Christmas presents: Take the handmade pledge!

[ShrinkingViolet]

This sounds like a welcome alternative for those who are getting fed up with Christmas turning into a cult of consumption:

http://www.buyhandmade.org/

I plan on making all of my Christmas gifts myself this year, but it might be a bit too much to ask of the rest of my family!

Do you make your Christmas presents yourself? I love to hear some ideas for handmade homemade Christmas goodies!

 

[Foofoogal]

One year my whole family did this. It was really neat. We had sewn apron for BBQ, crocheted lap afghan, nail sack for men, bible covers, cookies in a jar, bean mix in a jar, towels sewn with fancy lace ribbon and other stuff I cannot remember.

 

[~*Red*~]

I like to handmake presents myself. Last year my daughter and I did ceramics for the family, something personal for all of them. This year, I knit 3 scarves. I'm about 2/3 done with my last one. I'm finally getting the hang of more stitches, and the patterns.

One year I made Santa Bags for everyone with little presents inside. That was really fun, but hand embroidering the names took way too long. We don't have a lot of money to spend at Christmas time and then I have 3 birthdays to buy for and that only includes the family birthdays...there's at least 4 or 5 more friend's birthdays...It's the most expensive month for us. I find by making alot of the presents, even if it is just making photo keepsake albums, or frames, or doing ceramics, or whatever, it costs far less, it was a personal gift, made with love and alot of memories and thoughts, and it takes up spare time. This way I also find I get my "shopping" done way ahead of time!

I don't go out and buy handmade, when I can just do it myself. I also find that buying others handmade gifts are more expensive than buying store bought stuff.

 

[MrNewportCustom]

Some of you may remember that, a few weeks ago, my family spent a Friday evening at my sister's apartment for a slide show and photo album viewing of old family pictures. Well, that same sister is slaving over a hot computer, copying every single slide and photo, numbering somewhere close to three hundred (of which, at that time, we only saw eighty of the slides), and cooking up CD ROM slide shows for every member of the family. That is her Cristmas gift to us.


Lee
_______________________

Who could ask for more?

 

[Lotus Leroux]

What a great thread! I, too, am planning on making most of my Christmas gifts this year. I am planning on making some aprons, pin cushions, and tote bags. I enjoy sewing and I do like the idea of giving handmade gifts when possible.

 

[~*Red*~]

Some of you may remember that, a few weeks ago, my family spent a Friday evening at my sister's apartment for a slide show and photo album viewing of old family pictures. Well, that same sister is slaving over a hot computer, copying every single slide and photo, numbering somewhere close to three hundred (of which, at that time, we only saw eighty of the slides), and cooking up CD ROM slide shows for every member of the family. That is her Cristmas gift to us.


Lee
_______________________

Who could ask for more?

What a GREAT Christmas gift!!!!!

 

[Story]

Does dumpster-dived & refurbished count? [huh]

 

[Mid-fogey]

Sounds great...

...but I think I'll be "making" for the mall.

I do very much encourage the sentiment. I've be unsuccessfully fighting wretched excess for years.

 

[pigeon toe]

I have already bought a lot of gifts using coupons and Ebay, but I think the cookie mix in a jar idea is great. I'm definitely going to do it for my mom, since she always says I make the best chocolate chip cookies, and since I've gone to college I'm not around to make them anymore!

For everyone else though? Store bought (and a giant love letter to my boyfriend, as usual). I just don't quite have the time to make a thoughtful gift for everyone. Plus I'm a believer in the lots of little gifts instead of one giant one, so that would just be too difficult.

 

[Nashoba]

Every year I make christmas goodie bags for every Marine in our unit.
I also can preserves, jams and conserves throughout the year and a select group of people get to choose from a list of what i've made that year. they get christmas baggies too with what they've chosen along with some select baked goods.

 

[BeBopBaby]

I usually knit Christmas gifts for people, but I'm starting to run out of ideas for quickly knit projects. Last year, I knit hats for everyone and felted purses. The year before, everyone got scarves. This year, I'm running out of time to knit presents, but I hope to have a baby hat for a friends' baby, a pair of cable knit cashmere gloves and a afghan made for gifts.

I also make a metric ton of christmas cookies and give them away as gifts as well. Speaking of, does anyone want to do a Christmas cookie recipe exchange?

 

[The Shirt]

I'm a beginning knitter - but last year I made 4 scarves and they were the hit of the night. Everyone who didn't get one last year is getting one this year. I also managed a receiving blanket (need one more) and am attempting a doggie sweater for my sister.

I also am pulling together a spa night for all the ladies in the family where together we will concoct some yummy things to soak in, smear on our faces and hands. Not a lot of kids in the family so we generally try to come up with ways to spend our time together and I thought this would be a fun gift/adventure.

 

[Josephine]

I also make a metric ton of christmas cookies and give them away as gifts as well. Speaking of, does anyone want to do a Christmas cookie recipe exchange?

Sure! When should we start it? This week or after TGiving?

 

[scotrace]

..slaving over a hot computer, copying every single slide and...

How does one digitize slides? We have all my wife's dad's slides... that would solve Christmas for me if I could transfer them!

I like to make gifts. Last year I did everyone's that way. I made a painted candle box for each of the ladies in my office also. This thread is great for ideas!!

 

[Foofoogal]

Another idea I have always wanted to try but not got around to it is the photo transfers.
There is some kind of photo transfer paper you can get to scan a photo I think into your computer and then transfer to the paper. You can then iron on to anything like a pillow or quilt or fabric purse or whatever.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

How does one digitize slides? We have all my wife's dad's slides... that would solve Christmas for me if I could transfer them!

I like to make gifts. Last year I did everyone's that way. I made a painted candle box for each of the ladies in my office also. This thread is great for ideas!!

some scanners include a 'slide' reader ....but

http://www.abstractconcreteworks.com/essays/scanning/Backlighter.html

also has some ideas

 

[BeBopBaby]

Sure! When should we start it? This week or after TGiving?

Maybe we could start a thread where people could post their favorite recipes?

 

[deadpandiva]

This is a great idea. There is a wonderful store near my house that sales hand made everything and it's owned by a friend, plus my sister makes the most amazing jewelry.

 

[thebadmamajama]

Another idea I have always wanted to try but not got around to it is the photo transfers.
There is some kind of photo transfer paper you can get to scan a photo I think into your computer and then transfer to the paper. You can then iron on to anything like a pillow or quilt or fabric purse or whatever.

Yes ma'am--this was an old college pasttime--making absolutely ridiculous t-shirts and tote bags with inside jokes on them using transfer paper. You can get it where they sell computer paper/photo paper in the office supply area of WalMart. Easy cheesy.

 

[~*Red*~]

Michaels has it too. I found it where they keep the special paper to make shrinky dinks.
Wow, all this is reminding me of everything else we used to make. We love to make ornaments for people as well...and how can one forget food?? We also make tamales and give those away to all the neighbors for Christmas.