Homemade Christmas presents

[Number109]

Does anyone make their own gifts? How well received are they generally?

My girls are back at school soon and I plan to go back to batch cooking and wondered if I could add a bit of gift making in at the same time - some jam or fudge would be able to be stored for a few weeks I would think.

I can also sew so contemplating infinity scarves and those make up bags with a drawstring that open out to lie flat.

Honestly? Years ago I used to do hand-made presents (sewing scarves, fudge etc). Stopped as I got the vibe the recipients didn't appreciate these gifts that much.

I cleared the fridge today and disposed of 2 jars of home-made chutney given to us as gifts. Of course it was a lovely thought, but we don't eat chutney so it was a waste. Next time we will try to tell the giver nicely to not bother

Similarly I have a friend who's given me several hand-made scarves over the years. Again, beautifully made and really kind, but I haven't and don't wear them and bring to throw them out. So they are taking up space and creating clutter instead.

Maybe just ask your intended recipients and suss them out first!

Every year my friend gives me home made fudge topping for ice cream (although I mostly eat it with a spoon whilst standing by the fridge). I absolutely love it. I know her attention to cleanliness is top drawer so I’m happy to receive this gift.

I have several friends I adore but would not eat anything from their kitchen.

Not for everyone.

I have a couple of friends who I do homemade gift exchange with, but we are both fans of the stuff!

I’ve given the odd piece to people who appreciate it more like my grandparents. But generally no - mainly to protect my own feelings because I think I’d be hurt if they didn’t like it.

Keeps things special too - I do a fibre craft that costs money and time. I don’t do commissions or requests so if you get something from me, I love you a lot 🤣

I used to take time to stitch personal cards for friends and family. I would carefully choose the pattern that I thought the person would like and try to think about them whilst I stitched. Only two people really like the cards - a work friend and my ndn; my own sister has told me she prefers shop bought! Now I just stitch for those who like the cards. The rest can have shop bought and like it.

Likewise I used to stitch personal labels for gifts but they just used to get thrown away with the wrappings. Now I buy labels.

It's very discouraging. I much prefer home made anything to shop bought but others don't seem to feel the same way.

Yes you’re right, I’m not at all sure they’d be well received.

Some of the best presents I have ever received have been homemade!

I’m not crafty enough to do it myself, but I always appreciate it when someone gives me something they made themselves.

Years ago I did a cross stitch for my friends 40th. You know the sort of thing, events that happened during her birth year, depiction of her house and pets. It took me a very long time and those who saw it seemed genuinely impressed.
When she opened it she burst into tears. Initially I thought she was overwhelmed with my effort but she immediately said it made her think of a jumble sale and she had hoped for theatre tickets.
I learnt my lesson, tastes vary and I obviously had not known my mate as well as I thought.
I wonder what she did with it - I can imagine it got chucked.

I've made knitted blankets which took forever but the recipients really haven't bothered with them i wish I'd kept them

I also made hampers with chutney, lemon curd and jam, very time consuming and not cheap.

I've also done Sloe Gin, Apple and Blackberry Gin and Blackberry Vodka, which were very well received and apart from a kilner type bottle were pretty much effort and cost free. (used up leftover Gin and Vodka)

Not a lover of homemade gifts unless the person is very talented and the gifts aren’t generic for all.

Like many others, we don’t eat homemade food in the main as dislike jam, chutneys etc and not everyone follows good food storage and hygiene etc.

I love the idea of this but in practice it's tricky . People are funny about food stuff and worry about hygiene , not me I'd eat anything 😂
The time and skill required for needlework type gifts is often a waste if the item isn't to the recipients taste.

Oh and another one - a friend used to bring me home-made alcoholic drinks (yuck).

I make homemade gifts but ONLY for those who specifically want them. Even then I've been burnt by someone requesting a very complex blanket that they said they "absolutely loved". When I gave it to them for Christmas after hundreds of hours work, they said they were changing the colour of their living room so could I do them another one in their new colour scheme? So now I only give for those who request something AND those who understand the hours that go into it.

I like home made fudge, rocky road, truffles etc, but they have to be good, ditto on the flavoured spirits. I don't make them to save money, but rather to make it personal, plus I usually keep some of what I make and eat it myself!

I might knit/sew some presents this year, but only for the kids, and will check with their parents if it to their tastes before hand!

I sew lots of gifts for birthdays and Christmas and if the adult recipient doesn't like it/use it, so what? They can give it away or to a charity shop.

Great idea, include a card made from Fuzzy Felt too.

@LocalHobo

Years ago I did a cross stitch for my friends 40th. You know the sort of thing, events that happened during her birth year, depiction of her house and pets. It took me a very long time and those who saw it seemed genuinely impressed. When she opened it she burst into tears. Initially I thought she was overwhelmed with my effort but she immediately said it made her think of a jumble sale and she had hoped for theatre tickets. I learnt my lesson, tastes vary and I obviously had not known my mate as well as I thought. I wonder what she did with it - I can imagine it got chucked.

That is heartbreaking. My daughter made a cross stitch piece for my birthday and I was thrilled. Your friend is an ungracious arse.

I knit and each year do wellie socks for most of the family ( we are all dog walkers and live rurally) which go down well. Last year I also did fingerless long gloves and cowls for my nieces who loved them. I sell my socks and such on Etsy though and they sell fairly well.

@LocalHobo 😳😳😳 Crikey. I’m pretty shucked by that…what a horrible friend. I hope you don’t bother anymore!

Shocked, even…I wish MN had an edit button!!!

I always love my BiL’s fudge! And the peppermint creams a niece made one year were very nice.

I wouldn’t want any clothing, though, homemade or not. I like to choose my own, so ten to one (or probably more like 100 to one) it’d never get worn,

I did once give a tin of my very very cheesy cheese straws to someone, but only because I knew he was very partial to them.

I'd rather have the money than a handmade gift. Unless it was a bakery standard cake. That I would like. I would never start crying and say I'd have preferred theatre tokens though, shockingly rude!

Sounds like a resounding no then!

I’ll save my time and stick to generic shop bought.

For me, big yes to anything sweet like fudge. Wouldn't really want a sewn or knitted gift but only because I'd feel bad if I didn't use it and hours of time had gone into making it.