Homemade Christmas

meritaten

click this link for a good 'how to dry orange slices' using different methods

http://www.infobarrel.com/Drying_Orange_Slices_For_Crafts

PixieDust

Thank you

Katiehound

Not exactly a handmade Christmas but you might find this a handy idea. I always save the paper- as long as it is not very thin or ripped a a friend uses it through the year for the toddler group or children's craft days at her church. Nothing is wasted!! Hope she doesn't iron any of that paper for me!!

Last year I made a goodly quantity of Limoncello and gave as gifts. I used glass bottles that had held salad dressing - sadly these glass bottles seem to have been replaced with plastic- not so good for sterilising!!

This year some very smart curtains have come my way and they are destined to be sewn into shopping bags, especially useful since the plastic bag tax has taken hold! The bags are also going to hold the gifts which may or may not be wrapped.

Last year I saved all the cracker pieces which are now preformed cardboard, usually foiled. (I want to point out that I would not buy such expensive things but I toe the line as a guest!!) In the past I have punched snowflake shapes etc as embellishments but this year discovered an even better use.
The central part rarely gets creased (thankfully!) If you trim the "teeth" each side and then cut off the tuck in and slit at the narrow ends you have a neat rectangle. Each piece will make a neat little party favour or decoration and will hold a chocolate, it's incredibly easy, all you have to do is score 4 lines and punch 4 holes. Then you need ribbon or that narrow parcel tie, and some form of embellishment.
See the (very long winded!!)YouTube instructions here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34H4kAd4TKA

redbreast

This is a great idea.
If you read my other post you'll see I've just decided to make some big changes in order to get rid of debt and stop going down the path or self destruction I seem to be on.
As a consequence I have no budget for Christmas (am supposed to be hosting this year so that'll be fun). Food is always homemade but the idea of making gifts and decorations is exciting... just need ideas... I'll keep checking back!

calicocat

Not massive amounts done here as yet as have been busy.

However I did make a couple of candles yesterday in glass jars. I keep all old bits of wax. If they are heavily scented and a nice colour, I chop them into cubes/random shapes. I use and old half of a slim / cigar type candle, put this in middle of jar as the wick, and place different coloured bits into jar.

Then melt the other bits in a saucepan, pour into jar. 20 mins later, a nearly cooled and ready new candle.

Chopping the wax up and putting it into the jar not only gives a nice pattern to the candle, but it also means when pouring the hot wax in it cools very quickly, also keeps the wick in place easily.


Still haven't been to get my tree/big branch in the woods yet for my outside tree. It is definitely something I intend doing, but it will have to wait until my next days off now. The weather over the last windy days will have probably mean there are some casualties I can find.

I've been invited to a party xmas eve, so will have to think of what to make for the buffet for that. Any ideas welcome.

Rebob

I have often baked mince pies and jam tart's which along with a nice bottle of wine made many happy. I also have made various hampers for my mother in law over the year's. This year I doubt I will be baking as my health is not so good but I have crocheted a poncho for my aunt and a blanket for my sister. I am going to tint my mum's lashes as she loves them doing but isn't mobile enough for visiting the beauty salon. DS has made a bird table as part of his duke of Edinburgh skill section. I am paying for the materials and giving that as a gift too

Katiehound

calicocat wrote: »

However I did make a couple of candles yesterday in glass jars. I keep all old bits of wax. If they are heavily scented and a nice colour, I chop them into cubes/random shapes. I use and old half of a slim / cigar type candle, put this in middle of jar as the wick, and place different coloured bits into jar.

Then melt the other bits in a saucepan, pour into jar. 20 mins later, a nearly cooled and ready new candle.
.

Never thought of that!
I had been given a coleslaw type pot of wax to give to a charity- then discovered due to 'elf and safety regs they no longer can use......so binned it all only in the last month.
Wouldn't you flipping know it!!!

themull1

My Grandad made me a caravan, it had a kitchen with jars made out of wooden dowelling, with printed names on the front, a living room with pull down beds, and a shower/toilet, it was on wheels, he also made me a rocking horse, and a dog on wheels.

MrsCD

I recently bought a pack of tealight cases and wicks for very little money. I am going to make tealights from the wax melts when I want to change the 'flavour' instead of just throwing them out.
Homemade blinis are easy to make and freeze then you can just put the topping on at the last minute.

calicocat

MrsCD wrote: »

I recently bought a pack of tealight cases and wicks for very little money. I am going to make tealights from the wax melts when I want to change the 'flavour' instead of just throwing them out.
Homemade blinis are easy to make and freeze then you can just put the topping on at the last minute.

That's so weird.....i have been thinking about doing blinis. I haven't made them before, will google them when I finish my shifts and do a test batch. I have lots of stuff and s.salmon in the freezer that I could use for the top that could do with being used.

Plan is to go hunting for my big branch/outside tree this weekend. :T. I have a man with a van, so that bit is sorted. .......:D.