10 Beautiful Homemade Gifts for Christmas or Any Occasion
It’s a warm, humid 93 degrees and we’re anticipating a hurricane here in Charlotte but I’m kind of in the Christmas Spirit. It helps that I’ve been thinking about the Super Saturday Craft day the women in my congregation are planning for Saturday, November 3. We’ll be making items for autumn and Christmas plus a few year-round things. It’s the year-round gifts I’m particularly interested in because I love to give beautiful, useful, homemade gifts for Christmas! I look for gifts that are affordable and unique, too.
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These are the gifts I’m considering:
1. Reversible Apron
I love this reversible apron! This beautiful gift is all about choosing the right fabric. For my daughter, Megan, it would have to be hot pink. For my daughter, Amy, something with little doggies. For my sister? Something botanical or Boho. It’s a great gift for the men in your life, too! Choose a fabric that fits their personality or their kitchen decorating theme. So for my sister, it’s back to the 50s. For Katie, it’s farmhouse all the way. For Debbie, it’s classic florals.
Two-sided aprons may take more fabric but they are so much easier and quicker to sew. Tamara and Jamie provide easy directions: Kid’s Reversible Apron or Adult Reversible Apron
2. Fabric Grocery Bags (Fat Sacks)
I don’t know about you but my grocery bags are forgettable — I always forget them at home or in the car. But, if I had some beautiful bags they’d be hanging from my arm as I walked into the grocery store. I’d love to get one or two of these as a gift so I’m sure my friends would like them too! And again it’s all about choosing the decorator fabric to fit your friends’ personality. Terry Ann provides great directions, tips, and photos for making these heavy-weight bags: Fat Sack
3, Casserole Carrier
Crystal from Little Bit Funky said you can make these casserole carriers in 20 minutes and believe me — you can make these in 20 minutes! Unbelievably cute, affordable and quick plus they are functional. The carriers will carry something as small as a pie or as large as an 11×14 casserole dish! Her design is unique and so easy to make. Directions: Casserole carrier
4. DIY Photo Coasters
I love anything personalized especially with photos. Kara from Mine For The Making buys coasters at Dollar Tree, attaches photos using ModPodge then sprays with clear satin spray. What can be easier? What’s nice is you can give one person four but another person six all depending on their needs. Choose favorite photos, crop them to 4×4, and print at Wal-Mart or CVS. Here are the directions: Photo Coasters
5. Flannel Throw
A few years ago I made each person in my family a blanket — four were hand-tied fleece and two were machine quilted cotton — all fabric of their favorite college teams. Those blankets have been loved, well-used, and appreciated. This year I’m looking for the perfect fabric to make two or three throws for my family room (Joann’s has some beautiful flannel!) Merry Christmas to me! I love the various ways Stef from The Inspired Girl mixed and matched flannel fabrics and finished the edges of her flannel blankets. Directions: Flannel Throw
6. Digital Scrapbook
Wouldn’t a digital album be such an awesome gift? You’ll have to organize photos into years/months or make folders of “like” photos such as family reunion, Disney, or a child’s preschool years — it would be a gift of time. Last summer I scanned and organized about 8,000 of my husband’s family photos and documents. If I really get going (like today) I could create a beautiful keepsake for my husband for Christmas!! Shutterfly has been my choice for digital albums but there are myriad companies who print albums, even Costco!
7. Reclaimed Wood Birdhouse
Who doesn’t love a birdhouse? Especially a one-of-a-kind birdhouse made from reclaimed wood and any other junk you happen to have around — old license plates, galvanized tin, rusty doorknobs, hinges, oil cans, pots or pans, spigots, teapots or cups, lanterns, etc. Check out Pinterest to get your imagination flowing. This site has some clever ideas: Birdhouse ideas
8. Friends and Family Recipe Binder
Every family has favorite recipes scattered among the homes of siblings, aunts, and cousins. Why not gather all those tried-and-true recipes together and make a family recipe book? You can always get it published and bound but why? Instead, decorate a simple 3-ring binder so the collection can continue to grow. If you have hand-written recipes photocopy as they are. Include photos of the original owner or funny stories about how the recipe became a favorite. Include recipes found in magazines or online, too. As my kids left for college I often received phone calls (usually from the grocery store) asking how to make a favorite dish. One year I gathered recipes together and gave each child his/her own copy. It was very simple and very affordable but so loved!
9. Festive Kitchen Towels
Decorated kitchen towels would make a great gift for neighbors and teachers or anyone who happens to drop by the house during the holidays. Keep a basket full near your front door for quick gift giving. You can get a packet of 8 Waffle Weave Kitchen Towels on Amazon or at Wal-Mart. I plan to make some with a Christmas-themed fabric but the ones I make for friends will be special fabric for year-round use. Lori at Moms By Heart has simple instructions: Fabric Trimmed Kitchen Towels
10. Microwavable Heating Pad
A microwavable heating pad provides relief for sore muscles and tummy aches plus the lavender aroma is soothing to the soul. The heating pads take little fabric and you probably have what you need on hand even the rice. I plan to make a few this year and include one in the “gift basket” in my guest room. Toni, also known as The Happy Housewife, shares super easy instructions: Microwavable Heating Pad
I’m off to Hobby Lobby this morning to get fabric for a few things! If you make any of these cute projects please post and let me know. I plan to post what I do too.
