| Author | |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 1:43am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Dh and I have just completed our budget analysis for the past financial year (can you tell that dh is in finance  ) Anyhow we have come to the conclusion that we need to cut back expenditure in several areas. One area that we are taking a good look at is Christmas presents, dh thinks we should really look at homemade presents.
Dh is pretty handy in many areas such as carpentry and welding and I can sew and can probably learn new talents. We realise that materials have to be purchased for present making, but surely this would ensure better quality, more originality and a good stretch of the dollar.
I remember last year that many of you made presents or sourced homemade goodies. I was hoping that you would be willing to share some of your ideas. I told dh that I was going to ask my 4 Real Ladies as they would be bound to have lots of great ideas. I think we need to start now as we'll have eight presents at least to make and a new baby due in September could slow down the 'present factory' a bit.
Perhaps there are other families thinking along the same line as us?
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mathmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 07 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 771
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 7:08am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I plan on making our presents this year as well. Are you just making presents for your children? I know for my children I am thinking of making crocheted play food. For my dd#1 I am also thinking of making a special patchwork skirt. For family members (mom/stepdad, dad, sister/bil) I am thinking of making reusable grocery bags and/or reusable produce bags. For my nephew (age 7) I am thinking of dying some playsilks as he is into imaginative play. For niece age 11 I have no idea, maybe a cute purse? For niece age 2 there are hundreds of things I could make, perhaps a knotted doll, or some other kind of doll, I haven't really thought about her yet as I think the younger ones are easier.
Beth
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mavmama
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 01 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 618
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 7:18am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have been working on gifts lately. Here are the ideas so far:
- knitted kitchen sets (2 dish rags, pot holder and embroidered dish towel)
-home made blueberry syrup with a bag of pancake mix (homemade) in a basket with a pretty cloth/towel
-knitted scarves, hats, mittens
-quilted table runner
That's my list so far, and I've got almost all the dish rags and potholders finished. Last year we spent too much and I really want to control that better this year. It is so easy to let get out of hand. HTH
__________________
Liz
Blessed by 4 wonders
dd11, dd911, ds9, ds8
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MarilynW
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4275
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 7:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
We are on the same page - our budget is so tight. My 2 problems are:
- time is probably in shorter supply than money 
- I am not a naturally crafty person
Also we have so many nephews and nieces who are brought up to have everything materially - a homemade gift would be thought of as inferior.
One more concern - I usually do tons of cookies and bars and cakes for baskets for our neighbors, friends and family - I am hoping my food sensivities clear up this year before then - I have horrid memories of being really sick last Christmas - I so need to replace these with the good memories.
Liz - I am so impressed with all you have done already 
__________________
Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Fe2h2o
Forum Pro
Joined: Sept 09 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 150
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Here's a link to Alice's Toymaking Fair posts from last year. I know you read some of them, but they might have more ideas for you, now that you have a specific focus:-)
I have had (mixed!) success with 'celebrating' Christmas in July (I use 15/7—Clement C. Moore's birthday, he of 'Night Before Christmas' fame:-) ) as a starting point. I try and have a craft day around that time, and come up with plans then. Doesn't always work, but it does mean I can get on with some crafting during winter, which tends to be a more crafty season:-)
__________________
Mama to Puggle (ds 05/04), Bilby (dd 10/06) and Cygnet (ds 09/08)
The Genial Hearth
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Devoted
Forum Newbie
Joined: June 27 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 42
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 9:08am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Erin,
My husband and I have made at least one gift each for my daughter for Christmas every year since the beginning. We've always done it b/c we love it and so does she. I won't say that they are less expensive than purchasing a gift. In fact, in a few cases, it's more expensive, I think. It just depends on what you were purchasing. If you compare a whirley-gig to a Mindstorm robot, well, it is a lot less expensive to make. If you compare a cheap set of blocks to my husband's wonderful set of homemade, more expensive, i'd say.
These are things we've done:
*set of bocks
*stilts
*balance beam
*lap desk
*dress-up articles
*jewelry
*coupon books (you know, get out of chores free, one trip to the ice cream store during school hours, one snuggle on the couch instead of whatever, good for inviting one friend to sit with us during mass, et c.)
*whirly-gig (an old fashioned/historical toy. SIMPLE!)
We have a book of historical toys and directions for making them. I don't remember the title but I bet the library has some like that. My husband has made several from that book but, I'm ashamed to say, I can't remember them all just now.)
What I have in mind for this year:
Stomp Rocket launcher and space stickers (and I'm thinking I'll buy the stickers -- we'll see).
Dry ice bubble blower and a bit of dry ice. probably a homemade coupon for future supplies of dry ice.
We saw, and were WOWed by, these at a couple of library programs this summer.
One way we've spread out the cost of Christmas while still giving gifts is to pkg together a trip and present it in a folder, wrapped. We did this last year. It was a trip to a city near us, good for the first weekend day over 70 degrees. It had a cert for hotel accomodations, zoo entrance fee, one free treat, and a cert for a few dollars of spending money. I made all the stuff on the computer, put them in the folder, decorated it and wrapped it. This way, we gave her a cool gift, delayed the cost to us, and had to commit to something we'd been wanting to do but never got around to.
Anyway, we both LOVE making gifts for my daughter. She also loves them (I won't pretend that she doesn't also love her other gifts but the ones we make have staying power. When others are forgotten, the homemade ones are still loved and played with/used). I would just caution you that if you're looking to save money, be careful what you choose. It can really add up.
Have fun!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 9:25am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've done gift baskets with homemade soup or speghetti sauce or the like for extended family. I won't say it's cheap.. though I can make nice things for the amount we spend.. but I guess we budget an amount and we can buy or make with that. Sometimes buying on sale (or second hand) can be more cost effective. Sometimes I combine those.. buy part and make part.. like buy a doll and make a set of clothes or make pajama pants and buy a tee shirt for the top.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LeeAnn
Forum Pro
Joined: May 25 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 10:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have done handmade gifts over the years. I'm thinking about doing it again. Previously, I've done framed prints of original artwork or stuffed figures of angels. I'm happy to receive food and knitted things from others--those aren't my talents! My other skill is writing, but I've often wondered how I could turn that into a gift for others. A short story? My problem is that I fear my taste in handicrafts is not harmonious with my gift recipients'. As well, my ability to execute my vision often comes up short. I get grandiose ideas and then it looks....eh.
I love homemade gifts, but I am still trying to find my strength that would truly be a gift to others rather than just a item that becomes dusty and forgotten.
__________________
my four children are 17, 15, 11 & 8 - all now attend public school - we read many 4Real recommended books at home
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MichelleW
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 10:49am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Last year I knitted some fun (and quick) winter hats for the boys. Each one cost about $2.50 in supplies. I am still amazed at how much they liked them. My sil just sent me pictures of my nephew wearing his. Evidently he wore it everywhere, all the time. All this excitement over knitted hats was completely unexpected! In fact, I was feeling guilty that it was all I could come up with that I could afford last year. The week before Christmas dh mentioned that he hoped he was getting one too, so I rushed to make him one as well!
__________________
Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
websterm
Forum Rookie
Joined: March 05 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 57
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 2:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
In the past, I have done card sets. I just bought a few stamps - "Thank You", "Thinking of You", something pretty...and I stamped those on card stock and the envelope - wrapped it some twine and that was it. I figure there is always someone on my gift lists that is a card mailer.
Marcia
On My Mind
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 3:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
For little girls, Kool-aid dyed play silks are a pretty big hit around here.
And - there was a Loveliness of Homemade Gifts Fair last year, wasn't there? I think it is the only fair I have ever participated in. I can't remember who hosted, I bet it is around here somewhere! Was it Martha? Or Tina? I am running out of internet time so I can't check for sure!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LLMom
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 19 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 995
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 4:22pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MichelleW wrote:
| Last year I knitted some fun (and quick) winter hats for the boys. Each one cost about $2.50 in supplies. I am still amazed at how much they liked them. My sil just sent me pictures of my nephew wearing his. Evidently he wore it everywhere, all the time. All this excitement over knitted hats was completely unexpected! In fact, I was feeling guilty that it was all I could come up with that I could afford last year. The week before Christmas dh mentioned that he hoped he was getting one too, so I rushed to make him one as well! |
|
|
Michelle,
Where can you get this pattern? I am planning on knitting several gifts this year.
__________________
Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MichelleW
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947
|
| Posted: July 28 2008 at 5:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Lisa,
I invented my pattern. Let me think on it today and see if I can put it in writing. I think what made the hats so wonderful was the yarn. I used that Angel (Hair?Wings?) stuff at Jo-Ann's that is sooo soft. For the littles I added the fun fur in with the softer yarn on the tops and added googly eyes on the brims.
I bought the yarn when it was on sale and didn't worry about getting the right amount. With hats you can make stripes if you think you might be getting low on a color.
__________________
Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amethyst
Forum Pro
Joined: Aug 03 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 119
|
| Posted: July 29 2008 at 6:57am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Erin, are the 8 presents for your children or for others? Ideas would vary for either.
__________________
Jenny in Australia
He Knows My Name
Dd's WYD Madrid fundraiser!
Elizabeth's Rosaries
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: July 29 2008 at 7:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you, thank you everyone for the amazing ideas and also the links, I had forgotten how to access them. Some of the ideas have already got my mind racing and will be a 'goer' I think.  I'll let you know the direction my mind is heading when I have a little more time to post. Hope some ideas are of help to others too.
Jenny
I was mainly thinking of my children at this stage, although I'd like to do something for other relatives too. Including dh but have no idea what for him I was thinking for my siblings (I have 7 whom we buy yearly for and dh's only unmarried sibling) and our mothers and my grandmother that they may like those photo calendars, a child a month plus some group photos. Does anyone know how you can make them yourself? I'm sure it has been discussed here before.
Our other present recipients are nieces and nephews, mostly who are in their teens now, for the last couple of years we have done music vouchers, videos or books depending on the child. So I'm not too sure whether to make something for them or not.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Preparing for Christmas- Homemade Present
