I love presents, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that. Something thoughtfully chosen with you in mind is ideal. Of course gift cards aren’t bad either but in this day of over-consumerism the meaning is lost or forgotten.

Handmade gifts are often looked down on, for whatever reasons handmade is simply substandard to many. Interestingly enough I noticed that more recent generations of immigrants, those who went without and suddenly have plenty are ones to shun something handmade. This isn’t to say they are the only ones, just ones I’ve noticed, there are plenty others with the sense of entitlement, but that’s another entry. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s saw the push for big, fancy, “boughten” gifts (had to sneak a bit of my Gram in here). I remember when the Sears, JC Penney and Montgomery Ward catalog “Wish Books” came out. Oh, the smells of the paper and ink! the hundreds of toys! The wanting such special treasures! I would write up my letter to Santa, every year I’d ask for a ventriloquist doll as well as twelve other things. More often than not my sister would ask for the same thing and she’d get what I asked for, tough on a little kid but perhaps it helped to lessen the focus on valuing store bought stuff.

My appreciation for homemade gifts came later, I don’t recall many handmade gifts as a child. They came later as I got older. My paternal grandparents usually got us clothes, a few dollar bills in a card or a group gift for my sister, brother and I (we were their only grandchildren). Nana wasn’t a crafty person, nor could the woman cook to save her life. She was the daughter of immigrants who settled in NH’s capital “city” and had a fairly prosperous business to get them and their 11 children everything they needed. Making things for themselves was a sign of poverty. My mum’s folks were farming people and rather crafty, I’ve always been very hard on myself because I come from a family with very talented people. Although homemade gifts were not fully appreciated by me until I began making them. Seeing all the time, love and effort that goes into something and seeing the appreciation (hopefully!) when it is received is far better than anything I could buy. Besides, seeing the quality in items lessen each year it’s nice to make something that stands a chance of lasting longer than something made in a sweat shop. It’s one less piece of plastic for the landfill and one less piece of crap that will break within the month.

Ideally a handmade item is something that will last (depending on the type of gift of course). Cookbooks, clothing, photos, etc. Something that could be considered a future heirloom is what appeals to me most. Something I can make for my daughter, niece and nephews (or pass down to my daughter) that they will hopefully hang onto and remember me when they are grown and out on their own. In keeping with my plans of building a hope chest for Pixie, I’d like to create items for her and perhaps even my niece (though I’m not sure it would be appreciated, it’s hard to say right now) that they would be able to use in their adult lives.

Now whether I have money or not I still prefer the handmade over storebought. The argument that people are not creative, crafty or have the time has little effect on me. There are ideas that can be done quickly and by anyone if a person is willing. In my infinite quest of procrastination (or perhaps this is the early stages of planning) I assembled a list of ideas for homemade. It’s a work in progress to which I will be adding to as inspiration hits. My afternoon spent sitting in my craft room going through bins to see what I have (yarn, tons of fabrics, batting, wire, beads, paints and just tons of stuff) and getting ideas. I’m feeling more confident about what I’m making for people. The assigning gifts to people list starts tomorrow, after I get the damn turkey carcass into the stock pot of course (Pixie’s very sick with bronchitis and so it slipped my mind these last two days).

And now without further ado, the list o’ ideas…..(after the cut of course)

Food Gifts

• Chocolate covered marshmallows (Thanks Gina!)
• Homemade truffles
• Holiday cookies
• Make a mix-rise, soups, spices, bread, cake, cookie mixes
• Mulling Spices
• Infused Vinegars or Oils
• Homemade Bread
• Jams, Jellies, Preserves
• Other homemade jarred goods-fruit sauces, BBQ sauce, mustards, chutneys
• Candy and confections (bon bons, fudge, lollies, brittles, etc)
• Flavored sugars
• Flavored coffee
• Homemade cocoa blends
• Chocolate dipped pretzels, potato chips
• Chocolate dipped spoons
• Fruit infused vodka
• Homemade Wines, Cordials, Beer
• Dog biscuits
• Homemade Liquers
• Spiced Nuts
• Snack mixes
•

Paper Crafts

• Homemade cards-printed with photos, hand drawn, stenciled, pressed flowers, “stenciled” using a flat piece of greenery (juniper) and colored spray paint/glitter.
• Notepaper
• Calendar-using hand drawn images (children’s art for grandparents), photographs
• Cookbook-hand written or printed. Favorite and family recipes, tailor to the skill level of the person getting it. Decorate a 3 ringed binder with a pretty fabric, slip pages into clear paper protectors.

Crafty Creations

• Hand Dipped/Poured Candles
• Decoupaged or Painted Boxes
• Hand painted Glassware
• Decorated T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Tote bags, Aprons or Pillowcases-iron on photographs, stenciled, hand drawn, appliqué, embroidery
• Embroidered or Cross-stitched Towels
• Fleece Blankets, Scarves, edged with a simple blanket stitch
• Homemade easy to pour soaps
• Coin purses
• Wine Charms
• Bookmarks, Book Covers
• Pillbox
• Pen/Pencil Holder
• Padded Clothes Hanger
• Luminarias (punched tin is very pretty)
• Catnip treats
• Potpourri, Sachets
• Bags of spice blend for simmering
• Magnets for the refrigerator-shapes made of Sculpey, photos, florist glass beads (the flattened ones) with small images attached behind it, or images drawn onto it.
• Decorated picture frames
• A handmade ornament (perfect way to build a young one’s tree ornament collection)-don’t forget to mark the year somewhere
• Bath Salts, Bombs
• Massage or bath oils
• Braided Rugs
• Decorated Candle Plates
• Homemade body lotion, lip balm
• Fire starters
• Waxed Baskets
• Garden Stepping Stones
• Jewelry
• Incense
• Heat/Cold Packs (eyes, wrist, neck, back and shoulders)
• Tie-dyed anything (ie: pillowcases, sheet sets, shirts, bandannas, scarves)

Natural

• Ornaments made from fallen twigs, seed pods, emptied/open conifer cones, empty seashells
• Wreaths
• Framed pressed flowers
• Sea shell candles
• Windchimes

What You Do Best

What talents do you have? Artist, sculptor, Stain Glass, fiber arts give a gift of your handiwork

• Quilting
• Embroidery
• Crocheting/Knitting
• Sculpting
• Pottery
• Charcoal Sketching
• Painting
• Stained Glass piece
• Handmade Jewelry
• Spinning
• Weaving
• Drawing

Sweaters, Hats, Mittens, Gloves, Socks, Dishcloths, Slippers, Afghans, Cotton Toweling, Scarves, felted Bags and apparel, felted hot pads/trivets, stars, stockings, wreathes (use fabric stiffener), socks edged with beads or fancy edging
Quilted table top runners, placemats, hot mats, blankets, lap blankets, pillows, Wall hangings
Naturally dyed, handspun yarns
Make a story book with your own artwork, for a little one
Doll Clothes

Other Ideas

• Gift baskets filled with any of the above
• Not completely homemade but–Box or basket filled with items person uses on a regular basis (shampoos, cotton swabs, toothpaste, deodorant, soaps, etc.-be sure to get their usual brand)
• Homemade Holiday crafts
• Coupons for services, meals, time spent together, etc.