'Make your own' Christmas

[Doodlekitty]

Ok, ok, I KNOW its only June. But I'm due to give birth late October and as it's my first and I have no idea what to expect I want to be all sorted for christmas by the time baby gets here. I'm also going to have no money when I'm on Mat leave so want stuff bought while I'm working but also want to spend as little as possible.

Last year I made Christmas pudding rum for my FIL who has never shut up about it since ( I used this recipe, www.wikihow.com/Make-Christmas-Pudding-Flavoured-Vodka but rum instead of vodka, if anyone is interested)

I think I made it in about November last time, but I'm thinking, if I made it in July then it will just be more yummy wont it, as it just has longer to infuse. also, last year when i told MIL I binned the fruit I used she was horrified, so I'm thinking i might put this in a jar for her (obviously with another present) as she said it would be lovely with ice cream. What do you guys think?

I made some handscrub recently and got large jars from the Poundshop. I recently saw a tip where someone recommended buying Tesco Value Lemon curd, emptying and reusing that jars as it's something like 22p a jar.

I got my kilner jars form Asda. Not sure if airtight but they were great for my brownie mixes!

littlecupcake - do you have the recipe & instructions for brownie mix kit please? Got a rush of teenage girls' birthdays coming up in next couple of months, was thinking they might be good presents for them.

I'd love the recipe too littlecupcake. Thanks!

Will try Asda for the jars.

I'm on the hunt for ideas for children's gifts. I can't sew with a machine but can sew by hand untidily. I can cut and glue neatly!

This is the recipe I used. Fits nicely into one litre kilner jars (Ikea or asda ones worked well, I just filled the small ap at the top with scrunched grease proof paper). I always make up a few extra jars to keep for emergencies - they are amazing brownies!

origin-www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/956638/

I haven't tried these ones, but might give them a go this year. If anyone else tries them, please let me know what they are like!

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2920/christmas-muffin-mix
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1840651/gingerbread-gift-jars
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/992645/triple-chocolate-cupcake-kit
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/992649/baked-camembert-kit

fabulous, thank you littlecupcake - several birthday presents sorted!

just marking my place...glad there are some other nutters people out there thinking about Christmas already. Have decided to do homemade sugar scrub type things as well as copious jams and chutneys this year...just made strawberry and rose jam if anyone wants the recipe (easy as pie!)...

I gave the muffin mix to my secret santa last year, and she loved it, littlecupcake.

Is anyone thinking about making their own cards? Any simple but effective ideas?

I'd like the recipe for the strawberry and rose jam please! It sounds lovely

I'd really like to make truffles - we made some years ago from a really old book of my dad's, and added Malibu to one batch :o

Generally want to make lots of foody bits and some craft but I say that every year and never get round to it. DH will be having an operation at some point and I have been ill for two months now so I'm really not sure what will happen!

I would especially like to give my parents foody stuff as they never really seem to like or use anything else, but they are real foodies so some nice jam would possibly go down well.

fuzzpig, this month's Red magazine has a whole section of jam and preserves recipes, some look delicious!

I'm definately wanting to make more stuff this year. Whats the best time of year to make jams and chutneys? I've never made them before. Will they last if made now?

This thread is great. I will try and use some of my card making stash, but v. difficult with toddler and 30 weeks pregnant.

right you have got me inspired.
I just need to finish off my jumper and start on some prezzies.

I am planning sewing a utility belt for DP and maybe making some shea butter scrubs for my sisters.

Chutneys are best made 3 months before Christmas and jams are best made now dud to fruit availability.

Thanks ethelb, i'll keep my eyes out for some nice fruit and give jam a go.

Marking my place - last year's home made Christmas thread was very helpful and encouraging.

YY to Pinterest - brilliant site.

Ikea is the cheapest place for kilner jars, whoever asked.

I would love to be able knit a scarf of hat for my mum but as I've only just learnt the stitches I think that's pushing it for this year.

Did have an idea though, she likes those little drawer scented bag things so I could attempt to sew her one and put lavender in it? We have a lavender pot outside, so when do I need to pick it and is there a specific way of drying it? I am clueless!

Oh and the Shea butter thing reminded me I could also make some salt scrubs with essential oils...

Fuzzpig: Cuts stems to about 15cm and tie the lavender together in bunches of about 10, hang these upside down for 2-3 weeks so the flower heads are dry (i hang mine in my basement). When dry brush petals off stem and store in an airtigh container.

I was so excited the day we moved into our new house as i now have lavender and a holly bush

Fab! Thanks :)