handmade gifts for christmas and celebrations 2011

midnightraven3

:(how awful sylphraven

i see that as a deficiency on their part rather than aspersions on your gifts

i dont just say that, as i also give homemade gifts in hampers
i think some people expect you to walk into Boots/Debs etc, pick something off the shelf and give it them (because thast what they do)

they are faced with a lush homemade hamper of goodies
time, love and attention has been used
Boots doesnt sell that!:rotfl:

dont feel disheartened, we all pulled together approaching thsi christmas, and we shall again facing next years!

donquine

I managed to get some real bargains this year, but didn't have time to make any handmade presents. I hope 2011 will be different!

It would be interesting to hear from all of the home bakers, what you made and how long it kept. I always want to do Christmassy baking as part of people's presents, but I always worry about the shelf life. I imagine things like tablet keep for a very long time, but I'd love to get some confirmation from people who have made it before!

I'd also like to try some simple machine sew projects in 2011.

I must say, every time I have a look at the presents in Boots, I can't see anything worth buying. There are quite a lot of things that are ok (albeit overpriced) and that I wouldn't mind getting, but nothing that I (or any of my friends or relatives) would get excited about.

charlies-aunt

Just to mention that I popped into The Works this afternoon - they were selling all Christmas craft stuff, card makers, ribbon, candy canes etc at 50% off. . . .could be a good time to stock up

Mrs_Bones

Hi everyone

I really need to join in this thread this year. I have allready joined the 'lets get ready for christmas 2011' thread and as I put on there I was so disorganized I must do better for 2011.

I've only got a very limited budget so need to make quite a few handmade gifts. My idea is to make some stockings or bags and then fill them with a mixture of cheap gifts I can pick up during the year and handmade bits. So looking for ideas for making little gifts, They will mostly all be for women from 20's upto 70's. Also going to need to get a pattern for a christmas stocking from somewhere. Ideas I've had so far are;

Note books
Packs of home made greeting cards for them to use
Little albums of vintage family photos or family tree.
Cushion cover

Also need to think what I can make for some birthdays as well.

twinklekat

I'd love to be able to make a few hampers this year. I know that some members of my family would really appreciate it, others (mainly MIL) don't 'do' handmade so she will get a voucher

wammy77

Hi all, took me a while to find you now that the Xmas 2010 thread is finished

sylphraven - don't be put off - there's time yet for people to get in touch with their 'thank yous'.... and if they don't then they certainly don't deserve all those wonderful goodies you took the time and effort to make!!!

I'm really quite excited about getting stuck in to all my 'makes' this year - I'm sure that'll wear off as time goes on (!)

It's my sisters 30th birthday this year so I'm hoping to make her something really special.... not sure exactly what yet, will have to get my thinking cap on!

Anyway, I hope you're all well and looking forward to New Years celebrations

whoopidoo

Managed to make quite a few and for others that I didn't make then I managed to buy handmade from a few lovely crafters again like you all am hoping to take it further this year

donquine wrote: »

I managed to get some real bargains this year, but didn't have time to make any handmade presents. I hope 2011 will be different!

It would be interesting to hear from all of the home bakers, what you made and how long it kept. I always want to do Christmassy baking as part of people's presents, but I always worry about the shelf life. I imagine things like tablet keep for a very long time, but I'd love to get some confirmation from people who have made it before!

The tablet is STILL fresh :P although not much left And thinking about it, it's just wrapped in cellophane when it's in the shop isn't it. I'd be interested on how long other cooked pressies keep and how far ahead you can make them too.

Was in Sussex Stationers today and they are selling off Anita craft acrylic paint for 45p and the metallic acrylic for 75p! Got me a nice carrier full for just under a fiver Wasn't that impressed with the Hobbycraft sale - maybe all the good stuff sold within the opening days.

scuzz

I would love to give more homemade things, but my sister frowns on such things - "why make what you can buy":eek::(

Last year I did a hamper of treats for my best friend & her husband which went down a treat. I always make for my other friend too - although this year I cheated a bit and gave her some jam Mum had made. It was still very much appreciated though and took some chocolate peanut butter squares too - Nigella's recipe. They went in a flash and her other half thought they were fab.

For her little girl next year I want to make a rag dolly, so I need to find a pattern or be brave and make one. This will be my first sewing project since I was at junior school:o

I did give Mum and Nan some bracelets I had made which they both loved. I would like to give my friend's little girl one, but it will have to wait as she's not even 2 until next week!

Funny how sis doesn't do/like homemade, but will eat everything Mum & I make for Christmas and BIL will down all the flavoured vodkas:rotfl:

I don't really have anyone else I could make for. I don't have many friends and only the 2 who I give gifts too and have a super small family - I'm yet to find Mr Right, so hence have no little ones of my own:(

whoopidoo

Do you have a blog scuzz? I have met and made so many like minded friends since I started blogging. It opens up a whole new world and I exchanged some lovely handmade gifts with some of them this year. It's also helped me with my confidence. I am naturally terribly shy until you get to know me (and then you wish I'd just shut up) but blogging allows me to be me straight away if that makes sense?

scuzz

I did try blogging, but that was for my old career. I keep thinking about starting one, but don't really know where to start tbh. I will look into it again though as I'll need a new site name, as the old one is very specific to my old job as a journalist