DIY Xmas Gifts

[everafter07]

I need to start planning, sorry for the early Xmas post!

We usually make gifts every year, plus some baked goods plus a small gc for family members.

What have been some DIY gifts you've gotten or made that you really liked or were well received?

[Deleted]

I got a glass etching kit from Michaels to make bridal shower gifts - etch initials or the last name on a glass dish or pyrex pan from the Dollar store. You could fill that up with baking? The kit was about $30, but has enough stuff to do many projects.

[MadamePresident]

I've heard you can make an air fresher using water beads and essential oils. My SIL made me an awesome table centerpiece using coffee filters to make flowers then putting coffee beans in vase.

[tcu2003]

Any orchards nearby your location? You could pick apples and make and can apple butter to give out.

[chickadee77]

I love anything homemade, honestly. Wherever your skill lies - knitting, cross-stitch, if you garden dried herbs, dried tomatoes or peppers, jam, jerky, etc. Honestly, the older I get, the more I appreciate the homemade stuff because I know there was probably a lot more thought put into it than whatever from Amazon.

[cricketwife]

I received homemade chicken noodle soup one year and it was AMAZING.

[humpforfree]

I've done vanilla extract in nice glass jars as gifts before. You would need to start it ASAP so it can set though.

[Deleted]

I just made a bunch of apple butter to give away for Christmas gifts. So easy, cheap and good.

I also had some photo throw pillows made on shutterfly with some coupons I had. Was not cheap but I love the concept.

DIY spa stuff is always a hit with me.

I like the use it up and be gone sort of things.

[SallySparrow]

I made peppermint flavored vodka one year that people liked.

I also do sugar cookies decorated with royal icing in the shapes of candy canes, Christmas trees, and ornaments. And tins with a variety of candy/truffles in them.

I painted glass ornaments one year.

I love DIY presents.

[lolo]

My aunt makes us berry jam and homemade caramels every year. They are both spectacular. I look forward to them.

My friend made us a cute shadowbox using our wedding invitation. That's not always my thing but I did like how she did ours, and it's nice to have something sentimental from that day.

[Deleted]

A coworker made us all homemade coffee creamer last fall. The kind with the evaporated milk. It was amazing. That's a give right away sort of thing, but it's easy to whip up.

Dry rub spice kits are a hit with me too.

One of DDs friends made her a coloring book by putting together a bunch of pages off the internet. We loved that thing for the longest time.

My MIL is into salsa making.

I did Russian tea mix one year and that was good. Different than the usual cocoa mixes floating around.

[humpforfree]

Oh! I also made myself a (nerdy) grocery list that has categories for each aisle (or groups of aisles) at the grocery store. The categories are in the order that our store (and most) go through. I gave that before and made nice wood boards to back it for writing on it in the store. I think it's pretty dorky but it's a lifesaver and everyone loved it.

[Deleted]

I made some microwave caramels that were amazing.

[browneyedgirl9]

My go to is cookie mix layered in a mason jar with burlap and a cute bow around the top.

[shellbear09]

I made infinity scarves. I'm a novice at sewing and they are super easy.

I got some homemade sugar scrub that I loved and really want to make.

[everafter07]

Thanks for the ideas! I love the dry spice rub and the apple butter. I think those will be what we do this year!

Def saving these other ideas tho!

[scribellesam]

Commenting so I can find these ideas later. This stuff sounds great!

[suburbanzookeeper]

I've done apple butter, pumpkin butter, spice rubs, homemade vanilla extract (start now!), and flavored vodkas in the past. I also had a really great response with homemade frozen cheesecakes.

My husband has gotten homemade jerky and that is probably his absolute favorite.

[mainelyfoolish]

I got some homemade cinnamon swirl bread from SIL one year and I loved it. Stuff like cookies, fudge, spiced nuts I can easily make on my own, but labor-intensive bread does not happen in my house. It was so nice to get a gift of something that I would not otherwise have.

[redheadk]

I really want to make this for DD.

[hermione]

Sept 21, 2014 14:12:29 GMT -5 browneyedgirl9 said:

My go to is cookie mix layered in a mason jar with burlap and a cute bow around the top.

I like be getting these. And the hot cocoa ones too!

[yellowbrkrd]

Sept 21, 2014 15:23:23 GMT -5 redheadk said:

I really want to make this for DD.

OMG that is so cute! I have to make this for M! I have a bunch of leftover fabric and magnets from my failed magnetic wall attempt. 

[Deleted]

I'm making a few things for the kids and other family. I'm making my mom a bracelet with her grandkids photos, my aunt's are getting bracelets using my grandma's button collection. I making doll clothes, felt letters/envelopes, aprons, tooth fairy pillows, hair bows, and clip on earrings for kids gifts.