Have you given or received home made gifts?
By oldchem1
@oldchem1 (8132)
November 18, 2010 2:33am CST
It is that time of the year again where so many people put themselves into serious debt buying expensive gifts for family and friends.
I for one refuse to buy anything that I don't have the money for, and when times are hard it can be very difficult.
However so many of the gifts that I have given over the years that have been given most pleasure where gifts that cost me hardly anything and that I made myself.
One year for my three eldest daughters ( they were all in their late twenties early thirties then and married) I mad personalised CDs for them.
I downloaded all the songs or movie themes that were very much part of their lives when they were growing up and put them all on CD's - each one was different for each girl, although naturally a few of the songs were relevant for all of them); I then made covers for the CD's with pictures of them on as they were growing up.
Another year I made them all a 'This is your Life@ book - I bought cheap notebooks and stuck in old photographs from them being born up to getting married and leaving home.
Another thing I have done is researched on the internet for the day they were born and made them personalised 'newspapers' on parchment paper.
For many members of my family I have also made personalised calendars with photos of lived ones on each page.
None of these gifts cost much but were really appreciated.
HAve you ever made gifts like these or received something like it?
11 people like this
38 responses
@georgiax (23)
• Brazil
18 Nov 10
Hello!!!
I am such a romantic person...I see more value on things done by someone's own hands than I would see in bought gifts.
Hand-made gifts represent much more than only a gift. It represents the time and love someone has put on it.
I think they are the ideal gifts for Christian related dates, because we have to learn that these dates are not related to presents as much as they are related to reflection.
Maybe the money spent on so many gifts should be donated to those who really need the basics.
Afterall Christendom is about love and charity.
My best wishes for the special dates coming.
1 person likes this
@ankit_620 (496)
• India
18 Nov 10
yes i do receive home made gifts everytime and that is because i always give my friends a home made gift rather than buying something and giving them.
Giving a home made gift just seems more personal and attached to the person you are giving or receiving it from.It gives another expression to the receiver as it tells that someone took out time specially for making a special gift for them.
@ankit_620 (496)
• India
19 Nov 10
Right! right...! yeah me too and you even though the home made gift would be cheaper than the readymade one or may be really better in comparison but still the home -made cheap gift will leave a long lasting imperssion on the receiver as he/she will know who cares enough.
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
19 Nov 10
I make and design all the Christmas Cards I send I have also made Calendars for my Friends which I make every Year for them
I have received Gifts that have been Home made from Friends and of course my Children and I treasure them, they mean more to me then bought Gifts because of the love and care that went into them
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
19 Nov 10
Homemade gifts are often the best! The person who gives them to you probably knows you well, so they know exactly what you like and need. I remember some presents my mother made for me many years ago and I still have them and use them too! They were a bag for dirty clothes when one is traveling, bags to put shoes inside the suitcase and two other bags for crochet and knitting needles! Cute they were too! What is so special about them is that they never sell things like that, so they are even more special!
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
19 Nov 10
I haven't ever given home-made gifts and I guess it is because I am not too good a making things, especially when it comes to presents! Some of our family though have given clothes that they have made themselves, but they have been very expertly created. Another member of the family makes her own Christmas and birthday cards and they look very professional. 
_Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
12 Aug 21
I take pictures and in the past I would have Christmas cards made with them.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
19 Nov 10
I use to do alot of handwork[embroidery,cross stitching, needle point etb]. I use to make everyone something at chritmas but haven't done that in a long time. I always appreciated getting homemade gifts. I think it very nice when people go to that trouble. Happy weekend.
@ganeshprabhuk (1722)
• India
19 Nov 10
When I was young I use to get lot of hand made gifts which I never use to like but as I grew up I started liking things which were handmade. Handmade gifts are with more love and affection. The value for handmade gifts are more costlier than for the one we buy.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Nov 10
I made a coupon book for hubby for Valentine's Day one year. Each coupon was something sweet and romantic, and then I bought little things to go with the coupons. Like there was a coupon for a movie night, and I bought a gift card to Blockbuster. Another was for a hot oil massage and I bought massage oils. One for a candle light dinner and I bought candles. So it still cost a bit of money, but all the thought I put into it is what meant the most. I made that about 10 years ago and I think he still has the coupon book somewhere.. he didn't actually use any of them, lol.
A great gift for friends or family members who have young kids is to offer your services as a babysitter, I know I'd greatly appreciate that if someone did it for me.
1 person likes this
@chrystaltears (3392)
• United States
19 Nov 10
Those are awesome home made gifts. I was gonna share some of the things I've done, but yours are so unique and personal, that I'm not gonna say the things I've made.
Do you have a blog where you share those ideas. If you don't you should. Those are great.
This will definitely be one of those years when I will only be able to buy my mom something and hopefully my daughter, her husband and their baby. I just don't know how, but God takes pretty good care of me. He'll come up with something for me to do. He always comes thru right on time.
Thanks so much for sharing those great gift ideas.!
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
I'm not consistent in my gift-giving. Sometimes I would devote the entire year just making gifts for Christmas, but most of the time, I just buy them. But one thing for sure, even though I bought the gift, they are personalized. I refuse to give generic gifts even to my colleagues.
1 person likes this
@mhypie03 (683)
• Philippines
19 Nov 10
What a coincidence of coming across your topic. I made my bf a birthday present using scrap book materials. It was inexpensive compared if you buy presents like shirts, bags, perfumes, etc. I know he likes this kind of thought so I really made an effort to come up with a very cute greeting card attached on it with love quote stickers plus adhesive alphabets to spell our name, his age and of course the word happy birthday..LOL!
1 person likes this
@rovered777 (649)
• United States
18 Nov 10
One side of my family always gives me and my siblings home made gifts, whether its just a normal get together, or a special Christmas party. I value there makings, which include soap, candles, napkins, and even rugs. Their embroidery is really good, as quilts and designs look really professional. I've gotten so many types of quilts, and about 90 percent have my name and other personalized features. These customized gifts really give me something special that I will remember and enjoy the use of. On the other hand, my other side of the family from dads line, only likes giving gifts that are way high tech. Some of them have bought be things such as Robots, 100 GHZ computers and Remote car starter. But one of their gifts sticks out for a reason, the Apple Ipad gift I got is inscribed with a short personalized message and my name. Of course, special gifts often denote someones name and good regards.
@camposkat (306)
•
18 Nov 10
Wow! That's really creative and very thoughtful of you oldchem1! :) I admire your patience and creativity that you've put into those very personalized gifts that you gave your family. I wish I can do that too and surprise my mom and dad and siblings. I too have received personalized gifts especially from my youngest sister when she was still a kid. She would make us all birthday cards from scratch. She'd draw on plain paper and fold it and put stickers on it or decorate it. I have also given some of my friends home made sweets and treats for Christmas or their birthdays. I also used to make fancy earrings and bracelets then I wrap them up and give them as gifts to friends. :)
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
18 Nov 10
One year, we had a "homemade" Christmas. Eight of us agreed that we would all make a gift for the other 7. My dad made raspberry jam with the fruit from his garden, my mother-in-law knitted, my mum made lavender cushions and soft toys, I made board games for my sons (One based on the Simpsons and one on student life) cross-stitched coasters, made calendars, sweets etc. One of my sons made a picnic area for my Beanie babies with a little table and painted backdrop of clouds and flying birds. Managing to make them without the recipient seeing them was fun and no-one had any idea what to expect so everything was a surprise and we all knew that the others had put something of themselves into those gifts.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
18 Nov 10
The cds and books that you made for your daughters sound like a great idea 
I would be very happy to receive a personal gift like that.
I often give homemade gifts to my friends and my family. One year I made a book for my ex-boyfriend. I bought a notebook and filled it with quotes and beautiful pictures. Some years ago I have made personal calenders for my grandmothers. I bought a calender without pictures and added my own pictures of my brother and me, my cousins and other family members. Both of my grandmothers were very happy to receive the calenders. Now I only have one grandmother left, but I am thinking about making another calender for her this year.
I have also received personal gifts. One of my friends often makes her own cds for me and she has also given me other personal gifts like a notebook full of poems that she had written. I am always happy to receive that kind of gifts.
I would be very happy to receive a personal gift like that.
I often give homemade gifts to my friends and my family. One year I made a book for my ex-boyfriend. I bought a notebook and filled it with quotes and beautiful pictures. Some years ago I have made personal calenders for my grandmothers. I bought a calender without pictures and added my own pictures of my brother and me, my cousins and other family members. Both of my grandmothers were very happy to receive the calenders. Now I only have one grandmother left, but I am thinking about making another calender for her this year.
I have also received personal gifts. One of my friends often makes her own cds for me and she has also given me other personal gifts like a notebook full of poems that she had written. I am always happy to receive that kind of gifts.1 person likes this
@Nadinest1 (2016)
• Canada
18 Nov 10
Well, I haven't made gift like the ones you did....they sound great. I can crochet and I have made doilies, startched snowflakes for Christmas trees, crochet book marks, ...many things over the years. Some years i feel that they were just a cheap gift....but my mother thinks that they are the best gift ever.....and home-made heirloom...she calls them. I wounder if all the people who received the gifts also thought so.....or thought Oh God, it's Christmas, Nadine will give me another doily. LOL
1 person likes this
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
18 Nov 10
I have been on both the giving and receicing end of homemade gifts. i have always appreciated these kinds of gifts because they can't be bought anywhere else. they are gifts that come from the heart. i hope the gifts I have given have bben taken in the same spirit.1 person likes this
@summerfed (82)
• Philippines
18 Nov 10
Wow, your home made gifts for your family is really nice and sweet, For me simple gifts are the best as long as it comes from the heart, You dont have to buy expensive things to express how much you love, or give importance to the person you want to receive your gift, because always remember that in giving gifts its not the price but the hearts desire of the person to express how much he/she feels for you.
1 person likes this
