Gifts to Make (gift idea series) (WFMW)

I like to make at least some of our gifts. It can save some money, and add a personal touch. (I also just like the idea of using my hands and creating something.) But especially if you’re going to be making a lot of gifts, they can’t all be super-time-consuming. For me, that means no knitting or crocheting, because I’d be working for two years on one gift alone! lol One time-saving measure is to make something you can make a lot of, in varying prints/designs to cater to the tastes and styles of multiple recipients, so you can “batch” your work. Here are some ideas for gifts to make:

gift baskets (more on these in a later post): These are not strictly crafted gifts, but the compilation of a gift basket is a sort of “making” of a gift.
sewing kit, in a small canning jar. Add padding and a fabric cover to the lid, for a built-in pincushion
hot water bottle cover made from a felted wool turtleneck
hot beverage mixes in decorated jars or mugs – try cider, hot chocolate, latte
cookie dough mix in cloth bags with cookie cutters tied on
candles, in crocks, tea cups, jars, etc.
paper dolls, coloring sheets, candles, etc. from online printables (Paper dolls are great printed onto magnetic sheets.)
recipe cards or a cookbook made from a personal recipe compilation
apron (The Emmeline is my favorite pattern!)
plastic-bag dispenser (Can be made from a tube of fabric with elastic at each end. I’ve also seen them made from discarded sweater sleeves.)
dress-up kit (Accessories are especially great for this, as they allow lots of creativity and take up less space than actual garments. Although those can be good, too.)
bath crystals
bath bombs
soap
candy cane, “Christmas nail,” or other tree ornaments
personalized Monopoly game (Check yard sales and thrift stores for the foundation pieces.)
keepsake memory tray (Add handles to the ends of a large picture frame, and put photos inside the frame, on a backing of wrapping or scrapbooking paper.)
scrapbooking kit
decorated picture frame
snow globe
stationery (Add a pretty pen, to round out a set.)
perpetual calendar
coasters (I like these.)
puppet curtain for a doorway (“café” style curtain on a tension rod)
decoupaged metal lunchbox or other container (I found some old metal recipe card boxes at the thrift store that should be fantastic for this.)
“rubber” stamps made from craft foam cutouts attached to whatever handles you prefer (bottlecaps, maybe?)
painted/decorated/personalized household item: telephone, tool kit (hammer, screwdriver, etc.), hairbrush, etc.
snowman kit (Include a hat, scarf, styrofoam nose, craft foam eyes, nose, and mouth – or similar items.)
bath mitt
slide-style slippers
clay, beaded, or other jewelry
pincushion (Bottlecap pincushions with magnets on the back are great. They can be attached to a sewing machine.)
checkbook cover
felt tic-tac-toe game
photo(s) mounted between two matching pieces of glass, edges sealed with copper tape (as would be used for stained glass)
“baby sleeping” door sign
blocks with photos or other images decoupaged on the sides
decoupaged light switch plate
polymer clay picture frame (For a “stone” look, mix spices into translucent clay.)
quilted placemat (Use sample-book samples – or other scraps – to make this an inexpensive project.)
“gag” family portrait (Glue family members’ head shots to magazine photos.)
coin purse made from back pockets of blue jeans
journal
home-baked cookies or brownies
IOU/coupon booklet
knitted/crocheted gifts: sweater, baby blanket, hat, scarf, diaper cover, etc.
coffee cozy or cup wrap
“What I like about you” jar full of slips of paper with reasons you do
jam, jelly, marmalade, preserves
specialty bread (or just good homemade bread)
homemade art, music, poetry, etc.
discovery bottles
potpourri sachet or box (For a potpourri box, use a decorative box with a piece of screening, tulle, etc. fitted into a cut-out opening in the lid.)
folding tray
hanging candleholders (made from baby food or other small jars with wire used as hangers)
decorative/beaded eyeglass strap that converts to a necklace by clipping the ends together
fire starters (Make from wax-dipped pinecones, dryer lint in cardboard egg carton sections with wax poured over, etc.)
beanbag toss
ipod or mp3 player cozy
pencil or makeup case
Kool-Aid-dyed yarn (for a knitter, crochet-er)
marble magnets (Six of these package nicely in an Altoid tin.)
corner bookmark, elastic bookmark, or regular bookmark
ribbon-wrapped bangle bracelet
felted soap
decorated t-shirt
rice/flax/buckwheat bag
fabric ball
puppet (or finger puppets made from old glove fingers)
playdough (recipe 1, 2)
alphabet book with photos you took (or gathered) yourself