Homemade Christmas presents.....yes or no?

[DoItTooJulia]

Was only thinking for family, not friends or children.

And was thinking lemonade and a Christmas goodie to eat or soap.

Naff or not?

honestly ? I'd not be too chuffed with someone's handmade soap.
Lemonade - I guess it depended what it tastes like
When we were younger and struggling for cash, we just agreed amongst ourselves to only buy for the dc in the family and not the parents. I've seen other suggestions where the family does a sort of secret santa, so everyone gets one nice present. Would something like that work for you ?

I am not keen on people's food/drink homemade gifts, unless I know them well enough to know they are clean. As it is family then go for it.

Isn't that funny, I thought the soap might be better than homemade edibles! Just goes to show!

It's not so much that we are strapped for cash, (we are not flush) it's that they have everything they need and buy anything they want, so I am all out of ideas! Especially DHs family, they are quite well off.

We only really buy for a couple of friends kids and I enjoy getting them something they will love to open, so definitely no homemade lemonade for them!

X post Khloe!

I think it depends.
If you're a decent cook with a clean house then I would happily accept edible treats but your post reminded me of a family member with a mingling kitchen and I wouldn't want a food gift from them.
I fancy some lemonade now.

X-post Khloe

I think naff but some people like that kind of thing. If you were my family and struggling for cash I would want you not to buy for me. Home made can be sweet but not sure I would find lemonade and soap either christmassy or thoughtful.

Ha! Bit of a running joke that I am a clean freak...so hopefully no worries there...

This year, on maternity leave and poor as. Hopefully, everyone likes fudge!

I'd love some homemade soap

Oh, right, sorry! Jumped to a conclusion

What about vouchers for somewhere to go - be it theatre, GoApe, cinema, a meal, or bowling ? But something they can go and 'do' as a treat one evening / day. Maybe a voucher for afternoon tea at a local hotel or NT property - something they perhaps wouldn't treat themselves to ?
A friend once gave my dc a voucher for our local cinema wrapped up with a big bag of popcorn - it was a great present IMO

Honestly? No. Apart from the mince pies (which we don't actually eat) with grubby finger marks and possibly bogies from the little kids two doors away. Love receiving those.

Could you make christmas scented soap, like cinnamon or almond?

If cash is not the issue what about wine/champers and some truffles. or nice toiletries. that's what we buy for the 'people who have everything'

I'd be really pleased.

I was seriously considering buying some tins in TK Maxx earlier, and then just baking lots of biscuits to put in them at Christmas.

SIL made some kind of chutney a couple of Christmases back and we were actually fighting over who had more when we opened it.

Julia in the christmas topic there is a fab home made gifts thread with heaps of links to how to make things like mincemeat, flavoured vodkas, bauble wreaths, dry orange slices, oh loads. Do have a look.

I could make Christmassy soap! You know, cloves cinnamon and red/ green packaging?

Tbh,deep down I think it's a bit naff, but I'm properly stumped and I would LOVE to have a bash at soap making! And I saw the bottles in Lakeland today to make your own beer. They also had a proper tool to put proper caps on! And I made my own lemonade the other day and it was awesome!

To be honest, I'm not keen on homemade presents, especially of the crafty/fucking bunting type. Food is better because at least it will get eaten rather than lying around cluttering the place up and making me cross. Having said that, I've had some minging home-made food presents from people over the years as well, so I probably wouldn't be happy with that either.

Edible gifts all lovely and shows thought and effort. A nice chutney or jam particularly good especially if using home grown produce. Potential cleanliness of givers house wouldn't even enter my mind unless they'd obviously be a candidate for worlds biggest hoarder or Kim and aggie.

I think homemade is lovely. DSis made me a beautiful quilt last year which I love. A friend once made a gorgeous gingerbread house. I have also had lovely chutney.

I am not sure I would get that excited by lemonade though to be honest.

Well I'd be really pleased if you'd gone to the effort of making something for me rather than just going to the shop and buying something - anything - with the right price tag. And I don't care if your kitchen isn't totally aseptic either.

florentines

OM

I loved getting a handmade hamper one year! It had Christmas decorations (wooden and decorated by kids), mince pies, chutney, cake, gingerbread men, candles and chocolates. Really thoughtful and useful!

Oh, I didn't know...I'm coming Anne!

Good gal.

Cant link on stoopid crap phone. Pah.

I'd be happy enough with the homemade things, so long as they were well made and presented.

To be honest, I like nothing better than gift vouchers for my favourite shops, but definitely not for experiences of any description, I have had those once or twice in the past and ended up not using them.