Wanting creative, inexpensive Christmas gift ideas.

[MandyH]

OK, I need a recipe for fudge that is simple enough for a 4 year old to make. Mine ALWAYS looks like chocolate gravy instead of fudge. Simple people, simple.

 

[redhen]

Good thread idea! I'm keeping my eye on this one!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Home made GLYCERINE SOAPS! It's inexpensive, easy, looks impressive, mails well, children can help or do it alone, appropriate for everyone on your list, is consumable, and won't make you fat!

You can buy the tubs of soap at the craft store, some molds, coloring, and scent if you want. Just melt a bit of the soap in a glass measuring cup in the microwave, add color and scent, pour it into the mold, let it harden, & pop it out. You can get really fancy & creative with them, there are books to borrow at the library and to buy with all sorts of groovy ideas. And probably ideas posted on websites too.

The little bottles of colorant last a long while, and the molds can be re-used many times. Our big craft store, Michaels, runs coupons in each Sunday's paper for 40% off one item of your choice. I use them to buy those big tubs of soap at a good discount.

Now I can relax more during the holidays because I know what to get most folks on my gift list -- SOAP!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I have one for you but you will have to do the beating - it gets too thick for a child to stir. PM me if you want it.

 

[verity]

easy fudge -- child can make with some adult supervision --

2 T. butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 large pkg. choc. chips
1 t. vanilla

melt first three ingredients in a large bowl in microwave oven -- add vanilla --

no 'beating' required -- just stir til it all melts together --

pour into greased pan or 'glop' by spoonfuls on greased baking sheet

can add nuts, crushed peppermints, 'sprinkles,' whatever the child likes --

________________________________________________

this is good for kids as it doesn't get boiling hot and a plastic mixing bowl works just fine in the microwave --

 

[chickaddict]

If you have access to grape vines, dried flowers, berries and ribbon - the results can be beautiful if your the creative type.

also very easy -

flavored oils for cooking - oil,garlic,assorted spices - dollar store glass jars

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

I try to do a basic theme every year. This year themes are:
"Tea" I will do a nice tea cup filled with a nice tea blend with a sample size jar of honey and home made biscotti individually wrapped in cellophane and cute ribbon.
"jar gifts for teachers" I have made cutouts of holiday fabric and will tie the jars with a nice bow, they include one sweet like peach, one jalapeno type and one unusual type of jelly/jam (this year is apple pie jam) in the 4 oz jars.
Adult boys are getting "Survival gear" I am packing an MRE with "how to book" or a sardine can survival kit.
There is another thread that has a ton of ideas also https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=21400
Last year I got the Christmas spider idea from this thread and also there are Knifty Knitter ideas (you said you don't knit but my young son picked up using a Knifty knitter making hats in no time and loves to use one. I have made several hats and scarves for gifts to give also.
The Knifty knitters have been well received (Walmart sells them for around 10.00 by all nieces and friends we have given them to.
Candy gifts are a given, I get many requests for my caramels every year.
Right now I am working on recycled wool sweaters to make a purse/purses, I have several family members who are really big into recycling everything who will love to receive them as gifts and all the sweaters were around 1.00-2.00 each.
The biggest suggestion I have is shop year round, I never pay full price unless I cannot live without it, I am 3/4 done shopping for holidays already.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

My wish list for from the handy people includes:
- a nice little row of hooks on a board thing, painted white, to hang by the back door for garden/chicken coats, and a box with bottom same paint for the garden / chicken boots. and a little tray for odds n ends. All for right there on the back porch by the door.
- bird houses. Always could use more. Bat house too.
- tote system for the riding mower: trash bucket, reacher/grabber, pruners, phone and drink holder.
- new ridiculous large sun hat for gardening
- candied nuts (without soy, milk, gluten...)
- somebody to clean, sharpen, polish the wood, oil the metal, tighten and tune all my gardening tools and equipment.

well, hint, hint...maybe someone else wants these kinds of things. I'm doing foodie baskets with home made jams, salsa; coffee, cookies, nuts, fruit. Trying to find "healthy" goodies. I might do some embroidery, but of what? I enjoy finding practical things.

That's a great list of 'Handy Gifts'!
I make concrete 'things' or carve stones for occasions. Everyone doesn't appreciate stuff, though --- I made my sis a set of 6 14"x14" stepping stones with leaf imprints and *I* thought they were lovely. She left them in the wrapping out back at my Moms and hadn't taken them home when we were back down south to visit at Easter; so I loaded them back in the truck and brought them home.
She mentioned much later 'what happened to her steppping stones' and I told her if she'd thought anything of them, she'd have taken them home.

All that to say...
everyone can't appreciate hand-made personalized things.
If they can't appreciate the time and effort that goes into a hand-made gift, then they aren't deserving.
I just got a call from someone that got a gift-basket of preserves in '04 and was moving and wanted to know if I wanted the jars back (sadly, they are unopened have been for display and they should have been eaten long ago).
I am the queen of making 'thoughtful' gifts, that no one gets but me.

Lisa​

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Okay, people, I really need to see photos of these crafts! They sound great, but I'm so much more visual! And as for the fudge, you don't need to post a photo. Just mail me some. I'm more tactile with fudge. No nuts, please!

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

These are a fun craft for the kids also
http://www.recipezaar.com/Crystal-Ornaments-Borax-145914
http://www.giftideacenter.com/Holiday/Christmas/dough_ornaments.php
Also I am making pillowcases that have my favorite picture of each kid photo transferred on and then embroidering (or you could use more transfer paper) with names or sayings on them for each child. They cost under 10.00 each and super simple to make.