Thursday, December 10, 2009

Homemade Christmas



There is nothing like a handmade gift from someone you love. This year all the gifts from us to our kids are handmade. I don't know if this will continue every year but I will certainly make at least one handmade gift for each child each year. I enjoyed pouring love into each gift this year.

Here are some links and tutorials to get your creative juices flowing. If you don't like what you see here just search the site which most likely leads to another site to help you find what you are looking for. This list is just to get you going. There is SOO much more out there so click around.

Christmas is really just a couple of weeks away and time is short. To make things easier for you I have starred the projects. One star*= easy and quick, Two stars**= a little more time and effort but not too hard, Three stars***= either more expertise or a lot more time.



For girls:
Critter condos (for Zhu-Zhu pets)***
Doll Winter accessories*
hair tie*
diapers for dolls**


For boys:
monster stocking  **
car cozy**
 {I tried to find more here but it was tough...there are some good ones in the "both" list}
Both:

Felt Mr. Potato Head***
art smock*
bear-hooded towel*
ribbon belts *
homemade stuffed animals**
sock monkey**

Just for baby:
learn to walk belt**
cloth blocks*
baby legs*

For your home:
ornaments*
easy tree skirt *

Women:
Stylish hangers*
Fleece scarf *
fabric headband*
fabric magnets *
arm band pouch**


Men:
Electronics cozy *
lap top cozy **

{again this area was tough}

Neighbor gifts:
a list from How Does She

more awesome homemade Christmas links:

Here is: Be Different...Act Normal with a list of all her Christmas related posts
Of course Tip Junkie has plenty to choose from as well
V&Co has some great tutorials with fabric food and other beautiful things

And...of course the classic homemade pajama pants:

this tutorial is good and easy

If you find other links you like please share!...especially ones for boys and men.


Or...share some thoughts and/or memories you have of homemade Christmas gifts.

Merry Christmas!






6 comments:

Britta said...

I remember the year I started making gifts for family members. It was the best Christmas I've ever had!

I always like starting to make things months before Christmas comes (so I know we are too late for that now). I love the idea of learning a skill and gracing your family members with fruits of your labor. For example:

Go to a pottery shop and learn how to throw a pot on the wheel. Or hand build something. Or just paint a previously made project.

Learn how to crochet or knit and make your family members hats, scarves or even purses!

Learn how to cross stitch and find a simple pattern that someone special would appreciate. Even stitching a simple saying and having it framed is an exciting gift.

Write a poem, draw a picture or write a story and dedicate it to a family member.

I love love love doing personalized gifts. Many of these things can even be done by younger children to give to siblings, grandparents or friends. It makes them stop and think about Christmas rather than just presents.

Merry Christmas!
p.s. I love the idea of Mr. Potatoe Head! And sewing is definately a skill I could share with others!

Jared and Delia said...

I apologize...I just realized how sewing oriented my links were...well most of them. Britta, thank you for sharing your ideas. I really like the poem one. That is great one that kids can do for their grandparents too!

LeeAnne said...

Thanks for all these ideas! I don't have a sewing machine *yet* but I think I might soon... (have been throwing major hints at my husband that that's THE present to get me this year hahaha) So although I probably won't be making gifts this year, I love these ideas and look forward to getting started (and maybe even gifting some next year!) :)

Megan said...

I'm currently working on a felt Mr. Potato Head, and it's not as hard as it looks! It is a little time consuming, but other than that it has been a fun project to do for my little guy for Christmas.

Jes said...

lol...I think the last random comment should be deleted :)

Im actually off to bed now so wont list ideas at the moment but I have tons saved on my computer! For now though, 2 of my most favorite blogs to go to for such ideas are:
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/
http://theidearoom.blogspot.com/
HOpe you like them too!

Raylyn said...

This is fun!!