redwoodfog Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 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. 2 Quote Link to comment
JesterShay Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
KnitJoy Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 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. 2 Quote Link to comment
Silo Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 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. 1 Quote 2016 goals: Hit goal weight. Build muscle.2015 goals: Get stronger, stop loathing squats and get better at them - DONE!!!2014 goal: Lose 52.5 lbs. - DONE!!! 12/13/14 MFP Link to comment
redwoodfog Posted October 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 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! Quote Link to comment
kaelvan Posted October 22, 2014 Report Share Posted October 22, 2014 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. 3 Quote “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.†~Paulo Coelho I'm a level 3 moon elf, who's an druid assassin. My InspirationTumblr, which helps me stay the course for art challengeFB, which I guess we could be friend My challengeInstagram Link to comment
Steppinon D'Arrows Posted October 24, 2014 Report Share Posted October 24, 2014 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. 1 Quote Calorie Counting/ Nutrition Tracking for a year on MyFitnessPal+Fitbit One (365 days = .27% per day, Day 74): 19.98%19.98% New Year's Resolution - Healthy Weight/BMI for Summer (June 1st, Get to about 130 lbs/22 BMI approx. in 152 days/21 weeks starting from 153 lbs = 4.35% per pound, currently 142): 47.85%47.85% Graduate Culinary School {20% per section: F.O.H. ( A ), Hot Foods ( C ), Garde Manger [Cold Foods], Bakeshop, Test} Passed Certifications: ServSafe, Management 40%40% Fitbit, MyFitnessPalIntro Challenges: 1 2 Reset 3 Link to comment
redwoodfog Posted October 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
Silo Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 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.) 1 Quote 2016 goals: Hit goal weight. Build muscle.2015 goals: Get stronger, stop loathing squats and get better at them - DONE!!!2014 goal: Lose 52.5 lbs. - DONE!!! 12/13/14 MFP Link to comment
raptron Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 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. 5 Quote Raptron, alot assassin 67 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 63 | 62 | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 55 | 54 | 53 | 52 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 Link to comment
Silo Posted October 27, 2014 Report Share Posted October 27, 2014 That looks SO GOOD, raptron. Quote 2016 goals: Hit goal weight. Build muscle.2015 goals: Get stronger, stop loathing squats and get better at them - DONE!!!2014 goal: Lose 52.5 lbs. - DONE!!! 12/13/14 MFP Link to comment
kaelvan Posted October 28, 2014 Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 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. Quote “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.†~Paulo Coelho I'm a level 3 moon elf, who's an druid assassin. My InspirationTumblr, which helps me stay the course for art challengeFB, which I guess we could be friend My challengeInstagram Link to comment
raptron Posted October 28, 2014 Report Share Posted October 28, 2014 Yesss, I love peppermint bark. I usually do a peppermint bark shortbread cookie and a brownie just for... non gifts. For eating. >_> 1 Quote Raptron, alot assassin 67 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 63 | 62 | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 55 | 54 | 53 | 52 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 Link to comment
shaar Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 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. ^^; 1 Quote Tell me, if you had the strength to take another step, could you do it? Level ?? Bard & Monk of the Furious Heart STR.55 DEX.43 STA.48 CON.51 WIS.53 CHA.65 Link to comment
redwoodfog Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 shaaraway- your soap is beautiful! Wow! 1 Quote Link to comment
shaar Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 shaaraway- your soap is beautiful! Wow! Thank you! I love love love soaping, these were gifts for colleagues. Quote Tell me, if you had the strength to take another step, could you do it? Level ?? Bard & Monk of the Furious Heart STR.55 DEX.43 STA.48 CON.51 WIS.53 CHA.65 Link to comment
raptron Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 So pretty! Reminds me of the neapolitan ice cream! 1 Quote Raptron, alot assassin 67 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 63 | 62 | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 55 | 54 | 53 | 52 | 51 | 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 Link to comment
kaelvan Posted November 2, 2014 Report Share Posted November 2, 2014 Ooo the soaps look so pretty Quote “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.†~Paulo Coelho I'm a level 3 moon elf, who's an druid assassin. My InspirationTumblr, which helps me stay the course for art challengeFB, which I guess we could be friend My challengeInstagram Link to comment
shaar Posted November 3, 2014 Report Share Posted November 3, 2014 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 Quote Tell me, if you had the strength to take another step, could you do it? Level ?? Bard & Monk of the Furious Heart STR.55 DEX.43 STA.48 CON.51 WIS.53 CHA.65 Link to comment
redwoodfog Posted November 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
shaar Posted November 4, 2014 Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 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!) 1 Quote Tell me, if you had the strength to take another step, could you do it? Level ?? Bard & Monk of the Furious Heart STR.55 DEX.43 STA.48 CON.51 WIS.53 CHA.65 Link to comment
redwoodfog Posted November 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2014 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... 1 Quote Link to comment
far_away Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 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 1 Quote "A professional knows the limits of his knowledge. An amateur does not know the limits of his knowledge. A dilettante does not know that there are any limits to his knowledge." Link to comment
Bekah Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 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/ 1 Quote Druid Assassin Halfling Druid Level 16, Current Quest: Bekah Returns Spoiler Fitbit Facebook Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change. - Jim Rohn Link to comment
LadyGrey Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 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. 1 Quote Rising Heroes Faction: HAVIK Fitbit | Art Page | Instagram Link to comment
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