Do you give out handmade gifts for Christmas?

@marguicha (214281)
Chile
December 4, 2010 7:10am CST
I do. I made jams and relishes for the grownups and many times I have even concocted a homemade present for my grandsons. Sometimes it is taking the time to download a theme they like, sometimes it is making up a pair of earrings for my eldest granddaughter. Other times I make Christmas cookies WITH the 7 to 10 year old grandsons. They love that. How about you? Do you make some of your Christmas presents? What do you do? Share.
3 people like this
20 responses
• Australia
5 Dec 10
I guess it depends on the person but I am thinking about doing more of this as I guess it is cheaper & overall, it's the thought that counts at christmas...I knit & crochet so I would be making those sorts of gifts rather than food, etc. I am currently knitting a doll for my friend's 5 year old daughter for christmas - I just hope she likes it.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
5 Dec 10
Hi moonchild, I just know your friend´s daughter will love that! My mother made us doll dresses for Christmas and is was awesome. I cna still remember those doll dresses even if I have completly forgotten the bought presents.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
4 Dec 10
I do, every year. I do crafts all year long and usually have something made for everyone on my list. I also make cakes, cookies, candies aned breads that I give as gifts. I'm adding muffins this year. I think that the past few years my edible homemade things have been even more welcome than normal, since everything has been going up in price except salaries. I love making jewelry, too. I normally make it for myself but have been learning new techniques and have started making jewelry for the women on my list. It's such fun! When my kids were little, I'd let them pick out some material and I'd make them pajamas with a matching blanket. They LOVED them. I wish I had grandchildren now because I'd love to make things with them. That would be such fun!
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
5 Dec 10
Hi friend, Your response has been full of good ideas. Thank you! I also want to make some jewelry for my eldest granddaughter. I brought some beautiful stones from Perú when I went to my last vacation. I want to make some earrings for her and a necklace for me.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
4 Dec 10
I cross stitched things on shirts for the family A zebra for my sister, a duck for my uncle, a rose for my niece, and I was done with them by mid-summer
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
5 Dec 10
they do, I really do work hard on them too
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
4 Dec 10
I love cross stitch! It looks so beautiful! I bet they all love it!
1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
4 Dec 10
i would like to make more handmade gifts as it seems to be a lot more personal than the other gifts are. I will be doing more gifts that I have made this year as moneyis tighter than normal. I hope that we can get the gifts that we want to buy but I am not sure.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
6 Dec 10
I often make homemade presents for my grandmother. One year I bought a calender without pictures and filled it with pictures of my mother, my uncle, my cousin, my brother and me. My grandmother was very happy when she received it and she still keeps it on her wall. I have also made a photo collage for her once. I used pictures of the our family members and put it all together in one big picture. When my ex-boyfriend and I were still together I once gave him a homemade present. I bought a notebook and filled it with beautiful pictures, quotes, poems etc. For my friends in Italy I have made cassettetapes (in the past) and I have burned some cds for them. I picked different kinds of music like English and Danish music.
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
7 Dec 10
Those are very good ideas. Family pictures are coveted as presents. A family picture calendar is a wonderful present.
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
4 Dec 10
Hi, In my whole life, I never make any DIY christmas gift for anybody. Maybe I should try it out. It is very creative to make something for someone,but I am not a creative person and not sure what to make. I do see some of my friends like to do handcrafts and they are doing so good.I should learn from them.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
4 Dec 10
Everyone has a talent, shia.It doesn´t have to be a handcraft item. Do you like to cook? Do you like to write? Do you like to paint? Are you good at the computer? I remember I once downloaded some music for my grandchildren for Christmas. Now, of course, they know how to do it better than I .
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
4 Dec 10
Yes, I do. I do needlework like knitting, needlepoint and embroidery, so I usually make a few gifts each year. This year I knitted and embroidered and still have a couple of things to finish.
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
4 Dec 10
That´s so nice! I bet everyone cherishes the things you make.
• United States
5 Dec 10
When I was a kid I gave out handmade things. However, I've never been that crafty as an adult. One year I did make some homemade goodies for my grandfather but I never really did any more than that. Well, this year, I've taught myself how to crochet so I'm working on some homemade items that are pretty simple but still allow me to practice my skills and give people some pretty neat homemade things. My mother is getting several things if I can finish them. My grandfather will get a scarf and a pair of fingerless gloves. I'll be making some homemade washcloths for my girlfriends sister and I'll be pairing them with some nice bath and body works items if I can swing by there before the holidays. I really need to use up some of my yarn so I figured it's a good way to do so and to get some practice.
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
5 Dec 10
You have given us a bunch of good ideas. Thank you. I mostly make good to eat things now, but I could think up some knitted gifts too.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
7 Dec 10
Yes we do. And we make an event out of it as well. We have a Christmas cookie bake party. All the kids come over and help. It makes it memorable. Then we go out and deliver the cookies. Everyone has a great time. We love seeing people surprised every year.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
7 Dec 10
Your ideas sound so lovely and thoughtful! There is no comparison when it comes to a homemade gift which comes from the heart. They mean a lot because the giver has spent time and energy making something just for you. Having said that all my gifts are bought because I don’t have time to make my own. My daughter makes cards and decorations which is nice. Every year I hope to have more time but it never seems to eventuate...
@buggles64 (2709)
• United States
5 Dec 10
Yes, we are making handmade gifts this year for Christmas. It is so much fun! I have made christmas ornaments, brownie mixes, and cute little decorations. I would love to make the kids some christmas pajamas, as this is one of the gifts my Mom use to make for me and my brother while we were children and we always looked forward to new pajamas every year. We are also making christmas sugar cookies to give away this year.
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
7 Dec 10
I loved the Chritmas present ideas you gave us. The pajamas are something I bet any child would love.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
5 Dec 10
I grew up materialistic, and so I was always spoiled, and at the same time I would sometimes try to make some stuff like crafts and my foster mother would get mad at me and tell me to buy the person something, and I ended up throwing the crafts in the garbage. For a long time I just bought gifts as a result. I just recently started knitting dishcloths and were giving them for xmas the past 2 years and people in my life (currently) loved them. I hope to awaken my earlier love for crafts this year. I just love the personal touch that comes with making handmade gifts.
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
5 Dec 10
I´m sure those dishcloths mean more for the people in your life than a bought gift. I have discovered that even children love something that is specially made for them and noone has.
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
Hi, I might. I don't usually give gifts but I'll try giving out some this time. And since I already have godchildren which is a must to receive a gift from me, I might bake cakes for them. A cheesecake will do for the kids, I will try to make baked and frozen cheesecakes because it's convenient and easy. For my friends, I'll make a cartoonize picture with their faces on it with a simple greetings. I think the things that we personally make are the things that will be most appreciated that those that are bought.
• India
4 Dec 10
We make chocolates and cookies for christmas and we also never miss to bake the cake they are made by us and never bought
@marguicha (214281)
• Chile
4 Dec 10
It´s so nice to do your own baking for Christmas. I bet the kids will remember that as part of their Christmas when they grow up!
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
5 Dec 10
I have never really made a Christmas gift that I recall. I remember painting a little plaque thing for my mother and father for their anniversary quite a few years back. But for Christmas I just always buy the gifts. I like the ideas of things you've made they sound like nice gifts. I do love to receive homemade gifts myself. I think it shows a lot of caring when someone takes the time to make you something. My ex wants to draw me a picture of my daughter and son for Christmas and one of my neice and nephew for my sister.
• Philippines
5 Dec 10
I love making handmade gifts for Christmas! It makes the gifts more personal and special. I usually make headbands for my friends and I also handmade my cards. :)
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Dec 10
I used to make out Greeting Cards for festive occasions when the people and friends were not that tech-savvy. These days I still make a couple of those but only for a select set of friends and relatives. Today almost all prefer to use e-cards, and so I do not prepare much any more.
@msabc1 (88)
• Hong Kong
5 Dec 10
I will make somethings that my friend loves. I think my friend like handmade more than food,for example ,clothing or a lot of beautiful badges etc. My friend will be surprised.
@jer2911 (57)
• Philippines
5 Dec 10
This Christmas I do plan to give such gifts. Well I think it's cool to see other people use the stuffs you've made and its also great to know that you can make something that's worth giving. Enjoy the holidays!
@zenkey23 (416)
• Philippines
5 Dec 10
actually, i never made a handmade christmas presents for others:( everytime i think doing a handmade present i just get confused and stress because i cant decide whats best for this and for those:( so everytime i will give gifts to my love ones and close friends. i just buy a gift from stores:)