Handmade gifts for Christmas...

[HouseofCrazy]

Inspire me! Would love to do some handmade stuff for Christmas, but having three kids and a DH who works long hours I will need to start now to get it finished in time (esp if I need to send overseas!)

So....give me all your best ideas!

It's July. There is a heatwave. Wait until November and make some bleedin' truffles, woman!

What sort of crafty things do you like to do, House?

Last few years I have done
Spicy Tomato chutney
chocolate coated candied orange peel
peppermint creams
christmas biscotti
truffles
gingerbread biscuit/decorations
crochet hats, scarves and wristwarmers (not all at once)
handmade handbags
cloth books for children
home made crayons and notepads
crayon rolls

And don't forget the home-made cards as well.

just giving this a little bumpo as i'd love some ideas

I've already thought of;

some sort of Bookmark, personalised with dc photos, maybe picture drawn by dd and laminated for granparents.

For dd(aged 6) i'm going to make her a little box from cardboard and decorate it with sparkly things, also going to make her a pillow that she can put things into and possibly a doll of somekind

I might make christmas decorations for the granparents, well get dc to make them

I also found a suggestion of name bunting for some friends dc, especially those with names that you can't find things in the shops for IYSWIM.

Maybe a door plaque for dc would be nice?

also thought of the homemade calender idea, again might use pictures drawn by dd and maybe photos

Would love some better ideas than mine

This year I am making:

Sock Monkeys
Knitted Scarves
Cross Stitched Bookmarks
Knitted Mug Cosies
Fleece cushions

as well as jams, chutneys, shortbread, fudge etc.

I have already knitted 2 scarves, sewn 2 cushions and made one sock monkey. I will be starting on the chutneys and jams within teh next week or two.

I'm curious, what's a sock monkey?? or is it a sock made into a monkey some how??????

there is a tutorial for sock monkeys in the latest issue of Sew Hip magazine.

RD just what I thought. It's JULY. Who thinks about Christmas now?

what is a knitted mug cosie?

I'm a chutney/biscuit maker for christmas.
I'm also making treasure boxes for children - just decorated boxes and starting their collection with one or two things ie family photos, marbles, rocks etc
We'll make tree decorations for relatives from the children.
Another easy (but long term) present from kids is to grow a plant from seed to give, along with a painted pot.

Sock Monkey
Mug Cozy

Last year we did hand decorated picture frames with a nice family photo in, mini Christmas cakes which the children iced and decorated, home made sweets and fimo jewelery.

soooo, why would you need a mug cozy? Coffee is usually too hot to drink anyway, why keep it hot for longer?

'Cos its pretty

yes, tis true, tis very pretty

I'm only jealous that I can't knit

Don't worry, I wouldn't knit them for just any random person, but I have a couple of friends who are a bit Cath Kidston-y who would love that kind of thing.

Not everyone likes crafty stuff, so they get something else. But I love making things for the people who do!

I want to make a quilted cushion cover to match a quilt I made my MIL a while ago. Am also knitting a jacket for DS2 and will make some kind of bear/ cat/ cuddly for DS1. If I get time I might make a small lap quilt for SIL too. Having said that I am normally still sewing on Christmas Eve so maybe I'll cut the list down a bit this year!

Oh, loving the name bunting idea! I'm so doing that!

Quiltingmama have you name changed!

Sloe gin!

I made some in November last year that has been sat there waiting for this christmas. Also seen a recipe for christmas Vodka. I don't want anything too involved as i have dc2 due in just over 2weeks.

Might make some fudge this year. Made honeycomb last year.

Also bathbombs. Have got a fab book with how to make homemade soap and bath stuff.

Ooh, I like the look of the mug cosy. Don't know how to knit though unfortunately but I'd like one of those myself! My dd would probably have a go at the sock monkey with me for her sister . . . think I'll print it off & invest in some stripy socks so we can have a go.

Thanks for the links

Ive already made a good start on my xmas cards and this year im doing some that double up at decorations. Last year I made stockings and the year before I made fudge and crackers, not sure what to make this year.

Quilted space themed blanket for ds,
Was thinking about crocheting a throw for dsis but not sure i will have time.Possibliy a handbag for dsis

As for the actual making part this year. I have bought most of the material for the quilt. it will be amazing when done. but it is one of those projects that is starting for feel like it was a good idea at the time but is going to be a bit harder and more complicated then originally intended. The rest of it is still pie in the sky. Will see what actually happens.