Home made Xmas gifts (merged threads)

Sarahsaver

things I have made:
soap
wine
schnapps
pickles
chocolates
put herbs in jars (grown in my garden)
make a 'luxury' hamper. My local £1 shop has lyons coffee - not out of date, olives, capers, anchovies... previously I have got someone a wicker basket from the charity shop and put goodies in it.
A little book of promises to someone which they can use as they need to, like mowing their lawn, cooking dinner etc. Costs nothing but time.

Sarahsaver

ooh ditto the 2 babes close together - my ds1 born march 2000, ds2 born may 2001 love em to bits.

Katgoddess

Downsizing__for_sanity wrote:

Fill the jar half full with salt, then add some olive oil. stir round until the salt soaks up the oil. Add some more salt, then more oil until you've got a nice thick consistency and the jar is full. You want a thick paste as otherwise oil will drip everywhere when you use it! Lavender sounds lovely, you could probably soak some of your own lavender in the oil for a bit to scent it if you don't want to buy aromatherapy oil.

This lasts really well and is brill on bum and thighs! If you like the Sanctuary range (which I love and only buy when it's on 3 for 2 in Boots!) you could add a splash of their massage oil.

I've also made up a "sugar scrub" for hands based on one that Virgin Vie do, using sugar, unscented hand lotion and a squirt of a body shimmer cream I never used.
However - I had tried all these things on my own skin and was happy to mix the products - this may not be suitable as a gift for someone with sensitive skin.

Happy mixing!

You can also use a mixture of sugar and babyoil instead of salt and olive oil.

DSmiffy

lynnedavis wrote:

This might be a little expensive, but as it's homemade I'll post it anyway!

Buy a bottle of the cheapest vodka you can find and flavour it by putting in sweets or fruit. I just made toffee vodka using a packet of Werther's originals (hard ones). The vodka disolves the sweets. It's really delicious and I don't even like vodka! Other good ones to try are Extra Strong Mints, chocolate, pear drops. Or for a more culinary treat use lemon grass, chilli's, peppercorn's etc - these are good with bloody mary's (excellent for hangovers!).

Doesn't it make the vodka go a funny colour?

16011996

the vodka does change colour in some cases (depends what you put in) but it tastes yum and after the first couple of drinks your not bothered what colour it is.

Simba_25

what mixer did you mix the toffee vodka with??? if any lol

this sounds yummy but i cant drink it without a mixer.....lightweight you see lol

dianeydunfor

yes, using the children is a very handy way of making xmas presents and the grandparents/aunts will always love something like that. Last year I bought some small canvas frames (only about £1.99 from the works) and some poster paint, stuck my then 7 months old's hands in it and shoved them on the canvas, very arty and colourful, something to treasure forever! wonder if i can get away with that this year again?! i like the calendar idea. would it be cruel to dress a 2 week old up as a pumpkin?!

lin473

The last couple of years,I have made various members of my family their Christmas cakes for their Christmas pressies.I have quite a little production line going from October onwards!My Nan is in here nineties,and a nightmare to think of something to buy for,but she's been thrilled to bits with her cake.I usually keep the decorating simple but effective,with a silver star christmas tree decoration in the middle and a silver ribbon for example.Well it seems to go down well anyway!

Simba_25

great idea lin! Ive never made a xmas cake as i dont like it but i might have a practice run and get my little lad to help..... he can also help decorate and give it to nan and grandad as they love it.

AnnaV

I think this would be a good idea for people with kids to give to their grandparents. It's a paint-your-own-mug from Robert Dyas and it's only 99p.

Could be good fun making them and keep the kids quiet for a bit too

Edit: Also just thought it would be a great stocking filler