Homemade gift ideas

Ok, I definetly have a bias. I have a thing for homemade gifts. I'm finally old enough -- haha -- to realize that Christmas is NOT all about presents. I personally do not want to spend my whole Christmas season in the store! I hope I don't sound like a grinch ;) One of my favorite ways to celebrate the Christmas season is to create homemade gifts. Some years I simply make small gifts for neighbors, and other years I make, rather than buy, gifts for family. I would LOVE to hear ideas from everyone on homemade gifts that you enjoy! In fact, I need ideas for THIS year!

Here is a couple quickies to get your brain juices flowing:
These are some hot chocolate buckets made by this gal. I really like these because hot chocolate is inexpensive but everyone loves it. This is another example of a small gift made GREAT thanks to beautiful presentation! Gifts like these would be great for the office or for neighbors.



This is such a fun and simple headband that would be great for children or adults. If you are good at sewing this would be really easy to whip up! This type of gift makes me think it would be great to give to a sister, college roommates or even a cute set for your little girl. I don't have sewing instructions, but here is the website where the cute creation came from.

Also, I think specialty chocolates look so beautiful at the store. Making special treats is perfect for the holidays. There are truffles, dipped pretzel sticks, homemade nut clusters, ect. Here is a recipe for chocolate covered marshmallows (yum...)

Dipped Marshmallows

• Need:
• 1 bag large
• marshmallows
• (1 cup) milk
• chocolate chips
• (2 tsp.) vegetable oil
• Assorted sprinkles colored sugar
• coconut
• crushed nuts

Melt chocolate chips and oil together over low heat (about 1 min. in microwave). Have your child dip each marshmallow into the chocolate (so about half of it is covered), then dip and roll in the sprinkles. Place on a cookie sheet to harden. Give away as gifts (if you know anyone who actually might enjoy eating something like this!) or enjoy yourselves.

Also, if you like doing those creative neighbor/office gifts here is a huge ol' list courtesty of this website.

• A mug, a packet of instant soup and a card saying, "For a souper friend."
• A box of muffin mix with the saying, "You're getting muffin for Christmas!"
• A two-liter bottle of soda pop with a tag, "Pop, pop, fizz, fizz, oh what a great neighbor you is," or "The rest of the neighbors love you, and soda we," or "May your Christmas be merry and Sprite," or "We're soda-lighted to have you as neighbors."
• Flavored popcorn with the saying, "Just poppin' in to say Merry Christmas," or "It may sound corny, but we wish you a Merry Christmas!"
• A vegetable peeler with the tag, "Here's hoping your Christmas is appealing."
• A box of Ho-Ho cupcakes with the card, "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas."
• A box of Ding Dongs with the tag, "Merry Christmas from the Ding Dongs next door!"
• A can of nuts with the card, "From the nuts next door" or "From your nutty neighbors."
• Homemade spice blends, such as cajun, Italian, Tex-Mex, cinnamon-sugar, etc. with a card, "Seasonings Greetings" and suggestions or recipes for using it.
• A bag of potpourri with the saying, "Scenting you holiday greetings!"
• Scented soap and a washcloth in holiday motif with the greeting, "We wash you a Merry Christmas!"
• Ice cream with a note, "Have a cool yule!"
• Candle and book of matches, "To a matchless friend, may your Christmas be bright."
• Bubble gum or bubble bath, "May your holidays bubble over with fun!"
• Mints, "We 'mint' to wish you a Merry Christmas!"
• Snickers candy bar, "Don't snicker — just be glad you got something!"
• Cookie dough, "Here's a little extra dough for Christmas."
• A jar of jam, "Hoping your Christmas is jam-packed with cheer."
• Veggies and dip, "Dip into the holidays and a healthy New Year!"
• A bag of dried pasta, "Have a pasta-tively happy holiday!"
• A hunk of cheese and grater, "To a grate neighbor from your cheesy friends next door."
• A basket with cocoa mixes or bath items, with a poem, "When you feel like a basket case, take a break . . . and slow your pace."
• Hershey's Kisses, "Merry Kiss-mas."
• Oven mitt filled with treats, "We have to ad-mitt you're a great neighbor!"
• Frozen cookie dough with cookie cutters, "We've done the mixing, now you can cut up in the kitchen."
• Bag or box of Whoppers, "Have a "whopper" of a Christmas."
• Jolly Ranchers candies, "Have a holly jolly Christmas."
• Chex Party Mix, "Santa always Chex his list."
• Joy brand dishwashing soap, "Here's wishing joy to someone who really sparkles."
• Juice pitcher filled with candy canes, "We pitcher you raising a little cane during the holidays."
• Measuring cup or spoons, "Wishing you a joy beyond measure!"
• Oranges (or a chocolate orange), "Orange you glad we're friends."
• Homemade divinity, "May your holiday be divine."
• Homemade fudge, "Let's fudge a little on the calories and enjoy the holiday season!"
• Cinnamon rolls, "Here's a sweet treat rolled up with warm holiday wishes! Merry Christmas!"
• Cheese ball and crackers, "We don't mean to sound cheesy, we just hope you have a ball this season!"
• A candle, "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright!!! "

That's probably enough ideas for today. After all, it IS only November 1st :)