A homemade christmas?? Who wants to share ideas?

[AlphaBeta82]

We're making most of our christmas presents this year.
Last year we brought DS a really run down old rocking horse, repaired it, re-upholstered it all etc and he loved it!
This year I have made him a big patchwork rug with a landscape of a farm on one side and safari on the other. DH has made the outbuildings, fences, trees, bushes etc and he has lots of animals already, so that will be his main present - he is only 2 i must add!

For others in the family I am doing/ have done;
Soap
Bath bombs
Aftershave balm
Body salve
Wine
Cheese
Cushions
Scarf
Ready grown herb garden

Anyone have any other ideas to share that both keep costs down and are fun. Both DH and I have large families so still seeking ideas!

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

I'll have those - and raise you a few knitted jumpers

[AlphaBeta82]

i have to say I try mastered the knitted jumpers - failed miserably!!!! I'll stick to the scarves!

[pumpkinsweetie]

Marking place

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

Alpha you could try a little hat

[ODearMe]

I have a friend who makes jam and sloe gin every year for family. They design and print their own label for jam of toddler aged ds wearing santa hat. Very good idea indeed!

[Xroads]

skittles vodka
ginger biscuits cut into xmas shapes, dipped in choc and sprinkled with edible glitter in jars with truffles.

[anja1cam]

I can only really offer food ideas:

I've made three types of chutney and will also be giving away cookie/cake mix jars. Made the Christmas muffin mix ones from BBC Good food web site last year and they worked a treat! Great for nearly-teenage girls too -at least my niece loved receiving one and making it. And for simple gift exchanges with local & school friends etc I usually make loads of biscuits and cookies and give away mixed bags of them. A big tin for the staff room works a treat... I actually have a detailed schedule for the last two weeks before the big day and make a batch nearly every evening. Most are of the simple 'drop' or 'slice' variety to save time and effort but the end result is varied and tasty :-) Some need 'maturing' so they get made first...

I saw some simple tree decoration kits for mini-wreaths made from felt and buttons and plan to make my own from scratch with the kids.
www.yellowmoon.org.uk/product-Button-Wreath-Decorations-A719.htm

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

I have sloe gin and blackjack vodka

[Afrodizzywonders]

I'm pregnant due in Dec, usually make gifts but gone easy this year but what I have done is made a huge batch of Jamie Oliver's epic hot chocolate mix, used Lindt chilli/orange etc that's been in offer to change the flavours a bit and put them in jam jars with instructions.

I also bought father Christmas and Christmas tree plastic moulds of eBay and have been making solid chocolate santas etc wrapped in cellophane, tagged and decorated. They look lovely, haven't cost much but pretty much cover friends and neighbours who'll be dropping in!

[makinglemonade]

Marking my place

[AlphaBeta82]

Loving some of these ideas!! :-) Afrod What recipe have you used as when I tried solid chocolate in moulds it didn't quite go to plan and tasted vile!

[BelinaTheChicken]

I've made skittles vodka, rhubarb and custard vodka and Christmas pudding rum (smells so good)

Salt dough christmas tree decorations made with DS1
Paper decorations made by me

Also body scrubs and bath salts, haven't made them yet, leaving them till last minute

Can't really do biscuity eaty type things, as DSis is the most amazing cook and bakes for everyone at Christmas, and my efforts would look a bit pitiful next to hers!

[Afrodizzywonders]

Alpha, I totally cheated.......just melted large bars down. Used a combo of milk chocolate 100g bars white ones from Lidl and then Lindt, worked out fine. Did the decorative bits in the mould with the white and then just melted and poured....I'm no chocolatier, but the end result looked good, tasted good and beats those hollow santas hands down!

[fuzzpig]

One day I will do all these home made things too! This year I am just trying to start out with making some chocolates/biscuits etc.

I might also get DD(5) to draw on some white plates with sharpies and then bake them for a bit to set them (thanks to another MNer for that one!) and give them to grandparents etc.

[AlphaBeta82]

Thanks Afrod, I think I'll try that!

[bakingaddict]

I like those gingerbread houses...I haven't made one yet but i'm going to try making one this year with my DS(5)

[Pootles2010]

I'm doing biscuits & decs for people - i bought some cellophane bags last year still have some left, so they'll have a stack of biscuits, then I'm making little lavender stuffed felt hearts (decorated with odd buttons & embroidery thread), tied round the top of the biscuit stash with ribbons, if that makes sense?

[jumblequeen]

Have a look on Pinterest - the Americans seem to excel at this sort of thing! Even just browsing through the 'Holiday & Events' / 'DIY' sections yields plenty of ideas.

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

There is a page in this section - share your Pintrest Boards its great

[jumblequeen]

flyover - just noticed it! Seems we brits are pretty good at it too

[Afrodizzywonders]

Alpha these are the tree moulds I used here check out the Santa moulds they do as well and chocolate pops :)

[QueenMaeve]

I had started pinning ideas for gifts to make m.pinterest.com/mumalltrades/ideas-for-gifts-to-make/ There are some nice ones.

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

jumble the only problem is its so absorbing how will I find time to make anything

[jumblequeen]

flyover - I know! Quite addictive really...

[flyoverthegoldenhill]

Queen love those bags, and I was just about to chuck out some old jeans