Gifts (already) - homemade, yes or no?

[sproutish]

I am skint. Not likely to change before December. I have 4 close friends I'd like to get Christmas gifts for but really can't afford it.

I could however afford the odd cheap-ish ball of wool every other week before then. I could crochet them a blanket each for about £6/7 per head in the time before now and Christmas... So £28 for all four maximum. Obviously would personalise for each of them.

Would you find this a really naff present to receive from a good friend?

I'd love that :D I'd also love homemade cookies!

I'd feel really guilty receiving a present from someone I knew was skint. If these people are adults surely they can live without presents?

I think a blanket would be great, so much better than random 3 for 2 crap from Boots etc.

Loads of people throw away home made food gifts, so I'd steer clear of those. You'd just be throwing your time and money away.

I'd love that more than bought! I've given homemade food and ornament stocking fillers for years. Folks love them!

I would absolutely love that. In fact I would much prefer a home made gift to most Christmas gifts to be truthful.

From the thread title I was going to say no - just put thought into a nice card.

But actually, I'd love a handmade blanket!

Not jam though - please never make jam as gifts.

Crocheted blanket isn't really my kind of thing ...... so I guess it depends on whether you know Its the sort of thing your own friends will appreciate?

That notwithstanding, I'd actually hate to receive a gift if I thought a friend was struggling financially to afford it. And I say that as someone who loves giving and receiving gifts - they're not just for children 😀

Of course.. if you're good at making things. Otherwise no it would just be awkward for everyone

I'm good at crochet (toots own trumpet), my man taught me many moons ago and she was a whizz!
I know they don't expect a present but I think they deserve one, they've been really good friends and I think they'd all appreciate it... Maybe I'll do some recon before I start making
"What are your personal opinions on the merits of homemade crochet blankets? Why do I ask? Oh no reason"

I asked for a crocheted blanket for a wedding present- I love it. I think it's a great present.

When my sister was going through bad times she baked loads of different kinds of cookies and boxed them up as a variety mix for Christmas presents. They went down a real treat.
Handmade presents, if they are well made, can be the best.

I'd love one. But even better, I'd love some crocheted Christmas decorations. (I already have a lot of blankets.

I love the mini snowmen. Bo the snowman is pretty scary though allcrafts.net/crochet/crochetornaments.htm

Handmade everytime.
I have a neighbour who upcycles clothes, furniture, lamps etc etc. She is fantastically creative. Last Christmas she did plants in various odd pots and other vessels that looked really effective. She sold them at the Christmas markets, they were very quirky and sold well.
If you crochet, you can whip up some crocheted tree ornaments in no time. I've done a few that hang on my own tree. They're obviously not to everyone's tastes but you know your friends who'd like them.
Or start crochet flowers now to make door wreaths, there's loads of ideas of Pintrest.

I ❤️ the candy cane. If you could knock me up a set of those please - in fact, set up a business now! See if MN would allow advertising im sure there's pages for that.

Love the decoration idea, although we do have all sorts of random stuff on ours - might be different if they are theme type people. A Christmas decoration is good because they don't have to display it for long each year (and if not to their taste they can hide it around the back), doesn't take up much space, each year they will get it out and it will remind them of your friendship together. Having said that I do love blankets too!

I'd love a present like that especially because they will be personalised

I would love a gift like that.

I would love to get that and would totally appreciate it although I'm not sure I would actually use it iykwim. The decorations on the other hand I would absolutely use. Even if I didn't put them on my tree (cos I have my own Xmas tree matchy matchy issues!) I would dot them about the house.

I'd love a crochet blanket or crochet tree decs.

I can knit, sew, embroider, tapestry, make my own felt.... but i cannot for the life of me crochet i'm all thumbs!

In theory yes.. but in reality I know I'd feel very differently about displaying and using a blanket in pure wool neutrals than I would about one in lurid acrylics (although I would appreciate the sentiment in both)... So you'd need to know your audiences tastes to be sure..

Hell YES. Last Christmas our family received a jar of homemade chutney from my cousin and his partner (amongst some other gifts). The last spoonful was fought over. Absolutely a go for homemade presents ( food or otherwise!)

I think you're being a bit on the optimistic side about the wool and how much you will need to make a decent size blanket tbh.

On one of the poncetastic threads a couple of years ago (Poncetadtic Christms on the Christmas board truly a wonderful sight!) a poster who'd only started crocheting in August had made a string of crocheted snowflakes. Could you do some snowflakes and tie around the neck of a bottle of wine? Or something similar.

The snowflakes would last for years, perhaps draped around a Christmas mirror.

A elderly neighbour had been very kind (accepting parcels/letting in workmen/holding keys etc) but she is very difficult to buy for. She had a much loved pet and I paid a relative to embroider her a pet blanket with the cat's name. My neighbour loved it, more than had it been for her I think.