This year, we are really tight on money and with Christmas fast approaching, we have decided that instead of going out and buying gifts, we are all going to make one for our gift exchange. I am at a loss of what to make. Everyone that will participate in the gift exchange, ranges from 17 years old to 49 years old. Does anyone have any good ideas?
Hi A.,
Make peanut brittle....its good (very few ingredience--sugar, peanuts, butter, salt). not too expensive. Looks pretty in clear glass jars or the little celo gift sacks. Doesn't take much time. Tastes great!
Blessings....
You could always recycle an old glass jar (spaghetti sauce for example) and use it to make a recipe jar. If you have a favorite cake, you can mix all the dry ingredients in the jar, and then attached the full recipe with string. This is always a good one for a single person who doesn't know how to cook. Good luck and Happy Holidays!
If you go with the cookie mix in a jar route, search the net for in-a-jar recipes: there are tons for cookies, soups, cakes, and brownies. I even found one for microwaveable cake in a mug kits. Good luck and have fun!
Men and women?
Do you crochet or knit? A scarf is an easy unisex gift. There are a lot of demos online. As a crocheter and a new knitter, I think crochet is easier.
Try crochettoday.com for instructions and then go pick a big hook and a multicolor yarn (not with any nubbies) and get to it. You can do it, it is just pulling loops through yarn. Your local yarn store will have lessons too, and kids can crochet.
Check out Martha Stewarts site. She has a TON of crafts on there from stenciling boxes to making a box out of wood veneer.
You can make coasters out of cut glass (at a glass shop or I think even lowes) and mount pics of the kids and then glue cork (at target) on the back.
You can roll beeswax candles, and fashion them with ribbon.
Bake a ton of cookies or jar jams. Or make cookie starter kits and jar those - all they add is the wet ingredients. it's fun.
Another fun one is painting wine glasses (pick up cheap ones at Marshalls, or Pier 1 sells a $2 glass). Geometric shapes are easy and in fashion. They also sell glass etching kits.
One year I made stationary for people with a stamp set and colored pencils. "thank you " cards are never out of style, even with email...
It just takes time, but have fun!!! Go to Joann's or Michaels or even Walmart and browse the craft section, there are a lot of things you can pull together. for under $20.
And when you figure out how to make multiples it is even cheaper!! Have fun!
Hi A. - Just wanted to add to my original reply that I will be at a Holiday Boutique on Saturday with my mom-based business - and I will have some samples to give away in adorable origami baskets that I make myself from wallpaper sample books. If you come by and get a basket and like it, I can send you instructions or show you how to make them. Any little gift is special in such a cute handmade basket and you could make holiday sachets with lace and potpourri and decorate them to put into baskets. If you live near west San Jose, please come to the boutique. Hope this idea helps! V.
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: A., you are invited!
Saturday, December 6, 2008, 10:00 am
Host/RSVP: Cindy Gooch ###-###-####
Where: Sierra Crest Club House
601 Teatree Court, San Jose, CA 95128
Premier Designs Jewelry, PartyLite Candles, Taste of Home Entertaining and Glimpse Skin Nutrition.
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Hi A. - just a suggestion - have you seen www.etsy.com? They are all hand-made items, and my daughters (21 and 25) like to look there for ideas on things they can make themselves. Maybe that would help inspire you! Good luck and wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday season! V. :o)
