Homemade Christmas Gifts: A Great Idea for Everyone on Your List

You don't have to be a wiz at crafts or have oodles of free time to make homemade Christmas gifts. Kids can help - and make the process more fun - without handing out homemade macaroni picture frames on Christmas morning.

Homemade Christmas gifts offer a lot of options and present a lot of benefits. Gifts made just by you, especially for someone special, show love. Turn away from the commercialism overtaking Christmas, and you will discover that there can be a perfect gift - one that is special, personal, and homemade.

1. Homemade "Gift Certificates"

Homemade "gift certificates" or "IOU"s are not only the easiest homemade Christmas gift, they are also the easiest to personalize. You chose exactly what you want to give, redeemable at a future date, based on the person's preferences and interests. They are also great for any holiday, or any time!

Teens might appreciate an hour curfew extension, even if it is redeemable only on non-school nights, a ride to the movies, or a use of the car. Younger children can get a later bedtime, a slip to have a friend stay over, or a promise to rent movies or video games of their choice. Would your husband love an uninterrupted Sunday of football, with no mention of the leaves that need to be raked? Now your homemade gift last longer than Christmas day - the recipient has all year to enjoy your thoughtfulness

Homemade gift certificate options are limited only by your imagination when you choose things that you know the person would love. There is no immediate expense, no shopping, no lines. There are websites that offer templates for certificates, you can create your own on your computer word processing program, or for true homemade feel, grab the craft supplies and make them by hand.

*Great for: Anyone and everyone on your Christmas list! (especially that person who just seems to have everything)

2. Photo album/scrapbook

You have been meaning to have email out that batch of Christmas pageant pictures, to sort through your collection and get your photo album organized, or to get some of those shots off of your digital camera to make room for Christmas day pictures. The busy holiday season just doesn't seem to leave you time, though. What if it was part of your gift process?

Small albums can be found at most stores, or a little cardboard, cardstock, construction paper and plastic presentation cover sheets can create your own homemade version. What proud grandparent wouldn't love an album of their grandkids? That 'special someone' is sure to be touched by the album of your favorite 'together memories'. Be sure that you keep a copy of the photos, or that you are comfortable giving them up, and get creative! Add captions, print, draw or cut out special borders, or raid your scrap booking supplies for other fun additions.

*Great for: Out-of-town relatives, anyone who shows up often in your photo collection

3. Children's Book

Everyone loves to feel special; what could be more special than a homemade book, all about you? Start with a binder, decorate the cover, and let your imagination run! For those not artistically talented (because I'm sure not), pictures can be printed from your computer, or you can use photographs to illustrate. This is another project where cardstock, construction paper, or other design-coated paper can be used.

Wait, you have no idea what to write? Well, if you have a good imagination, a made-up story involving the person and a favorite activity or a fantasy (like girls may want to be a princess, boys may dream of playing pro football) can work well. You can also use a personal story, such as a favorite memory, told from your point of view. It can be wonderful to hear how others see us, so include what your thoughts were to give them a story that they could hear no where else.

*Great for: Younger children, but you can make it work for most people

4. Handmade Cards

Your Christmas card list is a mile long, and your time is, well, not quite so endless. Homemade cards for everyone on your list is probably out of the question. However, they can be very useful for some people. For example, a homemade card used to hold a gift certificate to a store or restaurant adds a little bit of a personal touch.

This is another project that can be done simply with common craft supplies, or more ornately if you prefer. Homemade Christmas cards can be personalized to the people who will receive them, highlighting their interests, or they can be generalized with traditional holiday pictures or sayings. This is a great project for kids as well. Won't Grandma just love that her card this year was handmade by her grandkids?

*Great for: Holding gift certificates, people to whom you aren't giving gifts but want to acknowledge specially

5. Personalized Cookbook

Do you have a cook in the family? Why not make a cookbook just for them? This doesn't have to be a huge, difficult, time-consuming project. A few index cards, a small (18-20 page) photo album with protective plastic sheets, and you are ready to go. Include recipes of yours that the person has requested or appreciated when you have made the dishes, and chose new ones just for them.

This is another homemade gift that offers lots of room to personalize. If your sister-in-law is a vegetarian, compile some interesting vegetarian dish recipes. You mother and her sweet tooth might get a book of the best desserts. For your best friend, the fisherman, take a few recipes for different types of fish, and throw in some recipes for items that would be great to take along fishing - it's hard not to get hungry out on the water all day. Your pal at the office will love you for creating a collection of great recipes that take less than 30 minutes to make!

*Great for: Foodies, cooks, anyone - just fit their taste!