EDIT: Apparently the original website went down, so Nicole went and found it on the wayback machine and tried to remake it with all the same formatting. Here it is:
77+ Homemade gifts – DIY Christmas/Holiday gifts
The best gift is something that is given from the heart. It could be pricey or cheap, if it expresses your thoughtfulness, it will be treasured. Homemade gifts are one of the best ways to express your love and they are, in most cases, cheaper too. I have compiled a list of homemade gifts from around the web and friends/family. If you already have a list of gifts ready for your recipient and started working on homemade gifts half way through the year, great, you have done very well. Use these ideas to find inspirations for what to do for next year. If you have not, there are a lot of ideas that require less time. Browse through this and you might hit the jackpot. I have grouped them by the recipient’s nature. But please browse through all of them as many of the gifts are easily customizable for anyone.
For the decorator Giving a readymade center piece or art piece is a bad idea for a decorator who would like to decorate every inch of their home according to their taste. What you could try is
1. Scented potpourri : If you know the scent they like, you could make this or try to make a generic holiday scented potpourri. Here are some recipes – Potpourri recipes
2. Hurricane lamps : This puts together a basic hurricane lamp. The gift recipient can do minor changes to change the theme. Example : Dollar store version of William Sonoma Hurricane lamp. The recipient can easily change the decor of the hurricane lamp based on season (berries in December, autumn leaves in fall, fresh green leaves for summer, etc.)
3. Decorator gift basket : You can put together some necessary items for the decorator instead of giving a specific item they will be forced to display. Put together a gift basket with safety pins, planner, scissors, rulers and any other items that a decorator might use. You can also add a subscription to a home decoration magazine or the local craft supplies store. Gifts for decorator from Associate content
decorative pillar candles
4. Decorative pillar candles : Create decorative decal pillar candles and matching match boxes. Find the instructions here @ Martha Stewart.
For the chef The possibilities are endless when it comes to food related items.
5. Family Cookbook : Spend sometime with all the relatives of the gift recipient and put together a family cookbook with those secret ingredients and tips/tricks. Hand written would work great and will be treasured too! If you want to make it look really professional you could try Taste Book.
6. Utensil Holder : Who wouldn’t like to be more organized. For a personal touch in the kitchen try a home made utensil holder that will serve the chef well. Utensil Holder tutorial : Keep it simple.
7. Recipe/ingredients from around the world collection : This is a variation of the family cookbook. Instead of the family recipes, you could put together recipes from all over the world and also buy the ingredients for a couple of recipes and pack them together so that they won’t have to go looking for exotic spices.
8. Cookie cutter Kit : Make your own cookie cutters in some fun shapes that are not normally available in the store. Create your own custom cookie cutters. The kids will love your gift.
9. Spice Sampler : Collect different ethnic spices and put them in a set of pretty vintage cans or mason jars. You can check this William Sonoma Spice collection for spice ideas but buy them at a bulk store instead of the pricey WS tubs.
10. Gourmet Salt assortment : Collection of a variety of unique salts. This can also be bought in bulk and put together into different gift baskets. Where to buy Gourmet Salt?
11. Kitchen Apron : Show your love for the chef with a custom made kitchen apron. Lot of ideas for patterns and DIY instructions available on the internet. 50 Free Apron patterns that you can make.
12. Kitchen towel pillow cases : If the chef likes kitchen themed items in the bedroom or living room, make pillow cases out of inexpensive kitchen towels.
For the food connoisseur 13. Coffee Lovers gift basket : Gourmet coffee is a terrific idea for coffee lovers, but these gift baskets from Star Bucks or Dunkin Donuts are expensive. You can make a great gift basket very inexpensively. How to make coffee lovers gift basket
15. Homemade sauces : Make a big batch of your favorite sauces, pack them in nice jars and share with your friends. Recipes for variety of homemade sauces.
16. Homemade Jellies or jams : If you are someone with a green thumb and you just harvested a lot of fruits, can them, make jam and/or jellies. These make a great gift for anyone. 101 Homemade jams, jellies and marmalade recipes.
17. Or combine a lot of homemade holiday goodies and make a treat platter. Any of your special cooking skills will be great.
18. Holiday Drink mixes : Spread cheer with batches of homemade cocktail mixers. Decant them into decorative bottles, available at home stores and add a label with drink recipes and storage instructions. Holiday drink mixes – Martha Stewart
For the Gardener
vintage garden marker
19. Vintage garden markers : I would love to get some of these Convert your old silverware or other tools into vintage garden markers. Spoon Herb Markers
20. Garden stepping stone : Home made garden stepping stones are a great way to personalize a garden. They are easy and fun to make. Make your own garden stepping stone.
21. Garden lover gift basket : If you know your gardener well and know what tools he/she has, then put together a gift basket that has the tools that they don’t have but would love to have. Ideas on what to include.
23. Custom planters : Show your artistic side and create custom planters, it can be anything from small painted boxes for seed starters or sake-box planters. Instructions for sake box planters.
24. Potted Plants : If you are a gardener yourself and have a plant that the gift recipient would like, create a cutting and start the plant. You can include the caring instructions and gift it. You can always decorate the pot for an added personal touch.
For green folks
25. Green starter kit : If you have someone who is thinking about going green, this could be a good gift idea. Fill a reusable tote bad with eco-starter items – Water bottle, CFL bulbs, shower timer, may be some green cleaning solutions (laundry, dish soap), cloth napkins, etc. Some other ideas : The greener perspective gift basket : Treehugger
reusable grocery bag
26. Reusable grocery bag : You can find a lot of vintage fabrics in the thrift stores. With minimal sewing skills you could make wonderful grocery bags. DIY grocery tote bag from a tote bag activist.
For the kids
advent calendar
27. Advent Calendar : You could create a countdown to Christmas advent calendar for kids or for their birthday or for adults make it a family themed advent calendar. Here are some ideas – matchbox advent calendar, envelope advent calendar. Instructions for the matchbox advent available here.
28. Tie dyed t-shirts : These could get messy but the kids will love them. How to tie dye t-shirts.
29. Stuffed animals : Almost every kid loves stuffed animals. A lot of adults love them too. Here is a stuffed pig from Martha Stewart.
30. Folk rag doll : Make a traditional folk rag doll for little girls – instructions.
31. Photo Snow Globes
For her
silk scarf
32. Silk scarf : A nice silk scarf will be appreciated by any fashionista. Instructions
33. Ornamental Jewel box : You can make a jewelry organizer out of simple cork board or buy a plain jewel box (or make one from the scratch) and decorate it.
34. Spa set : Put together a gift basket of home made soap, bath salt, bath bubbles and some candles to make a spa set.
35. Eye pillows : Create different aromatic eye pillows like this one – DIY lavender eye pillow.
37. Coasters : Based on the interest of the recipient, you can create coaters to make a variety of people very happy. Map coasters for avid traveler, coasters with baby pics for new dad, etc.
38. Tip book : A collection of instructions from the elders in the family will make a great gift for a DIY’er.
For new parents 39. Scrapbooking kit : If they don’t already have one, this is a great gift for new parents to preserve the memories of their precious little one. How to put together a scrapbooking kit
40. ‘No cook’ food baskets : Make batches of items that the new parents can just heat-and-eat or something that takes very little time. With their busy schedules they will love your thoughtfulness. You can make your own recipes or put together the heat-and-eat stuff from Trader Joes or other ethnic stores.
41. New baby gift basket : Any new parent will gladly accept stuff that will make their lives easier. Put together a practical gift basket or a themed gift basket. 3 Easy DIY Baby gift baskets.
42. Gift of time : This is a terrific gift for anyone, not just new parents, but new parents will appreciate it more than anyone else I guess. Give them your time – offer to baby sit or cook or help around the house… whichever task that will give them some time.
43. Diaper bag : If you can sew you can make a diaper bag with a personalized pattern and initials. You could also add compartments that you found useful that are not generally available in the standard diaper bags. Fabric diaper bad pattern.
For book lovers 44. Bookends : You can make bookends either based on a theme or to match their decor. Here are some ideas pebbles book end, bookend using a brick.
bookmarks
45. Bookmarks : These are very simple to make and very inexpensive. Make it funny, sentimental, geeky, crafty, add a message, photo… Here is an example DIY paper bookmark.
46. Journal/Dust Cover : Make your own journal cover and customize it. You can buy a journal to go with this and add your own quotes to it. Journal cover tutorial.
For grandparents 47. Heirloom photo ornaments : Give handcrafted photo ornaments as gifts or make them to decorate your own holiday tree. DIY Photo Ornaments
photo
48. Photo Calendar : Compile the grandkids and sons/daughters photos and make a photo calendar. You can either do the whole calendar at home or upload the photos and use one of the online photo printing services to create yours. Shutterfly wall and desk calendars.
49. Photo books : You can compile all the photos and make professional looking photo books online.
50. Refrigerator magnets : Grandparents can’t get enough of their grandkids, make these photo refrigerator magnets to fill their fridge with cool photos. Fun DIY refrigerator magnets.
52. Make a video : Make a video of you, your spouse and the kids. General everyday life, play time and a few words about the grandparents, they will love it.
53. Silhouette picture : Instead of framing a regular picture create a frame with a silhouette picture, they are nice, different and interesting. How to make Silhouette portraits.
There are numerous gifts-from-photos like mouse pads, mugs, home decor, playing cards that the grandparents would treasure. They are easy and inexpensive to make.
For pets Apparently people give gifts to pets. I don’t have a pet and I have no idea what a pet would like (if I were a [dog name] I would love some treats though). Here are some of the ideas I found online. If you have ideas please comment, I will add it here crediting to you.
56. Pet Collars : These are simple to make and can be created from a different variety of materials – fabric, leather, crochet. Here is a DIY trendy pet collar.
For someone who has it all
tea cup candles
57. Tea cup candles : These are a variation of decorative candle holders. Find a great tea set that the gift recipient would like and make it a candle. Kate’s DIY tea cup candles. These look great.
58. Pin Cushion : This could be an ideal gift for a crafter or someone who sews. For others it could be used as a paper weight or just a squeeze ball. Here are 60+ free patterns for making a pin cushion.
59. Movie Lover pack : Get the unrestricted movie tickets from Costco or any warehouse club or from the theatre itself and add a gift card for snacks. Or try one of these Top ten gift ideas for movie lovers.
60. Personalized towels : Everyone can use more towels. Embroider the towels with a monogram to make it personal. If you don’t sew, that is ok as well. Try this – No Sew personalized towels.
61. Homemade Bath Salt : Fragrant bath salt recipes are easy and inexpensive to make. Here are some homemade bath salt recipes. These are ideal gift-in-a-jar.
62. Song Collection : Find their favorite band/songs and create a homemade disk with a collection of those. You could also add the lyrics or trivia about the songs/band if the recipient is very much into music.
64. Cell phone/IPod cases : You could make cute cases out of vintage fabric or themed fabric. Examples
65. Quilts : A simple no sew quilt instruction – How to create a tie quilt. You can make a holiday themed or any themed quilt.
66. Homemade beaded candles : Very simple and professional looking. Instructions here.
holiday pot holders
67. Holiday pot holders : Who wouldn’t like a beautiful pot holder? Here are the instructions for making Christmas themed pot holders. Here is a big list of different pot holder patterns from around the web –=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225021517/http://tipnut.com/potholder-patterns/ Tipnut potholder patterns.
68. Make a book about their loved one : If you know someone who lost a loved one, this could be a great gift. Collect photos, journals, notes and letters of that special person and make a custom book, like a scrap book.
69. Make a puzzle : You can make a puzzle from a picture either athome or [ur=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225021517/http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/puzzlesl]build it online and order[/url].
For frequent travelers 70. Fabric luggage tags : Make a personalized luggage tag for the frequent traveler to easily identify their bags. Fabric luggage tags.
travel pillow
71. Travel pillows : With the airlines nickel and diming travelers for everything, a cute little pillow will be a great gift for the frequent flyer in your list. How to make a pretty travel pillow.
For the busy mom 72. Stress balls : Give the mom a squeezable stress ball that she can relieve her tension with Make your own stress balls.
73. Birthday and Anniversary Calendar : Everyone is busy these days, esp. a mom. Create a personalized calendar with the gift recipient’s loved one’s birthdays and anniversaries marked along with some photos. Make your own birthday and anniversary calendar.
74. Manicure & Pedicure : If you are good at doing these, it will be a welcome gift by the busy mom.
Other ideas include customized jewelry for moms, homemade perfume set and of course your gift of time. Busy moms love anything that saves them time.
76. Books /magazine/comics/workbook bins: Or any type of storage containers using different boxes and creativity. Example : Cereal box storage bins from Urban Nest
77. Craft/Stationary bucket : In lot of school districts, the teachers buy their stationary and teaching supplies. So it could be a great to put together a craft or stationary basket.
Themed gift baskets & gifts in a jar I have included at least one gift basket in each section, but a gift basket can be made for any one, even the hard to please recipients – sports themed, pet themed, food themed, romantic, country themed, movie themed, you can create endless personalized gift baskets.
The same goes with gifts in a jar, you can make a variety of gifts in a jar based on the recipients’ interest – Here are 48 Homemade gift ideas in a jar to jump start your creativity.
General ideas : Any craft/knit work – placemats, sweaters, ponchos, socks, mittens, scarf, wall hangings, etc. and any consumables – baked food, preserves, drinks, etc. could be a great gift for the right recipient.
This may overlap with another thread, but I was wondering what kind of Do it Yourself DIY holiday gift ideas people have for the holiday season. While not necessarily DIY, the next best thing I know is the ZACC which provides studio space for a number of very talented artists. I recall picking up a few 'local' gift items last year during their holiday fair where everything was made from reused products that had been upscaled to another use. Any thoughts on sustainable gifts?
I was thinking recycling old wine bottles and making them into lights. By feeding a small string of lights (10-20) through the top. It actually makes a very attractive light!
Another similar thing a few years ago was to take a gallon size jar, fill it with pottpori and lights and then cover the top with a fancy crochetted doily or cloth and tie it with a pretty ribbon. It makes an attractive light and also emits a nice smell, although I think potpouri is rather overwhelming and natural herbs and spices would be much nicer
I just made a stocking out of recycled fabric. I used an old pair of jeans. I didn't use a pattern though I am sure there are plenty online. It's easy:
Cut out two equal size and shaped pieces of fabric in the sock shape.
Sew them together (inside out looks a bit nicer). Leave the top open.
Sew some lace, a fringe, ribbon or other piece of fabric around the top.
You can add buttons, embroidery, sequins, stitching, whatever.
This is great because you can send things inside them as well.
Bathing Beauties, Selvedge Studio, and Joseph's coat on the hip strip are great places to get inspiration as well as supplies to build upon any remnants and recycled materials you use.
I find that a homemade gift almost always means more, even if it doesn't turn out perfect.
Does anyone know an easy way to make a star (out of recycled cans, or paper mache, or something else) for the top of a tree? thanks.
I have been printing pictures for gifts this year. I wanted to make my own frames but don't have the tools and ended up at the thrift stores buying up some interesting pictures that happen to have a decent frame around them. I've found some pre-cut mattes from a couple places in town and now have nicely framed pictures that look great! Why had I not done this before?
Y'all might be pleased to find out about the ReVAMP shop at Home ReSource. Folks are turning out all kinds of DIY gifts using reclaimed wood, scraps even, from the HR yard.
If actually building things yourself isn't for you, we have a little showroom in HR where you can purchase a variety of handmade items, from $10 toy trucks to a $2600 fir desk; there a wine racks, picture frames, lamps, cabinets, tables, benches, boxes, art pieces.
If you are at Home Resource anyway, pick up some copper wire and craft some copper wire trees. I crafted two for the Festival of the Trees and they went over really well.
Another crafty festive DIY idea: take old black and white photos (smaller ones) of relatives, make copies and laminate. Or you can shrink down larger ones on the copy machine. Take the laminated copies and glue to a piece of cardboard. Trim with ribbons and lace and a hanger and use them to trim a tree.
Here is another idea; This would also fall under recycling. A lady at the Florence Market did this last summer and I thought it was neat so I am doing it for Christmas gifts.
Baking banana bread in empty cans. These are just regular cans (one was a can of corn, another black beans, and another mixed veggies)
The trick is you have to have a special can opener so that the edges are not sharp. Just so happened my crappy can opener fell apart and I had to get a new one. Purchased one at Bed Bath and Beyond that slices the lid off horizontally so there are no sharp edges. And I remembered the lady at the farmer's market.
These make nice little loaves of quick bread. What you see in the photos is banana bread. But any quick bread would work. You just need to clean the cans, grease and flour them or use a spray oil or baking spray.
The top photo is the bread as it came out of the oven. The bottom picture is the loaf as it slid out of the can. You can slice it into rounds and put butter or whatever you prefer on them.
Great idea on the stocking, Emma. In fact, I ended up making two recycled from jeans stockings when it got down to the wire. Two days before Christmas, my daughter didn't have stockings for the kids, so I used your idea.
I also made a yoga bag (otherwise my cat wants to use the yoga mat for a scratching post) out of Jeans. I just used the jean leg and sewed a piece over the leg hole. put some snaps on the top flap and a strap for slinging over your shoulder. Will post a picture soon.
When I show up at your house for a Christmas visit, I don't bring a pointsetta or candy.
I often salvage nearly new electrical plugs and switches from newer additions of houses that are being demolished and I bring these along. Most friends don't need more stuff, but just about everybody has some worn out plugs that need changing. Plugs by the kitchen counter top are the most likely candidates. Bathroom switches and those at the front door and in hallways, seem to experience the most wear.
Would you prefer this or replacement of leaky washers as a Christmas gift, or would you rather receive a box of mints ?
Derek Kanwischer wrote:This may overlap with another thread, but I was wondering what kind of Do it Yourself DIY holiday gift ideas people have for the holiday season. While not necessarily DIY, the next best thing I know is the ZACC which provides studio space for a number of very talented artists. I recall picking up a few 'local' gift items last year during their holiday fair where everything was made from reused products that had been upscaled to another use. Any thoughts on sustainable gifts?
As I use up spices, I keep the ones in glass jars and ask neighbors for their jars as well. Ii also purchase spice jars from estate sales for $0.25 or less per jar. For this upcoming Christmas I will create a spice set for each of my family members (starting early, as in NOW!) featuring some useful and commonly purchased spices. I will grow most of the "ingredients" myself or get for next to nothing: garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, chopped onion, lemon pepper, fajita seasoning (for the Texans), steak seasoning.
Last year, I collected pumpkins for dirt cheap just after October ended and saved them in cold storage until I could process them. Everyone I know got pumpkin butter (not shelf stable as it cannot be canned), pumpkin bread with homemade cinnamon honey butter, or a decorative-crusted pumpkin pie. My FIL got pumpkin syrup for his famous lattes and LOVED it! Said it was similar to the stuff that big coffee shop chain puts out every year.
I wondered what those who celebrate gift giving might be handmaking for the holidays (or any celebration).
We've usually given our craft work (wooden spoons/bowls and hand wovens) as gifts but for several years now have scaled back a lot.
With six grandchildren and a great I am down to the line..as always.. with my homemade gifts. I'm in the process of stuffing a couple floppy dolls and have a fish pillow to finish. Most everything I make is from recycled clothing. My husband is on his third batch of Springerle cookies with all organic ingredients...using his families springerle molds. We collect small tins all year to put them in to mail off.
I also try to use the stuff in our house as a shopping opportunity...old family books and knick knacks. I once broke down and bought a big plastic truck for our newest grandson and returned it in a couple days...I just didn't feel good about adding to the plastic waste stream and instead bought a friends handmade wooden pull toy that he loves.
Our own dried herbs, teas, and baskets and pottery we've traded for have all been part of our past gift giving.
Please share your ideas and projects...pictures too!
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
"It's all one song!" -Neil Young
One more. I used new paper lunch sacks, some scissors that cut fancy edges and raffia to package up some nettles for Easter gifts for family. Most of my family has no clue about using nettles, so instructions were needed, too.
This year, I don't know what I'll do!
dried-nettle-gift-bags.jpg
dried nettle gift bags
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I gave homemade granola last year and it was surprisingly popular. Maybe more popular than the bath bombs and definitely more popular than the home made soap!
Bath bombs are easy to make (well, relatively easy) if you can get your hands on large quantities of citric acid. I got mine from a local cheese supply place.
I'll be giving home made ketchup this year as well.
Jocelyn Campbell wrote:Judith or Julia, do you have any pictures? Would love to see them.
I have no picture posting capabilities...no way to load them to this kndle. I loved your ideas and pictures though...did you decide what you are making this year? Ive been wanting to try a ginger/carrot ferment...sounds delicious.
Maybe Julia can post pictures.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
"It's all one song!" -Neil Young
Jocelyn Campbell
steward
Posts: 6593
Location: Everett, WA (Western Washington State / Cascadia / Pacific NW)
Thanks Judith. I felt my nettle bags were on the simple side, so glad to hear they weren't too atrocious.
The ginger carrots did not turn out the best, unfortunately; though the other two were yummy. I hope to try the ginger carrots again. (Had tried to self-brine from pounding ala Nourishing Traditions, but think it needed an actual water brine.)
Haven't decided yet - been a bit preoccupied. Considering making some flavored sea salts (adding flavors to store-bought sea salt), or possibly fruit curd of some kind.
What about you, any last-minute inspirations?
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Judith Browning
Posts: 8887
Location: Ozarks zone 7 alluvial, clay/loam with few rocks 50" yearly rain
Inspirations, not yet, but there is always hope. Julia's homemade granola sounds like a great idea...and another paper sack opportunity. Brown paper bags are my favorite wrapping.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
"It's all one song!" -Neil Young
I love making gifts for presents! Here's a list of things I've made over the years, and I'll post pictures if I can find them... Hopefully they inspire someone!
Edible: - Dried fruit (pears, apples, oranges, pineapple) I put them in pretty tins from thrift stores or Michael's craft store
- Fudge
- Chocolates
- Nut mixes in tins or mason jars, if I were more skilled, I would have seasoned them in some way...
Fiber/Needle Crafts: - Embroidered bookmarks
- Knit hats and scarves
* The hats are usually Gwen Slouchy Berrets http://laurennell.com/knit/?p=16 * The scarves are either "K1, YO, K2tog" every row; or "k1, p1 for odd rows and k2, p2 for even rows" Really easy patterns that make very flexible, pretty, lacework-looking stitches
- Sewn pouches--usually just used them as pretty ways to hold gifts
- Knit and felted pouches (first time this year!)
- Sewn Pillows
Fine Arts: - Little clay boxes (from sculpy clay, which I'm sure is toxic...)
- Painted terra cotta flower pots with things the person is interested in (flowers, landscapes, or dragonflies, castles)
- 3D clay "paintings" (I'll attach a picture later of the one I made fir my husband)
- Paintings in acrylic of things people like (e.g. beach pictures, family homesteads, wolves)
- Painted random nature scenes on cardstock for Mothers' Day cards - Painted flowers and other designs on wooden crosses my husband made
I think the forum got mad at me for all my editing, and it wouldn't let me re-download the pouch picture, so I've added it here, as well as a painting I did for my sister-in-law, as well as some examples of cloth pouches (the only picture I have). I really wish I'd taken more pictures of things I've given away, so I could re-make them easier...
If anyone ones patterns for the pouches (knit/felt or sewn), I'm sure I can write one up.
100_6631.JPG
Painting.. the only one I have a picture of...
103_8635.JPG
Another picture of the pouches, claywork, as well as some bookmarks I embroidered
IMGP7000.JPG
Pouches I made for a treasure chest I buried on my precholers' playgound for them to dig, up, find, and take a treasure
Every year my husband makes Needham candies. They are chocolate covered coconut candies. I call them chocolate covered sugar bombs.
Here is the recipe.
I also make gift baskets of home canned goods. jams, pie fillings, salsas, barbecue sauce and more. I always shop for baskets at yard sales and thrift shops. I give more generously to people who return the empty jars.
I have made countless pieces of jewelry. Most of it made with beads and wire. I love finding vintage beads at thrift shops and flea markets. Tumbled river stones and sea glass makes great jewelry if you have good source for them I wrap them in silver wire for earrings or pendants.
for those comfortable with wood
a hand made wooden trug type basket for gardening or crafts with some goodies tucked in would be a wonderful gift
fir those that work with wool and mohair
felted soaps
use a merino or other soft wool for the face and a rougher wool for a body scrubber , I make laundry scrubbers with coarse wool and mohair , and also use one at the kitchen sink to scrub dishes
I love all these ideas! It's neat to see that there are so many different types of hand-made gifts, in so many different skill sets. It shows how we all have different things to offer each other, that are as unique as we are!
Susan Doyon wrote: for those comfortable with wood
a hand made wooden trug type basket for gardening or crafts with some goodies tucked in would be a wonderful gift
fir those that work with wool and mohair
felted soaps
use a merino or other soft wool for the face and a rougher wool for a body scrubber , I make laundry scrubbers with coarse wool and mohair , and also use one at the kitchen sink to scrub dishes
felted scarfs
I'd love to see pictures of your creations, if you have any. I've never heard of wool scrubbies; the baskets sound so neat; and I just plain love seeing scarf designs. I haven't tried felting anything other than my two little pouches, and would love to see a scarf felted!
I got into spoon carving earlier this year. My Mom had a cherry tree taken down awhile back and I got a couple of pieces from it. Family are getting wooden spoons, spatulas, salad fork and spoon - that sort of thing - made from the cherry tree from home.
Jocelyn Campbell
steward
Posts: 6593
Location: Everett, WA (Western Washington State / Cascadia / Pacific NW)
Last year for a few friends I made cornbread mixes using our homegrown and ground Painted Mountain corn. All the dry ingredients fit into a large mouth pint mason jar, with instructions printed on the lid.
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