Those of you that make gifts....over here please

[Sweetheart]

I'm thinking of making some gifts this year. Those of you that have made gifts fore please tell me what people actually like to receive?

I’ve made chutney and chilli jam before - both went down well - I found the recipes on Pinterest if that helps?

A friend is making me a Christmas pudding as a gift this year , it will be very much appreciated

Flavoured vodkas and gins for them drinkers
Soaps or candles
Keep sake keyrings with photos from kids to family

To be fair, most people will be polite enough to pretend to like something.

To be fair, most people will be polite enough to pretend to like something.

This! But we did get some lovely olives one year and a chilli chutney with some cheese

It very much depends on the people, I've had some friends make me beautiful decorative gifts that they have put thought and effort into but I'm trying to declutter and now feel bad about wanting to get rid of them.

Edible gifts are great if it is something you like/use but wasted if not. I love the idea of chilli jam for example but wouldn't know what to use it for and therefore would never get around to using it.

I love to receive handmade tree decorations as my tree is covered in random meaningful decorations rather than having a colour scheme and it is something that has a purpose and doesn't take up space that I don't have.

This goes for bought gifts too though for me, so many on MN would probably just call me ungrateful!

People always seem to like the wee bags of Christmas biscuits I give them. Mary Berry Christmas chutney goes down well. Definitely tree decorations - even the ones that are a bit rubbish go up on their trees 

I think you have to know your recipient. There’s no gift that works for everyone.

I judge a gift as successful if I get hints/requests/demands for more of the same. Like a pp mentioned, most people will politely receive a gift regardless of whether it’s binned immediately.

Most of mine have been edible and I’ve had repeat requests for
Chocolate dipped gingerbread people
Jazzles
Candy cane heart lollipops
Chocolate compost
Salted caramel sauce
Chocolate sauce
Stained glass cookies
Scones

Repeat requests every year here for:
Fudge
Husband's mince pies (everyone loves his pastry!)
Salted caramel/chocolate tarts
Flavoured vodka

Cinder toffee dipped in chocolate, so easy to make!
Put in cellophane bags or little jars.

My BiL's homemade fudge is to die for! Always happy to receive that.

You do need to know the recipient's taste, though. In the past I have made a lot of apple chutney from the apples in a dd's garden - she has no time to do anything with them - and offered it to various relatives, though not at Christmas. One or two told me they just don't like chutney and never eat it.

I have occasionally made batches of my very very cheesy cheese straws and given them to one or two who I know particularly like them, but wouldn't give them without knowing.

Personally I wouldn't want anything that counts as clutter, or needs shelf-room/dusting.

As for other homemade presents, I am currently knitting this mermaid for a very little Gdd who's heavily into mermaids ATM, but that's a bit different, and it won't be her main present from GPs.

I've bought presents for people but this year I've made them something too.

The men have flavoured vodka
The ladies have teacup candles.

The candles are amazing even if I say so myself. I bought a vintage set of teacups from a local selling page.
Soy wax
Essential oils
And they really are so easy to make and look great.

Flavoured vodka, I make an after eight one, apricots in brandy, my late gran adored this. I'm going to make bacon jam for my son and son-in-law, and coffee rum for my daughter .

Home made toffee