Mumsnet Talk

I know it's still only January but homemade things can often take time to learn/make/prepare etc. Christmas 2011 cost my husband us over £2500 and I am NOT spending that amount of money again because to me it seriously loses the whole purpose and reason of Christmas. Hmmm, I'm a bit of a hypocrite actually as I'm not particularly religious yet still celebrate the holidays!

<tries to stop waffling>

I'm new to 'homemade' and would appreciate any tips please, I have recently joined Pinterest and my head is brimming with ideas but I would like some 'tried & tested' examples if possible?
And maybe friends to countdown the months with?

Any help and advice greatly welcomed and appreciated xx

Our apple cider chutney went down really well, we'll be making it again.

DD picked the apples from my friends orchard which made it extra special.

You need a Christmas Box... make things throughout the year and pop them into there. I am going to make socks, mittens,hats and scarves throughout the year and put them in there. If you have children to buy for, make stuffed toys, either in fabric or knit them.

Next if you are going to make foodie products, start buying or setting aside your jars and boxes during the year when you see them on offer, it will also off-set the cost. If it helps, I did a series of Christmas makes tutorials on my blog last year, a new tutorial is added each Sunday and you are very welcome to use them. I have also started a foodie Friday last week... it begins with Lemon Curd which has been a popular gift. I will be adding recipes each week and in the run up to Christmas ie, from September, I will be including things to make as edible gifts.

I do hope that helps with your planning

I made a few bits & pieces last Christmas but this year I want to be super organised (and frugal!) and make lots!
LatteLady your blog is amazing, so many lovely ideas. I LOVE the cable hat & scarf.
I was thinking about getting started on some hats & mittens for the children. It's a good excuse to go looking for new patterns!

If you want to make jams and chutneys, the best time is summer (for strawberries & raspberries) and autumn (for blackberries, apples, onions). I picked masses of blackberries last year from Aug to Oct and didn't know what to do with them all, so made some apple & blackberry chutney (Louise Pascal recipe) and blackberry gin and vodka which both went down well as gifts. No-one was keen on the Christmas Pudding rum and vodkas that I made though, so will give that one a miss this year.

Marking my place ...

I've started my list and am thinking I might venture into edibles...

First make done!!!!

urgh, I keep meaning to finish knitting little snowflake pattern squares to act as pockets for a xmas calendar, but the thing will be huge! plus i cant sew well so itl look crap.

sigh

I love this thread!

I am going to make as much as possible through the year this year, I'll have a 2-3 week old baby by the time the big day comes around.

I'm not super crafty but always willing to have a go at decorations and foodie gifts.