Homemade/handmade gifts!

i feel that doesnt have to be a special occasion for us to give or receive handmade gifts. I feel that such hadmade and homecrafted gifts are that much more meaningful because the effort involved in making such a gift can be felt by the person receiving it, and makes the gift that much more important and significant.

Your gifts were very wonderful I am sure that te recievers were very appreicative of them. It is always great to get gifts that are useable rather then not. I made homemade applebutter and blackberry jams along with choc. pretzels and candies. the kids love th help with those so it is a fun time plus a great gift to give.

My husband asked me what we can do to start a home business. Many of the ideas I have are great, but not sure if we can sell them. I think that for now I will have to be satisfied with giving my homemade gifts. Villageanne has some delightful recipes that she is sharing and I intend to use them for gifts this year. I also want to make candles, soaps and facial products. The web is full of ideas.

A woman at my work recently had a baby, and for Christmas I made her a felt book using each letter of the baby's name with an animal. For example, the first page was "T" and it had turtles. She really loved it a lot, and it meant a lot to her and her daughter. I've also made decorative pillows, candles and tarts, decorated ornaments and cups. Check out the website craftster.org for some really great ideas. Everyone on that site is so creative, and it is full of great ideas for crafts, from beading to canvas artwork to sewing, even some recipes. It's a great resource for crafters such as yourself.

I love to make pillow cases. I buy pre-made stamped pillow cases and ebroider them in colors that I know the recipent would enjoy. I also make crocheted blankets, afagans. I have made pot holders and baked cookies, even dinners for special occassions in lue of a bought gift, frugal is not cheap~it is heart felt!

I am totally into homemade gifts. We love to receive homemade gifts as well as make them. It is the personal touch that makes one feel so connected to the receiver. I make gifts in a jar, gifts in a mug for those college kids, quillows, toss pillows, rice and wheat heating bags and many more ideas that I come up with throughout the year. This year, I am making alot of denim quilts and throws. Our local thrift store has been running alot of bag sales. I get a large gargage bag of denim jeans for $1.00. I then purchase used comforters for $1.00 each and use that as the filling. I use a sheet for the backing. I have very litte invested except my time. I love to make them and everyone loves denim. Like you, I want to learn to make soap. I received a soap making kit for Christmas and am dying to try it out.

What a great topic! I love to receive and give gifts that have a piece of heart attached to them! I wish I was more adept at knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, etc. You all make me appreciate your skills and crafts so much more! My talent is woodburning. I create woodburned plaques using photos, pictures, etc. It is awesome to witness the facial expressions and emotions when people receive a plaque of their favorite child, animal, occasion, etc. And yes, you can tell who does/does not appreciate the time/effort/skill you use to create their gift! But here's my question: What do you give/do for people that obviously give a superficial thanks for your gifts? Do you get them something from the Dollar Store? I do and here's why. Since "it's the thought that counts," I believe that the response from the receiver dictates what I give. Now, that is not to say that it dictates what I have in my heart for them! But several of you have given me a wonderful idea! There is no time like the present to learn a new skill!! So, I too, will learn a new skill for 2007. Thank you! May you all find peace this "New Year."

I just gave my god child's little girl scarves for her birthday. She is only eight and she loves hats and scarves. I will be working on fleece blankets for some gifts for next Christmas. I also found a pattern for a fleece purse.and I want to try a cable purse on the loom.

I made some slippers, and some pot holders, bought all the rest of the gifts. I am planning on starting next years gifts for all, withing the next 2 weeks, they are all getting afghans. Wonder if I can get them all done by next Christmas..hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Gotta learn to stay off of the puter first. LOL

hmmz they are cool :)

I crochet blankets and scarves. I've sold a couple, but the popularity hasn't quite caught on yet. I like to make them, so I do.

Crochet Items, I made a lot of purse, bag, pouches, hats that was given away, they just love it.

hi there:) everyones ideas are really good, i enjoy doing many crafts, its fun to make things and fun and enjoyable to see the faces of recipients of the gifts i make:) This christmas i made my boyfriend a scrapbook of our trip to sun city and a photo frame for his sister. Ialso made my best friend a charm bracelet and a necklace:) during my june/july holiday i knitted a black and white scarf and quite a few belts from making strips of knitted wool and joining them with beads, it was alot of fun and many hours. handmade crafts are always the best because they cannot be found in any shop, and you know no one in the world has exactly the same thing.

so in my life I had some experience... I mean I try to to make all kinds o tiny little things on my own... and didn't come out very good, so I give up... now I have a friend that makes tissued friendship bracelets, and I find that very cool... why? cos' I'm not capable to do something like that... and it's a great gift to give :)

I made some of my family members homemade scarves this yr. they are really nice and veryones loved them. My brother in-law and sister own a Barber shop and wants me to make up some so he can sell them for me in his shop. He says where he lives people like to buy things that are homemade. I really enjoyed giving them, being able to give something I made myself.

Hi Sara. I've already got some of my homemade gifts planned out this year. So far, I've bought everything I need to make sock monkeys for my nieces and nephews. I also plan to make everyone on my list a quillow (combination quilt/pillow). If I start soon, there should be no problem completing them all on time. Your gifts sound wonderful. I always love to receive homemade gifts. They are usually so much nicer than the store bought gift sets that I usually receive on holidays.