What can I make for Christmas?

[yesiamyesiamokaycallmeback]

I don't want to buy anything for Christmas except for secondhand books and soap from an easy shop which I love.

I want to make presents for my family and children this year. But I have no idea what I can make for a main present

I so far have
-knitted hats/ scarves/ mittens
-christmas cookies

thats it. thats all I can think of.
what can I make thats sustainable (ish)
I have a printer so was thinking of making some Harry Potter bbbeans and maybe a magic wand each for the kids but it seems pretty lame for Xmas.

the kids have tons of toys. I don't know what to do. I don't want to buy toys they don't want just because I think they should have more to open.

any idea? anyone else doing a more simple Xmas?

kids are 3 5 and 7 so a range of ages.
adult gift ideas too please
God help me

Terribly outing - I shall have to name change !

@littleHen84

A felt veg garden with handmade felt veg went down a storm with my 3 year old, lots of ideas on pintrest using a small wooden crate you can "plant" the veg. A little bit of pillow stuffing in the veg to make then 3d they look great especially if you sew faces on them

I love this! I’ve got lots of felt and a grandchild on the way!

Re the books, have a look at Japanese Stab binding or simple pamphlet bindings. Pamphlet bindings in particular are actually really easy to do, so for instance you could fold a sheet of card in half for the cover, fold the paper contents in half and then sew the two together. All you really need is linen thread and a strong needle, though a bone folder and an awl will make it even easier. Then if you want to decorate the cover you could paint it or glue a picture or a photo on.

I'd also be tempted to look for secondhand board games in local charity shops.

so your little boy asked for a console and in fact he is going to get a stick and something you knitted?

do you home educate or is your kid going to go back to school after christmas and say i got a stick and a scarf?

sack off presents for adults and get them something fun. Loads of bargains to be had on ebay and the like.

Last year I did little homemade hampers,

I brought some nice eco friendly soaps
I made vanilla fudge and chocolate fudge (you can make it in advance and freeze it until nearer the time)
I made truffles (easy to freeze too)
I made vanilla latte body scrub with coffee grounds from the coffee machine at work.
I made beeswax lavender melts too.
I made a sweet chilli jam which was a big hit.

Have a look on Pinterest for ideas that’s what I did.

Planning on doing similar this year probably make some cookies/brownies.

the list was to illustrate that my child wants grown up 'toys'
like a petrol vehicle. and a mobile

So why are you knitting him a scarf and making puppets?!

Sorry, I'm not suggesting you buy him an iphone, but he clearly wants something modern and cool.

home roasted almonds - honey roasted (for vegans you can use golden syrup it works really well I did it with this because I ran out of honey )
lavender bags - potpourri - make up home made hamper for adults
make up sewing cards perhaps? Use old Christmas cartoon type cards stick them to slightly thicker card & make holes round using sharp point around edge of picture. get thick coloured wool which you wrap tape round each end to make shoe type ends for threading.

@mumwon

home roasted almonds - honey roasted (for vegans you can use golden syrup it works really well I did it with this because I ran out of honey ) lavender bags - potpourri - make up home made hamper for adults make up sewing cards perhaps? Use old Christmas cartoon type cards stick them to slightly thicker card & make holes round using sharp point around edge of picture. get thick coloured wool which you wrap tape round each end to make shoe type ends for threading.

Do you honestly know anyone who would want any of those?

Theres a fab little Lego set on Amazon of the speeder vehicle with black panther minifigs.

Honestly- contact their school (or a food bank if you use one). explain that you need help with presents. They will get you age relevant gifts from whichever charity they work with.

My DC have very simple tastes and never asked for much as presents.
I always felt a bit mean as their gifts never looked like much effort went into them, but they always got what they wanted. To make Xmas a bit more special I used to print vouchers for various activities / treats that could be used during the year and pop them into their advert calendar. eg. It could be a voucher for a trip out to the bowling alley or cinema or a voucher for local sweet shop / takeaway from their favourite chippy on night of their choosing. We had some lovely days out when they cashed in those vouchers!

@BathTubGin
home roasted almonds - honey roasted...

Do you honestly know anyone who would want any of those?
Well I am not sure about the rest of the items mentioned but the nuts - definitely I would want those. They sound very moreish. And actually the lavendar bags and pot pourri would be very welcome too

@BathTubGin
home roasted almonds - honey roasted...

Do you honestly know anyone who would want any of those?
Well I am not sure about the rest of the items mentioned but the nuts - definitely I would want those. They sound very moreish. And actually the lavendar bags and pot pourri would be very welcome too

@BathTubGin
home roasted almonds - honey roasted...

Do you honestly know anyone who would want any of those?
Well I am not sure about the rest of the items mentioned but the nuts - definitely I would want those. They sound very moreish. And actually the lavendar bags and pot pourri would be very welcome too

I’m currently sewing DS an advent calendar.

I make my own Christmas cakes and puds each year and give one of each to DPs.

Can you knit/make pickles or jam? If I could knit I’d make DS a jumper.

A cross stitch announcement for a special occasion can also be nice - any family events coming up? I did a traditional sampler birth announcement when DS was born.

Get them a flowerpot each, some soil and a packet of seeds each. Teach them how to grow their.own

My Auntie made me a doll's cradle from an old orange box from green grocer. She covered it with foam, them fabric she hand made a mattress, pillow and blanket. Then bought a cheap doll and dressed it in hand knitted clothes. It was topped off by an arch at the front with a voile making it special. It makes me feel emotional when I think of how many hours she must have spent making it for me. It was a toy I played with a lot. My uncle made my younger sister a doll's House and furniture one year but he was a carpenter so obviously skilled in woodwork. I think Auntie and Uncle knew my parents had little money and these toys were put in our stockings do we did not even know our Auntie and Uncle had made them for us until we were much older. My Auntie used to have me round to her house to help her ice and decorate her cakes. I ate more sweets than ever got on the cakes.

My son made me a bird nesting box for my garden one year and painted it when he was about 12. His Grandad helped him but I think it was all done one afternoon. I still have it in a tree in my garden and he is an adult now.

Easy to make play doh.

You could make a tiara. Buy a simple band from Hobby craft and decorate it.

My niece used to love being a mermaid. Could you make a mermaid dress up outfit? Buy shimmering material.

I agree with BathTubGin I'm just praying that i don't know any of the posters who are making stuff I would either find inedible or the 'craft' stuff that I would send directly to a charity shop or if they didn't want it, the bin.

caringcarer
Get them a flowerpot each, some soil and a packet of seeds each. Teach them how to grow their own

Seriously? the seven year old wants a games console or a mobile phone and you think a flowerpot with seeds will be an ideal gift for him?

@Crankley

I agree with BathTubGin I'm just praying that i don't know any of the posters who are making stuff I would either find inedible or the 'craft' stuff that I would send directly to a charity shop or if they didn't want it, the bin.

caringcarer
Get them a flowerpot each, some soil and a packet of seeds each. Teach them how to grow their own

Seriously? the seven year old wants a games console or a mobile phone and you think a flowerpot with seeds will be an ideal gift for him?

😂😂😂

People saying 'I was given homemade dolly's house' etc - so was I. In the 80's. Along with a cabbage patch. That doesn't make it a good gift now.

Fridge magnets

A cross stitch announcement for a special occasion can also be nice - any family events coming up? I did a traditional sampler birth announcement when DS was born

So did I, it took weeks and cost about £30

God, I came onto this thread, thinking, how lovely and prehaps I can get some inspiration too - was not prepared for how horrible some posters have been about handmade/homemade items, and so judgemental of OP.

Not everyone can afford presents, not only that but op has stated her children understand some about consumerism and plastic, the environment ect. I am another person who historically has had to buy items second hand, and I have been fine with that, as op rightfully said, by the following Xmas most things are hardly even touched.
I spoke to my Dc the other day about clearing out the toys he doesnt play with so santa had room for new.
These will go on shpock for cheap, or to charity when they reopen.

When I think back to my childhood, I dont remember most of the things I got for Christmas. I mostly remember getting an orange in my stocking, a sparkly box in shape of an Xmas tree one year, and my Nokia 3210 in my teenage years.

What I do remember is Xmas Dinner, being with family, opening gifts in bed with my mum, the excitement of Xmas eve etc etc.

Poster who say that op is being unkind and because of the abnormal year weve all had she should be buying her children loads of plastic tat, your gifts shop brought gifts will not make up for anything the kids have been through, which most of the time, I think we are more affected than they are.

Also to add, for one birthday my mum gave me a tile, with stuck on jigsaw puzzles and ribbons to hang. I loved it and still have it.
My father and I sewed a Teddy bear together once, I love it and still have it. These are real gifts, even if not appreciated at the time (and sounds like op kids would appreciate) chances are, they will when they are older and realise what thier mother was doing.

As for adults, even if you're not keen on the handmade gift, it should at least be appreciated for all the time, love and thought that went into it, and if you really can't stand it, please ask the giver just for charity donation in the future.

I dont get any handmade gifts, and I would be touched beyond words if I did.

Op, dont let anyone make you feel guilty for your choices. Happy crafting!

It is amazing to me how much on this thread the kids supposed disappointment trumps everything else- OP has said her 7 year old has put stuff on that is inappropriate- there have been many threads on here over the years about odd things kids have put on their lists. Just because it was the 1980s when the adults on here got homemade gifts doesn't mean its crap to get them now. Children follow our lead- they appreciate what we put emphasis on- at 7 he will also not be going to school and having pressure on having a phone etc. If a kid goes to school and says " I got a doll for Christmas" it's the same - homemade, 2nd hand off facebook, or full price- no & year old is saying "exactly what doll is it?" I get some are branded and trend items as have ever been the case- not everyone in the 80s got a Mr Frosty for example. It's mad to me how some many posters are putting the whims of a 7 year old at the forefront

@Hiccupiscal

God, I came onto this thread, thinking, how lovely and prehaps I can get some inspiration too - was not prepared for how horrible some posters have been about handmade/homemade items, and so judgemental of OP.

Not everyone can afford presents, not only that but op has stated her children understand some about consumerism and plastic, the environment ect. I am another person who historically has had to buy items second hand, and I have been fine with that, as op rightfully said, by the following Xmas most things are hardly even touched.
I spoke to my Dc the other day about clearing out the toys he doesnt play with so santa had room for new.
These will go on shpock for cheap, or to charity when they reopen.

When I think back to my childhood, I dont remember most of the things I got for Christmas. I mostly remember getting an orange in my stocking, a sparkly box in shape of an Xmas tree one year, and my Nokia 3210 in my teenage years.

What I do remember is Xmas Dinner, being with family, opening gifts in bed with my mum, the excitement of Xmas eve etc etc.

Poster who say that op is being unkind and because of the abnormal year weve all had she should be buying her children loads of plastic tat, your gifts shop brought gifts will not make up for anything the kids have been through, which most of the time, I think we are more affected than they are.

Also to add, for one birthday my mum gave me a tile, with stuck on jigsaw puzzles and ribbons to hang. I loved it and still have it.
My father and I sewed a Teddy bear together once, I love it and still have it. These are real gifts, even if not appreciated at the time (and sounds like op kids would appreciate) chances are, they will when they are older and realise what thier mother was doing.

As for adults, even if you're not keen on the handmade gift, it should at least be appreciated for all the time, love and thought that went into it, and if you really can't stand it, please ask the giver just for charity donation in the future.

I dont get any handmade gifts, and I would be touched beyond words if I did.

Op, dont let anyone make you feel guilty for your choices. Happy crafting!

Exactly- I'm a teacher at secondary and even they talk about the small presents as being most memorable- not all kids - even teenagers are tech crazy bullies- in fact it's very few

People can be just horrible sometimes

There are some great ideas on this thread, I hope it helped you OP, I'm definitely going to pinch the vouchers for cinema/bowling trips one .

Out of all the threads I have read, some of the people on this thread have made me quite upset. I love a good lurk and read many threads, but by page two/three of this one, I was just shocked.
No wonder we are in such dire straights with the environment, when it seems so many people have this "kids need ALL the toys" mindset.

Its also Ok not to get absolutely everything requested by kids. I asked for many things... ie. Chocolate & slushy maker in the 80s. Did I get it?

No.

Mum and dad didn't want the hassle, knew it was pretty crap too, did I die from disappointment?
No. Because I was having too much fun playing with the writing set and art set they did buy me.

Honestly, all this wailing about ruining the kids Christmas

Weve got it all wrong.