I think I will add a few homemade gifts to go along with the gifts I will buy. I found on Pinterest, glass tile coasters with black/white photo modge podge on them, also you can copy a large photo (16x20) or any size really, modge podge onto a blank canvas to give the look of a canvas portrait. I have already done the canvas pictures and I'll have to say I was pretty impressed with them. Some people simply do not appreciate the time and effort put in the homemade gifts which in turn results in hurt feelngs and that's why I will buy a gift but also give something I've made :)

Thanks for the link ruthie! Love the idea! Hope I get some motivation. I've been busy learning to knit. Was hoping to make a few dishcloths for small gifts....at this rate I'll be lucky to make a few by Easter! lol

That is a cute idea, Ruthie. I don't make anything, but when my daughter was a teenager, one year we made bath salts and fizzy bath bombs for her girlfriends. It was a lot of fun and turned out really well.

That is a cute idea.

My family likes it when I dehydrate apples and make dried apples and homemade applesauce fruit rollups. The ones you buy in the store aren't preserved the same way so mine have a better flavor. I use in-season apples for best results. It's time consuming, but something they don't get elsewhere.

Ruthie, I just knew it would involve sewing, but how cute. Unfortunately, I no longer have a sewing machine...gave it to my daughter. I could have given one to each of my 3 grandaughters.-( (potholder gifts not sewing machines)LOL

My homemade gifts so far, are all about food. Vanilla flavoring, chipotle ketchup, peach jam for a cold morning and green dragon sauce. I still have spicy wine mustard and habanero pepper jelly to make. And yes, they all have a good bit of heat to them except the vanilla. Most of my family including the great grands prefer spicy over sweet, as do I.
Dang, those potholder gifts are cute!

jude

Mine has always been food related.

I have crocheted doilies and tablecloths to give as gifts.

Deb

My girls would love aprons and I have a couple of pretty cottons that I could use...I just have to decide on a pattern...I saw the tile coasters and love that idea ...especially since we have some pictures that none of them have seen...

Donna what kind of apron did you make...

Lizzann..how did you do the canvas

It's something that I would like or my adult friends...not so sure about young people. I hope you can find something "fun" to put inside.

My family are used to homemade and look forward to them each year.

I canned quite a bit this year-so,there will be "family" baskets of preserves,pickles,fruits etc.
This year,I plan to do the chocolates that I used to do years ago and I always do a beauty of a Christmas cake as well,which they really like.

I hope to do some exfoliating creams,some handmade soaps and bath fizzies for the little ones.

I have a couple of really nice prints I hope to frame,and am making,rather,attempting to do their cards as well.

I do most of my own decorations,so this year,I hope to do the newest DIL into the family a floral swag of sorts for her home.

IF there is time,I hope to accomplish an old world Santa or 2-did those years ago-not sure if I am up to that sort of hard work anymore-either way,most,if not all, of the gifts going under our tree will be homemade :)

I am sewing on some boxers for one son in law. I hope to make at least 2 aprons and skirts for some purses for daughters, plus some jammies for Alyssa. I need to get busy on them. I did sew before breakfast this morning, just a little bit. I have plans to get to it today again.

Sue

Very good. For the last few years, I've tried to save money on Christmas gifts. I buy gifts only for the littlest kids- like under age ten. Only 2 of them now. For the rest of family and friends, I bake cookies or give a hand-made gift. These would make excellent gifts for the women on my list.

We're doing some handmade gifts this year. DH is making wood inlaid belt buckles and business card holders. I plan to do some aprons and a couple of fleece "snugglies" for the elderly , handicapped family members. It has been several years since I made gifts and I think it's time to revive the practice. Thanks for the reminder, Ruthie!

I made no-sew fleece blankets for several people about 10 years ago and everyone is still using theirs. They were a big hit.

Here is a link that might be useful: No Sew Fleece Blankets

Ruthie, the cupcake apron was made from a Butterick pattern (B4945) - it is a retro look apron that tied around the neck and again at the waist. It had a slight curved ruffle at the bottom. Then I made another from a pattern called the "Church Lady" apron, by Mary Mulari. It's reversible, so it's like having 2 aprons in one. No ties on that one, it slips over one's head, then ties at the waist.

It seems like things are more "real" when someone's hands have made them.

Would love to do so, but not talented that way. I do look for homemade gifts at craft shows for kids and grandkids. Other than that? gift cards (which they like).

I just finished making exactly these, but used a placemat, and attached gallon, then quart, then sandwich sized bags to each side. Used grograin ribbon for handles and used velcro on each inside corner to close. I sold them at a craft fair. They can be used for any number of things. For things that need to be shown to TSA agents, to carry sewing/knitting , etc. supplies, for a mini-diaper bag, crayons, paper, for kids in the car, etc... I use mine for knitting supplies. Your potholders could be used along with the larger bags. Love your idea too.

I do believe that the older kids will like them. I am going to pack them full of things for them to use. They are all in college and busy so I know they don't keep things on hand like bandaids. I bought things like safety pins, and I am going to put needles and thread etc etc.. I asked my Beloved if he had any suggestions and he said..."for the boys"...condom's......Oh my Gawd their Mothers would kill me..

LOL Ruthie! When I told my friend about your idea, she said the same thing! For some reason I don't see a "boy" carrying his condoms around in a pretty little case!

I love this! It will make good stocking stuffers for the girls.

safety pins
tampons
yes, condoms!tho I probably won't
lip balm
tape measure
needle & thread
paper/pencil
mini flash light
matches/lighter - not just for smokers. gotta have something to light candles with!
small cash stash
lens cleaner wipes in the foil packets

Somebody add to the list. We need more ideas! My brain is fried tonight. That's all I can come up with right now.

Juellie, good for you learning to knit! Keep working on those dish cloths. They will love them!

I wish I could find a pattern for my grandmother's aprons. They didn't tie in the back. They went over the shoulders with a band between the shoulders, or just down to the waist, and tied in the back, if that tells you anything. I can't stand anything pulling on my neck, and I love wearing an apron when I can remember to put it on. I keep looking thru the pattern books when I go to JoAnn Fabrics, hoping to find it.

Tami

Tami, google "church lady apron". That one doesn't tie at the neck (I don't like that knot at my neck either". It only ties at the waist. Might not be exactly what you're looking for, but it does eliminate that knot.

Ruthie, I love that potholder idea. And I love your list of contents, Tami. Thanks so much for sharing! I usually try to make a few homemade things, like bookmarks, mug rugs, table runners, etc. Haven't decided what to do this year, but need to start thinking about it.

For those who like things in a jar, how about 3-2-1 cake mix? You can just mix angel food cake with another flavor, and make a cute label with the instructions.

I'll keep watching this post, as I appreciate the ideas of the smart people here.

"I'll keep watching this post, as I appreciate the ideas of the smart people here".

I agree Wanda!!! Love getting ideas and thoughts!

The only homemade gifts I give are homemade Christmas cookie trays.

That's a great idea and would make a great sewing kit, too.

Tami, was it something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: Wrap apron

nice pattern

Here's a few things I have that you didn't mention...

nail clippers
emery boards
bandaids
tape and gauze pads
kleexix
breath mints
those little small toothbrushes with the freshner in them
tooth paste in small containers...we have a bunch from the dental cleanings.
rubber gloves
Tweezers
I put needle and thread in there and incuded a few buttons
antibacterial wipes

Can't think of anything else that you haven't already mentioned that I have bought but mine are full....stuffed to the brim and they turned out so cute.

While I was out of power this week I spent some time looking through craft books that have been on my shelf for years. Found a gift idea that I'm going to try.

Wrap an older book in a handmade slipcase inscribed with a personal story. In the case of cookbooks, which is what I'm going to do, you could list some favorite family recipes, along with their page numbers.

This is easier to show with a picture than try to describe. Here's the illustration from the book, which is titled Treasures Forever (Crafts for Keeping Family Memories). As it turns out, the Amy Vanderbilt cookbook pictured here is one I'm going to give. It contains the recipe for the birthday cake I've made every year since my first child was two. She's now 39!

Because I'm not yet ready to give up my cookbooks, I've ordered lightly used copies from Amazon. They're probably in better shape than mine too.

I've always wanted to play with those pretty scrapbooking papers I see at AC Moore. This is my big chance!

Here's a picture of one of my emergency kits...open..

closed...sorry about the quality of these photos...using an old camera because it is easier to down load. It's just pinned together at the moment because I still have to sew on the button....or I might use a tie...which ever looks the best.

closed

Here's an apron made from a man's shirt - no ties at the neck!

Here is a link that might be useful: apron

Bonnie, I love that! Get me to the Salvation Army ASAP!!

That is a great idea for aprons, I am sure they would sell at a bazaar.

I may make a few for family - I gave the idea to a friend of mine who makes aprons at the shows so don't want to compete with her, but will ask for tips on them from her...

Bonnie where is the pattern for the apron?

Thanks for the apron suggestions. No, Flamy, it's closer to the scalloped and Bloomin' apron in the link below. Those cross at the back which would work, tho I don't remember Grandma's crossing.

Lots of good ideas for gifts and fillers for the emergency kits.

Tami

Here is a link that might be useful: grandma's apron

I believe the pattern for the men's shirt apron is on that site I posted earlier...

It didn't have the pattern but I found a tutorial here!
http://gabrielsgoodtidings.blogspot.com/2011/10/mens-dress-shirt-repurposed-to-apron.html

Here is a link that might be useful: shirt apron

Yes, Grandma's apron is also known as the Church Lady apron and is one of the ones I made recently. I love it.

Those aprons are going to be in my list of things to do for my cousins...

I'll go to the Goodwill because they always have a color tag on the shirts and every week a different color is only 99cents.

I like the emergency kits. I think the soup/cake/drink mixes in a jar are nice too. Homemade sugar or salt scrubs would be good. We are making homemade limoncello for our family, friends & neighbors this year. We made a test batch earlier & everyone loved it & was happy to know that they'd be receiving some.

This post was edited by kittiemom on Sat, Dec 1, 12 at 10:01

Great fleece blankets I made a couple back in the day and got one from my then DIL

I wish I had more time to do some of this...I must start earlier next year!

I finally made it back here! The closest I can get to what my Grandma's apron looked like is #4 at the link below. I will try one as soon as I have some time. I would love one for each season. And in denim maybe. One for basket weaving...... The shirt apron will still pull on my neck but I like the look.

Liz, the jar mixes are quick and easy!

Tami

Here is a link that might be useful: my grandma's apron

Tami, if you made that apron and put a nice band (maybe 3-4" wide) of fabric from one shoulder blade area to the other, you could probably eliminate the ties completely. Then you'd just slip the opening over your head and be ready to cook. Nothing would pull or pinch.

So, how did everyone's home made Christmas gifts turn out? My cookies turned out great. Baked 4 kinds, assembled several boxes and trays and gave them to family, friends and even a tray to my kidney transplant surgeon.

I'll bet those were good cookies! I didn't bake a single one, but I did make those aprons--and the thread about them is still visible here somewhere.

Today I wrote a blog post (illustrated) about the slipcases I made for the old cookbooks I gave as gifts:

The Other Thing I Made This Christmas

I am still working on one infinity scarf for DS's girlfriend, but other than that, all were well received. I have't gotten to the apron yet, but I will!