Homemade Xmas gifts - what are you making for folk???

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I found a recipe for beer glazed peanuts, so I'm going to give some big old jars of those to a few blokes I know.

I'm making a subversive cross stitch (by request) for a friend. It has the C word, surrounded by flowers and vines.

Gingerbread cookies for most people, possibly some garlic butter they can just keep in the fridge for 2020.

Kind of homemade: I have a big collection of beads that someone gave me for Xmas years ago. They were clearing out their stash to downsize. I thought I'd give the ones I haven't used to a small niece. I think she'd enjoy stringing them into simple necklaces.

[Cranky]

Socks. Everybody gets socks.

[Nangirl17]

I canned a triple batch of my grandmother's sweet chili sauce recipe this summer and made one enormous 2L jar for my dad. He hasn't had it in years, and I know he'll love it! A jar will go to my brother and one to my sister too.

I usually make cranberry pistachio biscotti for my mom and mother in law and extra for me. Mmmm.

In the past I've made gifts for my colleagues too - just a few dollars each x10-12. One year I did beeswax food wraps, another year I did reusable stainless straws with a little "merry christmas tag", stuff like that. This year I don't have the time/energy to do that - serves them right for scheduling me on call so much in December haha. :-/

[MaybeBabyMustache]

We always do a sock exchange, as a white elephant. It's very fun, and even in the worst case, you can wear the socks, because. . they are socks.

We're also doing a craft exchange, because we are a decidedly uncrafty family & think it will be hilarious. My 13 year old made a really nice bowl in woodshop, actually. My 12 year old made a necklace out of candy. I'll likely make a loaf of cardamom bread, which is a bit of a family classic. My husband will probably make a batch of his famous pomegranate martinis. They store well for about a month in the fridge. You can just mix over ice & serve.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Socks are always handy. My friend gives her grandkids socks every year, among other things. They're stuff full of lollies and tied with a ribbon. Quite good in terms of serving size - the wee ones just get a few sweets and the teenagers get whole chocolate bars.

[Freedomin5]

Sashiko coasters for a few friends who are into folk art/craft stuff.

Soy candles scented with natural essential oils

I’ll also probably make a gingerbread house because that’s just fun

[SuseB]

I make small felt or patchwork Christmas decorations for friends and family. I love to sew but have no time for giant projects so these are ideal. Also giant chocolate slabs made from melted Aldi chocolate studded with fudge pieces, marshmallow etc. Do white and dark chocolate and create swirls, wrap in silver paper. These are very popular. This year I was gifted some nice empty jars that I plan to fill with homemade granola.

[Sugaree]

I'm considering gifting everyone with strawberry jam.  We have WAY too much of it in the pantry right now.  I was going to do pickles for my sister-in-law, but they turned out way too salty.  They were fine if you opened them and diluted the brine down for a day or so in the fridge before eating, but not something that I'd want to give as a gift.  Plus I think we've eaten most of them.

[Freedomin5]

I make small felt or patchwork Christmas decorations for friends and family. I love to sew but have no time for giant projects so these are ideal. Also giant chocolate slabs made from melted Aldi chocolate studded with fudge pieces, marshmallow etc. Do white and dark chocolate and create swirls, wrap in silver paper. These are very popular. This year I was gifted some nice empty jars that I plan to fill with homemade granola.

Chocolate bark is wonderful! I like to crush candy canes and sprinkle them onto the melted chocolate. Makes it very festive.

[Raenia]

1. Home canning products - orange marmalade, apple butter, and lemon curd - for most people.  Possibly combined with a loaf of homemade bread, if I have time.
2. Home-baked fruitcake for 2 relatives who like fruitcake.
3. Infused liquors for 2 relatives who have enjoyed them in the past - this year, spiced plum brandy and mulberry rum
4. Necklaces for 2 relatives - 1 described a particular style she was having trouble finding, the other I observed the styles she wears
5. Wood cutting board (by DH) for 1 person who didn't get one last year
6. Custom wood-handled knives (by DH) for 2 people
7. Candied ginger for those who like spicy things
8. Candied orange peel those who don't like spicy things

Still need to make the lemon curd, ginger, orange peel, and fruitcakes.  These don't last as long, so need to be made closer to the date.

[DoingMe]

My daughter wanted a hop cone Christmas ornament and couldn't find one, so I'm 3d printing one.  While on the hunt for a good model for the ornament, I found a model for some hop cone Christmas light covers.  She's getting those, too.

I also saw a small covered bridge Christmas ornament at the gift shop of a Vermont museum.  They wanted $30 for it, so I fired up my vector graphics program and am creating one out of thin plywood on a laser cutter.  That's a big secret as a bunch of people (including my wife) are getting one.

[AMandM]

Lemongrass wreaths decorated with dried citrus slices
Jams & relish I canned last summer
Possibly beeswax bowl wraps

[NV Teacher]

Homemade raspberry jam and a loaf of no knead bread.

[socaso]

Laminated cotton zippered snack bags
Amiguri Baymax
Hologram fabric purse
Sashiko Xmas trees
Wine cork xmas trees- this and the above are actually table decorations for my home. We are having a Christmas party this year. Feeling pretty proud that I didn't spend any money on either of these, they were entirely assembled from items I already had.
Gold belt
Driving cap

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

My sister suggested I make licensed character napkins for her nine-year-old. He was admiring ours (made out of scraps from aprons and whatnot that I've made) and they are also a cloth napkin household, but one that does not sew.

I got a little Nightmare Before Christmas fabric (his fave) and some Star Wars.

[shicky]

I make small felt or patchwork Christmas decorations for friends and family. I love to sew but have no time for giant projects so these are ideal. Also giant chocolate slabs made from melted Aldi chocolate studded with fudge pieces, marshmallow etc. Do white and dark chocolate and create swirls, wrap in silver paper. These are very popular. This year I was gifted some nice empty jars that I plan to fill with homemade granola.

random query but where do you recommend for felt supplies?  My wife has recently gotten into this

[SuseB]

I make small felt or patchwork Christmas decorations for friends and family. I love to sew but have no time for giant projects so these are ideal. Also giant chocolate slabs made from melted Aldi chocolate studded with fudge pieces, marshmallow etc. Do white and dark chocolate and create swirls, wrap in silver paper. These are very popular. This year I was gifted some nice empty jars that I plan to fill with homemade granola.

random query but where do you recommend for felt supplies?  My wife has recently gotten into this

Hobbycraft or a haberdashery market stall if you are in the UK. Or ebay! You can get packets of mixed colours of felt that are useful.

[Freedomin5]

Soy candles were really fun to make last year, and I discovered a few sublimely wonderful scents. I’ve been collecting suitable candle containers all year, so I think I’m going to make them again this year.

I’m also planning to buy beeswax to make beeswax cloth bowl and sandwich wraps. I have a pound of scrap cloth that I had purchased to make masks. I didn’t know that a pound of cloth is A LOT of material. After making 30 masks, I still have several scraps leftover.

[skp]

We finally got our 1/2 a cow.  I am going to buy everyone a suet feeder and then use the suet I received from the cow to make the food.

[Khaetra]

Cross-stitch snarky stuff for their bathrooms.  Yelp reviews, don't do coke/summon demons, etc.  I made a couple for my bathrooms and now everyone wants one or two for theirs.

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

I wrote an ebook all about homemade pizza - am debating getting a few of them printed up and giving those out, maybe with a container of dry dough ingredients.

[I'm a red panda]

All you people making socks are way too generous.  I find fitting people's feet and keeping them the right size on the calves too difficult, and people don't appreciate the effort or cost of homemade socks, so only my Dad gets handmade socks.

[tygertygertyger]

All you people making socks are way too generous.  I find fitting people's feet and keeping them the right size on the calves too difficult, and people don't appreciate the effort or cost of homemade socks, so only my Dad gets handmade socks.

Ha, yes. I have made socks for myself and for my mom only. And my mom thinks they're "too nice" so she sticks them in a drawer and rarely wears them! I enjoy her appreciation, but they are intended to be worn...

[fixie]

I carve serving spoons and wooden cooking utensils, make birdhouses and feeders, picture frames, and a few special people are each getting a cajon.
My daughter is getting one of those wooden rope climbing toys, a swing for very own giant oak tree, and a homestead playground climby thing.

[nessness]

I have made liqueurs the past few years and they're always well received, so I'm doing it again. I'm making a pomegranate liqueur this year. It was quite a bit of work to seed six pomegranates, so hopefully it will be worth it. I'll report back in about 3 weeks when it's done.

[calimom]

I carve serving spoons and wooden cooking utensils, make birdhouses and feeders, picture frames, and a few special people are each getting a cajon.
My daughter is getting one of those wooden rope climbing toys, a swing for very own giant oak tree, and a homestead playground climby thing.

Had never heard of a cajon before so looked it up. Very cool,  those will be well  received! Also thumbs-up on the rope climby thing.


I just cut some  magnolia branches and am making wreaths with wire frames I  scored. Adding in realistic looking faux magnolia blossoms and pepper berries. All will be hand delivered or mailed right after Thanksgiving.

[texxan1]

wind chimes are fun and easy... and my mother Loves them

[Tass]

I'm making spiced butter for my mom and sister. This one specifically: https://www.daringgourmet.com/niter-kibbeh-ethiopian-spiced-clarified-butter/

They both expressed interest in cooking with it, but it's a big undertaking if you don't already have all the spices. Which I do. :) It also looks very pretty in a jar.

[diapasoun]

Popping in here. I don't have ideas yet, but definitely some things will be happening. My biggest block right now is that all my people I give gifts to... kinda live 3000 miles away. Usually I visit during the holidays, but since I can't this year, I need to make sure that I can afford to ship what I make for folks.

Felted slippers for my dad are always a given, though.

[tygertygertyger]

I got a loom as a present last year, and recently did my first project. Suddenly I have grand plans to make woven purses with full lining and a zipper, combining two skills that I am thus far a beginner. But, I do think they will be cool! (And my plan is to make them for young nieces, so I don't think they need to be perfect.)

Other plans:
*Vanilla extract aged in a bourbon barrel (ridiculous, but my partner bought me a barrel for this purpose so I am using it)
*Bourbon salted caramels

Possible:
*Homemade book. Last year I bought blank hardcover books and wrote and illustrated a story for my nephew. He was the main character, and it was based on something silly I'd made up for him previously. I gave it to him along with a blank book so he could write his own story. He loved this present, and I'd like to do it for someone else this year, but... it was a lot of work. Debating whether I'm up for it again.

[Cranky]

All you people making socks are way too generous.  I find fitting people's feet and keeping them the right size on the calves too difficult, and people don't appreciate the effort or cost of homemade socks, so only my Dad gets handmade socks.

I mostly knit socks, so socks at Christmas are a family tradition, and they are much anticipated and used!

So, again - everybody is getting socks and what with one thing and another, I finished my gift socks pretty early this yea. LOL

We’re buying a family house, and I think I’ll buy a new dining room table and that will be most of Christmas. We’ll just do stockings which is most of the fun anyway.

[GoConfidently]

I think I’m going to make Christmas leftover lunch baskets for my work colleagues. Homemade croissants, cranberry sauce, pickles, and bailey’s Irish cream, add in a store bought (but cheap) spicy mustard. The idea is they can just add some leftover turkey or ham for quick sandwiches on the day or night after Xmas when everyone is tired and doesn’t want to cook. I might do a Bloody Mary mix instead of the bailey’s but I don’t feel quite as confident with my Bloody Mary mix. We’ll see. Any suggestions are appreciated if anyone thinks it’s a terrible idea.

I would live to get socks from someone. They’re such a good gift.

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

wind chimes are fun and easy... and my mother Loves them

Nice! I love wind chimes and have several sets in the backyard. Most are from a company called Grace Notes, handmade here in California. Paid 110$ for a gorgeous set last year (facepunch me), but worth every penny in sheer relaxation! I am also interested in rain chimes--the raindrops produce sounds on horizontally arranged chimes. Any plans or DIY websites you would recommend?

As for me, I am doing 2021 calendars (Shutterfly) of our trip to France last year--lots of great photos of Brittany, Chartres, Giverny, Reims, Paris, etc. I did one of Ireland two years ago, which my family recipients loved because we are all Irish. Not sure how they'll like the France photos, but they'll pretend to like them at least!

[KBCB]

Socks. Everybody gets socks.

This is so amazing I have always wanted to learn how to make socks. What a cool gift. How long does it take you to make a pair and what yarn are you using? I have heard sock making actually pretty expensive, plus the hours they take to make?

[SailingOnASmallSailboat]

I'm loving this whole thread. Thanks, OP, for starting it, and for all who are sharing their very wonderful ideas.

[catlady]

PTF also I hope someone can give me ideas for a 18m boy, because I'm lost 😑

[kanga1622]

PTF also I hope someone can give me ideas for a 18m boy, because I'm lost 😑

Do you sew? MIL made a book for our youngest at about that age. It has shoelaces to practice tying, zipper, buttons, and items on Velcro to match colors and/or shapes. You can even make a 2 page layout with a pocket to hold a hot wheel car and then a track that goes across the two pages.

I’ve also seen people convert a lunchbox or other plastic bin into a travel Lego/Duplo kit. Or you could turn it into a little travel art kit. Or a Playdough kit if they are past the “everything must go into my mouth” stage.

[Imma]

@KBCB it's actually not hard/expensive! Go for it if you want to try. There are tons of YouTube tutorials these days. There are fancy sock yarns that cost €€€ but simple sock yarns start at around €3/ball. Usually you need 1 or 2 balls for a pair. A first pair will take longer but a pair takes me about a week to knit (knitting for an hour or so every evening).

@catlady I made a boy that age a quilted blanket from really fun animal fabrics and he loves his blankie! He takes it everywhere and he's always pointing out all the animals and doing their sounds to everyone. (Hope it's not driving his parents crazy!).

[chaskavitch]

I'm planning to make some tea towels out of fun fabrics that I already have on hand.  I got some pretty green patterned fabric at the thrift store the other day to practice with (for my own towels), but it's a pretty easy project, hopefully.

I'd love to knit socks, but...it seems like a bad idea to START knitting with socks, so maybe not :)

I'm excited to get more ideas!

[Cranky]

Socks. Everybody gets socks.

This is so amazing I have always wanted to learn how to make socks. What a cool gift. How long does it take you to make a pair and what yarn are you using? I have heard sock making actually pretty expensive, plus the hours they take to make?

It is definitely more expensive to knit a pair of socks than to buy them at Walmart, but - hours of entertainment! LOL I've bought sock yarn at the thrift store, and I've bought sock yarn at fiber festivals, so there's a price range, from $2 to $30.

It takes me about 10 hours/sock, and I know this because I've knitted through some very long car rides.

However, heavier weight slipper socks are a lot faster.

[catlady]

PTF also I hope someone can give me ideas for a 18m boy, because I'm lost 😑

Do you sew? MIL made a book for our youngest at about that age. It has shoelaces to practice tying, zipper, buttons, and items on Velcro to match colors and/or shapes. You can even make a 2 page layout with a pocket to hold a hot wheel car and then a track that goes across the two pages.

I’ve also seen people convert a lunchbox or other plastic bin into a travel Lego/Duplo kit. Or you could turn it into a little travel art kit. Or a Playdough kit if they are past the “everything must go into my mouth” stage.

Unfortunately I can't knit or sew 😣 but it's something I am planning to try learning soonish. Thanks for the duplo idea I can definitely do that. He is still in the I need to taste everything phase lol

[sparkytheop]

Socks. Everybody gets socks.

This is so amazing I have always wanted to learn how to make socks. What a cool gift. How long does it take you to make a pair and what yarn are you using? I have heard sock making actually pretty expensive, plus the hours they take to make?

I actually timed myself on my third pair, and it took hours 16 hours and 45 minutes.  For one sock.  The one I didn't time, I ended up dropping a stitch and had to fix it, plus other little stuff, so it took even longer.  I've only gotten slightly faster, but I've found if I don't love the color, they take a lot longer.  These only had a 4" cuff.

I learned to knit specifically to make socks, so I went right in though.  My mom taught me, had me make a 3" x 4" swatch to get down knit and perl, and then put me right to work with five needles to make my first pair of socks.  When I got to the next part, I'd visit her and she'd teach me that part, etc.  She's incredibly fast though, and can make a pair in no time (same pattern, some 4", some 6" cuffs).

[I'm a red panda]

Socks take me 12+ hours per sock, depending on how fancy the pattern is. And I agree, if I like the yarn they go faster.  Obviously if I'm doing a complicated cable design, or a multi-color design where I need to keep track of many yarns, they take a lot longer.

I'm addicted to fancy hand dyed German yarns, so about $25 a pair.

I only wear hand knit socks, unless I'm hiking. I have some that are easily 10-15 years old (and others that got holes within a year...)
My roommate and I were so knitting obsessed in college, she tattooed her big toe with a line that indicated where to stop knitting the foot and start knitting the toe.

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I'm not feeling for my fellow man this year. I can't really be arsed making them xmas presents..... I'm tired of being thoughtful. Perhaps I'll make some Grinch cookies.

[Freedomin5]

I'm not feeling for my fellow man this year. I can't really be arsed making them xmas presents..... I'm tired of being thoughtful. Perhaps I'll make some Grinch cookies.

I had responded earlier with all this cool stuff I wanted to make for others, but this week, people have been mean and dumb, so I'm now in your camp. I'll make them for myself.

[chaskavitch]

I'm making my 4 year old a pirate eye patch to go with his pirate hat, and some felt carrots for his stuffed bunny.  He dresses it in his sister's clothes, feeds it breakfast, put bandages on it when it gets hurt, gives it time outs and naps...  I think the carrots are going to be a big hit.

[hudsoncat]

I am the only person in the family who really kept up the family traditions of making rosettes (cookies) and lefse (flat bread). So DH and I will make large batches of both for various family members.

I'm working on a crocheted baby blanket for a family member, which they would have gotten even if the baby wasn't coming near Christmas time. I inherited grandma's yarn stash, so I have been using it to make all needed family baby blankets over the past year. A couple interested nieces and a nephew will be getting some crochet hooks, yarn, and quality time with auntie hudsoncat. That last part isn't exactly hand made, but might inspire some hand made gifts in the future. :)

DH is also making this for a niece: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-kids-rocking-horse/

[tygertygertyger]

DH is also making this for a niece: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-kids-rocking-horse/

This is so neat!

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

I'm not feeling for my fellow man this year. I can't really be arsed making them xmas presents..... I'm tired of being thoughtful. Perhaps I'll make some Grinch cookies.

I had responded earlier with all this cool stuff I wanted to make for others, but this week, people have been mean and dumb, so I'm now in your camp. I'll make them for myself.

There are some great ideas. I'll make for myself, as well.

[calimom]

I am the only person in the family who really kept up the family traditions of making rosettes (cookies) and lefse (flat bread). So DH and I will make large batches of both for various family members.

I'm working on a crocheted baby blanket for a family member, which they would have gotten even if the baby wasn't coming near Christmas time. I inherited grandma's yarn stash, so I have been using it to make all needed family baby blankets over the past year. A couple interested nieces and a nephew will be getting some crochet hooks, yarn, and quality time with auntie hudsoncat. That last part isn't exactly hand made, but might inspire some hand made gifts in the future. :)

DH is also making this for a niece: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-kids-rocking-horse/

That's a super-sweet use of your grandma's legacy, @hudsoncat .  Did she teach you  to crochet? And now you're  passing it along! Also love the  rocking  horse. You guys  are a great auntie and uncle combo.