OK, so I'm very early, but please share your best homemade Christmas present ideas

[eggybreadandbeans]

A friend and I made Christmas presents for most family and friends last year. They were really well received, and we're planning to do the same again this year. However we want to get started earlier - at the beginning of the autumn term - and would like a few fresh ideas.

So other than jam, hot chocolate/cookies in a jar, chocolates, photo calendars, painted pottery and soap, what else can we make?

TIA

[Miaou]

I am thinking of doing knitted dishcloths/facecloths this year. Previously I have painted candles and made votive holders out of small jars and painted designs on them. Children get knitted toys/teddies.

[allgonebellyup]

PLEASE. DONT. TALK. ABOUT. CHRISTMAS.

IT. IS. JULY.

[eggybreadandbeans]

allgonebellyup, you were warned in the title. Trust me, I need to think about it now, given how I know the rest of the year may pan out. Avoid it if it's too much for you.

Miaou - thanks. These are things I hadn't thought of. Must brush up on knitting skills then. Yikes.

[cadelaide]

"knitted dishcloths/facecloths..."

Sorry, but that has me ROFL.

Doubled over weeping with it actually.

Sorry, sorry, don't really know why....

[Miaou]

[Miaou]

They are very "in", cadelaide - very green you know!

[yorkshirepudding]

Message withdrawn

[cadelaide]

I know....I know...

[eggybreadandbeans]

My mum's been making knitted dishcloths for years, actually. I remember her knitting them when I was a child. They're hardwearing and can be washed and used over and over again, compared with J-cloths and sponges which deteriorate. So I'm echoing Miaou's "very green" sentiment.

When I was buying stuff - lots of friends and family - I'd start late October/early November. Now that I'm making - including cards - it follows to start in September, which means nonchalantly hatching the odd idea now.

[eggybreadandbeans]

It doesn't bloody feel like July though.

[zookeeper]

knitted dishcloths? lol lol lol

[zookeeper]

Agree with Cadelaide - I'm sure they're very worthy but I can't even say the words without laughing.

[cadelaide]

Oh eggy, don't go all indignant and self-righteous on me, I can't stand it...

[Miaou]

look - they can be stylish, you know (free pattern too eggybread)

[ThePettyandIllinformedGoat]

miao you have passed over to teh dark side. beware knitting jumpers with large wolf logo.

[yorkshirepudding]

Message withdrawn

[Miaou]

lol goat - they are lovely to wash your face with though!

[eggybreadandbeans]

Any other ideas? Ta.

[Miaou]

more ideas:

scrunchies with lavender in
fabric coasters with cinnamon or cloves in
tea cosies
aprons
knitted scarves (you can get some great chunky wools and they knit up very quick on bid needles)

[Miaou]

lol x posts!

[oggsfrog]

How do the coasters work? If there are cinnamon sticks or cloves inside don't they make the cup tip over?

I'm making some vanilla sugar to give away this year, possibly some sloe gin and some felted oven cloths and coasters.

Will also be giving the knitted dishcloths a try, thanks Miaou.

[expatinscotland]

Well, we did ornaments - I got the recipe for the salt dough on here and the girls painted them.

They've also done tshirts for the grandparents and their auntie (my sister) with their handprints in fabric paint.

We tye-dyed drawstring bags for their cousins, my nieces.

Also glycerine hand soaps.

We'll be doing pomander balls, flavoured liqueurs and I'm making my mincemeat at the weekend, to soak in brandy till it's time for mincemeat pies.

[Pruners]

Message withdrawn

[Miaou]

oggsfrog - have only tried with cloves so far - you make the coasters with a little thin wadding inside, and spread the cloves evenly between the wadding and the fabric. The wadding helps to "even out" the bumpiness. That said, the idea is you put a hot cup of tea on them (therefore getting a lovely clove smell from the heat of the cup), not a glass of wine, which may of course tip up! I want to experiment with cinnamon sticks this year (I think they may break up a bit, will have to see).

Felted coasters is another great idea. Have just made a felted tea cosy for my mum and it's turned out great.

Expat - when you did the soap, did you use a kit? Or get all the bits together yourself? I've always fancied having a go at making soap but never been somewhere where you could buy all the ingredients.

[expatinscotland]

I used a kit, Miaou.



Just to try it out to see if we liked it, too.

But now that I found we do like it, this is on my Xmas list.