Handmade Holidays

[redwoodfog]

Anyone else planning on making some/all of their holiday gifts? I've been doing this to an extent for a number of years, but never give myself enough time and always end up buying a few things at the last minute. I want to make as many as possible this year! Most of the people I exchange gifts with don't need anything, nor do they particularly want anything, and I feel like small, thoughtful handmade gifts are the way to go. Also I hate shopping.

 

I thought it'd be fun to have a thread to share ideas and progress on handmade gifts. My mind tends to go towards sewing and knitting projects, but there are so many possibilities... small woodworking projects, mix tapes, chapbooks of poetry (yours or collected favorites), food gifts, soap or candles, pottery (if you have skillz), paintings, jewelry! Options, so many options.

 

 

[JesterShay]

I like this thread. I tend to do food gifts. I spend a couple weeks at the beginning of December baking several different kinds of cookies, and then I give people a little bit of each type of cookie.

Over the course of the year, I've made a few jams, and will be shipping those to relatives.

Previous years, I've done the cookie mix in a jar, where the receiver just had to add the liquids. Less work than baking, but I felt like it ended up being more expensive than the mixed cookie gifts I do now.

[KnitJoy]

I have already started the Christmas knitting. I'm making hats or scarves for just about everyone. In the past I have made cookies as a gift for people, which was fun.

[Silo]

I may make vanilla again. It seemed to be very popular when I did it a few years ago. I should have started it back in the summer but it will still be okay by then.

[redwoodfog]

Mixed cookie gifts sound fun . . . A family friend used to always deliver a beautiful plate of cookies, fudge, etc. and especially as a kid I thought it was the Best. Thing. Ever.

 

I need to start knitting more..! I am working on a never-ending shawl for one friend, but maybe need some smaller things in the meantime.

 

Otherwise, I canned some plum butter and plum chutney, and plan to do some apple butter.

 

I may make vanilla again. It seemed to be very popular when I did it a few years ago. I should have started it back in the summer but it will still be okay by then.

 

That's a great idea! 

[kaelvan]

Well my mom did accidentally lost her mug I bought her. Why not decorate mugs for the holidays? That way everyone in my house stops taking my (geeky) mugs.

[Steppinon D'Arrows]

I'm considering it, since I am low in funds. A friend of mine is making some kind of blanket for a baby a friend of hers had. She says it's going to take a while and might not get done this year since she is so busy with stuff as a librarian.

[redwoodfog]

I need to step it up! I'm going to make another batch of chutney today. Thinking of attempting a very basic quilt for my folks.

 

Well my mom did accidentally lost her mug I bought her. Why not decorate mugs for the holidays? That way everyone in my house stops taking my (geeky) mugs.

 

Great idea! This could be really fun. I reallyreally can't draw, but it'd be cool to decorate a plain mug with a quote/doodle.

 

I'm considering it, since I am low in funds. A friend of mine is making some kind of blanket for a baby a friend of hers had. She says it's going to take a while and might not get done this year since she is so busy with stuff as a librarian.

 

Do itttt.

[Silo]

If you have kids that you give gifts, clipboards decorated with Mod Podge are a fun idea. I made them last year for our nieces and nephews and daughter. I picked a theme for each (sports, animals, LEGO, pirate, and something else I can't remember) that matched the kid and then followed instructions I found online. They took about an hour total, spread out over one weekend (for drying time.)

[raptron]

I also do food gifts. Previous years I've done the cookie assortments and Christmas fudge, but I think my current favorite thing to do is just chocolate bark. I'll make 2-4 big strips of tempered chocolate with all the fruit + nut goodies I want, then chop it up into decent sized pieces, pop them into little cellophane bags and put a ribbon on them. They look cute, are THOUSANDS OF TIMES easier than making 8 different cookies or messing around with fudge from scratch, and appear to be incredibly fancy despite how easy it is.

 

Bark (pre-chopping):

 

I think I'll keep up the tradition this year.

[Silo]

That looks SO GOOD, raptron.

[kaelvan]

I also do food gifts. Previous years I've done the cookie assortments and Christmas fudge, but I think my current favorite thing to do is just chocolate bark. I'll make 2-4 big strips of tempered chocolate with all the fruit + nut goodies I want, then chop it up into decent sized pieces, pop them into little cellophane bags and put a ribbon on them. They look cute, are THOUSANDS OF TIMES easier than making 8 different cookies or messing around with fudge from scratch, and appear to be incredibly fancy despite how easy it is.

 

Bark (pre-chopping):

 

I think I'll keep up the tradition this year.

Omg you should do peppermint bark. It's the one thing I look forward each year to make.

[raptron]

Yesss, I love peppermint bark. I usually do a peppermint bark shortbread cookie and a brownie just for... non gifts. For eating. >_>

[shaar]

I love handmade holidays!!! <3  I've done lots and lots of soap in years past, here is a photo of last year's craftiness...

 

 

But I think this year I'm going to branch out and make some candles!  ... And maybe some more soap. ^^;

[redwoodfog]

shaaraway- your soap is beautiful! Wow!

[shaar]

shaaraway- your soap is beautiful! Wow!

 

 

Thank you!  I love love love soaping, these were gifts for colleagues.

[raptron]

So pretty! Reminds me of the neapolitan ice cream! 

[kaelvan]

Ooo the soaps look so pretty

[shaar]

I've got my candle materials picked out for holiday gifts... but I'm waiting for a coupon code to show up to save me some $$$!! XD

[redwoodfog]

Cut out a bunch of fabric/batting to make potholders as smaller gifts.Sewing is kind of my nemesis, because it requires precision and I am... not precise. But I tried to take my time, and put together 7 batting/fabric potholder sandwiches.

 

I feel inspired to do soap too! Shaarawy- I'm curious if you have a go-to-recipe? Also, how long does that stuff need to cure? Hmm.

[shaar]

They are actually melt and pour!! I used a goats milk base in a silicone loaf, added fragrance and color, and cut it with a big flat blade slicer. Fairly quick and convenient, and still was great quality!

(The pink is cranberry chutney, the white is lavender, and the brown is mocha with coffee bits!)

[redwoodfog]

They are actually melt and pour!! I used a goats milk base in a silicone loaf, added fragrance and color, and cut it with a big flat blade slicer. Fairly quick and convenient, and still was great quality!

(The pink is cranberry chutney, the white is lavender, and the brown is mocha with coffee bits!)

 

Oh sweet! I didn't even know that was a thing! Now to investigate...

[far_away]

I also do food gifts. Previous years I've done the cookie assortments and Christmas fudge, but I think my current favorite thing to do is just chocolate bark. I'll make 2-4 big strips of tempered chocolate with all the fruit + nut goodies I want, then chop it up into decent sized pieces, pop them into little cellophane bags and put a ribbon on them. They look cute, are THOUSANDS OF TIMES easier than making 8 different cookies or messing around with fudge from scratch, and appear to be incredibly fancy despite how easy it is.

 

Bark (pre-chopping):

 

I think I'll keep up the tradition this year.

They. Look. Delicious! 

 

Recipe please :3

[Bekah]

hey kids If you are unaware, we have a Nerdmas Secret Santa event happening and homemade gifts are welcome and even encouraged!We would Love To have you join us!

http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/55629-nerdmas-secret-santa-2014/

[LadyGrey]

This is something I have been wanting to do for many years but never got the chance to do. I can never seem to find the time   I did make a few fleece no sew blankets last year, those are always great gifts. I have also thought of asking members of my family if they wanted to participate in exchanging one handmade gift each year. Gifts seem more special to me when they are handmade More thought goes into it.