Christmas 2014...Savings & Handmade gifts

FieryAngel

Yet another new crafty thing I'm going to try for this year is something my SIL did for the girlies last year which I'm stealing as an idea for my friends and possibly to sell a few and that is homemade hand warmers

Very simple to make as well. Just get some fleecy type material, cut out 2 squares. Put the two squares one on top of the other (if there's a pattern, or a 'right way around' make sure the patterned sides are touching each other) Then sew all the way around, leaving an inch gap. Turn it the right way around and fill 3/4 full with rice. This can then be microwaved numerous times (only 15 seconds each time) and are lovely pocket sized hand warmers for those frosty days!

I've already gotten myself some cute material, purple with sheep on - not very Christmassy I know but it can be cold all the way to April sometimes! I was thinking of putting them in a clear presentation bag, along with a small piece of paper giving instructions (do it on the computer with some pictures I think) and then tie with some ribbon. I had thought with all the material left over I might sell some at work, just for £2 a pair or something, but it would cover the cost of the material etc

Thought you all might like to have another idea for something Christmassy to do:D

Pooky

I'd be very wary about putting fleece in the mircowave - when ever I'd made rice or wheat bags I've used a pure cotton for the actual bag containing the wheat/rice and then a softer fabric for a cover.

Fleece is generally made of polyester and it melts very easily.

Kevie192

Love the idea FieryAngel. Might just give those a go!

FieryAngel

Pooky wrote: »

I'd be very wary about putting fleece in the mircowave - when ever I'd made rice or wheat bags I've used a pure cotton for the actual bag containing the wheat/rice and then a softer fabric for a cover.

Fleece is generally made of polyester and it melts very easily.

Ah right ok, thanks Pooky, I'll have a look into it. Things I found online said about using a fleecy material and that's what my SIL used but definitely worth checking out

kerri_gt

ALou19 wrote: »

Oooo thankyou I'll hve a look was stuck in work so couldn't nosey earlier but will look into now.

I wasn't able to find any popcorn buckets! maybe I'll try poundWORLD?

I'm sure my local 99p store or Ppundworld had them in recently - they actually looked like they might have been reusable too.

Solstice_3

Been picking up bits and bobs for Christmas most recent buy some pretty decorations for Christmas tree (one for Grandma and Grandpa from the kids and the other for my Sister). I now have 1 lot of chutney and 1 lot of jam for Christmas presents and enough blackberries to make another batch. Feeling on top of things now Should really start working on cards soon though.

KittyKate

Hi all, I've been trying to keep costs down for Christmas too so here's a few home made things I've been doing--

-- found fabric pens in Home Bargains for £1.49 for a set of 6 (not the 'puffed' type, just the regular pen type you set with the iron), bought plain cotton tea towels from ebay for 99p and cotton tote bags for £1.98, my 3 year old daughter is decorating these for the ladies in the family

-- picked up a clear, large habedashery type box from Home Bargains and am filling it up with American candy from Poundland and B&M, won't spend over £10 but these hampers are well over £30 online. This is for hubby

-- Bought cheap plain frames from IKEA (£3 for 2), painted white, stuck on some gingham ribbon and buttons and used a fine tip pen to write a personalised message, then putting in a photo of my girl, this is costing me about £2 a frame. I've seen these for £12 - 15 on ebay.

-- of course, everyone is getting a hamper!! I tailor them to the recipient but always do food & drink not pamper. I get florists cello on ebay and buy cheap fancy ribbons on sale throughout the year. I use 3 for 2 and discount shops, and the hampers are so well recieved, they're like a mini christmas in themselves

-- the movie boxes using popcorn tubs from poundworld are great, one tip I have is to buy the sainsbury's basics popcorn (its lovely) and then 'decant' it into cello picnmix bags (20 in poundland for yes £1), you can mix the popcorn with buttons, dip some of it in choc, mix it with honeycomb, tie it with ribbon and it looks so thoughtful without taking up too much time. If you're doing sweets too, haribo balls are usually £1 a bag and look great in the cello as does home made peanut brittle.

I'm looking forward to trying out some of the ideas on this thread too!

VfM4meplse

Just a gentle reminder for those of us that do creative stuff with chocolate - Lidl has their Fine Carre milk chocolate bars on 1/2 price offer at just 17p each (100g). As I said before, it's not the best stuff but fine if you are melting it down and doing stuff to it, like coating flapjacks, drizzling over other HM treats etc.

Would be ok to coat HM popcorn with for a Christmas treat in front of a movie too. In fact I now feel inspired to crush some popped corn into the mix the next time I make rocky road.

dory22

VintageBelle wrote: »

As soon as you mentioned ice cream hamper this one came to mine: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/452541462530331971/

I really want to make one but don't know who for. Shame you can't include the ice cream

anyone know where i can get a small basket for one of these? i happened to buy a ice cream recipe book for a friend and a small hamper would go brillaint with this.

dory22

Stephb1986 wrote: »

Does anyone know where I can get clear baubles from, ones that fill from the top not slot together if that makes sense?

Thank you

Steph xx

i brought some reduced in january from tesco i think, iv filled them with red and gold ribbion and glitter. i'm also making angels out dolies