What are some ideas for homemade gifts for boys and men??
@marsha32 (6631)
United States
December 19, 2011 10:01pm CST
Recently I read in someone's blog where they are vowing to themselves to make, or buy homemade, all of their Christmas gifts next year.
I actually love this idea and have also vowed to do the same.
I'm already feeling stuck...just what do you crochet for boys and men??
The boys aren't quite as hard as there are ideas like making the crayon roll-ups for one thing. I am also thinking bean bag toss games. A couple other things I have thought about is homemade paints and play dough.
I have a pattern book with things like cell phone covers and such, but none of the men I give to seem like the type that wouldn't be embarrassed to use the stuff.
I have some patterns for Creepy Critters. All of the boys have said they want some...and one man on my list.
I can also think of things like the homemade hot cocoa mix and a mug. Maybe a sewn pillowcase with their favorite sports team? Or even a pillow made with their teams logo.
Any other ideas will sure be appreciated as I plan to start on next Christmas just as soon as this one is over!
Marsha
3 people like this
5 responses
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
20 Dec 11
IN reading your post...I was saying to myself...I have had that same problem! My daughter had all her clothes made by me, dolls, decorative things....but my son...I could never think of anything to make for him! I did a "He-Man" quilt years ago when He-Man first came out, but it wasn't very good and long since been trashed...and I did crochet him a quilt...of the American Flag which he has today and uses it for covering on the sofa and a toss on his bed etc. Even lets his little daughter cover with it. But other than that...my sewing and craft talents didn't do much for him!!! I always felt bad about that!
But in reading some responses...like someone said.. the crochet quilts or sewn quilts are a good idea. I am going to be making one for my step-grandson with wildlife theme.. animals, tress, outdoor colors etc. But you could also make seat covers for his vehicle or if they camp alot...make a "camoflauge" afghan or quilt for them to take camping. Warmth out of one blanket. Or make seat cushions for the lawn chairs they take camping.
Other than that..that's all I can come up with right now... I will be thinking about it as I love doing crafts and want to "leave my mark" with my kids, but sadly the boys miss out on it often!
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
20 Dec 11
Two Christmas' ago I made all 4 of my children and 5 of the grandchildren quilts. I made the new baby one last Christmas, and my youngest grandson one for his birthday last year. I gave one to my 4 yr old grandson this year for his birthday. I do plan a quilt for my other 10 yr old grandson this year, either for his birthday in Sept, or Christmas. He's the only one I hadn't made one for yet.
I'm sure I could make a quilt for my brother and his wife as a combination gift and they would like that. Just need to find out about colors of their bedroom...which I can sneak a peek at when we go this year on Christmas eve.
One gal in quilt guild today at show and share made a wall hanging for her hubby this year...with a print out on fabric of the 1st car they owned--a 1953 something. However, they are older...way older....can't see that my son and such would really much care for that kind of stuff---but who knows, since it would be made by me.
Marsha
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
21 Dec 11
for my grandson I took material that was pre-printed to make a bug book soft book. I cut each page out and put material in between each one.
I am attaching a picture of it here.
Otherwise I've not had a theme. For the guys I just tried to make sure to use more manly colors of fabric that I had and tried not to put any flowered material in. I will send you a message here with a link to the squidoo lens I built about those quilts.
You have to bear in mind that I had only been learning how to even make quilts for a couple of months when I decided to make the round of quilts for Christmas. I did nothing more than different sizes of squares.
Marsha
2 people like this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
21 Dec 11
What kind of themes did you use for the boys? I have a step-grand son 10 years old and want to do one for him, but I want it to be something he will keep...not like a transformers that he likes now and 3 years from now, he has outgrown the toys and has no use for the quilt anymore! I was thinking a outdoor theme...lot of fabric with wild style animals and the greens and browns. My thought is that most likely a 10 year old can "Get into" what a 13 year old likes, but a 13 year old isn't done andgone with things a 10 year old "liked". I'd love to see your quilts!
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
20 Dec 11
I don't know really, but my mom used to sew gifts. She actually made boys and men's boxer shorts. She also made spiderman blankets and Cinderella blankets and other kinds. She used to get these stencils and ironed them on. She also did painting sweat shirts that were really nice. She used glitter and stuff for girls. I don't do anything like that. It might be fun but I just don't have the time to do all that.
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
21 Dec 11
Time, and the money for materials are both bit issues for me.
Boxer shorts aren't a bad idea...wish I was a better sewer to attempt something like that...at least for hubby he he.
I have a world of a time actually trying to use a pattern and follow the directions on sewing.
Making the blankets with the fleece is always a welcome gift, but costly for the fleece.
Marsha
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
20 Dec 11
Personalize some towels for them. Like with some fabric from a favorite sports team, or for the kids you get a cut out of a favorite superhero or toy character. Sew around it on a zig zag stitch straight to the towel. For the little one, crochet circles to stitch on to be the Very Hungry Caterpillar or a bear or something like that. Guys like afghans or blankets that are crocheted, as well. Make a personalized shower wrap, you know,from a towel, with velcro and elastic for the waist. Those things cost a fortune, but you can probably order towels from Amazon with your swag bucks and then customize them. I am inspiring myself. I will need to get started.
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
20 Dec 11
Towels is another good idea....if I can find the towels on great deals throughout the year too.
I'm saving amazon right now for a laptop for Jasmine first, then one for me....and honestly Steve could use a new one. Really all he needs is a new keyboard. Actually all I need right now is someone to help me figure out what is causing these pop-unders because now instead of just one, two of them pop up at once...and they are starting out with a different url than they were before.
Marsha
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
23 Jan 12
I made pajamas for all the guys in my life awhile back, when my sons were younger. They all loved them and wore them until they outgrew them (my sons) or they faded beyond recognition (hubby). lol One pattern worked for all of them, too. I just bought the material when it was on sale so it was really inexpensive to make all three gifts. You could also make matching robes to go with the pajamas.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
5 Jan 12
I don't crochet. I do, however, cook, write and photograph.
Baking something, writing a poem or taking a beautiful photo (and framing it) are all things that I would consider doing for my boyfriend for a birthday or holiday gift.
I don't think that men and "crocheted" really go together very well. There are, however, other homemade things that they would enjoy: fudge or a photo of a favorite spot nicely framed or turned into a poster.
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