Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I am intent on staying out of the hustle and bustle of the season, instead thankfully remembering what this holiday is all about, and sharing the beauty of it with my family.

Up until Thanksgiving all is relatively quiet, and then, in a flash of lightning, everyone goes into a frantic race to get all of their holiday shopping and duties done, just to find that all of their efforts have made them tired, and their wallets much too light. Maybe this isn't you. But I assure you that if this IS you, you are not alone. I have seen many this way, and yes, I have even been there myself.

Well, this year is not one of those years for us. We have set out to make this holiday season one to remember, and most importantly one to enjoy. My holiday themes for the season are "family togetherness" and "Thankfulness." So what better way to celebrate these themes than making our loved ones some homemade gifts. Putting your heart and soul into a gift means so much more anyway. I decided to make a list of some homemade gifts I thought some family members would enjoy. I got my ideas from various places like craft books and some of my own original ideas as well. I thought it would be great to have the kids involved in making these gifts. I think the whole experience will be fun and educational, as we will all learn how to do some new craft projects. I also included some rather inexpensive gifts that would go along with the homemade ones. The idea is not to break the bank, and to actually give a meaningful gift. I realized while doing this that I can't think of something to make for everyone. The men are the hardest, my step dad, dad, and my uncle. I am thinking that I might just bake the men all of their gifts...

So far this is what I've got:

My Mom

1. Journal
2. scripture memory pages
3. Pen set to go with journal
4. homemade planner (my mom needs some organization help)
   
5. jewelry box made of clay that the kids will make and paint
6. Color by number picture of a cat(my mom Loves cats) that I will color and frame
7. coupon book with coupons I make myself, some ideas are:

• House cleaning
• A 15 minute back rub
• Lunch out to favorite restaurant

My Aunt

1. Homemade soap and candles
2. buy or make candle holders, not sure which one yet
3. color by number picture of a rooster (she loves roosters) that I will color and frame
4. personalized calendar with pics of family
   

My husband aka Daddy

1. homemade dyed t- shirt
2. Coupon book with coupons the kids and I make ourselves, some ideas are:

• breakfast in bed
• 15 minute massage
• manicure or pedicure
• date out to restaurant of his choice

I'm sure the kid's will think up some more coupons

these are the only homemade gifts I've come up with for him so far. He is really hard to buy for, partly because he is such a simple person. He really wants a football jersey for the Dallas cowboys and I'm pretty sure I will have to buy that one at a store:)


My friend Linda

1. Journal
2. two homemade dolls

I still have to find out to make these. she collects dolls, and I thought the kids would be excited to help make one especially for her.

This is all I have so far. These are all just ideas and I'm not sure I will make everyone everything I have listed. I am going to start however with something that I am sure I want to make. I will be starting on the journals and the color by number pictures this weekend. I will post pictures and directions for the journals when we are finished.

If you have any ideas about homemade gifts I welcome your creativity!