Gift Ideas!!!

Have you tried a gift in a jar? Put the main ingredients in a jar, attach the recipe to finish it, and decorate with fabric and ribbon. I did this last year. You can Google for sites. Here is one I pulled off Google- http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml.

Happy gift giving!

I know you have a ton of responses....
How about one more :)

Since you know how to sew...Aprons for the family ....with embroidered names or something cute. You could then give recipe or a meal for them to cook together.
I am hoping to do this for some family members that truly have everything and can buy anything that their heart desires...

Blessings for a wonderful holiday season!

Seeing as how you sew, I would suggest dishtowels with hand prints of your son. I have also done pillows, aprons, shirts, and bags with hand and footprints. One that is cute for grandparents is to do footprints that say “My grandson walks all over me!”

I have also given the following poem with handprint framed before. This can also be used to make a cute card. I don’t know who wrote the poem.

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.

But every day I'm growing -
I'll be grown some day
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

Be sure to have some help when doing hand and footprints. Can be quite the adventure!

Check this out! www.holdingmemoriesforever.com It's personalized gifts that anyone can make and everyone you give it to will treasure. We have gifts for every age. Send me an email if you want to know more.

C. S

www.etsy.com is a website full of homemade gifts...warning it's an addictive website though! :)

My sister-in-law gave me a calendar last year for Christmas. I think she had it made at Wal-Greens. You sorted through all of our family pictures and put each persons picture on their birthday and each couples pictures on their ann. She gave one to everyone in the family. It is the greatest gift I have ever received and everytime someone comes into our home and see's it they ask where I got it. From what I hear it takes some time to sort through all the pictures but Wal-Greens does the rest!!! I thought it was very thoughtful and has been extremely helpful and useful in reminding me of everyones birthday's!

I am the same way with gifts. I make gifts every year for my friends and family. They always ask to not buy them things but look forward to the handmade items. Well this year I am doing SPA gifts for the girls and TEAM food bowls for the men. I am making back, neck and eye pillows with silk like fabric from JoAnns. Just make a rectangle with fabric and sew three sides. I filled them 3/4 of the way with rice that I had placed in a zippy bag and put drops of oil from Bath and Body. So the rice has a nice smell. Then sew up the other open end. I made one as a test to see how long the sent would stay. The eye pillow I placed in the freezer for headaches and 3 months latter it still is GREAT. For the men I am taking plastic bowl and filling them up with snacks for the BIG game. The candy is died with food coloring in there favorite team colors. ie...Dallas Cowboys. white and blue. Also making that "dog food" (that's what I call it choc chex mix), pop corn package,hot choc mix, and beef jerky. Then for all of our families a family pic in a frame and this year I am going to mix a cd with favorite songs. GET UP AND GO and RELAXATION. Hope this helps. I too have made the blankets and pillows and are a big hit with all ages.

My SIL makes blankets and doilies. She usually makes them for the holidays for family. I use them in my living area. One year she did one with our last name in it and framed it for us. It is very nice!

I'm not sure what you call the doilie thing, tatting maybe. As you can probably tell, I have no crafty ability.

Check out www.etsy.com for unique, handmade gifts.

Hi, I have used Marthastewart.com several times I also get a lot of great ideas at Michaels and Hobby lobby... I also Just want to let you know that I have gifts starting at 3.00 Ea for custom jar candles and gift baskets starting at only $10.00 EA !!! I also have mason jar cookie mix gifts! I create each custom for you with a custom gift tag as well! We also have beautiful custom stationary and custom Holiday cards! I have a 10% off coupon right now for mammasource members!

Give us a shout if we can help!

A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

My girls and I made homemade hot cocoa powder mix. I bought some 8 oz canning jars. We decorated the lids using mod podge , scrapbook paper and pictures of the kids, and then stuck a magnet to the back of the lid. Then we tied ribbons and tags around the jars and filled with cocoa. They made for great teacher and family gifts and the cocoa was SO yummy. Send me a note if you'd like the recipe. Another well received food gift has been spiced nuts, especially if you are sending them out of state, you can get Texas pecans. I have a great recipe for that too, they come out sweet, spicy and crunchy (like you get at the Fair).

EDIT: Everyone is asking for the nut recipe, so here it is:

CINNAMON SPICED NUTS
1 Large Egg White
1 TBSP Water
1 Tsp Salt
1 Lbs Nuts (Pecans, Whole Unblanched Almonds, Walnuts)
2/3 Cups Superfine Sugar*
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tsp Ginger
1 Tsp Coriander
You can add Dash of Cayenne if you want some heat with that (optional) It actually goes quite well with the cinnamon

Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 275 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk egg whites, water and salt in large bowl. Add nuts and toss to coat. Drain in colander for 5 minutes.

Mix sugar, cinnamon, ginger and coriander in large bowl. Add drained nuts and toss to coat. Spread nuts evenly on prepared baking sheets and back until dry and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating and switching the position of baking sheets halfway through baking time. Cool nuts completely. Break nuts apart and serve.

*If you can’t find superfine sugar at the supermarket process one cup of regular granulated sugar in the food processor for 1-2 minutes, until its very very fine. Then re-measure it for 2/3 cup superfine sugar.

I received some pillowcases that were handmade from very nice material with a little embelishment on them and I LOVE them. My aunt made them and I have almost worn them out.

I know you made this request forever ago and I apologise.
I looked thru all the responses and I'm writing you now because one of the site you weren't directed to was: www.marymaxim.com
There are SO MANY things here you can get and make. There are several things you can make and give as ornaments. Some even come in small bulk so you could give to several people. The prices are not outlandish.
Do take a look at the site. I'm sure you'll be happy.

I agree with Joy, the best homemade gifts are "consumable" (used or eaten). Despite how cute a craft it may be, it's hard to know everyone's personal style, or at some point it becomes outdated or just plain clutter. Here some consumable and non consumable ideas. Have fun whatever you end up making.

Food items: Gifts in a jar(I make Chai Latte mix, or hotfudge sauce w sundae dishes and a really good ice cream scoop) or homemade jam selection.

One gift that is very well recieved is a candy wreath.
Here is a video that shows how. I don't make mine from a hanger, I buy a metal ring from the craft store, and I use christmas ribbon vs string.. but you get the idea. Use good candy though...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvaRCEwZTm4

Quick and easy - Cookie dough rolled and wrapped in cling-wrap, one end has a cookie cutter attached along with a note: Heard you could use a little extra "dough" for the holidays.

If you sew, homemade scarves or foot booties are good for winter. I miss my old one's my grandma made me with the huge pompoms on them!! Cloth grocery bags in "designer" patterns are a very green and trendy item. Personalized burp cloths, nursing blankets for new moms.

For children, hooded towels, boo-boo buddies, fabric "busy" books.

Pine Cone Firestarters: Dip pine cones with a wick attached in clear or colored paraffin wax.
Attach note: "If your cozy fire needs a start, this handy cone will do it's part. Just touch a match to the tiny wick, a glowing fire will be no trick!"

Personal photo, video, calendars are all good too...
Home made soaps ... there are 100's of ideas.

Something that my sister got for a wedding idea that was really fun was a date bag. It had a small amount of cash in it (really small amount) and several date ideas that you could use for really cheap, but fun dates. It might be a fun gift for married couples or those who have boy/girl friends. And cheap dates can be fun for anyone.

For the past several years, I buy the photo calenders, (I find them at Michaels for $1.00. I print off pictures of my kids and put them in the premade pages of the calender. All the grandparents love them! That way it is viewed/used year round. :)

For mother's day, I took my son to Color Me Mine, a paint it yourself pottry store. My mom and MIL loved the gifts! They were very helpful with doing my wiggly 11 month old's hand and footprints! There are so many items to choose from, you can pick a piece for just about everyone!

Since you sew, maybe you can make some cute throw pillows that have a personal touch. My sister in law makes cards from scrapbooking material, so last year she make some all occasion cards and gave some out as gifts (except I like them so much, I'm very picky about giving them out!). I gave her a scrapbooking gift set, just a bunch of supplies that I knew she would like.

Or if you know a gardener, make a planter box out of old wood and metal pieces. It's a simple project, that I'm planning on doing for a Christmas gift.

Hi S.,

I have a booth at the Vineyard's Antique mall in Colleyville. The other day as I was walking to my booth I saw a new booth had opened and it is a lady that paints art on containers and boxes.

That would be a great gift idea to either buy or make yourself and it could be a different box or container for each family member...some need a cute trash can in their office-like me ;-) or a box to put letters in...the options are endless.

You might want to swing by there and see all the goodies they have painted...the Vineyards is at 4701 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville....good luck!

M. D.

Attend a craft fairs and get ideas... www.marthastewart.com

You can get a book that has recipes in it to do the cookies in a jar, or pancake mixes or something like that - then decorate the container really cute - give the gift and most of the ingredients are already in the jar : )

Okay, this may not be what you are looking for but it was the first thing that came to mind...and they are easy to make. What about plastic bag holders, with the elastic at the top and bottom to hold the bags in-you know what I am talking about? Also, I just recently saw a cute craft, you use the tall oatmeal containers-decorate them with craft paper or cloth and voila...you have a headband holder and you can put things inside as well, I am making one of these for my girls. HTH and have fun.

I have always loved getting the gift jars with a cookie mix or soup mix, hot chocolate, etc. Here's a link for ideas.

http://members.tripod.com/~HeresPoo/index.html

One gift my family LOVED and still talk about was a picture calendar. You can take digital photo files to Kinkos, Office Depot, etc and they'll make a calendar up or you can buy a calendar kit from a scrapbook place & scrap each month with a special picture. In the past, I've bought the scrap kit from Stampin' Up, independent consultants, but you might be able to find them in craft stores or online. I haven't looked in a while.

I gave one to my husband for the office & the grandparents. They loved having a "brag" book that was useful too.

I tried to match up each picture to a particular month and made sure the clothing matched the season, so no bathing suit pictures in January. Since your little one is only 8 months old, you might want to "stage" a couple of pictures for the holidays. Don't forget to include some full family photos too.

I hope this helps!

K. C.

One homemade gift I made for my family, was a recipe book. I took all of our favorite family recipes (got many from my Mom) and new recipes that I enjoyed. I typed them up on the computer, added a little clip art and printed them out. I had them bound at Kinko's with the "comb" binding. I included personal references in the recipes, like "we always had this on Sunday nights," etc. Everyone was so pleased, especially since they did not have many of my Mom's recipes. It made a cherished family heirloom.

One year I blew out eggs, hand painted them and turned them into Christmas ornaments. Everyone loved them.

Usable is important but also consumable for those so us who already have TOO much stuff!

This project is consumable: I'm a stamper/papercrafter so I like to make monogram cards with either last name letter or first name letter usually 10 to a pack tied with organdy ribbon. (see below list of items to purchase)

Another project to make with this classy reusable set listed below is using cheap small frames (3x3 inches or so) from Walmart and spelling the name or a new baby or the last name of a family. You'll need white cardstock and another color paper to mat this on before putting into the frame- it is really cute. For this, you wouldn't need the card packs, but this project is not consumable obviously.

Items from my website:
www.joysfunprojects.myctmh.com

50 cards and envies 14.95 (get 2 to make 10 sets), black ink pad 5.25, Baroque alphabet stamp set 34.95, and 2x2 acrylic block 6.50, and organdy ribbon 7.95 for 25 yards. (If doing the frames project- leave off ribbon and card packs).

HTH,
J.- new member to mamasource

We got a really nice Mickey Mouse blanket made of fleece. There are tons of directions online on how to make a no-sew fleece blanket (or sew on a nice trim, since you know how to sew.) :) They are great for kids while watching t.v. or traveling. My MIL also made matching fleece pillows, which you can stuff with a real pillow or batting. Or, maybe even make those blankets that roll into a pillow and stuff inside the pocket to make a pillow. My kids get a kick out of those. (My husband still has one from his childhood. lol)

Have you tried the "no-sew" blankets? You could even make a "no-sew" pillowcase and have it embroidered with names or even initials. Did that for office staff and teachers last year for Christmas. They are still using them. Some have them in their chairs for back support. Kinda fun to see people come in and ask about them!!

Have you ever thought of storybooks, cookbooks, calendars? Please check out my site at www.MyPhotobookStory.com. I am a consultant with Heritage Makers.

The products are the best quality I've seen. Plus, the templates are 100% customizable and are all online.

Watch this 5min video to give you an idea of what we are about! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irdqtq7mF6Y

For more information, please contact me at ____@____.com.

The shopping bags are big now that are sold at stores. They are great stuffed with a theme item....cold care package, cookie package, soup bag, beauty bag... You can make the bags fairly easily. Just use the a flat bottom, re-enforced pattern. The picnic table cloth material is great to use as an inside liner....easy to wipe clean.

One year we bought 9X13 glass pans, we found them on clearance at Kohl's. Then for each family we baked a cake they liked in the pan. They got a new 9X13 pan and a tasty cake!!!

Gift Ideas:
my favorite one that I actually made teachers last year. I took Christmas m&m's and put them at the bottom of a large soup cup. I put a packet of hot chocolate, a packet of lipton soup and a nice spoon with ribbon on it. The teachers loved it and I plan on doing it again this year. You can do this for anyone tho.

another take on the recipe book idea is a "dinner/date in a basket". I have done this for newly weds and family and friends.
Get a basket or gift bag and line with a linen cloth (or tissue paper) put in your favorite recipe (or pasta and sauce) along with all the dry ingredients in the recipe. You can be as basic as that or get really elaborate as money allows. I like to add wine glasses and a bottle of wine. Add chocolates or individually wrapped brownies for desert. A garlic press and garlic cloves. Just get creative and spend as little or as much as you want and have fun.