General opinions on homemade christmas gifts?...

[walkingonair]

Okay, I'm coming over all Kirsty Allsop this year and have made some homemade Christmas chutney. I've also tried my hand at fudge making and I have to say, so far so good!

What are peoples thoughts on receiving edible, homemade Christmas gifts? naff or not?

Lovely idea, I think it's great to receive something more personal and not shop-bought. One that my friend did last year which turned out really well was small homemade christmas cakes- delicious.

I think it can be really nice to give something homemade.

I make all my own cards, and really enjoy making them.

I've bought everyone's presents this year, but this year I'm having a go at homemade mincemeat which I'm going to pop in jars (jazzed up a bit with ribbon etc) and give them to my mum, grandma, MIL etc just before Christmas.

I love receiving and giving homemade gifts.

Last year my dad made my brother, sister and me all a backgammon set out of different woods and my great uncle made the counters on his lathe. It is truly beautiful and the best present I have ever had.

My mum does great knitted stuff for DDs and adults too. She has made jumper dresses, cardigans and a very nice knitted dungaree set for DD2.

Last year I made my sister a chess set out of nuts and bolts (she does engineering and likes metal/meccano type stuff).

This year I have done a variety of chutney/jam/biscuits/hot choc mix/flavoured vodkas. I know my family will be pleased with them but a bit nervous about DHs family who tend to spend a bit more and are a little more materialistic.

I agree that it depends on the gift and the recipient and that it needs to convey as much thought as a bought gift. Chutney and fudge for chutney and fudge lovers - perfect. But last year one friend gave me homemade truffles: a lovely idea, but she knows I don't much like/eat chocolate so it was obvious she hadn't thought about what homemade gift I might like as much as she'd just made a big batch of truffles to give to all her friends.

My SIL made flavoured liqueurs one year, and they were ace. She made different flavours based on the things she knew everyone liked. Fab gift.

I love homemade gifts giving and recieving, I decided this year I was making all the xmas presents for the adults and buying only for the children and I've done it all for less then £20 as we are on such a tight budget this year.

Anybody who has made fudge successfully, would you mind posting the recipe please? My friends pregnant, think I'm going to do a home made stocking type pressie, need ideas to put in!

Ooo, knowing how long it takes to make said chutney and fudge, I'd love to open my prezzie at Christmas and find some inside!

Just so long as it tastes good, nothing like receiving something homemade and it tasting awful

Happy baking!

I like home-made cards but not home-made edibles as gifts.

There's always too much food about anyway and I like to make food myself in the winter holidays.

Foodstuffs/ sloe gin etc. - are fab. pressies.

Shell mirrors etc. aren't so great!

I think that home made Christmas pressies are the best - far nicer than getting a cling film wrapped basket of really cheap and nasty bath stuff that you will never use for fear of getting a rash!

Last year I made Truffles, Christmas Pudding Vodka, Damson Gin, Stollen and Chutney - so all the different tastes were catered for. DS made a calendar for everyone.

Great to know most people appreciate the idea; though I agree with 'knowing your audience'. I once gave MIL a box of handmade chocolates, only to find out later that she wasn?t a sweetie person.

I've bought plenty of pretty ribbon and made my own labels, so they should look good.

The Good food website has a few fudge recipes, I followed this one and it worked well!
uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/513459

My tried and very tested fudge recipe is on 'recipes'.

Two batches already demolished in this house this week !

I'm making little truffles that look like christmas puddings this year. I once received a cross stitched cushion, I think its lovely to receive something people have taken time to make.

I'm planning on making cakes and chocolates for all the family, even the ones that will probably be less then appreciative of it. I've got some lovely cupcake boxes to present them in and have bought special Christmas chocolate moulds and cellobags with ribbon to put them in. My kids are making the same for their teachers and friends.

We just don't have the money this year to get presents for all the large family that we have so have decided to only buy for the children and the adults are getting home made gifts.

I love home-made edible gifts - both for taste and knowing how much love and effort went into it. For other things, it might be a bit risky - e.g. my mom can make me a scarf and I'd be ecstatic, but I might not be so keen on something from someone I don't know that well as I'm picky, and then I'd feel horrid knowing how much time they put spent.

I think they are lovely but as everyone else says they need to be well thought out. We are making all of ours this year. We have made loads of piccalilli but obviously only giving to people who we know like it. We are well known for our pickle making in our family so have already had requests! Dh is good with wood and I am not bad at sewing so a couple of people are getting trays with fish shaped handles. Others are getting chicken shaped wood board with egg cup sunk slightly in it and a egg cozy so boiled egg set sort of thing which is quite good as we each make a big of it. Hopefully they will like them!

Im knitting panda hats for my cousins this year (both under 10) and they and they rest of my family would absolutely love home made food gifts too. Im just rubbish at cookies!

If you can do it, do! Its lovely!

Thank you for the fudge recommendations! Think thats tomorrows job!

They are classy. But not personal, and tbh not that interesting. I think fundamentally I have no class, really.

I'd rather have something else tbh, or nothing. I make them myself, not so much for Christmas but for guest gifts when we stay with someone, as I don't have funds for wine. I am quite happy to look pleased when they come out as I am touched that someone has decided to give me something, but given the choice I would rather both give and receive wine, books (quite happy with second-hand) or some cheerful Christmassy tat.

Home made gifts are classy?

I think the people I know are a fairly talentless bunch. Definitely short on class.

I was planning on doing this for the SIL's this year, They have decided on a £20 per household rule (exc kids) but both SIL's are pregnant at the moment so we don't want to buy them anything to "clutter" the houses as they are more than likely going to be full soon.

So homemade treats and maybe a gift voucher for a meal?

and I have made scented candles in vintage 1930's teacups (with saucer and cake plate too, and tied with ribbon) for SILs

Blatantly stealing that

I am going to try that fudge recipe with DD. Yesterday we potted up six offshoots of a plant to give to her teachers. They'll also be getting a bag of fudge to go with it. thanks.
The compost and pots were around 8 euros and I think DD had a great idea and time doing it.