I am thinking/planning in advance already for next Christmas. No this is not like me and I need your help.
We will have another new addition for next Christmas, so things will be a little tighter I anticipate (but also more to celebrate and be Thankful for).
With that being said I am hoping to do some crafty things throughout the year. What are your favorite craft/homemade things that you have received over the years? I have no real skills (I can't crochet, knit, etc...). I can do cross stitch, but am very slow and don't have a lot of time to do very many "larger" cross stitch projects. My time and space is limited, but this is something I will make time for also.
I am a member (if that is the correct word) or Pinterest and did a couple of gifts for this past Christmas and I am sure I will find more ideas on there.
Please share your favorite gifts to give and to receive. Thanks.
Making bath salts is always nice -- epsom salt with scent. I have a friend that saved $5 a week for Christmas. That gives you approximately $260 to work with for next year. I love the idea of the three gifts. We actually overbought and saved some items for my bonus kids birthdays - which are this Spring.
So glad I'm not the only one planning for next year already! We are actually planning a cruise - so that takes a lot of the extra's away...but I need to prepare for my families gifts :). I'll be looking on here for ideas!
Maybe you can do coffee baskets? Or movie baskets? Buy one or two things a month and by Christmas time you're all stocked up! I might start that now too :).
I had a friend that made gorgeous scrapbooks for us to fill with our own photos. She made a christmas themed one, a baby album, a family themed album. She made them at a scrapbooking class. That could get rather pricey, but the idea is still good. Buy some seasonal themed scrapbooks stuff and some empty scrapbooks. Put it all together so all they have to do is put thier own photos in.
Find some insulated cups on sale. Then find some of those magic gloves - they should be 50 cents a pair soon. If scarves are on sale, you might want to get a few of those, too. Then add a packet of cocoa. You've got the makings of a winter afternoon...
I usually make scarves, mittens, throws, blankets, etc. to give to special people. We have a HUGE Christmas party and every year I have a basket full of trinkets that have been wrapped decoratively for people to take home as hostess gifts. We call them "door prizes". LOL! I find ornaments for 20 cents each or less and wrap them up... people love 'em.
I purchase (on sale) and give big bags of dog cookies to the mail carrier - she has many dogs on her route and they all love her because she brings them a cookie every day.
I've given candy. I've given coupons for a day at our pool. I've given homemade ornaments that the kids helped me make.
Simple, easy, and cheap is what you are looking for -- go back out to Pinterest and look around.
LBC
I have recieved some nice home made wreathes over the years, including one made from clear plastic baggies, one made with purple feathers, one with easter eggs. I hang them on the door, use them as a centerpiece, then probably discard them, unless they are uber cool. I don't think they took much more than a hot glue gun and some styrofoam or floral wire to make. You can probably find a lot of xmas decor on deep discount now, use it to make the wreathes.
Another alternative, is to spray paint pinecones, gold or silver is nice. Add glitter if you'd like. These can be fashioned into napkin rings, place card holders, or ornaments.
I like getting home made soup mixes in jars. cookie mixes are nice too.
chocolate covered pretzel rods are another favorite of mine.
good luck to you and yours.
F. B.
I made cross stitch ornaments for all my siblings, and my husbands siblings this year. I got the idea from Martha Stewart - they were cross stitch portraits and turned out super cute. I finished them with a red bow and red ribbon around the edge of the hoop, and red felt on the back. Everyone loved them.
Here is a link to her page with directions for the portraits.
http://www.marthastewart.com/857131/cross-stitch-family-p...
I have given away peppermint bark (really easy - just need a double boiler for chocolate melting and room in the freezer for setting), homemade shortbread (kind of a pain because you have to make lots of batches to get enough to give), and this year we picked strawberries and made jam. We gave some of that away, but only to really good friends because it was so good!
In years past we have made jam. Strawberry and apricot are easy because you don't have to peel the fruit first. You can save money buying in bulk: case of fruit from the farmer's market, 20lb bag of sugar from smart & final. I haven't found a cheap source for pectin and jars, but you could shop around. The recipe on the pectin label is usually very reliable and easy.
Buy a cute fabric remnant and cut squares to put under the ring of the lid and print some cute labels. If you make enough, you'll be saving your family money by eating your own jam!
