I'm taking a Christmas gift poll, if you are reading in a reader swing by and check your answer..
Here's something I "made" for my neighbor when I found out that it was her birthday...meet me at (in)courage to see it.
Do you Handmake?
Here's something I "made" for my neighbor when I found out that it was her birthday...meet me at (in)courage to see it.
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I'll be making some gifts this year. I've had ideas bookmarked since last Christmas.
Our list has been reduced this year. Well, not really in number of people - but in amount of gift {money-wise}. Fortunately our families are on board with this.
On another topic, Happy Birthday! A little late.
K
I love to make gifts, especially sewing. But I really struggle with gifts for men and boys.
What is everyone else doing for the men in their lives?
Yes, Maam, I will be hand making some gifts this year. I found lots of great ideas on Edie's site.
Happy belated Birthday!
My poor family will get everything handmade...as they usually do. For men...I usually give a DVD or a CD or a giftcard to a fav store. I think Priscilla needs a bath:0)
I would love a post on some handmade Christmas ideas! We want to handmake this year, but are short on ideas...
I would love a post on some handmade Christmas ideas! We want to handmake this year, but are short on ideas...
What a good time to be asking this question, right when Edie is doing her 12 Days of Handmade Christmas. Do YOU handmake?
who's edie and where can i find her?!? :)
I'm absolutely making some, but I wish I knew how to make more! :) One caveat: I don't like to make frivolous things. I really want to make things that are practical and useful. It seems hard to find handmade projects (that are in my limited skill level) that are truly useful.
I tried to vote and it wouldn't let me, telling me I had already voted. Hmph! Anyway, my answer is "yes", I will be making handmade for Christmas.
Hi Nester! I definitely handmaking all my Xmas gifts this year! I'm having so much fun with my flower pins and I actually found something I really enjoy making. I think this was just meant to be. You always brilliante ideas! Thanks!
I hope to....trying to keep it frugal this Christmas, so I'm definitely looking for ideas.
Do I ever!
(Even though it would probably be easier and cheaper if I just went ahead and bought it all!)
I heart where I hope this is going.....
oh yeah! Who's Edie? I want to know too!
Who is Edie? Y'all, I totally linked to her last Tuesday?! Do you not read every jot and tittle that I write?
http://lifeongrace.blogspot.com/
I handmake a lot of stuff, teacher gifts in particular-I bake various whole grain or unusual breads, usually because everyone gives cookies and candy and sweets and a savory item is usually very much appreciated. I also like to give gifts that get used up.
This year I've seen decorated bread pans for $1 each and kraft paper bags that they'll fit in for .59 cents each, so that's teacher gifts taken care of! I make the dough ahead of time, seal it up and freeze it, and then the last day or so before Christmas break I do a day of baking.
The bag to put it in is IMPORTANT! Everyone gives them stuff, almost no one gives them something to carry it in! Last year I had a stash of fabric bags left over from one of my moms projects so I used those-they were red canvas bags with peppermint candy printed denim pockets, so I slipped cards into the pockets also.
Men usually like bread, but cookies or homemade puffy pretzels work pretty well-guys like stuff they can eat! But they're not much into keepsakes as a general rule.
You can also make flavored whipped butter or cream cheese spread to go with it, but this one is iffy because refrigeration is usually not an option in the classroom.
Why are my posts always sooooo long?!?!
as a photographer, fall is my busy season. So, if you count portraits given to family as "handmade" since I took the images...then YES I do! :)
You bet! I make soap and my husband makes beer, and people seem to love getting both. We also make savory/spicy/sweet rosemary roasted cashews & pecans, and those are always a huge hit.
I have to agree with another commenter though that while handmade can be great, it's best (and truly in the spirit of giving) if it is to the recipients taste and if they'll truly enjoy it.
Oh, man. This would have been a perfect idea for my "I can make that" party. It just started today, and who wouldn't want a ragamuffin'd mum? Great idea!
I'm trying to handmake, or hand assemble lots of gifts this year. So far, I've done monogrammed travel mugs for teacher gifts, silhouettes of my kids for our parents and grandparents, and for other family gifts, I've got baskets with my favorite pulled pork recipe, some of the ingredients, and cute aprons, that I did not make. It's turning out to be way cheaper, and way more fun, than just shopping for everybody.
I would have checked "No, it always ends up costing so much more money...and nobody seems appreciative in my family." Lol.
I plan on making just about everything this year. Well, except for the necessity gifts like underwear and socks. ; )
Last year I made almost all my gifts for my family---which is a ton since I come from a family of 9 and our family has grown tremendously with marriages, babies being born, etc. Anyways, my favorites were the backgammon boards that I made out of picture frames. I added the tiangular felt on top of a large piece of felt that I placed in lieu of the picture. Then I bought vintage bottle caps to use at the game pieces. I got some inexpensive dice from the dollar store and once I printed off the game directions I was finished! I made 3 of these boards and taylored the game pieces to fit the likes of the person receiving the gift---my brother-in-law LOVES coca-cola stuff, so I found him some vintage soda caps! Perfect! I love making gifts!
-Grace
I am making stamped pendant necklaces , a towel rack , and custom appliqued towels , they were a BIG hit years ago so I am making again ...
Wonderful little movie! Great Tutorial. I agree with the other lady... More tutorials please! LOL!
Maybe a tassle one? LOL!
Blessings to you Nester!
Susan
Oh I forgot...Yes! I am handmaking this year. That is the goal.
Aprons, tea towels, felt Christmas ornaments.
My vote was ABSOLUTELY, but then the poll said I'd already voted! Hum...making gifts is a must tradition at our house.
Janell
I am making the time to do some homemade gifts this year. I can't afford to spend money like we have in the past on each person.
This year, I'll be doing aprons, ornaments, homebaked goods, and maybe even a monogrammed candle or two (think I saw those on Edie's series).
I took a sewing class and made my sister a purse for Christmas, but it was way too hard to replicate, so that's the only one of those that will be made.
Men are the hardest...they'll probably end up with giftcards, or I'll make my husband shop for them.
You probably have some great suggestions here in the comments. When my girls go down for their naps, I'll peruse for ideas to steal. ;)
I want to, totally... however, I have no clue what, how... and just started working... so with what time!?
HELP! :)
Baking stuff is a good idea. My husband makes killer caramel corn, so does that count?! :)
Heather
I am making a few things:
http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2009/02/tutorialrice-bag-feet-warmer.html
We have an all handmade Christmas party with our girlfriends. The rules? Make something with things around your home or spend no more than $10 for supplies!
I absolutely LOVE to crochet, it's my favorite pastime, and I'm always making fun crocheted items as gifts for Christmas. I've recently taken on jewlery making as well.
I didn't vote on your poll, because none of them fit me. I don't make handmade stuff--not because it's ugly and not because of time. Just because I'm not good at it. Nothing turns out in reality like I picture it in my head.
This video was darlin'! I want to try it! And I referenced you on my post..anonymously! There are some out there who have yet to even think about decorating for Christmas yet...I didn't want to send them over the edge!
Hugs!
Susan
Happy belated b'day, my friend!
Last January I decided to be crazy, and started crocheting afghans for my hubby's family. I've made 7 this year, and I"m so glad to be done!
oh! THAT Edie! (and yes. ahem. i know you were being sarcastic. but, uh, i've been pouring over each and every jot and tittle (3 times each) ever since i this blog! heeeeee...wow. that sounds toally stalkeris. i'm not! i must not have comprehended the name edie because i was dreaming about fabric and getting a hot glue gun. ;-)
I'm making a lot this year. quilts,scarves,hats and pillows...I think that's it.
:)
I am making a few gifts this year, but instead of going for a Handmade Christmas, I have been working on a Recycled Christmas trying to add new life to things and shop garage and model home sales.
i'm definitely making some (the poll said i already voted somehow??)
i love making gifts for others!
I'm working on some Christmas gifts right now. Handmade are my favorite to give AND receive.
I can't believe there are that many votes for "handmade stuff is ugly".... I hope those aren't the people that receive my gifts - :o/ Haha!
Remember, the number of votes is UNDERNEATH each category...so 0% {which could be up to like 10 peeps} think handmade is ugly! yippie!
I tried to vote too. It said I had already voted too. My vote is YES! I'll be making some gifts this year. One of the those I'm most excited about is stiching up fabric grocery bags in the teachers favorite color combinations. I've made three so far. But those were for me and two girlfriends. I have 3 more to make for teachers and 2 for mother/mother-in-law. Each bag takes me one afternoon.
PS - I totally agree with Lindsay @ not2us. I want the items I make to be useful stuff! I don't want to spend a bunch of time on it and have it end up in the garbage because it became clutter in someone else's home.
I am making my family, co-workers and friends gifts. My 2 youngest niece and nephew are actually getting a couple of AWESOME toy finds from yardsales. The only gifts I will be buying this year will be for my own two children, which are 17 and 22. I may even make them a couple of little things.
I will be making gifts this year! Lots of cards!! My etsy shop hasn't done much -- but I will give one more go of it! For anyone interested, almost all of my cards ship for free and many of them are priced at about a $1.
I love to bake too! And baked goods make for good gifts :)
My big handmade gift this year is some sort of painting for my Dad. I'm actually nervous about it...why, I have no idea, as he'll love it no matter what!
I'm always on the lookout for handmade or, my favorite, semi-handmade gifts.
P.S. Hope your birthday was divine!
You left out one other answer on your poll. I would make some gifts, IF I had a talent for such. I am sorry to say I am not a crafty person.
I sew, but I have no ideas for gifts for the men and boys on my list.
Our list this year is going to be a lot smaller than in past years. This year the extra funds are not there.
We always do a cash Christmas. So with less cash there will be fewer gifts...
EW. Please let me scrape some of that crap off your glue gun. Please????? :)
I pick dried glue off glue bottles in my spare time, so I'm highly qualified.
I will be making gifts this year and I am hosting Handmade Holidays every Tuesday starting today:>)
For people who want to do something handmade but don't consider themselves crafty I have done three types of handmade gifts pretty successfully.
1) Family cookbooks - solicit recipes from family members and make a book. You can solicit new recipes every few years.
2) Amaryllis bulbs - I've planted these up as gifts for teachers with instructions and they love it.
3) Herb Gardens - If you live in a warm climate you can do this at Christmas. I do it for end of year gifts for teachers.
When are sign up's for the Dec 14 party?
Paula funstuff4paula@yahoo.com
http://bucketideasforchristmas.blogspot.com/
I've been working on making my daughter a TON of felt food for christmas, I'm planning on making her a felt "play mail" set too! I'm also making some coffee cozy's for my dear friends Starbucks cups, so we all stop wasting so many of those paper sleeves! I would love more ideas, although I'm sure my husband would be glad if I stopped sewing and crafting all together so we can use our dining room table again! :)
Happy B-day.. a little late...
One idea:
Last Christmas I made rice-filled neckwarmers for absolutely everyone. There are tutorials all over the internet and they are so simple. Mine were about 18" by 5" when completed, just fabric tubes filled with rice and some dry mint tea for scent. You warm them in the microwave for a couple minutes.
Everyone (men and women) is still talking about how useful and creative it was.
Now, to come up with something for this year!
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