Handmade presents that won't go in the bin?

[prezzz]

I'm not working at the moment, so I have more time than money. Christmas and gift-giving is important to me, and I'd love to give people some useful and thoughtful presents that won't bankrupt me. I also love crafting and DIY, but am well aware that a lot of handmade presents can actually be a bit crap.

Is two months too short a time to learn how to crochet or knit something that's actually nice and/or useful? I did a bit of both about ten years ago, so I'm not a complete novice, but definitely still a beginner...

Any other ideas?

I need presents for a range of ages and both for men and women.

What about crocheting a small doll-like creature so that the lucky recipient can place it over a spare toilet roll, that may currently be on display, in a bathroom or toilet?

Maybe something like this? (see photo)

Everybody likes them.

My sister has made me hats, scarves, blankets, candles, perfume, flavoured vodka, biscuits, cakes, chutneys as gifts over the years.
I love them but I especially love the time that she put in to learn these crafts and to make something.

Edible gifts - I’d opt for truffles, cookies, sauces etc.

I had success with making plum sauce this year when we got hold of a glut - ideal to serve with duck if they are fans. (Chilli, star anise, cinnamon, bay, brown sugar basically with sieved plums)

There was a young woman needle felting a small animal toy/ornament on the train the other day. The other passengers were transfixed and a few (including some men) complimented her as they got off at their stops. I bet needle felted Christmas tree decorations of animals would go down well. They cost a lot in the shops. And it is pretty easy to do. They look great.

One Christmas for Secret Santa at work I received a crocheted basket with homemade cookies. I was chuffed to bits! And then my grandma (who adores all things handmade) saw the basket and really liked it. She still has the basket in her bedroom to this day and puts her knick knacks in it.

Consumables, definitely for me.

Preferably something that doesn't need to be made last minute and eaten quickly.

Candied chocolate coated orange peel, fruit cake or biscotti all fit the bill nicely.

Everyone? 🤣

Also recommend Christmas biscuits. You could have a go at decorated cookies; either drawing on fondant icing with edible markers (bunny/grinch pics) or using flood icing (goose cookies). It can be time consuming if you want to do loads but I always found it enjoyable as I like drawing!

I'd want a matching toilet seat cover, then I could get an avocado bathroom suite and some shag pile carpet in the bathroom, and then I could pretend I was my grandma.
😬

Crochet Christmas baubles in nice cotton and lovely colours!

Oh actually definitely do this. Then every time you visit make sure you go to the loo and emerge accusingly saying "where is your toilet roll cover!?" In this way the gift becomes a beautiful curse to their existence. Make sure you pop in randomly without warning for maximum effect.

A neighbour once gave me a spice blend and a recipe for one of her excellent curries-I thought that was fab! A kilner jar of homemade granola, or homemade bath salts or bath oil might also be nice. Or a Christmas wreath or table centrepiece?

Sorry no read whole thread so apologise if making the same suggestion.

My aunt crocheted a pot holder for my mum which she used everyday and treasured. Still has it but can no longer cook for herself.

I sew and handmade makeup bags lined with ripstop (water repellent) fabric go down well.

A simple gift would be a pen holder to attach to a lanyard. Buy the lobster clasps from eBay

Waterproof peg bag!

And it might be a perfect year to let H field the expensive presents for his family and you make for those who would love a homemade gift

Having secretly been a bit about some of the comments regarding hygiene, I absolutely would not countenance a yarn loo roll holder under any circumstances. Wipe-clean surfaces only in the bathroom - I can just about tolerate the bathmat and that's it.

It's obviously all so personal but things I've liked:

Handmade wax melts (but the giver knew which smells I hated)

Bookmark that was a hand painted scene and laminated

Planted bulbs (plain container, no frilly bits, no cellophane - again, the person knew me well!)

Not handmade but cheap (and lovely) - a bundle of second hand books that meant something to the giver. I loved that as she wasn't guessing what I liked or had.

We have a tradition that adults in the family exchange home made gifts at Christmas.
Most successful have been drinks like slow gin, Turkish delight vodka or coffee syrup. Food like mustard, vanilla essence, chilli jam and fudge.
Sewing, like bags for life, napkins, material crackers and homemade felt christmas hats.
Bath salts with ingredients targeted to person e.g. Excema friendly.
Jewellery - christmas fun ones or remaking using vintage beads or keyring etc.
The one I enjoyed doing and looked good and is still used was a wood burning pen that I used on chopping boards, wooden spoons - to personalise or add quotes like blessed are the cheese makers on a cheeseboard.

Honestly, the key to buying gifts that someone will like is to look at their house and what they typically wear or use. My house is quite chaotic and colourful and a jolly crochet basket would find a home for itself. My friend's house is cool greys and sharp edges and minimal ornaments and she obviously doesn't want a jolly crochet basket. I think gift giving goes wrong when you're thinking "I'll get them this because their sitting room needs livening up" or "I can't believe they don't have any plants". You've got to assume people like the way they have their homes and fit in with that, really.

Has anyone recommended stamped/printed cross stitch kits yet? You can get those quite cheap, and poster hangers, and cross stitch is very easy!

Little chance of learning to crochet or knit adequately by Xmas though, and as per pp, yarn is pricey.

Can you sew? If so, you could have a go at these phone bean bags. It's a really simple make that's also practical, and doesn't take a lot of materials. They also work for kindles, and you could scale up a bit to make one to hold a tablet.

I'm making one for everyone in my family as a stocking-filler.

I gave one of these to my husband a few years ago and he uses it everyday. It’s a good idea!

I enjoy the tapestry kits, but I've decided to start using charts instead as if the printing is off it becomes difficult to know how to keep repeating patterns consistent.

How many presents are you aiming to make? I’ve tried doing this in the past: unless you are already good at / equipped to make the gift items it is rarely cost effective and it’s always stressful.

Is this for your DHs family? Can’t he make them?

Nothing edible. I’d never eat something made in soemeone else’s kitchen unless I knew them really well
and knew it would be all sanitary.

nothing ornamental. Most people don’t want clutter.

so something useful - candle, nice handmade fancy soap bar, some dried flowers (lavender) in a cotton bag as an air freshener - that kind of thing.

For years in my 20s I made hand-made chocolates. Used to really decorate the packaging to make them look impressive.
I still sometimes get asked when I'm going to make more 40+ years on!