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Original poster

Share your ideas for Handmade gifts...please

92 replies

Sibsmum · 19/08/2018 19:52

Would you be prepared to share your ideas for homemade or handmade gifts? I am making my Christmas cakes in a few weeks ( so I can feed them with brandy for months ) and starting to think ahead to collecting bits and bobs for ' that' time of year. We like to include some homemade items but ..
I need some new ideas - along with methods and list of what I need for the make.
Please include some ideas for things that children can make too, pictures too very welcome.

OP posts:
redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 22:03

I'm going to knit some cardigans, don't panic - I will check with their parents that the designs etc, are OK.
Chilli vodka.
And I'm liking the idea of elderberry liqueur

Alicatz66 · 19/08/2018 22:03

Off to room 101 you all go !!! .. that is what I would put in there .... craft .

Alicatz66 · 19/08/2018 22:04

Also what are beeswax clothes !!!!!

redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 22:06

Ali I imagine auto correct has changed cloths to clothes

CheekyRedhead · 19/08/2018 22:07

Agreed on the wine glasses. So tacky. I wouldn't want one. Surely the glitter comes off once the glass has been washed anyway?

Putyourdamnshoeson · 19/08/2018 22:10

Glitter wine glasses can fuck off tbh. Grim.

Beeswax cloths are a fab idea though.

redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 22:23

I wish one of my relatives had chickens, loving the idea of getting fresh eggs.

PositiveVibez · 19/08/2018 22:26

We make our own bath bombs and candles. We go the charity shops and buy lots of little cups and saucers/trinkets/glasses etc to give that unique touch for the candles.

Original poster
Sibsmum · 19/08/2018 22:29

Great ideas. Loving you all for sharing.
Mini cakes! Why didn't I think of that? Brilliant
Can't wait to find out about beeswax cloths.
Obviously this isn't suiting everyone but fortunately there are lots of other threads you might enjoy....so go enjoy them.

OP posts:
HelpmeobiMN · 19/08/2018 22:33

So many sour pusses on this thread Grin

lidoshuffle · 19/08/2018 22:34

Whole pickled pears in a fancy jar. They're lovely with cheese and Christmas cold cuts. www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/preserves/spiced-pickled-pears

Grenoble124 · 19/08/2018 22:35

Google BBC mulled wine kit.

redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 22:37

I am also going to make a little book for sewing needles, for a child who has just started sewing. I'm going to crochet some little animals too.

Pimmsypimms · 19/08/2018 22:48

Homemade baileys always goes down a treat, that and sloe or damson gin Gin

Original poster
Sibsmum · 19/08/2018 22:49

I feel I should offer up my own meagre idea from last year. Had some sweet little spice jars from the supermarket on sell out- glass with a pot lid, bit like little mason jars. Made 3 flavours of teas with mint, dried lemon and orange rind, and a berry one. Put the teas in the jars and gifted with one of the pretty little tea ball thingies for steeping tea in. They went down really well with the brandysnaps I put in the boxes too.
I do harbour a hankering for hens too, but our deeds prohibit them on our street. My Nana had bantoms, cute and friendly and good little egg producers. hard
Some great ideas. Thanks.xxx

OP posts:
redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 23:00

Teas - that's a good idea.
I've got lots of lavender that I need to do something with, and loads of figs.
Sloe gin - that gets my vote

5foot5 · 19/08/2018 23:01

We made Damson Gin last year. Lots of recipes out there but we chose this one because it had the least sugar content. It turned out really well and the people we gave it to seemed to like it. Damsons are usually ready in September so needs to be started soon. We used gin from Aldi which was fairly cheap but had had good reviews.

Also for the last few years I have done a big batch of these Fruity Christmas Biscotti for family. They are brilliant for Christmas because you can make them about a month ahead and freeze them part baked then it is easy to give them the final bake just before you need to give them. They also keep well once baked.

As to gifts from children - did a few with DD years ago. One that springs to mind was when we dismantled a load of wooden clothes pegs and then she glued the half pegs together in a circle and painted them and gave them to grandmas has pan stands, tea pot stands.

glueandstick · 19/08/2018 23:02

I’m off to make friends with people with chickens.

KurriKurri · 19/08/2018 23:05

I'm going to be giving knitted and pottery(I do pottery evening classes) gifts this year, - I'll be making gloves hats and bags. I'll also make some fruit cakes and maybe some fudge. I'm starting soon because it takes me a while to do. My sister has also asked me to do a watercolour painting for her.
The dogs in the family are getting little bandanas witht heir names embroidered on them.
I do it partly because I can't afford expensive gifts, and also I'm not well at the moment and can't get to shops very easily.

I'll most likely receive homemade gifts in return - which I love. We do it a lot in my family, because we like making things for each other because we love each other and it's a nice thing to do. I value a home made gift above a bought one any day.

redshoeblueshoe · 19/08/2018 23:12

Kurri I agree with you. Years ago when I was a skint single parent I used to make wine and pickles for presents. 20 years later one of my DB's said he always loved my presents, that meant so much to me.

Original poster
Sibsmum · 19/08/2018 23:12

Oh, lavender. There are are loads of ideas for lavender - lavender water spray for your ironing. I had some given a few years back in a really pretty spray bottle. My friend had just painted on simple spray bottles from bargain shop with acrylic paint. It was fantastic. Brill on bed linen.
Love the needle pouch idea. Adore biscotti, will definitely investigate, along with ginGrin

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 19/08/2018 23:15

I’ve found my people!

Those teas sound wonderful op

I’ve done:
Rosemary salt in Kilner jars (Malden sea salt with fresh rosemary shoved in)

Bath salts (2 parts Epsom salts to 1 part bicarbonate of soda and 1 part sea salt) with a good dose of essential oil

Werthers original vodka - literally just smash the sweets up and add to vodka and leave it - it’s lush!

Similarly fruit vodka (strawberry is really nice) with a little bit of added sugar, then leave it for a good few weeks

Flavoured oils - chilli oil is really good

Original poster
Sibsmum · 19/08/2018 23:16

Kurri, you have caught the sentiments I hope to send with my homemade offerings perfectly. Thank you

OP posts:
bluetrampolines · 19/08/2018 23:18

Fudge. Easy as can be!

arranfan · 19/08/2018 23:19

I was going to recommend the BBC biscotti that have already been linked by 5foot5 - they're very popular and they keep well after gifting.

I like pickled pears, quince paste, apple cheese etc. - any of those fruit things that accompany a cold plate. Also, specialist plain oat crackers or similar - think Peter's Yard. Dan Lepard's recipe for salt oat crackers is spot on - he rightly refers to them as the "matinee idols of the cracker world" and they keep very well. Likewise Dan Lepard's stollen keeps without drying out or losing its eating quality.