Okay, so like most people out there we are a little short on holiday money this year. We want to make homemade presents that are inexpensive and somewhat easy. I have a lot of people to make gifts for, so I need several ideas. I am at a loss. I just don't know what would be good gift ideas. Ages range from 2 - 75.
By Rachael
I've made jewelry for female relatives. If you're not interested in buying tools to make necklaces and bracelets with clasps, you could get some stretchy stringing material (like Stretch Magic or Gossamer Floss), and just tie them off (adding a drop of super glue to the knot and pulling the knot into a bead makes it more secure and prettier). Michael's and Hobby Lobby both put their beads on sale frequently. You could buy one nicer string of stone beads (maybe use one of their 40% off coupons if not on sale), and use coordinating glass or metal beads as accents.
A gender-neutral gift is movie-themed. I buy a large plastic bowl, a DVD (or two), microwave popcorn, and some movie theater type boxed candies. I see some decent movies on sale for $5 or less, and the remainder of the items can be had for a few dollars each.
Kids tend to love craft supplies. You could get them a container or tote of some sort and stock it with an assortment of neat markers, stickers, glue, and papers. Keep an eye on the sales ads and coupons.
Best of luck and hope you get some good ideas.
(10/29/2009)
By Lisa
One thing I did for my mother and sister-in-laws for years was this:
I started in January, but I would search clearance items and low priced items all year long and try to buy 3 or so, then get Avon products that were marked down on their clearance, and I would "build" gift boxes. My mother has since passed away, but the first time I built a box, she told me she had so much fun and enjoyed it so much, she could not wait until the next Christmas and hoped that I would do that again.
One year I came across pumice stones and once knitting needles, etc., cross-stitch pattens, perfume samples, eyeliners, little earrings and material that was marked way down. There was a great variety of things and I just can't remember paying much for any of it. And the key to these boxes, is clearance items, and totally unexpected (those little pumice stones were the best hit, I think I paid like 75 cents for each one), but I think they really enjoyed the boxes. I wish so much that I could do this for her this year. Merry Christmas. I know this is not homemade, but might give you a jump on next year. (10/29/2009)
By rose
Iron on transfers are a fun item to put on tee shirts, sweat shirts, handbags etc., or use fabric paints and do your own design. Also, you can buy remnant material and cut into shape of animal, flower, etc. and stuff with bags of polyester filling to make large floor pillows for the children to use.
(10/29/2009)
By Myrna
I make all my Christmas gifts now that I'm on a fixed income, called retirement. So far this year I've made a couple of tied quilts, tote bags, pine cone fire starters, plastic clothes hangers wrapped in yarn, knitted scarves, knitted dish cloths, stuffed toys, a bird house, a bird feeder, house slippers, and pretty soaps. Before Christmas I'll make dog treats, beef jerky, and baked goods. I hope this helps. (10/31/2009)
Here's a bunch of great ideas:
getrichslowly.org
notmadeofmoney.com
Other ideas I have used myself are: cut two matching pieces of fabric or fleece and stitch three sides together, then stitch into three tubes that are all open at the top. Mix a bag of rice with as much cinnamon and cloves, or lavender flowers as you like then fill the tubes to about two inches from the top and stitch shut. Heat 1- 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave = heating pad (great for cold feet in bed).
A couple nice loaves of homemade bread.
or
Christmas Breakfast Kit - bagels, cream cheese, lox, champagne, orange juice
or
Christmas Breakfast #2 - Homemade pancake/waffle mix, maple syrup, heat and serve sausages, heat and serve bacon, orange juice, a couple sample packets of flavoured coffee
I can come up with all kinds of ideas. Contact me if you need more. Happy Holidays! (11/01/2009)
By Sarah Leach
Make refrigerator magnets. If you want to use up all of those flexible magnets that advertise your local funeral home, insurance com, etc., you can cover them with double-stick tape and cut out anything you like to use as a subject. The magnets cut easily with regular scissors. Kids love having their own photos on them. You can even cut out heads and bodies separately and make games for kids to play on the refrigerator. You can put clear package-tape over it to repel the fingerprints. (11/08/2009)
By Chris
If you have chives in your garden, you can dry them for gifts. They're perfect to add to rice, soups, and many other dishes. The easiest way is to rinse and let dry for a few hours and then use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut off small pieces onto a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet or tray with edges. The chives will sting your eyes just like onions so work with ventilation. Find a place where you can let them sit for a week or so (I use the basement) and stir them a bit ever day. As long as they don't get damp, they will dry perfectly and can be put into pretty jars for gifting. (11/08/2009)
By Chris
I have a few friends who garden and found some cute fabric garden gloves at a good price. And then I bought a can of Scotchgard and treated all of the gloves with it, paying special attention to the fingertips. A can of Scotchgard costs about $6 and I had plenty left to treat one of my fabric bags. You could probably think of a lot more items that could use the Scotchgard treatment. (11/08/2009)
By Chris
What about making pillows. Or the quilt that folds into a pillow. I believe instructions are online somewhere. You don't have to do quilting just buy the already quilted fabric. Pretty pot holders are a good gift. Soup mix in a jar with instructions. You can bake cookies or simple brownies and box them up really pretty. Give an older person who lives alone a gift certificate for a home made meal. Then after Christmas call them to find out when they want to redeem their gift. Have fun. (11/19/2009)
By Edith
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