What is everyone making for Xmas gifts? - Page 2

[SneakyPie]

More:

Green holiday:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=575499



And here's one "Gifts for the Guys"
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=516234

Lots of ideas like remote caddies, golf-club covers, slippers, spice mixes in jars, bookmarks, socks, cedar plank for grilling fish, hunter's soap, homemade aftershave, personalized cookbooks...

[Babytime]

Luvmyboyz it was so much fun to make! I made 12 x 12 scrapbooks. The first page was a picture of her ... then a picture of her waking ... then a picture of her wild, crazy bed head hair ... then breakfast ... playing with favorite toys ... etc. It went throughout her entire day (lunch and nap and bath and everything included) and ended with her hand and foot prints and some "stats" about her - height/weight, favorite foods, favorite books, etc. I also had a page that had pictures of all her friends. A treasure, for sure!!!

[Audra]

Just wanted to bump this & subscribe! Wonderful ideas! Hopefully I'll post with some ideas to add soon! :

[scorch_dc]

Originally Posted by scorch_dc

What great ideas! This year I am working on different things:

I am working on some new projects. I am sewing library bags...including room to carry books, cd/dvd pocket, card pocket. Coordinating felt/fabric bookmarks...and then in each bag, a special book for the recipient too.

Still figuring out kids stuff to make...

How is everyone doing on everything? I am trying not to procrastinate until November/December which is VERY hard , but I think I'm at least inching along!

[operamommy]

Originally Posted by scorch_dc

I am working on some new projects. I am sewing library bags...including room to carry books, cd/dvd pocket, card pocket. Coordinating felt/fabric bookmarks...and then in each bag, a special book for the recipient too.

Oh, why aren't you in my family? What a fantastic gift idea!

So far my plans are to make ds2: activity book, wooden/felt gnomes, Little Baby, puppets, and maybe a needlefelted bird and nest (he loves birds)

I'm not sure about my big kiddos yet. I think dd would really enjoy receiving some more wee folk fairies (she was drooling over my book yesterday) and I'm not sure what else.

My ds1 is getting tough. He's 12. Last year I made him an embroidered Star Wars pillow, which he really liked and keeps on his bed. He's been into Harry Potter lately, maybe I can think of something that involves that.

[autumnbloom]

Elizabeth - my grandma made me some beaded styrofoam christmas balls when i got married, and they are some of my most prized possessions I am sure the recipients of your ornaments will be so pleased!

My mom gave me a scrapbook page she did about 2 years ago and i LOVED it. i am a scrapbooker, but what really meant a lot to me was that she tried to do something special that she knew I was interested in even though it wasnt her forte. So - maybe think about what your recipient likes to do and try to do something involved with that... even if you're not experienced. The recipient will be so pleased that you put time and effort and thought into their gift, even if its not perfect!

I havent finalized my gift making list yet, but I've been doing as much as I can, and just always working on something new... never *not* working on gifts... kwim? SO something is always on the needles, or waiting for a final seam on the sewing machine, etc.... i have a box filling up already with gifts.

So far I have a nice wool handbag, a wool wristlet handbag, two wool hats for my kids, a bib with matching hat, booties, and blanket for a friends' baby, another 2 pairs of booties for her baby, a gorgeous ribbon scarf for my MIL, a fun-fur hat for my youngest's birthday in nov, and a matching fun-fur hat for her doll. i also just finished up 2 hat and scarf sets for a dear friend's two children for an early "thinking of you" package.

I know for sure that I will be making:

~LOTS of crochet / knitted hats
~LOTS of crochet / knitted scarves
~painted little wooden people (i have about 25 little wooden people that i can decorate.... i may do several for my kids, and then a couple for friends' children as well!)
~loofah-soap (melt and pour over slices of loofah sponge)
~bath salts in beautiful recycled craft jars
~sugar scrubs / coffee scrubs in beautiful recycled craft jars
~a sweater jacket for my youngest
~a wrap for my mom
~vintage recycled quilt aprons
~embroidered goodies (i'm hoping to do a simple embroidery project every week from now until Christmas)
~cooked items

For the men, I am doing some different things:

~camping themed goodies: camping mat (cot-sized foam sheet, covered in durable upholstery fabric that i have in my stash), super-cozy blanket, thick knitted socks, neck warmer or scarf, homemade jerky or dried fruits and vegetables that they can take hiking, trail mix, a crocheted water bottle slinger, a first aid kit, etc.

~car kits: a cozy blanket to keep in the trunk in case of emergencies, a sewn seat-organizer (hangs on the back of the front seat) since my husband is such a stickler for having an organized car hehe, a natural car air freshener made from essential oils and cardboard (you can use scrapbook supplies and chipboard for this... just saturate it in the oil and hang it from the rear view mirror), a first aid kit, etc)

~knitted socks
~food (always a pleaser )
~coupon book with IOU's for things like massage, mow the lawn, etc.

and here's my FAVORITE: the $25 daytrip (or cheaper).
~go to the local chamber of commerce and get brochures and maps of the city. Go through and find free or very very cheap activities that you can do in your area. Its important to have the brochures so that you have something to "present" to the person for their gift! Include a throw-away camera, and $25 in gas cards or in food certificates - however you want to spend that $25. Better yet, pack a picnic lunch, and ride your bike all over town to really take in the sights. Map out the trip on one of the city maps from the chamber of commerce, and write a note about how much you are looking forward to going on a "trip" with them.

[PNWmama]

Originally Posted by scorch_dc

I am working on some new projects. I am sewing library bags...including room to carry books, cd/dvd pocket, card pocket. Coordinating felt/fabric bookmarks...and then in each bag, a special book for the recipient too.

EXCELLENT idea!!! I love it!

[mamocak]

Great ideas!! I'll have to look back on here
I'm going to make crocheted snakes, bendy dolls, felt foods, and maybe some sewn things

[tinasquirrel]

I haven't really started thinking about it yet, but I need to get in gear! I am in the process of making DS some felt play food. So far, I've made a "sandwich" (bread, lettuce, tomato, cheese), 2 eggs and 2 pieces of bacon, and some cookies.

Last year, I made these awesome soup mixes in a canning jar. I will share the recipe/directions if anyone wants them. I made the soup about 4 times, refining the recipe! It looks very pretty all layered, and it's crock-pot soup, so your recipient can put it in the crock pot in the a.m. and come home to homemade soup!

I also want to make my boys some winter knit hats.

Can I ask what I-Spy Bean Bags are??

[Jillie]

I found an idea for someone that is handy. Yesterday at a local craft show, I bought a lamp made from a glass canning jar with a light socket atached through the metel cover and a lampshade that clips onto the light bulb. Inside of the glass jar they put a crumpled piece of fabric. So simple! And cute too. It was $7 so you know it was less than that to buy the parts.

[Canadianmommax3]

[QUOTE=tinasquirrel;9312203]I haven't really started thinking about it yet, but I need to get in gear! I am in the process of making DS some felt play food. So far, I've made a "sandwich" (bread, lettuce, tomato, cheese), 2 eggs and 2 pieces of bacon, and some cookies.

Last year, I made these awesome soup mixes in a canning jar. I will share the recipe/directions if anyone wants them. I made the soup about 4 times, refining the recipe! It looks very pretty all layered, and it's crock-pot soup, so your recipient can put it in the crock pot in the a.m. and come home to homemade soup!

QUOTE]
I would love the recipe, please!:

[PNWmama]

[QUOTE=Canadianmommax3;9314478]

Originally Posted by tinasquirrel

I haven't really started thinking about it yet, but I need to get in gear! I am in the process of making DS some felt play food. So far, I've made a "sandwich" (bread, lettuce, tomato, cheese), 2 eggs and 2 pieces of bacon, and some cookies.

Last year, I made these awesome soup mixes in a canning jar. I will share the recipe/directions if anyone wants them. I made the soup about 4 times, refining the recipe! It looks very pretty all layered, and it's crock-pot soup, so your recipient can put it in the crock pot in the a.m. and come home to homemade soup!

QUOTE]
I would love the recipe, please!:

Yes, I'd love the recipe also !

[SneakyPie]

Originally Posted by operamommy

My ds1 is getting tough. He's 12.

How about a pair of bookends (painted, decoupaged, wood-burning, even just a deep wooden L shap with a large interesting rock affixed)?

When our godson turned 12 we gave him a cloth wallet, and stuffed it with a few things he'd like -- GCs for movie tickets and fast food (: ), some Pokemon cards as he was still into those at the time, photos of his parents, and of course a little cash! Here are a couple patterns I found on the web:

http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1454 This one could be sewn of sturdy canvas or pleather, closed w/velcro, add a groovy patch on the outside. You could even sew a metal ring to one corner so he can attach it to a belt chain!

Or the fun and funky standard, the duct-tape wallet: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52349137.tip.html

[iowaorganic]

I am making tote bags, quilted pot holders, holiday pillows (I am going to try to piece them and accent with faux pointsettas- it looks good in my head ). Quilted wall hangings, a stained glass sweatshirt for MIL (she loves the ones I have made her). And now here is my best gender neutral idea.... magnetic picture frames. Kind of like the ones from creative memories.... picture frame, metal flashing, and a few magnets. I should be able to make them on the cheap- and I think people would love them.... and be a lot less than $50.

[AllisonK]

I am making:

cloth grocery bags
maybe produce bags if I can find the right material
cloth napkins
cloth play food
child size quilt
kid lounge pants, maybe with a matching hand painted shirt if I get time

the kids are tye dying socks

[tinasquirrel]

[QUOTE=PNWmama;9314898]

Originally Posted by Canadianmommax3

Yes, I'd love the recipe also !

I will post the recipe and directions for making the jars later on today. I need to unearth them from my old laptop. It's a four bean soup. I based it on a crockpot five bean soup recipe, but nixed one of the beans because they didn't cook fully in the crock-pot without soaking them overnight, and I decided that was too much hassle for gift giving!

Here's a pic of how they turned out:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...l/DSCF0318.jpg

[pixiesmommy]

Here are the plans so far, and I have to get to work because I'm due in mid-November!!!

-Jarred cookie mixes
-Homemade chocolates
-Some easy soap if I can get DD involved to help
-Will print out photos of DD and the new addition for my mom, who lives in NC. (The "day in the life" book sounds fun too- she would LOVE that!)


Would love to tie-dye some prefolds or do some cool embroidery for my friends who cloth diaper, but I doubt I will get around to it


*I'm also curious about the microscope necklace and the I-spy bean bags???*

Manda

[tinasquirrel]

Another idea on the Day in the Life front. I did that last year for my boys as part of a bulletin board I post on. I took all the photos and uploaded them to One True Media and made a slideshow. It was really cute. I just sent them out to friends, but they will also put it together on a DVD. Or instead of a traditional scrapbook, you could make a photo book like they have on Shutterfly, Creative Memories online, Kodak, etc. The photo book would most likely be quicker than a traditional scrapbook (depending on how you scrapbook of course!).

[bigeyes]

Originally Posted by pixiesmommy

*I'm also curious about the microscope necklace and the I-spy bean bags???*

Manda

There is a huge thread about microscope slide necklaces on crafster. check it out. My soldering was not coming along as well as I would have liked and I found out that my soldering iron was the problem, so now I will either have to get a better one, or use the pre made frames, which is sort of cheating but gives the same effect. They're made by Ranger, the scrapbooking supply people.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=195314.0
http://scrapbookdesigns.files.wordpr...y-frames-3.jpg
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=193501.0
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=39105.0
http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/cp.html

I love the soldered ones, but if you can't master the soldering technique, the frames are a quick way to get a similar effect.

art chix studio has supplies but if you live somewhere with good craft stores you can get beads and chain to complete them a lot easier.

One of the threads on craftster tells where to get the glass cheaply if you don't have a scientific supply nearby.

[urpedonmommy]

We've been making Christmas gifts for family for a few years and the guys are always the toughest. Last year, I nailed it, finally. Guys love food. But not fiddly food, stuff they actually have to mix or bake or boil. I checked out a book from my library about once a month cooking--where you cook large batches of food and freeze it for later. I made huge batches of several different meals and froze man-sized portions in individual pie pans, or casserole dishes, labeled each and froze them. Each guy on my list got a selection of meals to pop in the oven or microwave. I put the meals in small coolers and then wrapped them. Around here, Christmas is usually snowy, so I left the gifts in the car or on the porch in the cold til gift giving time. It was a hit. Also a great idea for those on your list who have everything--who doesn't like getting extra hours in the day?(no cooking!!!)