Favourite HM Christmas presents?

Nancy888

Obviously not HM but I save up the vouchers that I get from doing online surveys (Valued Opinions is one of my favourites for this) and either spend the vouchers on something as a gift or pop the vouchers themselves into the Christmas cards for nieces and nephews - didn't cost me anything so I guess this is OS

moanymoany

This is a website about making gifts.

http://promotions.drgnetwork.com/newsletters/giftmaker/index.html

recovering_spendaholic

I like making jars of cake mixes which I layer up - I make a chocolate brownie one and layer up cocoa, sugar, flour (with added raising agent and pinch of salt) and chocolate chips - I make pretty label saying to add an egg and some cooking oil and how to bake it. I put gingham cloth on the top and attach a cheap wooden spoon. I also layer up pulses for soup mix in much the same way. I also do layered lavender and rose bath salts (just epsom salts coloured with food colouring and mixed with lavender or rose oil) - you layer them up and they look really pretty and cost almost nothing to make. I got the idea from this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gift-Mixes-Classic-Cookbooklets/dp/1888052996/ref=sr_1_4/203-3006803-6883156?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187876317&sr=8-4 but there is a website http://www.gooseberrypatch.com where you can get more ideas for free - I can spend hours on this site!

sandy2_2

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

Lavender rice heat bags

I make some squareish, & some rectangular, I make an inner bag of cotton or calico as some synthetic fabrics smell funny when heated, calico is cheap, or I buy old white cotton pillowcases or sheets from charity shops, sew round 3& half sides, turn inside out part fill with any cheap dried rice & a few lavender flowers, sew up the gap neatly, put a few drops of lavender oil on the bag. I then make an outer bag of something pretty or appropriate to the recipient. I make the outer bag with an opening so it can be removed for washing, DON't WASH THE FILLED INNER BAG UNLESS YOU WANT A BAG OF RICE PUDDING!!!
Put the filled bag in the outer bag, I usually them put it in a plastic bag to retain the smell of lavender as long as poss.
HTH Hester

Love the sound of these. What size do they end up, how much rice do you use, how full should the bags be and finally how long do you heat them in microwave for
Thanx

Hardup_Hester

Hi Sandy
They end up about 6 to 8 inches, but I sometimes make them bigger if I'm making them to wrap round a leg or something. I fill them to about half to threequarters full, about like a bean bag, heat for approx one minute, but that depends on your microwave.
heater

MrsTinks

If you make then bigger consider making "channels" or "pockets" in the inner bag. That stops all the rice or wheat from zooming to one end of the bag - you can put some dried lavender in each section too if you want. I'd advise to add instructions when giving them saying that when heating in microwave have a small glass of water in there too... if they get too hot and are dry they CAN catch fire.

Bambywamby

Last year my other half took four handsome pictures of our two labradors , printed them off the P.C and then had them laminated at the library (30pence per sheet) and gave them to me as four place mats.
It was a gorgeous gift, that was practical, thoughtful and very personal...and quite O/S.

Bams x.x

jess444_2

I like making jars of cake mixes which I layer up - I make a chocolate brownie one and layer up cocoa, sugar, flour (with added raising agent and pinch of salt) and chocolate chips - I make pretty label saying to add an egg and some cooking oil and how to bake it. I put gingham cloth on the top and attach a cheap wooden spoon.

I love this idea Recovering Spendoholic, thank you. :T
Do you think you could post the recipe? Also what size jar do you tend to use and how far in advance do you think they could be made.

rachelleblondel_2

Its my sisters little boys 1st xmas this year & I am in the process of making up a hamper and wanted to put a pair of bobux shoes in but at £16+ are a bit extravagant this year so did a search and came up with this site

http://www.tackyliving.com/article.php?id=121

So now he can have several pairs for the cost of rumaging about in my scraps basket. I am also making him a quilt out of my boys old jeans so a matching pair of shoes me thinks!!

Rachelle:p

dbelle

I made fudge last Christmas for the in laws and they were thrilled with it. Very cheap to make (just condensed milk, lots of sugar, vanilla essence and any other flavourings like chocolate) and really really nice.

The thing that cost me the most were the boxes for them though, because I forgot about those and had to buy them at Paperchase a week before xmas!

I think I am going to do fudge again this xmas (with cheaper boxes!), chocolate truffles and maybe some kind of flavoured vodka.

I also make my own jewellery but I think the MIL and my sisters are fed up with it now!