I need ideas of xmas presents i can make to save some money...

[juicychops]

Trying to think of nice and original things.

Mainly for my mum, dad and family/close friends.

I will buy them things too but need to cut the budget down.

So far i have decided on a giant xmasy decorated marshmallow and toffee rice crispy cake for my mum (her favourite!)

and ive seen in a few cheap shops candles and orniamental bits and bobs so was going to make up a few gift basket set things and decorate it all nicely. should only be a few quid each

anyone got any other ideas?

p.s. i always do photos in frames so im trying to veer away from that this year

Last year I bought sby a small bottle of pudding wine, and made some cantuccini to go with it.

Don't know if they liked it though!

zmas cake/pudding - box of mince pies?

get dc to do anything and instant kudos

ooh, I'm all for cheap and cheerful Christmas presents for the grown ups! The last couple of years I've knitted scarves - lovely fluffy ones for the women and manly chunky ones for the men. This christmas I'm making bracelets for all the women (have got very into beading) and maybe even some manly wood-type bracelets for some of the younger men (possibly not the grandads...). Dp has made mince pies and we've got some cellophane bags and stacked them and then tied with ribbon at the top - looks very festive.

We always make the grandparents a calendar - each month has a different photo of ds's and we print it off, hole punch the top and thread ribbon/wool through at the top. The grandparents love it and it's even been requested this year again (bless).

Hand painted cards and Christmas decs made by the dc's. Agree with pneulife - defo a winner

How about a unique personal book of photo's and from Photobox for your parents. Have a look here. It would be something to treasure and very personal.

My brother has just done one and he say's it's brilliant.

Tillyboo, them photo albums look brilliant! im definately going to get one for my mum and one for my dad

Jewellery is a good one. It's easy to make and you can get the raw materials really cheap on ebay.
You can also make keyrings, mobile phone charms etc with same raw materials

i have a load of swarovski crystal beads and pearls so i could make some bracelets for the girls and women

ive also decided to do a cross stitch for my nan that i found in a cupboard

in the ast have made;
fudge in nice boxes decorated by dd
key rings made from wooden beads
felt broaches
blackberry jam
tomato chutney
fruit cake
flavoured vinegar or oil
cranberry sauce in nice jar
a story book ( written and illustrated by dd and printed off computer)
felt mice pincushions
candles decorated with sequins
set in with pins
lavender bags

You could take your kids to one of those places where you can decorate a mug etc and get it glazed - they could decorate one for granny, grandad etc. I think fees vary a bit so check in advance!

That way the money buys an afternoon out for DC as well as a present for others.

You can buy plain white plates in Woolies for 99p each and a set of ceramic paints for just a few £££. MUCH cheaper than going to a ceramic workshop. We did that a few years ago for the grandparents - but get them to paint a Christmas design so the rellies don't feel obliged to have them on display all year round!

I did the calendar thing with DD a couple of years ago. Just to put a twist on it, I got her to dress up in different clothes, depending on the month of the year. So, in the August picture she had her swimming cossie and sunglasses on and in the December picture she had hat & gloves etc on.

I have just started making "exploding boxes".

They cost approx £1.50 to make and I showed MIL today and she said it was lovely and she hoped that she would get one for Christmas!

Inside the exploding box, on some of the squares you can stick photos and decorate them, you can add pictures that DC have drawn, little poems etc.

If you are interested in making one let me know and I can E mail the instructions to you. The actual box takes about 45 mins to make and then you add on time decorating it etc

HTH