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what are you making for Christmas presents this year?

17 years ago

I am making pottery presents. Spoon rests, vases, candle holders and mugs are just a few of the items I have planned. I am doing something I love and making inexpensive one of a kind gifts at the same time. I am taking an adult ed pottery class at our local art studio.

What are you creating that is saving you money this season?

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Comments (7)

oakleif
17 years ago
I'm crocheting tiny christmas wreaths, decorating them with lace and small flowers and tiny birds for tree decorations and doing same with plain glass balls and giving 12 to a gift.
oakleif
cenanoca9
17 years ago
I usually give food gifts, because I have a small house and always am de-cluttering. I don't want to add something to someone elses clutter. Of course the calories may clutter their thighs...:)
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Do you have a funny or awkward Christmas present story?
Q
Comments (28)
I have one that is more strange than funny, but appropriate for a decorating forum. Many years ago, just before Christmas, my BIL and his wife remodeled their kitchen, using apples as a theme--dark red and forest green colors. My MIL called and told me that for Christmas she and FIL were buying BIL/SIL new dishes, to match their new kitchen. She described the dishes as having apples painted on them, with a dark green edge band. Then she said, "And we'd like to get you new dishes, too." I was thrilled, because I'd been thinking of buying a new set of dishes to replace our old odds-and-ends, but hadn't wanted to spend the money. I told my MIL this, and thanked her, and mentioned that either a cream color, or a light sage green would look good in my kitchen. MIL: "No, we're getting you the same dishes, with apples on them, because that's what FIL likes." Me: "But, we don't have anything with apples on it in our kitchen, and really, nothing red or forest green." (The kitchen had no theme--it was neutral with cream and tan, and some light blue-green vintage pottery.) MIL: "Well, that's what we're getting you, and I'm sure they'll be just fine." Me: "Um, OK, thank you. That's really nice of you." On Christmas I opened the package, thanked the in-laws again, then used the hated apple dishes for about a year and a half. One day when the in-laws showed up for family dinner, I put out my brand new cream and sage dishes, that I'd finally bought for myself, without saying a word. Neither of them ever mentioned my new dishes. I love my FIL and my late MIL, and that was so out of character for them, it still puzzles me. BTW, I packed away the apple dishes, until just recently, when my DD needed dishes for her new place. She was happy to see the familiar pattern, especially since the dishes came from her grandparents. :)
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What Christmas/holiday gifts are you making this year?
Q
Comments (1)
My senior group recently made a trip to Branson. One of the attractions that we visited was the butterfly palace where they released thousands of white butterflies in our presence My DD and I made a stained glass piece of a white butterfly on a Poinsettia as a prize for one of the seniors. The winner really loved it.
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do you buy yourself a Christmas present?
Q
Comments (62)
No, I don't buy myself a Christmas present. Which is not to say I don't buy something for myself or the house when I come across a great price while shopping holiday specials. I MAY buy myself a gift this week, but not to wrap and put under the tree. DH and I haven't exchanged gifts on Christmas for a number of years, focusing mostly on children in our lives and my mother then a couple of charities. But I lost an earring in July. My everyday pair that I could wear without removing for weeks at a time, often only taking them out for more special occasions or on my way to have my hair cut and colored (where I don't wear jewelry). They weren't exceptionally valuable, but little white gold hoops with small horizontal baguettes. Now I don't have hoops, I have hoop. Long time jeweler here is retiring first of the year and I don't know the young man who has bought his business. The jeweler has been generous with his trade ins, I may go see if he has what I need on the chance that policy will be changing when the store changes hands.
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Do you buy yourself a Christmas present?
Q
Comments (39)
I was raised to only buy something if you can pay for it outright. With the exception of cars, houses. To borrow money and pay interest or administration fees etc was is a waste of money. True but with this wisdom in mind it means that it takes a long time to buy the big wants. So this year I did a happy dance when a good sale came on for a camera, the old one was completely outdated and dead. So this was my BD and Christmas present to myself. By definition buying for yourself is not a gift but what would you call it then. This camera wasn't a need its is purely a "toy" for my enjoyment. The money that paid for it could have paid for necessities or put into savings so using it to pay for the camera was to me a gift to myself. I don't plan to sell anything or try to make extra cash to make up the money I used to buy it so to me this is a gift I bought myself. I also indulged by using my in store points earned over the last two years (not a credit card) at a local drugstore/grocery store to get a tablet. I could have used the points to get groceries or gifts for others but decided that I would use them on myself instead, another toy for me that I would consider a gift because I choose not to be practicle with these points. So to answer the OP question I do not usually buy myself gifts but this year treated myself really well. ( I also do not buy gifts to myself paid for buy someone else) I guess I should write myself a nice thank you note ... hmm :)
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alison
17 years ago
Tons of things! Several sets of sachets and a sleep pillow case, along with homemade potpourri. Scarves for some people, maybe even a pair of pajamas and a night gown. Puzzle ball toys for friends with kids, felt catnip toys for friends with cats, and biscuits for friends with dogs.

Plus cookies/fudge/shortbread for bunches of folks. (I got a ton of cute Christmas tins for pennies right after Christmas last season -- now, to fill them up!)
sheriz6
17 years ago
My DD and I started making jewelry this year, so we're giving earrings or bracelets to everyone we know. I've also been making themed cloth bookmarks for the readers in the family and the kids' teachers.
grainlady_ks
17 years ago
I've knitted hats/scarves/mittens for gifts. I also knit dish cloths and everyone loves to get those. I make Bath Bombs and other bath items, but I also give a lot of food as well. Most people don't really "need" anything (at least that my coin purse can supply), but they really appreciate homemade bread/rolls and granola. I have a pancake mix that lots of folks just love (and expect) as part of their gift.

Christmas Pancakes
(Ingredients for the mix.)
5 T. baking powder
3 t. baking soda
1-1/2 t. salt
3 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
2 c. whole wheat flour (spelt flour is also a good choice)
1 c. multi-grain cereal (5-, 7-, 11-grain cereal - looks like chopped grain and is used as a cooked cereal)
1 c. cornmeal (I mill my own, but coarse or medium grind from Bob's Red Mill is a good substitute)
4 T. flaxmeal (or wheatgerm)
2-4 T. sucanat (or sugar, or maple sugar)

Mix all ingredients together and thoroughly blend. Store the mixture in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator (NOT at room temperature). Makes approximately 7-1/2 cups. Measure the mix in 1/2 c. amounts for giving.

To prepare pancakes:
For 6 small pancakes, lightly beat one egg with 1/2 c. of ONE of the following (your choice): yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, sour cream, sweet or sour milk (add a little milk if too thick). Optional: add 1 T. softened butter or oil. Stir in 1/2 c. of the pancake mix. DO NOT over stir. Ladle out the batter onto a pre-heated griddle and fry cakes over medium heat, turning once.
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Give someone a new griddle and/or pancake turner, and a container of the pancake mix.

-Grainlady
kayakingkris
Original Author
17 years ago
Grainlady - I wish I was on your gift giving list. That recipe sounds delicious!! Love the idea of the turner and the mix.
bellagoss
17 years ago
Martha Stewart's Living put out a great special issue on Homemade Holiday Gifts this year that has some great ideas. In fact you don't need to buy the issue, check out link below.

We are going to make Limoncello for friends and hostess gifts. We have made chocolate truffles for many years (recipe from the Silver Palate Cookbook, but varied the flavors using flavored liquors like hazelnut, mint, orange, espresso, etc). I think we'll make spiced nuts and/or peanut brittle for some family members. I will also burn some CD's of Holiday music.

Here is a link that might be useful: Homemade Holiday Gifts

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