Handmade Gifts - Nothing Better!

Good for you for wanting to give a gift that is made by your own hands. From what I have seen and heard, the most popular handmade gifts are those the recipents can eat, especially if it's something scrummy like chocolates or chutney.

The best thing about the handmade edib. gift is that it doesnt become clutter, and if it turns out that the recipent doesn't want to eat it then the gift is easily converted to a crowd pleaser and shared with visitors. This has to be a win/win type of gift.

 

Recipe Book

Compile a range of recipes from your own favourites, and those of families and friends. Start collecting them over a few months, and remember to include recipes for nibbles, soups, starters, main, vegetables and pudding. Have a few recipes suitable  for special occasions,  and fill the rest of the book with quick, one pot recipes. Easy and quick recipes will be most useful. Do a bit of basic formatting so that you haveone recipe per page, print them out and slip them into plastic sleeves. File them in category order into a ring binder. This will allow the recipient to keep the recipes clean, and add more to the file later. If you are crafty you can decorate the binder. The paper, plastic envelopes and binders can be purchased very cheaply from Kmart or Target when they have their going back to school sales.


CD compilations

This works well especially if you have several people on your list who like similar  music.  You can  borrow  music  CDs from your local library for free and copy them on the CD burner on your computer.

 

Mmmmmm - muffins!

Make some mini muffins, or mini loaves  of bread and wrap in cellophane and curling ribbon. It is much cheaper to shop at home first – look in your pantry for the ingredients you have available then do a search online for a recipe to use the ingredients you currently have.


PC Madness

For the computer minded people ask them if there is a particular item they need. Most people I know can always do with some more RAM for their PC.

Gone potty

If you do pottery  then make a series of small bowls, fill each with home made cookies and wrap in cellophane and curling ribbon.

 

Care parcels

For the poor uni student, a box of grocery essentials, like loo roll, dishwashing liquid, shampoo and conditioner, plus some cans of heat-and- eat nourishing food.

Drink Me

A selection of organic herbal teas and fair-trade coffees in a cane basket from the local charity shop.

 

Recycle Shops

See if you have a local recycling centre, or a nice quality 2nd hand shop and see what’s on offer. Last year a friend found a dozen glass coffee jars, which she glass-painted and filled with home-made goodies.

Calendars

A home-made calendar for each family member. Take digital photos of them through  the year, and add the birth dates of each person, along with the usual annual events and holidays. The local print shop can produce a good quality result for no great expense.

Cookie Monster

Make a bulk batch of 2 types of cookies, and wrap 3 of each in cellophane and curling ribbon for the work colleagues. Everyone at work always loves home baking. And if they don't they can always give it to someone who does.

Get poetical

Into poetry? Write a special poem for a particular person, or have a look through the library for poetry that you like, that makes you think of that person. You can  write  it out in coloured pens, or print it on the computer with desk top publishing decorations.

If you have some good books on your shelf at home, make a booklet of quotes that make you think of the recipient.

Swap Shop

Organise a jumble exchange between friends or family who might like this idea. Everyone brings clothes, books, ornaments or toys they have finished with. Specify that it needs to be gently used gear. Lay it all out on the dinning room table or the lounge room floor. Each person can pick out what they want – and no money changes hands. Anything left over can go to the charity shop. When each person chooses an item, make sure to ask ‘Who gave me this?’ and be sure to thank them for their thoughtfulness. ‘It’s just what  I wanted!’ Be careful not to be rude about another person’s cast-offs. If you don’t want it then just don’t say anything and it won’t become yours.

I burn for you

Home made wax candles are easy and safe to make. There are several candle making companies on the internet, and most craft stores have supplies, and libraries have lots of books with instructions.

Death by fudge

Fudge! Everyone loves fudge. Do a web search for a recipe or have a look in the library for a recipe. Once again, wrap small chunks of it in cellophane and curling ribbon.

Don't do it

Don't buy, do or make anything for anyone who is not your child, spouse, parents or in-laws. For everyone else, gather your friends and host a tea party and serve delicious home made treats.

Re-purpose

Have a look through your closets and drawers for clothes you and your children no longer wear or have grown out of. Cut squares of fabric and make up a quilt for them, or to give to someone else.

Give something  you don't use any more. Search through the closet for a shirt you only wore once, or that set of glasses you have never used. Make sure they are clean and dust free and wrap them as gifts.

Record those special moments

If your children have grandparents they don't see often, make a tape recording of the children reading, singing or telling stories as a gift for the grandparents.

Grow it

If you can grow your own then a gift of a pot of herbs or some home grown veggies are always welcome.

Make a clean start

Make home-made  soap with different  scent for each person. Wrap them in a new face washer and tie with curling ribbon.

A timely gift

Time-vouchers: babysitting  voucher for new parents; a long walk with a loved one; a bike ride; time digging in the garden; time to help de-clutter the garage; hand car-washing; help move house; help spring cleaning; manicure; foot massage; teach a skill you have; cup of coffee and a shoulder to cry on.

Cooking up some love

Create a menu of various types: Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Traditional Roast, and allow the gift recipient to choose an option and pick a date for you to cook and deliver the dinner to their home.

Kiddie Wrangler

For the truly bold – offer to play Day Care Centre for a Saturday so your friends can go out on a date. You baby-sit their kids, and make sure they all bring their own food, drinks and snacks. Keep the time to what you can manage.

Any ideas?

If you have any further ideas for the handmade list, I'd love to hear about them.

Please send me a message with the details.