Homemade Christmas Gifts for Families

With the Christmas season fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about great Christmas gift ideas. Homemade Christmas gifts are a great way to be personal and creative and can also help you keep a reasonable Christmas budget. If you are looking for some homemade Christmas gift ideas for families, here are a few of my favorites.

Family Pictures and Frames - One easy and personal Christmas gift idea is to give a family picture with a homemade frame. Start with any inexpensive frame. You can usually find a good one at the dollar store. Then choose any scrapbook paper or wrapping paper that you want and cut it into strips, about 1 inch by 3 or 4 inches. Dip the paper strips into liquid starch or mod podge and use your fingers to wipe off any excess liquid. Then wrap the strips around the frame until the frame is completely covered and allow the frame to dry for several hours. I love these frames because they are cute and easy and can be any color or style that you like.

Family Quotes or Memories Book - This is a really great Christmas gift idea for a family that you know well. You could either compile some of your own favorite memories with a family or ask family members or friends to share some of their favorite stories, and then combine them. One year my siblings and I made a memory book for our parents by each contributing a few of our favorite memories with our parents or memorable things that they had said to us. We compiled the stories on the computer, and printed them out using different fonts and layouts to create a cute look and style. We then had the pages spiral-bound, but you could also just add them in a three-ring binder. Our parents loved reading through all the sweet and funny moments that our family had shared together and it was definitely a gift they will always remember and treasure.

Family Quilt - If you like to quilt, a really great Christmas gift idea is to make a family quilt with squares dedicated to each member of the family. You can choose any fabrics or styles that you like, and create different squares that represent the interests of each family member. For example, you could choose a sports fabric for an athlete in the family, a ballet shoe printed fabric for a dancer, or cute floral pattern for a family member who loves to garden. Be creative and find fun ways to represent each family member. This gift idea is great because it creates something so personal and unique to the family.

Hats and Scarves - I love to knit, so I am always giving out some kind of knitted items at Christmas time. If you are giving a gift to a family with young children, they might enjoy having coordinating hats and scarves. One year, I used this gift idea for my brother's family, with his 3 young daughters. I made matching scarves for each of the girls, and they loved it. Matching items probably won't be such a good idea with older children, but you could still make each member their own unique item. If you are not great with knitting needles, try finger knitting. This knitting method is extremely quick and easy, which makes it great when you want a homemade touch, but don't have a lot of time.

Recipe Books - Another great idea that any family will love is a cookbook of your favorite recipes. One year my sister collected favorite recipes from all her friends and family and then compiled them into a book that she gave out for Christmas. Everyone loved this great cooking resource because they were the recipes that everyone had already tried and loved.