MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE GIFTS

Growing up my parents taught us extremely well that gifts from the heart meant more than some random gift with no thought behind it. What could be more from the heart then something that took your time, energy and thought to create. Plus, as almost any creator can understand, loving that one of a kind so much that they have a hard time gifting it, but they do because they love the person, they are gifting it to.

Today we are going to talk about my favorite homemade gifts, and I am going to group them by category. Alot of homemade gifts take time and are started earlier in the year, which is why craft stores start putting out Christmas so early. If you are too late to do any of these items keep them in mind for next year. There are plenty of things that you still have time to do though so make sure to check out the list below.

Needle and Hook

I think one of the gifts that is the most time consuming to make and doesn’t have a retail value that matches its actual value is anything created with a needle and a hook. Crocheting, Knitting, Cross-Stitch, Embroidery and Sewn gifts. These gifts may take time, and possibly some time to learn, but they last a long time and are some of the gifts my family loves most.

I have been crocheting for years, some projects I can now crank out in a day, but in all honesty, some take a week to months to make depending on what it is, and yarn costs an outrageous amount of money half the time. But if you get the yarn on sale, and you multitask and create while watching movies, or listening to audiobooks then you can knock them out fast and the look on the receiver’s face makes every moment worth it. Embroidery and Cross Stitch doesn’t cost as much to do and again depending on what you put it on it can last for years.

Crochet or Knitting: Beanies, Scarves, Blankets, Cup Cozies, Hair Clips and so much more.
Embroidery: Pillowcases, Aprons, Kitchen Towels, Seasonal Decor Items
Cross Stitch: Art, Ornaments, Bookmarks, Keepsake Items
Sewing: Quilt, Apron, Rice Warmers, Bags and so much more.

Edible

This category is perfect for those people we know have everything that they need and or want, or for those who love to spend time in the kitchen. Edible gifts have two main categories, completed ready to eat gifts and ingredients for people to make it when they are ready. I have friends and family in both categories and love putting together baskets of goodies for them.

For those who love to create in the kitchen:

Flavored Salts (Citrus, Herb, Siracha, Jalapeno and of course Vanilla)
Flavored Sugar (Vanilla and Citrus)
Extracts (Vanilla, Coffee, Cinnamon and Lemon)
Compound Butters
Gifts in a Jar (Cookie Mix, Cake Mix, Hot Cocoa, Sourdough Starter, Soup Mix and Chili Mix)

For those who would enjoy the finished product:

Fudge
Cookies
Peanut Brittle
Caramel Popcorn
Candies
Desert Bread
Loaf of Sourdough
Infused Alcohol

The main thing to consider with this category is what will they eat/use and how are you presenting it. Have fun making it cute, theme it out and have fun with it.

Bath and Beauty

Having a daughter who loves bath and beauty products this has been fun category over the years. What is neat about this category is that you can create a gift basket that is not only functional, but it removes a chemical filled product from their shelves and can make a health improvement for them. You can create a basket full of themed items and I guarantee you they will use every bit of it. If you are going to make anything in this category, I would make sure you know their favorite scents, and any allergies they may have. Also, the more you know about their skin and actual needs the better. Some of my favorite ideas for baskets are as follows.

Younger Child:

Single Use Soap Slices – Cut in a shape they love, a scent that they will like and placed in a jar with their name on it.
Lotion Bars – Shaped in a fun design
Lip Balm Set – 3 Scents that they would like.
A set of washcloths with their name on them.

Teenage Girl:

DIY Mascara
DIY Eye Shadow
Sugar Scrub
Lotion Bar
Tinted Lip Balm
Lip Scrub
Face Scrub
Foaming Honey Body Wash
Personalized Perfume’s
A set of Recipes on how to make each item

Calming Gift Set:

Lavender Bath Salts
Lavender Bath Tea
Lavender Lotion Bar
Lavender Foaming Hand Soap
Roller Bottle with Lavender and Coconut Oil
Bath Sheet with name, quote or verse embroidered on it.

Men’s Set

Sugar Scrub for hands (Citrus or Woodsy)
Soap on a Rope
Shaving Cream
Lotion Bar
Beard Oil
Scalp Oil
Salve for what they need (muscles, eczema etc.)

More Inspiration

These are just a few ideas of things that could easily be made and gifted. There are so many personalized gifts that you can make depending on your skill level, and the interests of the person you are gifting too. Here are a few more fun ideas you could do are:

Oily Basket – Poo Pourri, Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Foaming Hand Soa p, Diffuser Blend, Diffuser
Canvas Painting
Personalized Wood Serving Tray
Steppingstones
Homemade Jewelry

I hope this blog helps to give you some inspiration. Gifting is such a personalized experience and really captures the relationship between the giver and recipient. If you decide to do a homemade Christmas or a homemade gift, I suggest you make a list of everyone you are trying to create something for and write out what their interests and likes and dislikes are. Then start writing out what you might be able to gift to them. If you get stuck on someone then take a step back and look at what they do for a living, how the relax and how they spend their time. There is a homemade gift that will work for everyone it just takes a minute to figure it out sometimes. Last year we did all homemade Christmas gifts, it was a fun experience. You can see that recap here.

I hope you have a blessed holiday season and that you enjoy getting your hands dirty and crafting, cooking or stitching something for someone you love.