Pressies and stuff...

Ophie

After celebrating Christmas this year and spending way too much on relatives I really don't like. I have decided that for every gift for the coming years I shall be creating something myself. Something simple that makes it look like I have put the effort in when really its a piece of !!!!.

I know that this really isn't in the festive spirit but to explain further I'm on the verge of creating a very nuclear family as my extended family didn't even extend the courtsey to call me on my daughters 3rd birthday to tell me that they were going to be 3 or 4 HOURS late. They also took the majority of presents they'd bought for her home so she didn't even get a chance to open them... under the pretence of having stuff at their house for her to 'play' with. I take her to their house once or twice a year if we're very unlucky. I intend it to be less so now.

So.... does anyone please have any easy gifts to make and some really nice ones that cover all areas that I can give to friends, and kids and have in stockpile... oh and where to get the bits from please. It's going to be a crafty year this one....

I'm sure there are threads on a similar vein, but to be honest with you I'm just too sick of Christmas to care and I'm sure that the gorgeous Savvy will merge if needed.

Merry Christmas to you all

La-Cara

I'm not crafty at all but I guess you could knit scarves and hats, or maybe hot water bottle covers?
You can make cakes or biscuits and freeze them, just take them out and put in a nice box when needed.
One thing I've done is decorate photo frames. You buy a cheap wooden frame from ikea/pound shop, and paint it however you like. Makes a nice personalised gift so it looks like you've put thought into it!

sillyvixen

my mum loved the biscuits she got in her santa stocking - eventually she asked me where i got them from as they must have been expensive (so much better than the usual shop offereing - did they come from a craft fare??) she was so supprised when i told her santa made them in my kitchen and left me with the washing up!

princesspoppypop

Some biscotti is always nice as a gift- popped in a cello bag with ribbon and tag, and makes a lovely sweet treat with a cup of coffee.

How about some drawer scenters- heart shapes made from gingham material and stuffed with dried lavender. add a cute button to the front and some rustic string for a real primitive feel.

Make some hand decorated photo frames- wilkos do 3 wooden frames for 89p, paint these with craft paints - anita does some great paints for this ( they sell them in Boyes) the matt colours are 99p a pot and the metallics are £1.89 a pot. or use mosaic tiles and grout to cover the wood frame, pop a pic of your daughter in for the extended family.

BTW - how rotten to take toys away with them, I wouldn`t stand for that. Next time keep some old toys in a box and when they try to take away new toys give them the box of old stuff.

rainmac

Some good sites for you to have a look through...

http://www.craftbits.com/

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/occasions/christmas-gifts/ - I can completely recommend the xmas muffin mix in a jar - easy and quick to make and the muffins are delicious!

http://www.essentialpackagingstore.com/projects/snowmansoup.php - I made loads of the snowman soup this year and everyone loved it.

http://organizedchristmas.com/printable/adult-journal-jar

http://organizedchristmas.com/printable/child-journal-jar

EMminently

Members of my family were impressed that i named stars after them . I got rid of the 'free name a star' logo at the top - cost £1.60 to change the banner - and printed the certificate and laminated it. Have seen similar in the shops for £10+ so the recipients don't know how cheap it was. I wrote poems for the dedications on mine so it was a thoughtful gift - but quite stingey!

mary43

I did a 'name a star' for my baby grandson and rolled it up and put it in a kitchen roll middle that I'd covered with silver paper, tied it with a ribbon and then wrote him a little story about a Christmas Star. He's only 18 months old and won't understand but his mum and dad were delighted.

Ophie

thanks all.

I shall start visiting here more often for some crafty ideas. I was going to make my friend a nappy cake within the next few days, but my DD has spots, I suspect they are chicken pox. Which means I have to stay away from my friend, as I don't want her or the unborn baby to catch them.

I must admit that a small snigger escaped thinking she could have transferred shingles to the family mwahahahaha (ok so I'm feeling evil... sorry)

rainmac

I did the name a star thing too and paid the £1 whatever to not have 'free' on the certificate. I laminated mine.

http://www.freenameastar.com/register.php

VfM4meplse

Can't fail with homemade biscuits these can be made cheaply and cut into creative shapes, pack them in fancy bags and they look like a thoughtful offering. I noticed a good recipe for icing in Sainsbury's Christmas magazine - passion fruit and icing sugar. Sounds delicious.