Make These Holiday Gifts with a Personal Touch

Nothing delights a close friend or family member more than a gift that was created just for them. Such gifts do take time, but they are cherished like no other. Here are some ideas to delight and amaze those on your gift list this holiday season:

1)Handmade clothing

If you can sew or knit, then create a great jacket, vest, tie, or blouse in exactly the style or colors that you know they will love. If you are like most of us, and are not that handy, why not look into creating a custom T-Shirt? You can add a favorite picture, inside joke, or saying to this shirt making it completely a personalized gift from you. This time of year, long sleeved shirts such as a Beefy Long Sleeveshirt are appreciated. This link is to a manufacturer who will create your shirt and ship it to you; you don't have to do a thing! Another such company that also offers mugs and other assorted gift items is www.cafepress.com

At your local office store, you can buy iron-on transfer paper that fits most PC printers. This is a less expensive way to achieve the same results, but make sure your iron is hot enough and that you hold it down for the recommended period of time, or you will have a mess.

2) Homemade foods and mixes

If you have a friend or relative who doesn't get many homecooked meals - give him or her a "certificate" made by you entitling them to one homecooked meal of their choice by you. I also suggest going to www.pillsbury.com and downloading one of the many wonderful cake, cookie, and cupcake recipes and giving these as presents; these are fattening, but absolutely worth it!

One of the most wonderful and appreciated gifts I received last year was a beautifully decorated jar full of hot chocolate mix with marshmellows on top. My girls and I enjoyed our hot chocolate around the tree.

You can package homemade cookie mixes in decorator jars as well as nut bread mixes, muffin mixes, bread machine mixes, and gourmet nut mixes. These make beautiful and unusual gifts that can be enjoyed at anytime during the year.

3) From Your Printer

Your local office store also carries magnetic backed paper that works with most printers, it is easy to print a favorite photo, Gooed photo ( a photo that has been comically altered using a program known as Photo Goo), or photo collage on this paper and give it as a refrigerator magnet. These are unusual and attention getting, depending on just how funny the photo is!

Another idea is to create a custom calendar with pictures of your family throughout the year. This is especially appreciated by grandparents who live far away from their grandchildren.

4) Candles

Candles are easy to make, fun for the whole family, and very customizeable. Last year, we bought a whole box full of candle making supplies at a discount from eBay! Candles can be poured in layers, made using your friend's favorite perfume or scent, and handpainted with beautiful colors and styles. Every hand made candle is unique, and who doesn't love candles?

5) The Gift of Your Time

The most unselfish and appreciated gift of all is a gift of time. Do you have a friend who is too busy to clean her garage or attic? Give her a certificate promising x hours of your time to help with this task. Does your daughter want you to spend time with her at the mall, shopping? Give her a similar certificate.

Other certificates for kids would include 1) one extra hour of TV at night 2) an extra helping of dessert when presented 3) help with homework 4) request for their favorite meal or 5) their choice of movie for the night.

These gifts are not only unique, they build relationships.

6) The Gift of Memories

A beautiful scrapbook, photo album or picture collage will mean a great deal if filled with meaningful photos that capture the essence of a family. If you have video footage of your family throughout the year, creating a nice DVD that captures highlights will also be an appreciated and treasured gift.

Remember, everyone loves something that was created just for them. Mass market items are always given and appreciated, but personalized gifts capture the true spirit of the season.