Do you have any Homemade Gift Ideas?

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Sheree, a reader, emailed with this timely question:

“I’d like to know from your readers what types of homemade gifts they will be giving for Christmas. I am going to attempt to make Apple Pie in a Jar…we will see how that works, but I’d love to hear some other ideas.”

Every year my kiddos and I make Gingerbread people! It’s a fun activity for all of use to do together, as a family! Plus, after we’re finished the kiddos take little plates to all of the neighbors and to their teachers at school. The recipe I use is from the All Recipes website here.

Homemade gifts make for inexpensive and thoughtful ways to show others you care! I can’t wait to hear some of your creative ideas… please feel free to share away!

Join The Discussion

Comments 73

  1. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I made pipe cleaner ornaments this year. Dollar Tree sells a large bag of pipe cleaners for $1.

    The first item I made is candy canes. Take two pipe cleaners and twist the two pieces together. When you are done, twist the two ends and shape the pipe cleaners like a candy cane. A great craft for kids.

    The second item I made is a heart. Follow the same steps for the candy cane. Instead of shaping into a candy cane, bend into the shape of a heart and tie the end. Use ribbon (also $1 at Dollar Tree) for the ornament hook.

    Here are other cute ideas:

    https://www.marthastewart.com/article/pipe-cleaner-decorations-christmas-tree

    https://www.marthastewart.com/article/making-figures-reindeer

    https://www.marthastewart.com/article/pipe-cleaner-snowflake-ornaments

    https://www.marthastewart.com/article/making-figures-snowman

    I love crafts. These are great ideas!

    Can we have a second post on the board where we can share cheap halloween trick or treat and Thanksgiving craft ideas?

  2. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I have done a couple of different gift “baskets” for people the last couple of years that have been a big hit. The first one is a “Gourmet Caramel Apple” basket. I used a cheap basket for some and a small galvanized bucket from the home improvement store for the others. I packed the containers with some small apples (the ones you buy in bulk at the grocery store) a bag of caramels and some different candy bars (Heath or Skor, Baby Ruth, Snickers). The recipient is supposed to chop the candy bars and roll the caramel apples in them–making them gourmet! I attached some instructions for making the caramel apples on a cute card.The other idea: buy a dollar store cowboy hat and turn it upside down and fill it with a bag of tortilla chips and a small jar of homemade salsa…I have a great recipe for a cowboy salsa with corn and black beans that I use. You can add anything else that is southwestern-like a box of hot tamales or a jar of jalapenos if the person you are giving it to likes them!

  3. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Not to be a doom-sayer, but be careful with the homemade rice warmers. There have been many, many instances where people have heated them up and then put them on themeselves in bed under the covers and caught their mattresses on fire.

    I’d suggest adding this to any homemade heating pad, “Microwave on HIGH, for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the Power of your Microwave oven. Never leave it unattended – “just in case” the filling smokes or catches on fire. As a precaution, you can set a cup of water inside the microwave while heating the bag to add moisture.”

    Just a friendly warning!

  4. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    omg i just saw the pics of the bubble magnets will defenetly will be making. thanks

  5. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    YES anonymous! Definitely research the rice bags online before making them. Not all fillings are created equal! Rice that is more clear (as opposed to white or a long grain type) is too dry for microwaving over and over and WILL burn.

  6. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Sarah: thanks for the super cute tutu idea, I will definitely be doing that for my girls. We only have nephews so I am looking forward for your next posting for boys.
    Thanks!!

  7. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    An idea on the rice bags…..we used corn that you feed to animals rather than rice.

  8. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    One of my son’s friends gave him a mix for play dough with a note telling us what we needed to add (I think it was water and 1 tbsp oil). There was also a package of Koolaid in there. It colored the play dough and made it smell yummy, but without the sugar it wasn’t sticky.

  9. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    So speaking about making gift baskets, does anyone know where to purchase cheap baskets? Thank you in advance!

  10. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    To Sheree…look for the cocoa butter locally at a Health Food Store. HTH

  11. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Lots of good ideas everyone!

    Last year I found snap wear containers at the dollar store with holiday prints on them. I filled them with home made caramel corn with pecans.(I used Paula Deans Recipe) Every one asked for refills!

    The year before I made fancy home made chocolate dipped pretzel rods. Use the Long ones, dip them in melted chocolate chips 3/4 of the way, then lay them on wax paper, before the chocolate sets I sprinkle a few fun sprinkles on them.

    If you hit a candy/cake supplie store you can get bags of cute shaped sprinkles like, candy canes, Christmas trees, ect. for under a dollar! I also get a pkg of cilo bags for a dollar or two, to put the pretzels in and top them on with some pretty holiday ribbon.

  12. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    I found great solid baskets for free through the free section on craiglist. Also hit the last of the garage sales for the year.

  13. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    🙁 🙁 was just talking to my family about exchanging homemade gifts and most of them DONT like the idea 🙁
    so i said then none of you are getting anything and they said thats ok we wouldnt want any of that kinda stuff… those meanies!
    GAH!!! less for me to make 😉

  14. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Mommy’s Home!!-

    The dollhouse is adorable and I can see my daughter loving it. How much sewing skill does one need? Maybe I should not get to attached to the idea…

    TIA

  15. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    On Walgreen’s website you can make a 8×10 photo collage (up to 20 photos) for just $3.99. I made one of photos of my 2 year old nephew to give to my parents for Christmas. It’s cool to see all those photos together and see how he’s grown.

  16. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Buy inexpensive frames from craft stores, paint them, and decoupage them with cute scrapbook paper. You can make the entire frame for just a few bucks and they’re soooo cute!

  17. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    Jen – I like to sew, but have a HORRIBLE time following patterns and the like. There must be something about the way my brain is wired that doesn’t allow it to come easy for me. That said, it was pretty simple to make – not any complicated sewing involved. It was a little challenging to make sure everything lined up correctly, but if you have a sewing machine and basic sewing knowledge I say you should go for it!!

  18. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    My sister-in-law is planning on doing jalapeno jelly like she did for one of the favors at my bridal shower. It’s delicious served over cream cheese with crackers!

  19. Collin (Mrs. Hip)

    For my aunties, mothers, sister. I called up their local grocery stores asked about their coupon policy I typed them up for each of them based on where they lived. I then gave them a list of great coupon websites hip2save at the top. Then I made the coupon binders from this site and put all this info plus “starter” coupons in it. A gift that will keep on giving all year long.

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