown before tomorrow night...
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3pm, December 23rd: have just spent an hour taking apart and re-assembling my sewing machine to make the thread stop f-ing snapping every 12 inches. Solution found!!
Also, 6 toddler headbands finished (reversible, for 2 different kids), 3 toddler necklaces ALMOST finished, and final touch-ups to that dollhouse and we're done.
Let's see if I get around to making my daughter that nightgown before tomorrow night...
Sounds like you found the solution but when that was happening on my machine it was because the needle was put in backwards. (who knew sewing needles had a front and a back)
Way to go on all the sewing projects!
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I finished a pair of fleece pj pants for my son (and a set for myself). The fleece I used for his is a similar pattern to the bathrobe I made him, but I also added contrasting pockets (not really visible), and ties. I wore mine the other night, and they are so warm!
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I also made some "Pie Crust Mix" for my dad. He likes to bake desserts, but buys pre-made crust because he hasn't mastered a good one. I can't stand the taste of the refrigerated stuff, so I make a bunch of extra mixes when I make a "pat in the pan" pie crust, then gift some to him with the instructions.
Here is the recipe if anyone wants to try it. I've never had a failed crust, and I like that I don't have to pull out the rolling pin:
Pat-in-pan Pie Crust
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c plus 3 tbs all-purpose flour
1 1/2 ts sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 c vegetable oil
3 tb cold milk
Directions:
Place the flour, sugar, and salt in the pie pan and mix with your fingers until blended. In a measuring cup, combine the oil and milk and beat with a fork until creamy. Pour all at once over the flour mixture. Mix with a fork until the flour mixture is completely moistened. Pat the dough with your fingers, first up the sides of the plate, then across the bottom. Flute the edges. Shell is now ready to be filled. If you are preparing a shell to fill later, or your recipe requires a prebaked crust, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Dock the surface of the pastry with a fork and bake 15 minutes, checking often, and docking more if needed.
VARIATION: For a 10-inch shell, use 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 2/3 cup vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons milk.
"Quick, crisp but tender, it needs no rolling out. I highly recommend this pie crust, especially if you think you can't make a good pie. This recipe can only be used for one-crust pies - you CAN'T double the recipe and roll out a top crust. The mixture is just too tender to transfer from the pastry board or cloth to the pie." (Marcia Adams) Cooking from Quilt Country
My opinion... You can make a top pie crust, but it will look messy... I just take handfuls of crust and pat it out in small pieces, then place on top of the pie. I'm not going for looks there, and it bakes up just fine.
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3pm, December 23rd: have just spent an hour taking apart and re-assembling my sewing machine to make the thread stop f-ing snapping every 12 inches. Solution found!!
Also, 6 toddler headbands finished (reversible, for 2 different kids), 3 toddler necklaces ALMOST finished, and final touch-ups to that dollhouse and we're done.
Let's see if I get around to making my daughter that nightgown before tomorrow night...
Sounds like you found the solution but when that was happening on my machine it was because the needle was put in backwards. (who knew sewing needles had a front and a back)
Way to go on all the sewing projects!
It seemed to be a gear that was gunned up with broken thread bits, combined with tension needing a minor adjustment. I also changed the needle, since it had been while and it wasn't working as smoothly. Anyway - fixed!
Attaching pictures of final homemade presents. The dollhouse is painted - I figure we can put color or wallpaper with her input at a later date. Mostly pleased that it cost less than 10$ to make (yay scrap wood) and is sturdy enough to hold up to toddlers. And flat enough to go against the wall instead of the middle of the room.
And the headbands! Super simple project - reversible, so 6 fabrics x 2 toddlers - and all of them together made in less than an hour. Perfect last-minute project!
And on that note: bed. Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate!
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Well Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for all the great inspiration. I gave spiced nuts as per the recipe above, cookies and chai tea mix and they were all well received.
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Looks beautiful, Kitsune! Merry Christmas!
I did the chai mix and peppermint fudge sauce. And I forgot to take pictures, darn it.
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Love seeing everyone's crafts!
Here's mine: a dumpster fire new year's card 😂
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I too forgot to take photos!
My final list was:
Strawberry jam
Blackberry jam
Raspberry jam
Cinnamon spiced almonds
Melting moments
Mandarin-scented soap
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161225/b9845677fc1efff8d2dace957883cd16.jpg)
Chow Chow, candied nuts (from recipe found here), pickled peppers, blackberry jam, dried strawberries, redbud jelly.
Merry Christmas!
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I forgot to take photos, too, though I love seeing everyone else's.
The knotted fleece blankets were a surprise hit. I mean, I hoped that my FIL and DH liked them, but apparently they LOVE them. DH is taking a nap under his now, along with one of the dogs, who has decided this is her blanket! And in conversations with various friends and relatives, it is the first gift he always mentions.
The homemade goodies -- brownies and jams -- were well received. The lotion bars were a hit with the ladies I gifted them to -- I will do more next year for different women. My MIL liked the hot pads and homemade vanilla I gave her, but I think her favorite gift was a bookmark I put together at the last minute to go with a book we gave her -- it says You Fell Asleep Here. It's a family joke that she often falls asleep reading and she got a kick out of it. I knit some fingerless gloves for a few other women in the family and they were also very well received.
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My son is getting a quilt with the binding half done (he gets off work at 7, and I'll be able to finish it tonight, but I need two more hours, that I don't have...) I hadn't planned on getting his quilt done before Christmas, so I got it done earlier than expected, rather than later.
Before I learned to sew/quilt this year, I also made and gave many of the knotted fleece blankets (first one I made was for my son, with Buzz Lightyear fleece on the front, and rockets/space fleece on the back. He still uses it about 15 years later.)
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It's a wrap!! :D
How did everyone do with their homemade Christmas gifts? What worked? What didn't? What were some of the comments you got?
What would you do the same or differently for next year? Oh, Next year! Here we go! http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2017-edition!/ (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/homemade-christmas-2017-edition!/)
Our gift baskets went over really well. A lot of the comments revolved around the labels we created, we create them because they are fun for us, but apparently, they are something people really look forward to - so going to have to come up with a good theme and style for next year!
Most comments were divided into "where did you buy this stuff?" from DH's side of the family to "You should be selling this stuff, let's brainstorm all the ways to do that!" from my side of the family.
Many more gifts were handmade this year on both sides of the family so we are started to slowly affect change - which is AWESOME!
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My stained glass seemed to be a hit. I made ornaments as gift tags, and everyone recognized what/who they were, so I'll count that as a win. : D Also did some larger panels for my Mom and son and DIL, and those went over well too (even though I made mistakes - I'm still a novice). I already have requests for next year's ornaments, and my Mom wants some of the garden stakes I made my best friend.
I also made banana bread for almost everyone I know. That always goes over well - I am the only one in our group that makes it.
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My son has been wearing his pj pants, bathrobe, and using his quilt while he's been off school (for a couple extra weeks because of weather). So, those were all a win :)
And, not me, but everyone who received a pair of my mom's hand knit socks absolutely loved them (I was given another three pairs for part of my present). They are the best.
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Great job everyone! I especially liked seeing the photos, very inspiring! I've joined the 2017 thread in the hopes of doing better next year.
Kitsune those hairbands are a great idea! My 4 year old daughter wears hairbands 90% of the time. Does that style stay on the head pretty well? I have so many pieces of cute fabric remnants that would work well for this.
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Great job everyone! I especially liked seeing the photos, very inspiring! I've joined the 2017 thread in the hopes of doing better next year.
Kitsune those hairbands are a great idea! My 4 year old daughter wears hairbands 90% of the time. Does that style stay on the head pretty well? I have so many pieces of cute fabric remnants that would work well for this.
They stay on as long as the toddler doesn't tug them off. ;)
They're super easy to make - scrap fabric and scrap elastic, basically, but they look adorable. Caveat that they wouldn't work on me and my super-thick hair, but they are adorable on my daughter's silky fly-away hair (she takes after her dad).