Homemade presents for that festival which occurs in December

[helyg]

I don't want to use the C*s word just yet as it is only June... but I'm hoping planning to make as many of my presents this year so need to get cracking.

I am making the inlaws a food hamper (I made one for my mum last year and MIL was very impressed so it is their turn this year). This is pretty straighforward, I have bought the basket and cellophane etc, and have the jars, so will just be making the stuff closer to the time. Was thinking along the lines of Orange Whisky Marmalade, Blackcurrant Jam, Tomato Chutney, Apple Chutney, Pickled Onions, Pickled Beetroot, Oatcakes, Shortbread and Fudge.

For my mum I am making a lot of different things, I have knitted her a scarf and I am going to cross stitch her a bookmark. I will probably make her a little basket of chutney etc as she really liked it last year. Not sure what else yet!

I have knitted DD a scarf too, and am going to make sock monkeys for her and DS1&2.

I have 3 friends who I always give presents to, plus 5 work colleagues. I would like to make something for them, but am a bit stuck for ideas. I want it to be useful! I had thought about lavender bags for my work colleagues (we tend to go down the wine/smellies route and not spend a great deal on each other, it is more of a token gift). I made some for a friend the other year out of red gingham with hearts cross stitched onto the fronts, maybe I might do the same for them. Then for my friends I like these mug cosies, maybe with some hot chocolate and marshmallows inside the mug?

Other relatives that we give presents too wouldn't be quite so impressed by homemade pressies, so I won't inflict them on them

Has anyone got any other ideas or inspiration?

Blimey - I'm well impressed with that lot.
Calendars for the work friends?
You sound very artistic/creative

I want to start making some named bunting for various kiddies.

I love these fabric barns too

time time time!

Oooh those fabric barns are devine!

The fabric barns are cool, I have made one for a craft swap and also devised an easier version to send, only I have forgotten how I did it

I am planning on elderflower champagne for grandparents/IL's which needs ot be made soon, am using my appletiser bottles for it
I made siblings and partners hats last year so unsure what to do for them this year.
Mug cozies are a good idea, or sandwich wraps or lunchbags for eco friendly sis and her dh.
aprons and really easy aprons might be fun as well.

I really want to make my brother this cos he'd love it but he hasn't got me a present for years, for anything, so whiel I don't mind making hima hat, if I make the bag I will keep it!

Children and child friends will get crochet bunting with their names on (as in the letters on a 'string') which I need to get started on now really, eek.

It's the middle of summer you mad mad things!

Ssssshhhhh!

I want a fabric barn, never mind DD!

I know its the middle of summer, but if I am going to make this many things I need to make a start or they won't be getting them until Christmas 2011!

I have also bought a ton of card making stuff from Lakeland in their sale, and am determined to make the majority of my cards this year. I usually only manage to make ones for very close family and friends.

I like the idea of crochet bunting, my crochet skills are rather rusty though unfortunately.

I made all mine last year and it was a nightmare in the end. I made patchwork cushions with appliqued names on for all the children, a skirt and tote bag for my mum, scarf for dad. Tu-tus for DDs. Then for my friends I made makeup bags with matching tote bags. It's a great idea to get started so early, I can't decide if I want to make so many this year, but you may just have spurred me on!

hmmm, i like the theory of starting sooner rather than later!

I made lots last year, my mum had a foodie hamper and 3 friends had smaller foodie baskets, plus I knitted Jean Greenhowe toys for my 3 DC. I loved have everything finished nice and early, no last minute shopping panic!

I have already finished knitting my mum and DD's scarves, I bought this yarn in the Abakahn sale to make them. Mum's is in Garnet and DD's is in Carnival.

I have bought this kit to make the bookmark for my mum, it is only small and simple but she is an avid reader and loves sunflowers so she will like it. Although DS1 has recently got really into cross stitch and has made himself a bookmark and has just finished one for his teacher as an end of year thank you gift, so I might see if he wants to make some for my mum and in laws instead. Or maybe cross stitch fridge magnets. I like getting them involved in making presents rather than buying.

QT if you remember the easy version please do post about it.

I started to make one but used thick card for the inner frame which ment I couldn't turn it it the right way after sewing the side pieces in. I guess if I use the plastic stuff it will bend - so back to the drawing board for me.

Also how to get the roof fabric bit just so. I thought I could do all in one colour & glue (or much better applique) on a felt roof, but haven't worked it all out yet.

I have all the bits ready to make a couple of barns. Must pull finger out. I think if you are going to make gifts you need to start early.

Last year I made sweets for everyone - went down very well. Better to make those closer to the time though!

6 months today till the unmentionable time

Downdog, I have added a picture of the prototype to my profile, this was cardboard and had an unfortunate waterng can incident so I don't have it, the other I only have cryptic pics as it was a craft swap gift for some children in teh US, but I have been considering making new ones for DD's for christmas so am thinking of doing a tutorial.

Last year I made everyone choclate covered candied orange peel and peppermints as well as hats, they were yummy.

I am hoping to go back to uni in september so if I don't get a headstart now I am screwed!

Brilliant thread! I'm going to get cracking on some ideas. In previous years I've made felt play food and toys for the children, aprons, food/drink hampers, one year we gave out aloe vera plant cuttings wrapped in paper and hessian and my husband's delicious gooey chocolate brownies.Yum!

QT (Downdog here) that is fab modification - much simpler & presumably it folds up into triangle shape? Thanks for posting ;)

Thanks! It folds into a rectangle, the floors are the sides, and then it all fits into a bag, but I can't find the pics I took of the 'actual' one which was much prettier!

home made candles? there was a thread in chat last year where a member made soy candles in gorgeous tea cups. I've recently also seen bird feeders made of large cups and saucers, ones with a kind of metal stick that the saucer sits on and can be stuck into the garden, or ones where a metal wire has been attached through the cup and saucer so can be attached to a tree

I am trying to make the "odd" C*S card every now and then and it would be great if I could somehow find the time for a few gifts too!!!

I mainly papercraft, knit occasionally but I am tempted to start sewing too! How and when is my issue! LOL

I will be lurking!

How do you stick a metal stick (or something similar) to a tea cup/saucer to make a garden bird feeder? That sounds like a BRILLIANT gift idea for someone I know!

I'm glad it's not just me that's already planning! I have started collecting flower seeds from my garden and I will make little seed packets to put them in. These will go in my home-made calico shopping bags which I will force ask DD to decorate. Dunno what else I will put in, I made jam last year and that went down quite well... probably some foodie thing or other, I like cooking and baking.

Oh sweet, I've been planning/working/collecting since before Christmas 2009! (I am sad.)

You are way more organised than me then! Although last Christmas, my mum gave me a book of ideas for homemade pressies. That'll save recycling all the same ideas over and over. I have several million cousins so I always make things- much cheaper and nicer I think!

We have a big family too. And I'm from the States, living in England, so HAVE to be organized to get everything over in time! LOVE homemade cards and presents. Though failed last year -- DS was born late Oct, due in Nov, so all my engeries went to pregnancy and baby. I'm back this year, though!

Yeah, I did that a couple of years ago, I just bought everyone a bottle of wine. I've got an October baby too

I've started knitting roses and leaves - very easy and look surprisingly good. Can sew on brooch backs (could pin oa handbag if not a brooch fan) or on an alice band or make a 3d picture.