making presents

Tracey04

with the idea of making some christmas presents, I must begin to start now (I know it is only July!!). What ideas of things could I make.All Ive come up with is cross stitch bookmarks (anybody know where I can get free patterns etc from) and maybe soap, but I want to make it look and feel a little bit expensive, again any recipes.

Can you think of what else may be possible - and what of sorts of things do you do for men.

Thank you

zombiecazz

Bottled fruit
HM chutneys and pickles
Hm flavoured sugars Rosemary sugar, vanilla sugar
HM christmas puddings and cakes
Use special offers and freebies to make up cosmetic/toiletry baskets
Calendars Make-up a template using word add in dates and a family pictures -very personal.
paper mache to make - ring holders-shaped like hand or animals with long tails, egg baskets shaped like a chicken

fudgem

do you sew? lots of lovely cushion covers to make out of scraps of material or one of those wall hangers you put photos in.

Many men have a sweet tooth, so how about some home made toffee, my hubby would really like that

brokenwings

i have never done home made pressies before

how would you all say people react in general when they get one for the first time?

i really want to do it this year yet i have this silly fear that they will thinkim 'stingy' or think less of me .... ( i do realize that this would be a refection on them rather than me.)

i made my sister a family organizer folder last year ( as welll as giving other bought gifts ) from the organized home website --- shehas never really commented on it and i have never seen her use it. i guess its put me off a bit.

Tracey04

I feel the same as you, espically from family members that will not say anything from fear of upsetting you, but you never see the gift.
Somebody suggested it to me last week on the boards after they relized that I spent a crazy about of money on gifts, so I guess it was the only way I could reduce the figure.Family members say they dont want presents if Ive no money but it still is disapointing when they haven't got anything under the tree. Its also my Mums birthday on Christmas day and my sisters 5 days before.Im running out of ideas what else I can do.
Also I hate when I say well don't get me anything inreturn (Im sure its just words and they dont mean it), then they walk in with something and I have nothing to give back. It makes me feel 'that big'.

moggins

I always make up a basket of goodies for close family members where I know what they enjoy.

MIL gets a basket of craft supplies, Mum gets toiletries, FIL gets cooking stuff or homemade pickles and chutneys.

The toiletries I stock up on with BOGOFS, it really just involves a little more thought about what the people really like. BIL made us all home made lamps last year with tiffany style glass shades, I was completely stunned as he is a real techie and it has pride of place in my dining room.

MIRRY_2

Ive just knitted some funkyhandbags and it so easy.

I used two different wools together ,one has to be a fluffy ball £1.50 and one chunky (i picked up the chunky one in a charity shop for 20p)

These 2 balls make 2 small handbags !

I just knit in straight lines and then buy handles to match (80p in wool shop).

Then for the inside of the bag I sew in a lining ( I just cut up an old bit of cotton clothing and use that).

|They look great and Ive even made handbag charms to match

Each bag cost under £1

Queenie

tracey04 wrote:

with the idea of making some christmas presents, I must begin to start now (I know it is only July!!). What ideas of things could I make.All Ive come up with is cross stitch bookmarks (anybody know where I can get free patterns etc from) and maybe soap, but I want to make it look and feel a little bit expensive, again any recipes.

For a plethora of free cross stitch patterns: Sue's Cross Stitch Freebie Finder a fabulous collection of links to the many, many freebies across the net

tracey04 wrote:

Can you think of what else may be possible - and what of sorts of things do you do for men. Thank you

Men can appear to be so difficult to buy/make for, can't they! The next site isn't cross stitch related, but definately, homemade gift orientated: Free Projects from Craftysayings There have been numerous times when money has been very tight and I couldn't even think about competing in the gift exchange pantomime ... but then I would resort to humour over expense and found that way, saved embarassment and *added* to the occasion; do check out the 'gag gifts' on that website they can easily be adapted to a British theme

For making gifts using your computer, have a look at this website:
The Crafty PC: Projects
Ok, so they are promoting their stationery, but you can buy equivalents in Staples/PC World etc. but the the projects are free, inspirational and can be adapted for your own needs.

Another lovely forum for craft idea's: Craftster Org

If you're looking for something on the food front: Gift Mixes for gifts in a jar has lots of ideas, as does Recipe Goldmine

And to get it all organised ready for Christmas time, The Holiday Grand Plan from Organised Christmas begins at the end of August.

Hope that inspires you a little, wishing you all the best in deciding/planning/making and giving

thriftmonster

brokenwings wrote:

i have never done home made pressies before

how would you all say people react in general when they get one for the first time?

i really want to do it this year yet i have this silly fear that they will thinkim 'stingy' or think less of me .... ( i do realize that this would be a refection on them rather than me.)

i made my sister a family organizer folder last year ( as welll as giving other bought gifts ) from the organized home website --- shehas never really commented on it and i have never seen her use it. i guess its put me off a bit.

I started by introducing small HM gifts as part of their gifts and gradually over the years increased it. Maybe your sister didn't realise it was HM - that happened to me this year - I knitted my sister a scarf and it wasn't until her MIL asked who had knitted it that she realised it was HM and very appreciative then

Lola23

I am also looking to cut down on presents this year (cost wise) and am going to start planning now too.
Good tips I've just read are the BOGOFS

Also gone in to site for the Holiday Grand Plan.

Thanks for the tips.

wigginsmum

I love to get HM pressies - I'll remember that jar of jam long after a book token or bottle of bubblebath has gone.