Home made christmas presents you would like to recieve.

[lavenderbongo]

So i have no money this year and thought i might make people presents instead. I am fairly handy with the old sewing machine and the things i am thinking of making include aprons, lunch bags, shopping bags, table mats and other such stuff.
Would you mind getting stuff like this?

[scurryfunge]

I've just bought a sewing machine( after not touching one for 35 years) and have so far made a few zip up cosmetic bags for gifts which I'm going to fill with toiletries, etc. I'm hooked but running out of project ideas.

[flubba]

VerySmall I've done some in heart shapes - basically used fleece to make rice-filled hearts and as Brandy says you pop them in the microwave with a small glass of water to stop the rice drying out, although my microwave needs longer than 30 secs, and then you put them in pockets or gloves or hands to keep warm. Lovely.

[redadmiralsinthegarden]

how about tree decorations? each year i try to get a friend or relative to buy/make me a tree dec. that way i think about them whenever the tree comes out, and especially for people that live far away it helps to make them feel part of my christmas.

[ivykaty44]

fudge in a box
red heart shaped lavendar bags - or rosemary bags

I made bath slats using sea salts for the bath from the chemist, put them in ikea jars with the metal flip collars around the lids, added neals yard essential oils to make them smell lovely and used a gold pen to write on the jars how to use the bath slats and who they were for and which xmas. Total cost for each jar was small compared to the price in shops for such things.

Oh and I would love a table cloth with homemade embroidr on it for xmas

[DilysPrice]

Fudge. And shopping bags.

[flubba]

Ooh yes, lavender hotties have gone down very well too.

[DalekInAFestiveJumper]

Shopping bags definitely a winner IMO. I have a couple my MiL made a while back and they've held up a lot better than the crummy ones I get from the store. Plus, the ones my MiL made have corgis on them, which is way more fun than store logos.

[ivykaty44]

really nice door draft excluders

[ivykaty44]

like this

[trikken]

fudge definitely. I like all your ideas.

[mirry2]

A peg bag would be useful.

[MrsJohnDeere]

Food except chutney (got lots last year and hate it). Chocolates, fudge, Parkin at great.

Things you can enjoy but don't need storing for ever.

[StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome]

I would love a homemade gift but to really appreciate it I'd want it to be something I actually need/use.
I've got 2 handmade gifts I'm making this year. A throw for my mum, and we've agreed pattern and colours so I know it will be what she wants. For sister-in-law its a crochet felted teacosy and matching ovengloves, because a few months back she was on about wanting a teacosy and had liked the ovengloves I made for myself.
I know it kind of isn't much of a surprise, but I'm self conscious with homemade gifts (that can't be returned or exchanged) so I only do them if there's been a specific request, or I've offered and I've seen a genuine happy response!

[queenofthepirates]

One of these
pinterest.com/pin/264164334364497354/
polystyrene half ring covered with fabric strips and glued on the back
Add felt holly and you're done.

[Allalonenow]

I'd like an apron.
Shoe bags with drawstring tops to help with suitcase packing would be very useful too, I never have enough of them.
Also like little bags of lavender to hang in the wardrobe are always a treat.

[cashmere]

I'd like/have the following:-

Little drawstring bags to put underwear or shoes in when packing. These would be easy to make and a luxury item.

Christmas table runner

Drawstring laundry bags- could do a set of 3 for darks, whites and coloureds.

I would like an apron for baking with DS as it tends to get messy.

Kids aprons with matching 'chef' hats and tea towels (throw in cookie cutters and wooden spoon from Wilkos)

Little fabric for storing a couple nappies and wipes to put in handbag as opposed to changing bag.

[cashmere]

Just remembered when we were kids we had pyjama bags on our beds too! Maybe a bit retro!

[Vivalebeaver]

I've made some pear and chocolate jam today which I'm intending on giving to people for Xmas. Thought it was a bit different.

[ZZZenAgain]

I'd love to get homemade jam. I'd appreciate an apron OP but I wouldn't really have use for the tablemats, lunch bags.

[poppy283]

I'm doing cranberry + orange infused vodka for the 20-somethings in our family, which I'd like to receive, if I wasn't breastfeeding...

I once got a lovely long scarf from a friend which I really loved.

Cushion covers are always welcome.

[wonkylegs]

So far the homemade things I've done that have gone down well (some of which I've had repeat requests for), soft toys for small children (check your stitching is good tho), kids aprons, handmade fabric bags of sweets, embroidered cushions, calendars, handpainted silk scarves, jewellery, jars of fudge & chocolate truffles, photobooks, silk lined jewellery box, kids clothes (check sizes), bags, fabric Christmas decs, hooded bathtowels (animals/dinos etc), dressing up costumes for kids, playmats for babies, embroidered hankies (great grandparents)...
They go down well if they really suit the person you give them to rather than generically making stuff, then it'll be less hit & miss!

[cashmere]

Can I be your friend wonkylegs!

[wonkylegs]

I've just been made redundant, so this year I actually will have time to make them too!

[peggyblackett]

Do you sell your stuff wonky?

[wonkylegs]

I've been asked if I do but no it's just a hobby as up til now I've always had a FT career that took up most of my time.
It's crossed my mind that I could do something with it whilst I wait for the job market to pick up (my profession has been hit really badly by the recession)