Ideas for home made Xmas gifts!

Nomoneymummy_2

Ok, may seem early to some but have a large family so much to do before xmas!

I'm looking to save money and make xmas more personal by making gifts for grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and teachers and was after ideas! Have about 25 people do presents for, all adults no allergys..

I'm a confidant cook so biscuit recipies, sweets etc appreciated
Was also looking for some hand made toiletries ideas.... ie soap or bath bombs!
Alcohol ie homemade gin as I have access to farm and allotment fruit etc etc
I cant knit but can sew!

Ok so any ideas/ recipies etc etc much appreciated!:p

Edinburghlass_2

Whole raft of threads here...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=101

Ada_Doom

I found the most fantastic cookie reciepe the other day which little girls (and big girls!) would love. I can't do the link thing but if you put Babushka Cookie into Goggle it will lead you there. I think they would make a lovely gift in some cellophane or a little bag, decorated with pretty ribbons.

vivw_2

These look lovely - http://www.extremelycrafty.co.uk/Ezine3p6.html

madnessandmayhem

Hi,
I've also been on the lookout for things to make for pressies!!!
just found this website with how to make bath bombs etc (and loads more!!) i've never made any so don't know how easy it actually is! but might be of use!
http://www.craftbits.com/bath-and-body-crafts

angeltreats

I used to never know what to get my workmates (lawyers with expensive tastes who earned a LOT more than me!) so I would make something tasty and wrap it up in pretty packaging. One year I bought some pretty boxes from Clintons on offer and filled them with different kinds of biscuits (normal and chocolate chip shortbread and ginger biscuits). Another year I did fridge cake and wrapped it in cellophane and tied it with ribbons - that went down a treat. There's a nice fridge cake recipe in Nigella Express which you could get from the library.

I've also seen a thread here about making mini Christmas cakes using small baked bean tins, I think that's a great idea and I'll be trying it myself this year.

Edible presents always seems to be very popular.

lbt_2

Helllloooooooooooo!

We made our own presents last year and the ones that went down the best were the home made chocolates - we made the boxes too - and everyone loved them, but I think they appreciated the effort more than anything else (the chocolate was a bonus). Also once the person gets a little older it gets harder and harder to find a good present because they have everything already.

I bought some chocolate moulds from lakelands (my favourite shop .... ever!). They were £6 but saved me a lot of money - we are going to use them again this year.

I have also made flavoured vodkas, and chutneys, jams etc.

I am going to make a big hamper of home made goodies for my Dad this year - he will love it

HTH - am off to check out the other thread above .....

kippers

This is a cookie present but i think it's great..

I love these things on the bakerella.com website (search under 'mix things up' if my link doesn't Work)

http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/

helyg

I'm making lots of homemade pressies this year...

The kids are getting knitted toys (footballer for the eldest, Shaun the Sheep for the middle one and a ballerina for the youngest)

Am making jams and chutneys for hampers for my mum, inlaws and 3 best friends.

The kids' teachers are having bags of HM fudge.

Nieces/Nephews and friends' children are getting Snowman Soup to go with their gift vouchers

If you can sew little lavender bags are a nice idea, I have just made these ones for my friend's birthday: http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3581/summer2009254.jpg I got the material, ribbon and lavender from ebay.

Snowy_Owl

As a teacher myself, one of the best/most practical presents i had was just last year. The kids know I like a cuppy so i really appreciated getting a mug from one of the kids. It was filled with liitle sweeties (you choose - celebrations / heroes / whatever) and wrapped nicely with sellophane and ribbon. The boys younger brother gave his teacher the same. The mugs were from tesco but it was such a practical and thoughtful gift - I like my cuppy and sweets when the kids go home!!

Snowy x

lbt_2

Silly question ... but what is snowman soup??