Handmade Christmas gifts from the kids - any ideas?

[roundabout1]

We have families on both sides notoriously difficult to buy for so tend to make presents from the kids. In the past we have done - decorated - tea towels, shopping bags & mugs. I was looking on the yellow moon site & saw porcelain piggy banks, coasters & photo frames so thought I may try those. We also have got some chocolate moulds so might do some chocolates. Last year did a cookie mix in a jar for my neice too. Its the older ones that are so hard to buy for.

John Lewis sold lovely short bread tins last year where the shortbread came out with a nice pattern on the back. We made some together and then found gift boxes that were reduced. He gave them as presents.

I make these

75g full fat cream cheese

350g icing sugar

1 level tbls cocoa powder

75g plain chocolate drops

40g butter

100g white chocolate.

36 petit four cases.

Put the cream cheese into bowl, sift icing sugar and cocoa into the bowl. Mix well.

Melt butter and chocolate stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture.

Then pour the chocolate into cream cheese mixture, beat together until they are creamy.

tip out and cut into 36 even pieces, roll into balls.

Melt white chocolate.

Dip balls into white chocolate, then place into petit four cases and put into fridge.

Eat within 10 days

And make little square boxes just big enough for four chocs ( you cant honestly eat anymore)

My Cahrges are making them for their teachers this year.

Ooh thanks, great ideas. I had to abandon giving food presents last year though as kids were always ill with some lurgy or other! I have a few germ conscious people in my family!

We're thinking of making marzipan fruits, but not sure how long they'd keep for. Anyone got a good linky for how to decorate? Was planning to make up as go along... Could end up with a squidgy box of mouldy oranges come Christmas time...

Tiger and IKEA both do make your own gingerbread house.

Both times I tried the IKEA one we couldn't get the walls to stick together and the syrup burned our fingers. V stressy! But I'm going to try the Tiger kit this year, as they would be brilliant if they worked.

My dd (5) has embroidered bookmarks using the cross stitch type fabric with larger holes (6 count aida) and embroidery thread (a couple of rows of running stitch round the edge and some cross stitch in the middle) - they were appreciated by male and female relatives. The other thing she has done is make christmas decorations with hama beads e.g. a star shape with a hanging loop of fine elastic or thread.

Thanks for the ideas

newlark - that sounds lovely, might so bookmarks