If you are Clever and Crafty....I need your help!
By betsyraeduke
@betsyraeduke (2669)
United States
October 31, 2009 3:10am CST
I'm looking for help from all the crafty mylotters out there! Christmas is fast approaching and I'm not prepared! My shopping budget is quite small this year and I've yet to buy a single gift. I have 2 children, both boys, ages 7 and 8, a husband and a few friends on my gift list. Of course I would like to get them all quality gifts that I feel they will like and enjoy. The problem is, I'm not so sure it's within my budget to just go out and buy the perfect gift or gifts for everyone on my list this year. As an alternative, I've been searching for some good, inexpensive, homemade gift ideas.
I have found lots of ideas, the thing is, I can't find any good ideas. I'm not interested in turning a book into a keepsake box, giving people slips of paper that say, "use this coupon in exchange for, (insert service here)", handing out baskets of baking supplies so that the recipient can bake their own cookies or whatever, (although, giving already baked, homemade cookies packaged in a nice tin is good for some but not all), making a homemade calander from paper supplies, or anything other gift that, to me, screams cheap! Yet, these are, for the most part, the only ideas I can find!
So, my fellow mylotters with a flair for crafts and such, is there anyone among you who can give me some good, homemade gift ideas? I would prefer items which I can make inexpensively, but that require some skill and that don't simply look as if I've cleaned out my kitchen cupboards to create a gift or that I've simply recycled garbage.
Thanks 
2 people like this
5 responses
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
31 Oct 09
What if you paint marble/ceramic coasters? You just need to get tiles and um, paint them?
I knit, so I am making people mittens, etc.
Could you make candles? Sew crayon rolls? Those are nicer, although they do look homemade.
@betsyraeduke (2669)
• United States
31 Oct 09
I love the ceramic coaster idea!...Errr, what's a crayon roll? 
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
1 Nov 09
It's a piece of fabric, folded over, with skinny pockets sewn into it that you slide crayons into. You can find lots of tutorials on them on people's blogs.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Nov 09
I find making homemade gift baskets are a great idea and many of the items you can get in the dollar store, even the baskets themselves most times. What you do is first get the baskets...get some tissue paper to fill it in...and since you want a Christmas themed basket, get bright festive red tissue paper (can probably even get this at a dollar store)--then the fun begins by filling it with all kinds of stuff...perhaps small votive type candles in either red or white (dollar store too in most cases)---get potpourri, sachets, soaps....also in a decorative style use candy canes or any other Christmas type candies...if you make homemade cookies make them, then tie them up in saran wrap and tie with red yarn...or if you don't make cookies, quite often one can get a large boxful store bought on the cheap--other ideas...get a cute festive type mug and put packages of hot cocoa...or maybe a mug with a small jar of coffee or even get some of those international type coffees in the tins...like I said just about everything can be found in a dollar store...as fillers besides the candy canes, maybe use small pine cones, red velvet bows all placed "artistically"...I used to make gift baskets for years,...one in a Halloween theme, another, Thanksgiving, then of course Christmas...after you fill the basket...wrap the whole thing up in saran wrap and tie with another red velvet bow
I wish over the years I had taken photos of my gift baskets, but alas didn't..but here's a photo I found of a gift basket
@betsyraeduke (2669)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Yep, I've done gift baskets before too. I completely forgot about the mug idea! Thanks!
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
31 Oct 09
well, i have been fortunate to find some shadow boxes at the dollar store which i will make a 3d picture using stuff i have found and i am making my own gift tags, plus i am making soup in a jar for some people.
my advice to you is to visit second hand stores. you never know what you will find there! often you find new things!
@betsyraeduke (2669)
• United States
1 Nov 09
Yup, I agree about the thrift stores. Sometimes you find great stuff at those!
@maharlikah (1045)
• Philippines
31 Oct 09
If you have an empty bottle or jar of mayonnaise and the like and wanna make a creative candle holder you can do it. Materials for this crafty thing are as follows:
empty jar
Japanese paper in different colors (cut into small squares like 2 cm on each side)
glue
Chinese brush
abaca rope/any cord (to wrap on the mouth of the jar after it is covered with Japanese paper
flowerettes/dried leaves or flowers or anything available
Here's how:-)
1. Brush the outer part of the jar with glue then put on one square of japanese paper.
2. Brush the japanese paper that is being pasted on the jar. It makes a transparent effect when dried.
3. Repeat the same instructions above until the jar is fully covered with the squared japanese paper in different colors.
4. Put on the rope on the mouth of the jar.
5. Add some flowerettes,dried leaves or christmas flower above it.
6. Try to light a fat candle and place it inside.
7. Make it creative. Enjoy :-)
@betsyraeduke (2669)
• United States
31 Oct 09
That sounds like it would make a very pretty candle holder!
Thanks!
Thanks!
@Louc74 (620)
•
31 Oct 09
Hi, Betsyraeduke! Ok, I'm giving away a biggie here! Lol! I got my friends kids to do this because I wanted some original art, and I couldn't afford prices from an art gallery, plus I thought it would be much nicer,and sweeter - and it definitely is!
Buy some canvasses from a craft shop - sometimes you find them in pound stores as well - and some paints. Tell your kids to paint a picture on the canvas of anything they want (or you can guide them if you want, but I said to my friends kids to just knock themselves out, and they loved it!), but tell them which one of your friends it's for. I guarantee they'll paint something which is just right for that person.
When they're finished, lacquer them, and they'll be ready to give as gifts. I defy anyone not to love them, they make such lovely, sweet, personalised works of art to proudly hang, and mine are definitely conversation starters as well! And the kids will love the thought that their work of art is treasured.
@betsyraeduke (2669)
• United States
1 Nov 09
That's a pretty nifty idea and I think my kids would enjoy doing it also!
