Homemade gifts!

[Ea134]

Hello

i know there’s always mixed opinions on homemade gifts. 🙈however, obviously this year is going to be a tough one!

I am thinking of making my own candles and wine as gifts for people. I have a cricut so can make lovely labels for it. Just wondering if anyone has done similar or has any other ideas that could be made?

😊

I make marmalade/Christmas chutney.
I also make Christmas puddings.

For the things in jars I pretty them up with fabric jar covers and the puddings I wrap up muslin cloths.

This year I’m thinking of trying fudge if I can get suitable packaging ideas.

Yes planning to. But not sure what yet. Would love to hear from anyone that has made candles or soap, and how easy or difficult this was.

Homemade soap maker here - can confirm nicely scented/coloured soap bars go down a storm. As do homemade baked goods such as cookies, panettone etc. Very much depends on recipients of said gifts mind!

Brownies.

Not keen on anything homemade but jam, preserves and wine are usually safe as gifts (IF they’re better than big standard). Baked goods are dodgy - I’m not sure I’d trust other people’s kitchen hygiene but that’s just me.

Cookies in Xmas shapes with chocolate chips or ginger.

A tray of cup cakes.

Home made strawberry or raspberry jam. You can buy nice hexagonal shaped jam jars and gift tags.

Home made sweets, fudge, peppermint creams and chocolate truffles.

Homemade marmalade made with Seville oranges.

I have made all of above and given as gifts.

Xmas pudding

Xmas cake

Soap

Bath bombs

Knitted jumper

Not tried these 5

I crochet so made some gifts last year.

This year I'm planning to make shopping bags for MiL and SiL. Not sure about FiL yet

Nope from me. I'd worry about pet hair, hand hygiene etc.

I knit and have a huge amount of wool cluttering up my house, so I'll be knitting blankets/bed socks/fingerless gloves etc to warm up this winter. But I'll probably end up giving them before Xmas because I prefer people to show me the colour/pattern they like so I know they'll use it. I quite like homemade gifts BUT they often work out more expensive in the end 😆

Nice thing to do if you enjoy it but I've often costed this sort of thing up and cost of ingredients and materials usually means it costs more than just buying gifts to be honest.

Ooh yes 👍

I've made 3 litres of damson gin to give as presents to various friends and family. I'll probably also make a couple of pomanders - oranges studded with cloves on a ribbon. Honestly I am so skint this year I will probably not do much more than that.

Biscotti
Chutney
Truffles

I love soap, would be thrilled to get some, likewise candles. Need someone to quality control for you? 😉

Oooh what is your damson gin recipe? Always fancied making my own gin!

I also crochet but have never been sure what to make as gifts! What has been the best received gift?

Thanks so much everyone! I feel like I have loads to go on here. Definitely leaning towards the idea of truffles and gin!

I think handmade food is always good. I think actual objects are a bit different, as everyone has different tastes!

I crocheted some nice woolly hats with a thick yarn that meant it was literally the work of a couple evenings (and I'm slow). I'll try and find the pattern.

Hmmm - think it was in a book actually but this looks v similar. www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easiest-crochet-hat-ever

Bramble jelly with plums this year. Verging on free bar the sugar. Gorgeous on toast but works with cheese or in a festive gravy. Also apple brandy jelly, same. I've done crochet lap blankets in neutral colours before which I suspect would go down well this year especially for those wfh. And wrist warmers.

I have never had a nice homemade wine, and you have to buy so much kit! I would stick to sloe gin, or you can make your own gin out of cheap vodka. Google bathtub gin recipes. Truffles are easy if your friends like chocolate. I’ve a cupboard of chutneys that I’ve never used. I think it’s fine if you know people like it, but most of the time I think homemade works out expensive, not just ingredients but labour etc. can you buy things and package them nicely?

I’m a crafty person. But l don’t give stuff and don’t much like receiving it either.

Could just tolerate jam. But no brownies, truffles gingerbread etc. Can’t use soap and don’t drink wine.

I’d love a pomander, honestly would end up chucking most food gifts as we don’t drink/eat the things.
Agree that it can cost more than you think to hand make stuff.

And terrified of candles since our house burnt down.

I'd be thrilled to receive home made soap, a candle or that cool crochet hat above but edibles are a no-no for me.

I'd worry about hygiene, freshness, pet hair etc.