'Make your own' Christmas

[Doodlekitty]

Ok, ok, I KNOW its only June. But I'm due to give birth late October and as it's my first and I have no idea what to expect I want to be all sorted for christmas by the time baby gets here. I'm also going to have no money when I'm on Mat leave so want stuff bought while I'm working but also want to spend as little as possible.

Last year I made Christmas pudding rum for my FIL who has never shut up about it since ( I used this recipe, www.wikihow.com/Make-Christmas-Pudding-Flavoured-Vodka but rum instead of vodka, if anyone is interested)

I think I made it in about November last time, but I'm thinking, if I made it in July then it will just be more yummy wont it, as it just has longer to infuse. also, last year when i told MIL I binned the fruit I used she was horrified, so I'm thinking i might put this in a jar for her (obviously with another present) as she said it would be lovely with ice cream. What do you guys think?

[coansha]

I think if you start buying stuff for it bit by bit, presents too, it wil soon add up and save you the shock of how much we actually spend. You can make your Xmas cake, Fed with brandy I will be beutiful by Xmas, just ate the last of mie made last October , great for gifts. I use a delta smith recipe, foolproof and not too difficult.
Flavoured oils in nice bottles are good made in advance too.
If no Xmas paper about brown paper, twine with home made look lovely, good sales on now too.

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

I'm all up for this! I'm due Nov.
So far I've made pickled onions for my sister, will do chutneys for her and she loves chilli jam too.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Which recipe did you use for Chilli Jam? Any tips for all the chilli NOT sinking to the bottom?!

[coansha]

Must apologise for typos, only had 1 corona and not wearing reading glasses, who the buggery is delta smith? Christ I am a halfwit at times.......

[whatlauradid]

I need to do a very thrifty and DIY Christmas this year. Does anyone have any tips on making beauty treats or non-alcohol/chutney flavoured treats?

[Lilliana]

I'm in, also due in Nov and hoping to get christmas sorted over the summer holidays. However, I am not very organised and crafty things are a hit and miss affair with me! Help!

[milk]

You can make accessories for dolls you can give your DC: Dolls clothes, carry-cot bed for doll etc

[Doodlekitty]

I'm liking the idea of home made beauty bits if anyone has any tips. Really struggling for ideas for both mums. I'm not going fully home made, we have 2 nieces abroad to buy for, last year I bought them charm bracelets so this year they get charms, nice and easy.

[TodaysAGoodDay]

Have you got any christmas fabric? Like red, green, gold, patterned etc? You could make napkins if you have a sewing machine, simple squares hemmed at the edges.

[TodaysAGoodDay]

Or how about some christmas tree decs? I picked a piece of those tiny pinecones (do you know the ones I mean?) and tied on some tartan ribbon in a bow, and a loop for going on the branch. Doesn't have to be tartan

[whatlauradid]

I have recipes for a lip scrub, body scrub, lip balm, solid perfume, cupcakes, chocolate truffles and strawberry vodka. I've even made little labels that I'll print off and glue on to little screw top tins for the bslm, scrub and perfume.

[maryjanell79]

I am in! I have already started! I am on a bit of a budget so I am making most of my xmas prezzies!

So far....

*I am framing personalized poems to give as gifts.
*Knitting scarves for gifts
*Making jams and chutneys and printing labels with mine and my daughters picture on it :)

Plus my daughter loves that we are making stuff together Ive got her making salt dough ornaments for the tree! :)

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Holly - don't put the chilli jam in the jars straight away, but leave it for a few minutes, and the chilli flecks will "hang" better. If you notice that they are already sinking in the jar, give them a stir and they should disperse better and stay put. I use Nigella's recipe, and use mostly scotch bonnets. You must use jam sugar that contains pectin - I used some bastard stuff that contained carrageen instead and it never quite set properly. (More like sauce than jelly.)

[littlecupcake]

Last year I made up kilner jars with the dry ingredients for chocolate brownies, all layered up so they looked like those jars of sand you make at the Isle of Wight seaside! Pretty ribbon and label with cooking instructions, and ta-da... job done. Made them all in an evening (about 10 in total), they looked great and everyone said they tasted great when they made them up.

Need to think of an alternative for this year, but thinking of doing something similar because they were very well received.

[theancientmarinator]

I loved the home-made christmas thread last year and was inspired to make loads of stuff. I learned that three things are vital - 1) start earlier than you think you need to because Christmas comes but once a year but it does so very fast 2) pinterest is the christmas crafter's best friend and 3) daily advice, information and general egging on by the other posters on the home-made thread made the whole thing an absolute pleasure. So excited to see people revving up for this year's already!

[littlecupcake]

I agree with Pinterest - fabulous website for crafters with loads of ideas. Can't wait to get started!

[MrsHende]

I'm marking my place and looking forward to lots of Christmas gift chat...this year I may even make some rather than just reading/pinning about it!

[fivegomadindorset]

I am in, want to do homemade stuff for family and friends, so far the christmas vodka, dried chillis, roasted garlic and herb salt have sprung to mind.

[wornoutbutstillwonderful]

I'm jumping into this thread, I can't wait for Christmas but this year I am having to stick to a very strict budget. I have started to buy presents when I see them . I managed to bag a playskool pink gloworm for £3.99 from Argos clearance and I have started on knitted scarves for 2 aunties and my mum.
I would like to give a Christmas cake a go and some flavoured vodkas so will be on the look out for recipes.

[FormerlyTitledUntidy]

Have a look on Martha Stewart for Christmas stuff to make. She also has recipes for lip balms, body scrubs, bath bombs, soaps, etc.
Chocolate truffles have gone down very well.
I made my mum a cuff for her wrist last year, she loved it.
And I made little felt dolls for dd1 just as a stocking filler.

[putthecrispsDOWN]

I made cross stitch hangings (in little circular frames) and gave them with my presents last year - went down really well. Jams and chutneys agogo in my house around August, and rhubarb schnapps is a favourite. Want to make some body scrubs this year but kilner jars are so expensive - has anyone found cheaper ones (I've tried ikea but they don't always seal properly)

[MrsHende]

Oooo! I came on to ask the same question! Where do people get their jars?