Crafty mamas, what did you do for the holidays

[eewieew]

I am so happy to say that I successfully avoided malls and big chain retailers this holiday season.

I did buy a few items, mostly from the Nature store at the center I work for, and the LL Bean store, but otherwise, I made stuff!

For the ladies I made a homemade sugar scrub, with raw sugar, as well as sweet almond, sunflower, vitamin e and essential oils. I found cool flip top mason jars, so I'm hoping that they'll be enjoyed.

Also, at the clay studio I made a series of small vessels - bowls and cups, and I intend to give one to each person I'm gifting - I made about 15 total.

I just decided to keep it low key this year. It felt way better to make all of this stuff, and honestly, by staying away from the consumerism, I was able to really enjoy the season - the sights and smells, and most importantly the togetherness, all of which I think are the most important things. Not to mention that being pregnant has been so inspiring creatively.

I'd love to hear about what everyone else did!

[G&B'sMama]

We try to make as many gifts each year as possible.

For the children I made them both sweaters this year (and the baby's is almost done!). They are all in a blue-grey silk-wool blend yarn- aran pattern cardigans. Both the kids have crystal clear blue eyes and this color is really going to look great on them. I put firetruck buttons on DS' sweater and dark grey cats on DD's (baby will get purple hippos).

For several people I made little bath and body sets- I also made sugar scrub with raw sugar, essential oils and almond oil. Plus I made bath salts with essential oils and epsom salts, and body lotions (using an all natural olive and aloe lotion as base). The essential oils I used were lavender and lemongrass.

The kids and I made t-shirts using iron on transfers that we designed and printed on our computer- for DH, my dad, and brother (I didn't think they were that interested in lotions and such!) and they turned out really great.

I don't know if this counts as crafty, but for most of DH's family we made homemade breads: butternut, cinnamon-date-nut, and zucchini-pineapple (the butternut squash and zucchini were from our garden) and put them in baskets with homemade (and homegrown) raspberry and blackberry preserves and home canned peaches, pears, and applesauce.

The kids and DH made tree ornaments out of perler beads- and they turned out really cute.

[Mrsboyko]

For the toddlers, I made "toddler crayons" bascially melted crayons in small muffin tins so they are round, thus they don't break nearly as easily as regular crayons.

I made a bunch of cloth gift bags instead of wrapping everything. Used up a lot of my random fabric that way.

I made DH peanut butter cups, like recee's, but home made. Unfortunately, they are still in my mom's freezer and i won't be able to get to them till tomorrow. I also made almond joy wanna-be's and chocolate dipped pretzles.

I purhased stuff of hyena cart and etsy for everyone too. I may not be too crafty, but I can contribute to those that are! The only big retail stores I did shop at was bed bath and beyond for a space heater, sears for a grill set, and borders for a few books for my sister.

[DevaMajka]

Moving to Arts and Crafts