Budget Homemade gifts made now that just get better in time for Christmas

[Afrodizzywonders]

I've started making foodie things over the last month and thought....these would make nice gifts for Christmas. I thought (hoped), maybe others could share their ideas.

Neverending Vanilla essence - I'm trialing this, 5 vanilla pods (bought online) plopped in 250ml of vodka. In 3 months time it's ready, as you use it top up with more vodka. Great for bakers.

Vanilla Sugar - couldn't be easier, vanilla pods in caster sugar.....put in a pretty jar, wait 2 weeks.

Now the biggie, DIY champagne or sparkling wine as its being made in my garage not champagne technically! I'm planning this now, never homebrewed, but...big but! I think I can make 30 decent bottles of fizz for £30 excluding equipment, so I'm trying to find cheap ways of doing this over the next week. If a success, we will have a bloody big party and I will make tonnes of the stuff.

Finally, spiced apple chutney (apples from our tree) but that's a little way off.

Anyone else up to any homemade stuff?

[DoItTooJulia]

My Wilko had none! Boo!

[Zeeky]

Took the children on a marathon 3 hr blackberry picking session on Tues - got tons, so put some blackberry schnapps on to brew. The rest are earmarked for some blackberry and apple jelly. Also picked the last of the rhubarb from the garden and made some rhubarb gin.

I have yet to start in any of my planned sewing gifts though. I'm hoping that now ds1 is back in school and ds2 starting nursery imminently that I will have more time to get cracking with the sewing.

[3birthdaybunnies]

Planning to make 3x personalised hooded towels (and swimming bags if I get time). Also angry bird handwarmers. Will probably make chocolate truffles nearer the time for teachers.

[Chopsypie]

Doittojulia, do you have a 'the range'? Noticed they had some in, again in the home brew section, 12 for £9. If not you can order wilko's online

[Scout19075]

If making a trio of (fruit infused) brandy to give as gifts, how much of each would you give? I don't want to appear stingy but giving large quantities of three types of brandy could get expensive....

The same goes for gin, except two of those.

And just one vodka (candy cane -- yum).

[WitchOfEndor]

I love this thread! I'm hoping to do some cherry vodka using frozen Morello cherries. Does anyone know how many grams per litre I will need and if sugar is needed? Don't mind if its quite piquant! I'm also making Christmas cakes for DM and MIL as well as ourselves and doing Tablet slabs for DM and DB and myself I'm also looking at the Soap basics site and wondering who I can do them for.

[Scout19075]

Has anyone tried alcohol infused gummies?

[davidtennantsmistress]

Oh brill will have a read of this as I want to do home made hampers this year for everyone. With the peanuts what do you store them in just little jars? X

[IsaacCox]

Every year I say I'm not going to do food hampers again but alas here I am! I'm buying some jars today but just need to decide what to make first. Definitely doing mincemeat, chilli jam, some sort of fruit jam. I usually do mixed berry but want to make something a bit fancier- any ideas? Thanks :)

[IsaacCox]

Right, I've just across this recipe which has great reviews. If I make it this week, will it still be ok for Christmas? Thanks

[TheYamiOfYawn]

You can get get plain jute shopping bags on eBay in a variety of sizes. They are fairly cheap, sturdy, look tasteful, and are mire useful than a basket after Christmas is over.

[Zeeky]

Isaac most chutneys keeps for a year or more unopened, so will be fine for Christmas.

There was a free WI jams & preserves booklet in the daily mail last weekend and I just made the Plum & Mulled Wine Jam recioe from it. It is lush and perfect for Christmas. My kitchen smells like Christmas!