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what are you making for Christmas presents this year?

19 years ago

I am making pottery presents. Spoon rests, vases, candle holders and mugs are just a few of the items I have planned. I am doing something I love and making inexpensive one of a kind gifts at the same time. I am taking an adult ed pottery class at our local art studio.

What are you creating that is saving you money this season?

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Comments (7)

oakleif
19 years ago
I'm crocheting tiny christmas wreaths, decorating them with lace and small flowers and tiny birds for tree decorations and doing same with plain glass balls and giving 12 to a gift.
oakleif
cenanoca9
19 years ago
I usually give food gifts, because I have a small house and always am de-cluttering. I don't want to add something to someone elses clutter. Of course the calories may clutter their thighs...:)
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Here is what the inside of my book box looks like: These are my instructions: The poem says: Write down your worries, fears and doubts. Close the book don't let them out. Release them to God by saying a prayer and let our dear Lord take them from there. I used a google image search of "head of Christ" graphic. You could use "praying hands" instead or graphic of your choice. For the box part, use a 6 1/2 X 11 sheet of white cardstock. Score all sides at 1 inch. Score the short ends again another inch. From short ends, cut all 4 corners in to the main score line. Fold, score edges, glue to form a box. Cover: Cut off the 1/2 inch of the 8 1/2 to make a rectangle 8 X 11. Score at 5 and 6 inches, forming the "spine" of the book. I used 3 layers....printed outter cardstock, white cardstock, then another printed cardstock. Sandwich a ribbon for tieing the book shut between the two inner layers. Glue bottom of box on the right hand side of the book cover. Insert a pad of paper and a pen in the box. Decorate the book cover any way you like. I made a layered and embossed cross. My notepads I got at Staples and they are 6 X 9 inches in size.
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When my kids were very little (before being able to read), I had different paper for each child. Then my husband and I could relax on the couch and they would know which gifts they could open without us having to read the tag on each one. (Am I lazy or what? ) It also makes wrapping go much faster if you have the gifts presorted by person and don't have to change paper for each gift. In our family, Santa brings each child one big thing and the rest of the gifts are from mom and dad. I buy special paper for the gifts from Santa (usually with pictures of Santa on it). I make gift tags with "special" writing and these gifts are placed under the tree separately for the other gifts. That paper never makes another appearance. Santa also leaves each child a letter about their behavior and accomplishments for the past year. It's getting harder to pull this off each year. Happy Holidays!
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My senior group recently made a trip to Branson. One of the attractions that we visited was the butterfly palace where they released thousands of white butterflies in our presence My DD and I made a stained glass piece of a white butterfly on a Poinsettia as a prize for one of the seniors. The winner really loved it.
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I was raised to only buy something if you can pay for it outright. With the exception of cars, houses. To borrow money and pay interest or administration fees etc was is a waste of money. True but with this wisdom in mind it means that it takes a long time to buy the big wants. So this year I did a happy dance when a good sale came on for a camera, the old one was completely outdated and dead. So this was my BD and Christmas present to myself. By definition buying for yourself is not a gift but what would you call it then. This camera wasn't a need its is purely a "toy" for my enjoyment. The money that paid for it could have paid for necessities or put into savings so using it to pay for the camera was to me a gift to myself. I don't plan to sell anything or try to make extra cash to make up the money I used to buy it so to me this is a gift I bought myself. I also indulged by using my in store points earned over the last two years (not a credit card) at a local drugstore/grocery store to get a tablet. I could have used the points to get groceries or gifts for others but decided that I would use them on myself instead, another toy for me that I would consider a gift because I choose not to be practicle with these points. So to answer the OP question I do not usually buy myself gifts but this year treated myself really well. ( I also do not buy gifts to myself paid for buy someone else) I guess I should write myself a nice thank you note ... hmm :)
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alison
19 years ago
Tons of things! Several sets of sachets and a sleep pillow case, along with homemade potpourri. Scarves for some people, maybe even a pair of pajamas and a night gown. Puzzle ball toys for friends with kids, felt catnip toys for friends with cats, and biscuits for friends with dogs.

Plus cookies/fudge/shortbread for bunches of folks. (I got a ton of cute Christmas tins for pennies right after Christmas last season -- now, to fill them up!)
sheriz6
19 years ago
My DD and I started making jewelry this year, so we're giving earrings or bracelets to everyone we know. I've also been making themed cloth bookmarks for the readers in the family and the kids' teachers.
grainlady_ks
19 years ago
I've knitted hats/scarves/mittens for gifts. I also knit dish cloths and everyone loves to get those. I make Bath Bombs and other bath items, but I also give a lot of food as well. Most people don't really "need" anything (at least that my coin purse can supply), but they really appreciate homemade bread/rolls and granola. I have a pancake mix that lots of folks just love (and expect) as part of their gift.

Christmas Pancakes
(Ingredients for the mix.)
5 T. baking powder
3 t. baking soda
1-1/2 t. salt
3 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
2 c. whole wheat flour (spelt flour is also a good choice)
1 c. multi-grain cereal (5-, 7-, 11-grain cereal - looks like chopped grain and is used as a cooked cereal)
1 c. cornmeal (I mill my own, but coarse or medium grind from Bob's Red Mill is a good substitute)
4 T. flaxmeal (or wheatgerm)
2-4 T. sucanat (or sugar, or maple sugar)

Mix all ingredients together and thoroughly blend. Store the mixture in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator (NOT at room temperature). Makes approximately 7-1/2 cups. Measure the mix in 1/2 c. amounts for giving.

To prepare pancakes:
For 6 small pancakes, lightly beat one egg with 1/2 c. of ONE of the following (your choice): yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, sour cream, sweet or sour milk (add a little milk if too thick). Optional: add 1 T. softened butter or oil. Stir in 1/2 c. of the pancake mix. DO NOT over stir. Ladle out the batter onto a pre-heated griddle and fry cakes over medium heat, turning once.
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Give someone a new griddle and/or pancake turner, and a container of the pancake mix.

-Grainlady
kayakingkris
Original Author
19 years ago
Grainlady - I wish I was on your gift giving list. That recipe sounds delicious!! Love the idea of the turner and the mix.
bellagoss
19 years ago
Martha Stewart's Living put out a great special issue on Homemade Holiday Gifts this year that has some great ideas. In fact you don't need to buy the issue, check out link below.

We are going to make Limoncello for friends and hostess gifts. We have made chocolate truffles for many years (recipe from the Silver Palate Cookbook, but varied the flavors using flavored liquors like hazelnut, mint, orange, espresso, etc). I think we'll make spiced nuts and/or peanut brittle for some family members. I will also burn some CD's of Holiday music.

Here is a link that might be useful: Homemade Holiday Gifts

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