OT: Handmade Christmas Gifts - anyone doing it?

puffenstuff

I know there are alot of clever ladies on here so I'm just wondering if anyone is making their own Christmas Gifts this year?

I have a few things on my mind, first one is some Quilted Coasters like these and also considering some home made fudge.

I'd love to see your ideas and creations!

15 years ago

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14 replies

Latest reply was from crwilson

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Hey Karen! Those coasters look really neat!!

For all the girls teachers (and grandparents and great-grandparents now as well), the girls made longstitch tree decorations - I drew the shape of a christmas tree on the long stitch plastic grid (we used the plastic grids rather than aida cloth purely so it was easier for the cherubs), and then they long stitched the image. E's teacher was so impressed with her gift, she made it into an activity for the whole class to do so I went in and helped all the prep's make one for their parents as well - it was great to see the kids really excited about sewing!

I'll have to take a pic to show you - they are much cuter than they sound LOL

Last year a friend made patchwork wine bottle totes and I made enviro-bags - I used a regular supermarket bag as the pattern.

I'm looking forward to seeing what all our other creative ladies are up to as well!

15 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I'm making another dog jacket for a friend and a pair of slippers as well, all out of recycled, machine felted sweaters. It's a very fun medium.

It's not a gift but it's handmade and Xmas related - I will be starting work on a stocking. I have a handmade wool stocking for each of my dogs (past and present) so it is tradition now. In our way it makes sense: no kids and we don't exchange gifts. If I didn't do stockings for the dogs, who would have any to hang? They get more elaborate every time I make a new one.

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15 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I was planning on making some pickles for friends and family this year, hopefully I get the time to actually do it!

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I am actually *not* knitting any gifts this year. But, I may do some jar mixes as gifts. I have seen a bunch of different versions of these, but basically you layer the dry ingredients of baked goods or hot cocoa into a mason jar and attach fabric and instructions to the lid. It looks cute, and they can remember the gifter as they are enjoying the end product. I was thinking it would make a cute teacher gift.

15 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I usually knit or crochet a few gifts but I got involved in a holiday craft swap and got kind of burned out early. I'm nearly done with my holiday baking. I make apple cakes in those holiday foil pans and tie them up with ribbon to give as gifts as well as making the usual bread/cookies trays. I prefer baking in glass dishes and including the dish with the cake, but it can be cost prohibitive. This is part of my baking extravaganza--not quite done yet. Tea breads (pumpkin/cranberry, banana choc, chip, vanilla cake,) and cookies (cream cheese, choc. chip, ginger, rocky road, peanut blossoms, shortbread.) Apples cakes not shown.

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15 years ago

LeahJanes

Active Member

I like to do a basket of baked goods and sweets for my friends, as everyone I know has the means to buy themselves all the stuff they ever need, however none of them bake or cook. I wonder if I will get time for it this year!

15 years ago

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Wow love your stockings RT - very creative!

Kelly you have been cooking up a storm, how lucky your friends are to receive such lovely gifts like these.

15 years ago

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Wow - I love seeing the creativity on here!

I'm afraid I've been terrible this year and haven't made anything. Last year I tried to be creative and made quite cute personalised "heat/cold pack" teddybears for each of my boys (out of fabric and wheat). They really liked them and they got a lot of use in the winter. I think I've left it a tad too late this year to be creative. Oh well, maybe next year!

15 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Sadly, I haven't made anything this year! I do plan on baking (along with some of my girlfriends) and making up "goodie plates" for all of our local Vets (about 50 total) who donate their services to the fur-balls at our local animal shelter. Will start that project this week!

15 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Earlier this year I made gallons and gallons of applesauce and apple butter, much of which I plan to give as gifts. Does that count?

Although I sew I'm not planning any other handmade gifts, unless the spirit takes me at the last minute. I will probably make fabric gift bags out of Christmas fabric for most of my gifts - I just sew a simple rectangle out of quilting cotton and add a ribbon drawstring. It makes things easier since we have to fly to visit family, just in case they feel like unwrapping the gifts in our luggage.

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Yep, I'm knitting multicolor ombre scarves for my three nieces. They are about 4 inches wide, 48 inches long and trimmed in black eyelash yarn! I'm using a soft wool blend in turquoise, fuchsia and purple varigated yarn.

I always make Oatmeal Raspberry bars for everyone special on my list. My son loves them.

15 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Barbara, I wish I was one of your nieces! Those scarves sound great.

The only thing I am capable of making is jewelry, and I already made one piece as a gift (for Michelle, my secret santa!). I'm going to make something for my mom as well, but I think that's the extent of it for me this year.

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I am hoping to make some zip pouches and a reversible tote bag for my mom. I make them out of batik quilter's fabric so they are not too "country" looking.. But I need to find the time and space to set up and sew!

15 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I'm going to make maple candy for my dad, which is his favorite, but very time consuming, and hand-rolled truffles for the wonderful women in my life. I just need to little ones to cooperate and give me some uninterrupted candy-making time.

I like the idea of doing jar mixes, too - Khris - do you have a particular place that you get recipes?

15 years ago

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