Holiday Gifts for Friends, Neighbors, Teachers, Etc

We do this too.
In the past we have made Homemade Salsa
Pasta Sauce
Cheese wafers
Candy popcorn
Texas wild flower seeds
Homemade Trash Mix
Lottery Tickets with a Gold $1.00 Coin to scratch with.
Sparkling Wine or Apple Cider ( I use a gold pen to write on the bottle)
New Years hats, Headbands and noise makers for each member of the family.

This year we are going to make some small jars of "Homemade Seasoned Salts."
Here is the Google Page with some recipes.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sa=X&ei=DO3JTv_JN8Xd...

Freezer jam is really easy.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-freezer-jam/

You can also make homemade candles. Get pretty mismatched teacups at thrift stores/antique malls and make your own. You can even color and scent the wax. Tons of tutorial online.

http://www.google.com/#pq=canning+homemade+salsa&hl=e...

I usually make an ornament. Easy, cheap, can be customized for the family's taste, and doesn't clutter up the home b/c it can be put away during the year.

How about some recipe involving a glaze/cinnamon sugar mixture on pecans or walnuts. That would be really nice. I would love to have that, it's something I wouldn't take the time to do for myself....

I've made coasters out of felt (layers cut in a design and sewn w/thick thread to give it that "homespun" look), and wire bookmarks w/a charm on the end as Christmas gifts.

Both are non-perishable ;)

I Don't know if you sew, but I've found a really easy kitchen hand towel to make. All you need is a pot holder and a towel. There's really only 2 straight rows of sewing. First you sew a line right down the middle of the towel. Pull the ends to make the towel the same width as the potholder and make even pleats. Then just sew the potholder down the center to attach it to the towel. Use the little loop on the end of the potholder to loop over a button that is sewn to the potholder. They are great to put on a fridge door or on the oven handle. I've made these a few times and they only take a few minutes each, but look like you've put a lot of work into them.

Homemade jam, homemade pickles, and jars of dry cookie or soup mixes.

We give out cookies or mini loaves of bread, plus my kids make lots of cute ornaments out of felt, wood, and/ or craft foam, you can free hand it or you can buy kits to make them from Oriental Trading or Target. Don't stress too much over it, let the holidays be fun!

Then Purchase them cookbook filled with scrumptious every day delights.

Not only will the book be used, but the receiver will think of you each time they open it and they will thankful for such a great gift.
For High Altitude see www.themuffinlady.com

the books are on sale there for 50% off thru the holiadays-----I ordered my gifts there yesterday---2 sets of books plus 1 got me 5 gifts and each was personally signed to the intended recipient.

Cut up old blue jeans into the shape of a bookmark and fabric paint them. For children I like to personalize with their names.

I've made peppermint bark which lasts a while. I've also done shortbread but wouldn't recommend that because it doesn't keep long and because you have to cook tons of batches to get enough for a gift. I also did a cookie mix in a jar once. Candles aren't homemade but I love them this time of year. Good luck!