S/O from the Christmas thread. a q...

[3lilmonsters]

...for you all who knit presents for friends and family - how much do you give each person? I'd love to do more crafty gifts, especially knitting, but feel kind of cheap giving just a few dishcloths or a scarf or something something like that, but i tend to be a huge overachiever. What's your perspective on this?

[Knittin' in the Shade]

If I do dishcloths, I'll usually do a bar of handcrafted (either by me or from etsy) soap. A scarf I think is a stand alone gift - and a very nice one, at that If I do hats, I'll usually do a hat/mitten set. Slippers I'll do slippers and fingerless mitts (I wear mine all winter long, all day - inside and outside; so I figure other folks might like to have hadns and feet warm together, too!)

[Realrellim]

If I use a nice yarn, socks are a stand-alone gift, particularly if they were requested (I had two requests for Christmas this year). In another situation I used cheaper yarn and the socks were a surprise. I didn't know how well they would go over (HP-themed socks for BIL, SIL and nephew and they are huge HP fans) so all three got a gift card (nephew got a toy) too.

For DH's extended family, I'm hoping to do a Christmas-themed dishcloth and Christmas-themed tie-towel.

[Sailor]

I often do one knitted item, and then a jar of preserves with a small loaf of either pumpkin bread or banana bread. The preserves I make in the summer. And the loaf is a gift loaf. So, it comes from that pan that has 8 loaf shapes in it - anyone know what I mean? And you just make the batter for one regular loaf, and divided up among the 8 loaf shapes. If that makes sense.

Anyway, I wrap it up nicely, and give that as the gift.

[zoebugsmom]

Depends on the person. I've given the neighbors and DD
s pre-k teacher dishcloths with bars of yummy soap from a local farm. Neices and nephews get smallish things like a hat or toy with a book. I make big stuff for my mom. I think I've knit her 3 sweaters and an afghan. I'm planning another afghan for her and stepdad this year with cables down it. So, most people get small things with another small bought gift to go with it. Only really special people like my mom get big handknits.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

My parents are getting a dozen or so dishcloths and maybe two or three knit top dish towels. DS is getting a knit hat, a sweater and as many knit toys as I can crank out between now and then. I may give my neighbor a pair of mittens (depending on how much I get done for everyone else). I once gave my best friend a knit hat and matching mittens.

I also once gave my (ex) boyfriend a sweater-of-doom. I had heard to never knit a boyfriend a sweater or the relationship was doomed to failure. I threw caution to the wind and knit him a basket weave pattern sweater out of the yummiest organic cotton, and he was a goner about two month later. Definitely learned my lesson on that one!

[blazfglori]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I often do one knitted item, and then a jar of preserves with a small loaf of either pumpkin bread or banana bread. The preserves I make in the summer. And the loaf is a gift loaf. So, it comes from that pan that has 8 loaf shapes in it - anyone know what I mean? And you just make the batter for one regular loaf, and divided up among the 8 loaf shapes. If that makes sense.

Anyway, I wrap it up nicely, and give that as the gift.

Ooh!
I love the mini-loaf idea!

I'm knitting my coworkers dish/washcloths for the holidays this year, and some kind of mini-loaf will be perfect to go along with them.
Must look at Wal-Mart next time I go for that pan.

Thanks for the idea! :