Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

Children and adults alike can use their creativity and produce lovely gifts for the Christmas holiday gift giving season. Homemade gifts may not only save the gift giver money but also can be personalized for the recipient. Gifts can be as simple or as complex as the gift giver is able to make it and still be a worthwhile gift.

Obviously some people are more creative than others but even those who are not very creative can create a wonderful homemade gift. There are many different categories homemade gifts can fall into and I will outline a few here:

Edibles:

Edible gifts can come in a number of different forms. Those who bake may choose to make a plate with a variety of different cookies or other baked goodies on it. By varying the colors, sizes, shapes and textures of the goodies you can make a decorative display. You can use either small plastic platter, large paper plate or cookie tin to hold the goodies. If you use a paper plate, you may choose to cover the plate with aluminum foil or a pretty doily. Plates and platters can be covered with fancy colored plastic wrap.

If you are not a baker, you can make a "gift in a jar." These are simple recipes that you put in a jar and the person who receives it has a pretty display jar and then a yummy recipe mix. This can be done with soups, hot chocolate, or cookie and brownie mixes. Ingredients are put into the jar in layers so that they have an interesting appearance in the jar. For a soup recipe, there would be layers of beans and dried vegetables and powdered soup mix. The recipient would simply have to add to a pot of water (amounts would be specified on a gift tag) and simmer to make a wonderful winter soup! A brownie mix would simple need an egg and some water added to it and then it would be baked into a pan of delicious brownies. If you would like some recipes for gifts in a jar, you can check out one of many websites. One of my favorites is http://www.allfreecrafts.
com/giftinajar/index.shtml .

Sewing or yarn projects:

There are many projects that you can make for other people that involve sewing or other needlework. Some sewing project ideas might include pillows, aprons or tote bags. Simple patterns can be found online or in craft stores or, with something such as a pillow, you can make your own simple patterns. In addition, if you sew small sachet bags your children can help you fill them with scented potpourri and tie closed with pretty ribbon thus making it a project that you can work on together with your child!

Cross-stitch or needlepoint pictures make nice gifts, but are often very time consuming. Still, if one has the time and is good at such crafts, it will make a gift that will be treasured and not be forgotten. Quicker and simpler projects may include knitted or crocheted scarves or hats. They will prove useful for the cold winter season and can be personalized by using colors and designs to match the recipients personality or tastes. Crocheted or knitted throw blankets also make nice gifts and can be accomplished with a bit of time put in each day. Just do make sure to plan ahead or you may not finish in time!

Decorative Crafts

Other ideas may take a bit more creativity. You can decorate almost anything and personalize it for the recipient. One of my favorite items to decorate is picture frames. You can decorate plain wooden picture frames by painting with tempera or glitter paints. Your child can decorate them using self stick foam pieces. Or you can get creative and use items such as old puzzle pieces or other household items that may be unique to the person receiving the gift. For example, plastic tools can be used for a carpenter, plastic fork and spoon for a cook, and for the candy lover small candies can be used and shellacked over to preserve,

Candle holders can also be decorated with stickers or glitter glues. Children can make bookmarks from stiff paper cut into strips and decorated in a variety of ways. Photo collages, scrapbooks, or calendars can make nice gifts that are easy to put together. Your creativity can come up with endless ideas. The gift recipient will be happy with all the thoughts that you put into the gifts you give!