Anyone making Christmas presents this year?

[frazzled74]

Can we have a thread about homemade presents? This year I am making advent calendars ( from fabric panels) and cath kidston lavender bags! I would like a good sock monkey pattern and more ideas!

Joining for inspiration. BT much to offer ideas-wise at the moment as not thought about it too much but I will be doing some photo based pressies as we got married this year. And lots of treats like fudge and sweet things.

Im making various pickles,chutneys,relish and mustards. Oh and booze :o

I'm making a friend a Sat Nav case.
Knitting a poncho for Dd.

I'm making personalised hoodie towels for the children as the older ones have grown out of theirs. Have also make bad piggies and angry birds hand warmers. Not sure whether to give FC the credit for those or bask in the glory what's this, why would I want one of those probably . Also upcycling a lovely velvety toddler coat which they have grown out of into an owl pyjama case - not sure who that will be for or if it will go on show early.

I will need to buy my Christmas present early (new sewing machine) to do the towels as my old one is so ancient. Will then pack it away if I can resist making more stuff.

I am covering notebooks in fabric for most people, making peppermint bark and spiced seeds, and I'm writing a book for DD.

Sort of. DS loves Fix It Felix so I'm attempting to make an outfit - will be buying a blue school shirt and baseball cap and painting/sewing logo on, making a tool belt out of an existing belt plus canvas bag, and a hammer out of wood which I will spray with gold paint. I've never made any presents before so I am both excited and nervous!

I may also be making a little curtain for the den we are 'making' (in a hidden bit of DD's cabin bed) and DH will be putting the light in and maybe an extra shelf.

I may also make a few little bags for tiny lego kits to go in the stockings, and possibly a fabric bracelet for DSD.

Oh and also going to a pottery painting party when I'll be painting a tree decoration for each DC.

And got 3 tiny canvases which I may paint something on. Considering painting the animals that DDs classes are named after - she's in her last year of infants. And then I might do the same for DS in two years :)

Hmm it appears I'm doing a lot after all

I am crocheting dinosaur hats for ds toddler friends
Crochet scarf for my grandfather
Limoncello and raspberry gin for family friends

I need to think of something to make my dm as she does like home made gifts but she will be moving house just after christmas so don't want to add any clutter to her move iyswim? Although have seen lovely crochet patterns for big round pouffes. Just trying to find the right wool at a reasonable price...

Limoncello is done and delicious. I don't know if its a good thing or bad thing that I am pg and can't really get stuck into it.....

I am making an owl cushion for my mum this year! :)

I've made an apron for my little one this year. I'm also doing snowman soup for pretty much everyone

I'll be making stuff although I've not sorted out what yet. Need to get a move on as I have to send stuff abroad as well.

Can't help with a sock monkey but how about a sock giraffe?

What is snowman soup?

I'm making lots of toffee vodka, for all the adults. I'll probably give out a few jars of the strawberry jam I made earlier this year. Might make some more mustard as it was pretty popular last year. I'm also going to try and make some piccalilli. I'm also quite tempted to have a go at making one of these

ooh I'd be interested in a limoncello recipe if anyone cares to share one :)

HeadFairy that is beautiful!

I'm making lots of foodie type presents this year, the longer lasting stuff has mostly been made already and I'm hoping to add biscuits, sweets etc made closer to the time :)

Forgot to say Im also making chainmaille bracelets in silver for my mum and mil,the pickles and booze etc is for non family :o

My limoncello recipe

10 lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
3 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

I usually just use one of those zester thingies,not the microplane thing but the one that takes off small narrow strips

For anyone that likes hazelnuts,heres my Frangelico recipe

1/2 lb raw hazelnuts , with skin on, roughly chopped
1 c vodka
1/2 c brandy
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c water
1 vanilla bean, split

1 Combine chopped hazelnuts, vodka, and brandy in a sealable jar. Shake and let steep at room temperature for 2 weeks.

2 Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved. Let cool, then add to the hazelnut mixture. Shake and let steep for 3 days, then add the vanilla bean and let steep for additional 3 to 5 days.

3 Sample often. Once desired flavor is achieved, strain through sieve and then again through cheesecloth or coffee filter. Refrigerate for up to 2 months.

I have made gifts in the past but not this year - baby makes my time limited. I do desperately want to make drawstring bags for grouping activities for the DC.

Never work when I try to make them though.

Will definitely be adding sock giraffes and limoncello to my list!

I'm making christmas pudding rum and then with the fruit from the mix making christmas cakes for the family.

Making crocheted hand warmers

Knotted bracelets

And chocolate bark, not sure on the flavours for this yet.

I'm making a mosaic cross for DS2's godmother, some patchwork table mats and a table-runner for MIL though don't ask me why I'm bothering as she won't say thank you , and a patchwork lap quilt for my Granny. I'm also making little boxes of spiced biscuits for non-family rather than giving the token box of chocs/bottle of wine we usually give

HeadFairy that butterfly is gorgeous!

I'm making Christmas pudding vodka and sloe gin for grown-ups, I want to give a set of three bottles so may be pinching olddragon's recipes! Snowman soup and customised notebooks for children. Hampers for close friends: all the above plus snowflake brownies, festive popcorn, pickled onions, piccalilli, gingerbread, spiced nuts and Christmas pudding truffles.

That heart is lovely headfairy but £134?! reconsiders career prospects
I am making my DM one of those pinboards with the ribbons as she likes mine and has specifically requested one. Biscuits for the teachers hamper and some limoncello because I fancy it myself.