Crafted Christmas presents you actually liked

[Walktwomoons]

What handmade Christmas presents have you received that you actually liked and were impressed by?
What Christmas presents have you made yourself that went down well?

None. Inevitable shit.

Except a student one year made me a christmas table centrepiece. Loved it because it was from a student.

Fudge, a knitted item like a scarf, a biscuit tin with biscuits in it.

Received and given flavoured gin - went down very well!

Made Christmas tree decs for niblings and godchildren, have seen several years on the bounce on tree, so have made more!

Received biscuits, chutney and jam. SIL is a good cook so very happy with those. DC make fudge or similar.

This year I am planning on making reusable cotton rounds for taking off makeup, storage pot and wash bags for said rounds. Making bags to put loose fruit and veg in at the supermarket instead of single use plastic (Will recycle net curtains for fine material) I think these will go down well with family members I am making them for as we agree small presents only and we are all trying to reduce waste.

Handknit socks have been much appreciated in the past, not got time this year!
Personalised PE bag was a real hit, but no one needs another this year!

I once received an embroidered bookmark. I was delighted.

DH's aunt knits absolutely beautifully. My ds has been given stunning cardigans and jumpers, and a whole menagerie of knitted animals from her which I truly treasure. I knit too but nowhere near as well as she does, so keep my gifts simple. I did a chunky knit bed cushion for my mum, which my dh hand made buttons for, which she loved.

We've an allotment and will circulate the usual assortment of pickled beetroot, chutneys, and jam on immediate family. I wouldn't push them on to colleagues and friends (apart from the few that ask for them), as I totally get the bleurgh factor for some people.

Chutney and pickles. My DD made little marzipan fruits and they were cute.

Handwoven scarves and blankets.

A friend crocheted snowflakes for the Christmas tree - really beautiful & treasured.

My sister makes a fab Xmas chutney every year and it's delicious.

Quite like flavoured gins/schnapps.

Haven't liked knitted weird blankets. But loved baby blankets.

I like most homemade presents I'd say.

I loved the patchwork scatter cushions my MIL made to match the colour scheme of my bedroom - still on my bed several years on!

The best received present that I made myself was a knitted scarf for my dad - he was so chuffed with it that I made him another one in a different colour the following year! Again, I'm pretty sure they're still in use now.

A Chinese friend made me a traditional papercut artwork and framed it. The detail was amazing. And SIL once knitted me a shawl which I absolutely adore. The worst was someone who thinks they’re a good cook who sent chocolates filled with cat hair.

A perpetual calendar with a different original drawing for each month. Love it. Has been hanging in my kitchen for years.

Jam
Lemon curd
Caramelized onion chutney
Candles
I really like photos in frames at Christmas, not very expensive at all.

Candied peel
Chocolate coated nut selection

My uncle made a clock out of a piece of driftwood, and literally just stuck hands on the front and the mechanism at the back.

The rest of the family absolutely hate it, and think it's hideous.. I however adore it, and display it proudly in my home.

I can understand how people might think it was indeed hideous though.

Some spiced nuts in a bag with a bow - they were insanely good and we all fought over them.

A set of wooden spoons with pyrography on (of Shakespeare quotes).
Used every day and quite eco.

My mum made amazing things. Pintucked silk cushions with cotton lace and satin ribbon. Batik silk cushions and bookmarks embroidered with gold thread.

When I was little she made me a miniature Victorian style fruit and veg stall, with tiny clay fruits and veggies. Also a NewYork deli counter with little sandwiches and desserts, amazing amount of detail.

She could sew too- made me a costume to be Princess from Battle of the Planets. I was a very stunned four year old with multiple wings.

My aunty had a colleague who felted and made puppets. So I got an exact replica of Kermit one year.

On a simpler note, tablet. Everyone loves tablet.

An outfit for my toy dragon when I was little! It had a backpack and everything!

My sister made me an amazing Christmas wreath out of pom-poms, so gorgeous.

who sent chocolates filled with cat hair.

Was that on purpose or not?!!!

Preserved lemons made by a chef friend...

Every Christmas I make cranberry jelly and cranberry sauce with various flavours ( orange, port, Cointreau etc ) chutneys and handmade chocolate for my niece and nephews ( minus cat hair )

I use chocolate moulds that I bought online... the Lego people moulds I fill with milk, dark and white chocolate and my DN’s love them.

I also do felting and have made all the children in my family personalised Santa sacks

Knitted wrist warmers in funky colours

"When I was little she made me a miniature Victorian style fruit and veg stall, with tiny clay fruits and veggies. Also a NewYork deli counter with little sandwiches and desserts, amazing amount of detail."

Your Mum sounded awesome, MangoSalsa.

I honestly enjoy any hand-made gift, as shows time, thought and effort.
Doesn't matter how amateur the end result, if it comes from someone you care about.

If tight budgets leave no other option anyway, it must be pretty disheartening knowing ahead certain cynical recipients will mock or dismiss your efforts.

One of my favourite childhood memories is of the annual family puzzlement over an elderly aunt's...um...characterful pottery gifts.

She stuck it out at evening classes for over 9 years, never improved, cheerfully admitted to her total lack of skill, yet using her wonky 'mug' 20plus years later never fails to make me smile.
So uniquely her.

I think kids' home-made presents generally get viewed more leniently anyway (or should do, surely).
Our Xmas decorations box still contains many weird and wonderful ornaments, proudly given by youngsters I worked with/friends' kids.
(Especially nice if parents add full names/dates).

Favourite home-made items I've received from adults:
-felt/ribbon/wooden tree decorations
-mulled wine spice mix, in pretty glass jar, ribboned cinnamon stick attached
-crocheted hanging plant holder
-freshly baked bread
-stovetop house fragrancer blend
(cloves/cinnamon stick/cranberries/orange/nutmeg etc., ready to simmer in a pan for instant festive scent.
Alternative to candles).