Has anyone made homemade Christmas gifts?

Question

Any stories on homemage gifts? And were they liked? Just wondering.

I did a few years ago for my side of the family. I bought some Hot Wheels lowrider cars, those little figures called "Homies" and some little round mirrors. I glued the lowriders to the mirror and then posed the Homies around the cars and glued those too. By the time I was done, it looked like a mini car show. I have even had a few requests to make a few more this year. Appearently, they were a bigger hit than what I thought. It's a nice feeling to know that people really appreciate homemade gifts.

I just wanted to add a big thank you for all your answers. I wish I could give you all 10 points but Yahoo's not set up that way.

Have a Happy and Safe Christmas.

Answer 1

I often make homemade gifts. I've done counted cross stitch pictures with designs I thought the person would like. I also love to make Christmas ornaments, so when I do buy a gift I attach a Christmas ornament to the box, it's a personal touch people like. I have also made wreaths and designed my own gift baskets.

When I was a child my mother's best friend made us a homemade Christmas nativity set, she had an identical one. When I moved away from home for the first time my mother sent me the nativity and it brought back some great memories. It was so nice to have a piece of home with me at Christmas when I was so far away. I had a job in journalism at the time and wrote a column about how much this simple homemade nativity meant to me. My mother sent a copy of the column to her friend who had made it. After putting it up in her home for the past 25 years she had been considering replacing it with a fancy bought porcelain one. After reading my column she wrote me and said that she now looked at the nativity with new eyes and appreciation and wouldn't be replacing it. So I think that those homemade gifts that you take the time and energy to make can truly touch someone far more than a blender or toaster ever could.

Answer 2

I have been working on some for days now. We have a new baby this year and money is tight, so I am doing as many homemade gifts that I can. Right now, for allot of the women, I am painting these flat unfinished wooden boxes that close with a latch. I am painting each one to suit that persons taste. then I am going to put these cool journals, pens and leather book marks in them that I found at the dollar store.
I usually make homemade gifts and people have come to expect it from me. I think they would be disappointed if I actually bought them something. It does make me feel good. Especially when I go to their house and see them using or displaying what I made.
I'm sure everyone would love some homemade gifts from you this year.....you sound very crafty and full of good ideas.
A blessed Christmas to you!

Answer 3

This is what i am, making this year! It costs from $2-4 per gift. What you need to buy: If you have a local thrift-shop you can find a few things there. I just got back from getting presents there. They usually have a section for like plates, coffee cups, and dishes and such. The coffee mugs usually cost from $0.50-$2.00. I found a couple nice ones that looked brand new were christmas or another holiday themed. Then I went to the stuffed animal section and they have bags of 10-15 Bennie babies for about $8. I then went to the dollar store and bought candy canes, chocolate and some other goodies. I also picked up some tissue paper and some colored ribbon. I also got some construction paper (in christmas colors) Other stuff to put in the cup if you want... If you dont wanna use stuffed animals and candy try filling the cup with assorted chocolates and a mini bad of coffee beans. and...if you wanna add a little somthing extra make a braclet for each person(if they are girls of course) and put it around the beannie baby's neck. You could also get some plain ornaments and decorate them with glitter, sickers, pompoms, or anoything really. you coudl fill up the extra space with tissue paper of candy. You can also bake cookies and put them inside! Anothet great idea if it for a teacher or an older person you could fill the coffee cup with popurie (sorry about spelling). You know that stuff thats smells real good that has like dried flowers and cinimon in it. You can buy it for pretty cheep. get shrink wrap and put teh popurie inside and tie it at the top and add some cinomon sticks and a ribbon for decoration! For teachers: you could get a little mini version of a great book in side the mug. You could also attach a picture fo your elf and maybe a poem, picture or stort story you made. Putting the gift together: I put the tissue paper in the coffee cup and filled the bottom with candy. Then, I stuck the stuffed animal inside and put the candy cane in so it sticks out of the top. I made little tags/cards out of the construction paper and used the ribbon to tie them to the handles. Drum-roll please... So I ended up spending about 30 dolars on about 10 gifts. I handed them out to my friends and teachers...although my few close friends got a larger stuffed animal and more candy. ENJOY!

Answer 4

This year I am making christmas candies, homemade candles and some hot cocoa mix. Your basic gift basket.

I tend to do the gift baskets for christmas as they tend to be cheaper than going and buying a gift and they come more from the heart.

When you are low on money, it the thought that counts, and 9 times out of 10 they are better recieved than a normal gift because of the thought and the time that went into them not the money.

Answer 5

Christmas isn’t something one buys in a store. People complain about the commercialism of the holiday season, but seldom think about how to change that. Start by making changes in your own approach to Christmas.

It’s sad to see the letters to Santa filled with requests for brand name toys. I think parents should try limiting the time spent watching television in December. All those heavily advertised toys create unrealistic expectations that only a lot of money can fulfill. Use that time for visiting, singing, reading aloud, attending performances or making things.

Does anyone have a homemade Christmas anymore? Maybe that is really old-fashioned, expecting something made with loving hands. I remember my mother secretively sewing doll clothes for my sister’s doll. She gathered bits of material left from making curtains and traded fabric with neighbors. Keeping that secret added a wonderful expectancy to the holiday. Knowing the hours invested in creating one-of-a-kind presents made them extra special.

Our Christmas tree was a lopsided cedar tree that Dad cut down in the pasture. We decorated it with ornaments saved through the years and assembled paper chains to fill the gaps. It looked beautiful to us. Stashed under the tree were our homemade gifts wrapped in colorful paper.

Now I realize we made our presents because we didn't have the money to buy them. Six children and my Dad’s erratic job meant there were more pressing expenses than store bought gifts. Despite that, our holiday was merry. Christmas morning was exciting and filled with happy sounds as we unwrapped the presents. It was special because of sharing and caring, not because of money.

Wealthy or poor, everyone can enjoy the satisfaction of making a unique gift for family or friends. The library has plenty of craft books with ideas for projects. Some require expensive supplies, but others turn ordinary household items into new and special gifts. Look for projects that are quick and find ones the children can make for each other as well.

The good feelings they have from working with their parent to make a present make it a more memorable holiday. Long after that store bought toy is broken or shoved aside, the memories of family togetherness remain. I don’t think standing in long lines at crowded stores is the Christmas’ custom we want our children to remember.

Answer 6

For the past 5 years, I have tried to make a home made gift for each female in my immediate family. One year it was soaps, another year it was a framed cross-stiched pattern, last year it was jewelry. Also, each year one person gets a handmade quilt since I only have time to do one each year. This year I am making Bible purses out of felt and adding the design by felting. I just a kiln so next year it will be glass.

Answer 7

Yeah - I love to make homemade gifts for Christmas. Most people look forward to them.

One year I made soap - not just any soap - Hot tamale soap. It was bright red and smelled just like hot tamale candy. Everyone kept asking me to make more.

I think your idea about the Homies and mirrors is so cute.

Answer 8

It sounds as though you are very creative and that you put a lot of thought into your giving...way to go.

I have made homemade gifts on ocassion, i've made birdhouses, homemade throw pillows, which i hand-painted a picture on fitting the receivers life, (like say they like to camp--i painted a nature scene and a campfire), i've made personalized ornaments, and i've made personalized nativity scenes, and cookie dough "jars" and i've even made individual Christmas trees (1-2 ft high --centerpieces not a 6-7 foot tree --ha ha)

HAVE A VERY MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Answer 9

Yes, and I found that people seemed to enjoy the home-made gifts more because of the thought, time, and effort put into each gift, even if it were baskets of sweets or fruits, just take into account each person and you'll do fine.

Answer 10

we always have given homemade gifts. The best part is that you think about the person you are making it for while you make it and your love goes into each step. It makes for a merrier christmas for you because it is better to give than to receive