Homemade Gifts for Men... that *don't* suck? (Update: Finished!)

[Juise]

Okay, probably all the ties, golf, football (or other sports,) TV, etc. themed gifts don't necessarily suck for men that are interested in those kinds of things, but what about men who aren't? Whenever I try to find gifts for the men in my life, it seems like there are basically, like, 5 things that are "gifts for men", like all men are popped out of the same cheesy mold. It's insulting even to me, and what's worse is that I can't think of anything else!!

My DH's Birthday is this Friday, and you know, he doesn't like sports, he would not like a tie, or any tie-themed craft, he would not like a really horrible grilling apron, or a wallet, or a toolbox.

My DH pretty much enjoys doing all the same kinds of things I do, but you know? I have a lot of trouble coming up with things I would like, too. He does like video games and homebrewing beer, but I still can't think of anything to do for him.

What have you guys made for your menfolk that don't fit into the den-living golf-playing bud-drinking variety?I can spend a little on materials if I need to, but we haven't got a whole lot of $$ to throw around.

[Juise]

Ooh and steampunk, he likes steampunk things.

[NiteNicole]

I just googled "steampunk crafts" and there are some really neat ideas.

[HollyBearsMom]

How about making some cool labels for his home brew? Something using his name or your kids names?

Or do you have recycled bottles you use for the home brew? Maybe you and the kids could use acrylic paint and decorate 6 bottle and present him with a personalized 6 pack?

I know my husband loves certain foods that I don't make very often-either too hard, too expensive, etc.  He loves my homemade ginger peach ice cream. I think he would go crazy if I made a gallon "just for him". 

He has a summer B-day so last year I gave him a "day off" coupon where I promised that the honey-do list would be be put away, I would do all the cooking and he could lay in the hammock all day drinking homemade ice tea..  He had been complaining of having no time to relax that summer what with our son home from school, the endless yard/pool work etc.  You would have thought I had given him a new car!

[Juise]

NiteNicole - Good idea, I will have to do that and check it out.

HollyBearsMom - That's a great idea! Except... he hasn't got any made right now. He'll start brewing again when it warms back up outside. We do recycle bottles for the beer, but you need to put the labels on after they're filled. (I think?)

We'll be making a special meal and cake for sure, but I would like to give him something a bit more tangible, too. We made a card using my and both daughters' hand prints to make flowers and hearts by putting paint on them and using our hands as stamps. DD1 is also painting a frame and I am going to try to get a really nice shot of both girls to put in it with magnets on the back for his locker at work, but that is supposed to be DD1's gift to him. (DD2 is 8 months)

Well, off to google steampunk crafts, would still appreciate any more ideas (It's CRUNCH time!)

[Juise]

You know, he wears safety glasses at work, and he did say the other week that he wished he could wear his cool grinding goggles (they're antique and kind of steampunky) but they just aren't as comfortable. I could try to run with that, but as far as something you have to wear all day and actually use, I'm not really sure how much you'd want to do to them without it either getting in the way, being a distraction, or just making him feel silly. Hmmm if anyone has any thoughts here, let me know

[bonjourmama]

What about making your own infused liquor of some sort? If he drinks booze outside of brews. 

DH and I did this for Christmas and it was a fun activity. Can't drink it for awhile. Obviously needs infusing. 

Cool thread. Subbing.

[bonjourmama]

Ha, nm subbed automatically now with new MDC. Oh well. 

[Juise]

Hmm he doesn't normally, but he did enjoy the moonshine cherries his brother gave him a year or two ago, so it may be a nice treat :o Do you know where you found out how to do that?

[HollyBearsMom]

Originally Posted by Juise 

NiteNicole - Good idea, I will have to do that and check it out.

HollyBearsMom - That's a great idea! Except... he hasn't got any made right now. He'll start brewing again when it warms back up outside. We do recycle bottles for the beer, but you need to put the labels on after they're filled. (I think?)

We'll be making a special meal and cake for sure, but I would like to give him something a bit more tangible, too. We made a card using my and both daughters' hand prints to make flowers and hearts by putting paint on them and using our hands as stamps. DD1 is also painting a frame and I am going to try to get a really nice shot of both girls to put in it with magnets on the back for his locker at work, but that is supposed to be DD1's gift to him. (DD2 is 8 months)

Well, off to google steampunk crafts, would still appreciate any more ideas (It's CRUNCH time!)

Love the card and the frame!!

I was thinking more of designing/making the labels to give him as his own "special brew" so that as he could use them for future batches.  You make on your computer and he could glue them on after the batches are done. The labels could be updated on line too if he makes different kinds 'DH's IPA", "DH's Winter Stout", etc.  My sister makes her own wine and has the coolest that brother designed for her which is what made me think of it.

I make infused vodka as Christmas gifts each year.  They take a min. of 3 week but ideally 6-8 to get optimum flavor. I make a Spicy Bloody Mary Vodka, A "Cosmo" Vodka and some specialty flavors liken lemon ginger and vanilla spice, I also make a infused spiced Rum. If you are interested let me know and I will send post the recipes.

[bonjourmama]

We used these instructions.

She said to let it sit for 4 days, which it would be just fine, but so much better if it has really sat awhile. 

Here is another from the almighty:

http://www.marthastewart.com/313818/cranberry-and-orange-vodka

[Neva]

IF you're still thinking steampunk glasses take a look at glacier glasses with leather inserts. They would be more comfortable but give a steampunkish look. He could either wear them as a sunglasses or have a safety lens put in them for work.

Another idea is you can get glass etching kits and make etched beer mugs. Perhaps with a steampunk theme?

[Juise]

HollyBearsMom - Ahhh okay, gotcha. I did make some labels for his brother's "Bananahol" (Banana skin wine - WORST WINE EVER.) on a Andy Warhol theme that they both when blitz for. That will have to be an idea for when I have a bit more time, though. (And have my computer with Photoshop on it up and running ) I think I will be filing this under his Christmas folder. By then he should have a few beers made, too, and it would be cool to label and wrap up a 6 pack for him to open, and then let him open the rest of the labels.

I would love those recipes, if you wouldn't mind either posting or PMing them. I'm thinking Father's Day on that one, thanks for taking care of my next two DH gifts!

Bonjourmama - Thanks! I will bookmark those, too.

Neva - Hmm, that gives me some ideas to work off of, if I can find some faux leather (I'm sure there's gotta be some) but, argh, needs more time. Maybe I can work on this idea for father's day, too, the glasses and homemade liquor would make such a cool gift. Also, I would totally kill to have a glass etching kit! I will have to look into them, I have only used really big blasting stations. I made the coolest stein once that I did in by leaving it on the keyboard tray. When the keyboard tray got bumped, the tray slid in, and *smash*! I have a feeling they're on the "too much money right now" list, though, as well as any beer glasses he'd want, etched or not. I am so sick of money and lack there of.

I should have asked you guys weeks ago! I've been agonizing over trying to figure something out, and then turned to this forum with only a few days left. Now it is the day before! All of these are fantastic ideas, but all take longer than I had, especially since most of my time goes to taking care of a toddler and an infant. If I actually had a few days to sit down and concentrate on something... *dreams*

What I am ending up doing - I know I totally said this was not an option, but I am making him a wallet. I'd made him a duct tape wallet for his birthday last year embroider with the Horde symbol from WoW (Here it is! There is one picture before and two pictures after this one, too) Well, I snuck a peak at it and the thing is positively going ooey gooey. I'm making him a cloth one (I HOPE I can get it done while he's at work today...) on the same theme as his cake, with a classic mario bros. 1up mushroom on it. And I'm going to the health food store today to pick up a  wooden handled shaving brush and shea butter and DD1 and I will make him some shaving soap today, I think he would really like that. I'll try to update when I get the chance, thank you!

[HollyBearsMom]

Originally Posted by Juise 

HollyBearsMom - Ahhh okay, gotcha. I did make some labels for his brother's "Bananahol" (Banana skin wine - WORST WINE EVER.) on a Andy Warhol theme that they both when blitz for. That will have to be an idea for when I have a bit more time, though. (And have my computer with Photoshop on it up and running ) I think I will be filing this under his Christmas folder. By then he should have a few beers made, too, and it would be cool to label and wrap up a 6 pack for him to open, and then let him open the rest of the labels.

I would love those recipes, if you wouldn't mind either posting or PMing them. I'm thinking Father's Day on that one, thanks for taking care of my next two DH gifts!

Just sent you a PM, let me know if you have any questions! Have a great time!

[Juise]

I did it! I am so very pleased with managing to get the wallet done, and pretty happy with how it came out. I used demin material (in-side-out, I liked the texture better) and appliqued the mushroom on the front. Then I just added little eyes to it using a toothpick and screenprinting ink. I horribly messed up one seam, as you can definitely see. I don't know, I was sewing on the inside and not thinking that it was showing on the front. Duuhhh... I'm still trying to figure out how I can make that less visible. Maybe a blanket stitch? I am not sure if that will make it too "crafty" looking or not. Maybe I will come up with something, if anyone has any ideas I am open. Even if I don't, though, DH is pretty forgiving and I think he will love it anyway (I hope!)

We found a couple other neat things while we were out today, a carrier for his stainless steel lunchbox, bamboo utensils, and a ceramic to-go cup. So I am going to forgo the shaving thing for now, it will be cool some other time. The shaving brush our health food store had was made with real hair bristles, I should have thought of that. So hopefully I can find a different one some time and put together a straight razor shaving kit, he has always wanted to do that, with homemade shaving soap and aftershave, a nice brush, and a razor. Later. For now, I am feeling pretty happy with what we have and for managing to make something. We still have cake and wrapping to do, so I am hopping back off the computer! 

Here it is, oh, and the purple visible on the mushroom stem is my fabric pen, so it will be disappearing.

Inside, there is a large back pocket for bills, two card pockets on the left (he just doesn't need more) and underneath them is a coin pocket that opens from the left side, I may add a little strip of velcro to that if he wants, but my main concern was keeping it as thin as possible. He hates bulky wallets and never carried one until I made him his duct tape wallet. On the right side is a windowed pocket for his license. 

Now to quick delete those pics from the computer and camera

[Juise]

*No, I'm not exactly an expert seamstress, but DH won't care, it functions

[bonjourmama]

Sweet! No, he won't care a bit, I bet he will be really impressed! I know mine would!

[Juise]

Solved! I cut a strip of the salvage off the brown demin (so it kind of looks more like a peice of cloth ribbon) and appliqued it on the side there over the terrible stitching. It looks pretty nice We'll see how it holds up, though I also found my embroidery scissors and was able to get in much closer and clean up that edge around the license window, it looks much better, and trimmed that hem that shows up behind the window when the pocket is empty, too. With all those things touched up, it looks much cleaner, now I can't wait for the ink to disappear
 

Edited by Juise - 3/31/11 at 6:53pm

[Juise]

Well, DH called me shortly after that post to tell me he had to work an extra couple hours, which, on the one hand, is unfortunate, but on the other hand... I got the wrap for his to go wear done! It's pretty simple, same materials as his wallet (I hope he likes the colours as much as I do ) with slots for fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, and room for a glass straw, (which he hasn't let me get yet, maybe it will help convince him! ) There's a couple extra slots, too, though I can't really think of anything else you'd pack, it's just how the space worked out. I didn't want them so big that everything slid around. The top opens into a giant pocket for a napkin, and the entire thing velcros secure when it's rolled.

Here are pictures of it, and the touch ups on the wallet. That disappearing ink has not disappeared yet, it had better! I've never had it hang around quite so long, especially not after steaming it, (which I did when I put the applique on,) but it has faded quite a bit, so hopefully it keeps on going.

[HollyBearsMom]

You are so talented!!!!  Happy B-day celebrations!