Handmade gifts/presents for holiday season

[Maya]

We have a holiday season coming. I want to use this thread to get some conversation going on handmade gifts/presents we can make for our near and dear ones.

Just to get the ball rolling, here are some of the handmade projects me and my wife has made for our family:

http://self-sufficient-future.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-won-find-this-in-retail-stores.html

http://self-sufficient-future.blogspot.com/2009/11/socktoddler.html

World Made By Hand!!

[kmaine2]

For kids under 5 I have made playdough and put in small containers I found at the dollar store. I also found some cookie cutters to go with them. I made these for 3 kids last year and I think I spent 5 dollars on the whole project. My teen helped me. We had a lot of fun with it.http://www.create-kids-crafts.com/playdough-recipes.html

This year my teen and I are making matching games for our under 5 friends. We are taking small wooden disks ( about 16)and applying colored paper to them. I think I may put some letters or numbers on them as well.  I will sew a a sack to put them in with a hand drawn label.  Cost was about 5 dollars each game.

I get tired of kid craft that is all about glue and glitter. So I am trying to find crafts that they can do that will create something lasting. This year we are making salt dough ornaments with my 3 year olds hand print in it.

I am a big knitter. I've been knitting for Christmas at least one project a month for the last 6 months.

But I also like these quick knit patterns:http://a-friend-to-knit-with.blogspot.com/2008/09/toasttoasty.html
http://plainandjoyfulliving.blogspot.com/2009/02/fun-knitting-gnome.html
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcalorimetry.html

[kmaine2]

I forgot, I am also sewing a pencil case for my aspiring teenage artist and a knitting needle case for a friends daughter who has just taken up the craft.

We also give jams, pickles and woven pot holders ( like you used to make when you were a kid) and photos of the kids, baked goods.

[haggismudpie]

A knitting needle case would be wonderful.  I envision slots for straight, double pointed and circular, all nicely separated. Maybe a place for a list of the sizes I have.

[kathleen]

I'm hoping to get done with a quilt I am making for our 11 year old. It is made up from scraps of clothes that are outgrown from since the time she was a baby (only the ones in way too hideous shape to donate and give away). I hope she will recognize the pieces and it will make her feel kind of comforted and cozy.

[Chickengirl]

We are doing a (mainly) handmade christmas this year - it is more personal, and much cheaper  My nana has been letting me raid her fabric stash (if any of you are quilters, you'll know how awesome that is  ) and I have a small stash here too.

I'm making:-

Crochet dishclothes/washcloths with soap
a cloth book for DS
pencil/crayon rolls
knitting needle/crochet hook rolls
cushion covers for DD's room
Bonbons make from chrissy material that I can fill with home baked yummies
bags
herb seedlings (from garden cuttings) and some garden vouchers (i.e for us to go help) 


Christmas cakes
snickerdoodles
gingerbread cookies
stained glass cookies
fudge
lemon butter
strawberry and vanilla jam
maybe my awesome rum balls, which are deadly, tasty but a bit on the $$ side lol

DD is getting a very much wanted ipod for music as her "big" present, and DS is getting some wooden blocks. We're asking people to please buy things like clothes/books etc for the kids if they feel the need to get them a present.