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A Handmade Christmas Challenge
Who doesn't love to receive a handmade gift, made especially for them? And I love to give homemade gifts, especially if they are consumable or useful. They are enjoyed while they last and when they've been eaten, drunk or used there's nothing left to clutter up the house, nothing to dust or polish or store or find a spot for - the perfect gift.
With that in mind, and seeing as Christmas is only 11 short months away, it's time for a handmade Christmas challenge.
If you are going to make the gifts you give this year, you need to start now. Those eleven months will fly by and before you know it, it will be the first of December and you'll be thinking you need to get a wriggle on, then it will be Christmas Eve and you'll be at the shops, frantically searching for a gift, any gift, to put under the Christmas tree.
If you want to have a handmade Christmas start right now, today, the first of July.
Start with planning.
Make a list of everyone you will be giving a handmade gift too.
Next to their name make a note of just what you'd like to give them.
Then, and this is the important part, list those names in order, starting with the ones that have the most complicated and time consuming gifts next to them.
For example if you are going to crochet a lap rug for Great Aunty Mable, you need to start it now. Lap rugs take a little time so you can't whip it up two days before Christmas. But if you are going to give Cousin Charlie a box of homemade Russian Caramels, then you don't want to be making them in August, they are a last minute gift, on the list for Christmas Eve.
As you choose the types of handmade gifts you are going to give, remember your craft or cooking skills. It's probably not wise to try and crochet a bedspread if you've never crocheted before. Instead you could trim a matching set of bath towels or pretty hankies or even crochet a couple of dish cloths to match a pretty tea towel you've trimmed with a crochet edge.
Here are some ideas for handmade gifts:
With that in mind, and seeing as Christmas is only 11 short months away, it's time for a handmade Christmas challenge.
If you are going to make the gifts you give this year, you need to start now. Those eleven months will fly by and before you know it, it will be the first of December and you'll be thinking you need to get a wriggle on, then it will be Christmas Eve and you'll be at the shops, frantically searching for a gift, any gift, to put under the Christmas tree.
If you want to have a handmade Christmas start right now, today, the first of July.
Start with planning.
Make a list of everyone you will be giving a handmade gift too.
Next to their name make a note of just what you'd like to give them.
Then, and this is the important part, list those names in order, starting with the ones that have the most complicated and time consuming gifts next to them.
For example if you are going to crochet a lap rug for Great Aunty Mable, you need to start it now. Lap rugs take a little time so you can't whip it up two days before Christmas. But if you are going to give Cousin Charlie a box of homemade Russian Caramels, then you don't want to be making them in August, they are a last minute gift, on the list for Christmas Eve.
As you choose the types of handmade gifts you are going to give, remember your craft or cooking skills. It's probably not wise to try and crochet a bedspread if you've never crocheted before. Instead you could trim a matching set of bath towels or pretty hankies or even crochet a couple of dish cloths to match a pretty tea towel you've trimmed with a crochet edge.
Here are some ideas for handmade gifts:
- Recipe cards
- A family recipe book
- Mini photo albums - theme them around a special occasion i.e. family Christmas, weddings, new baby, graduation, 21st birthdays etc.
- Bath salts
- Handmade soaps
- Trimmed face washers with matching hand towels and handmade soaps
- Trimmed kitchen towels
- A hamper of MOO cleaning products and a handmade dish cloth
- Covered coat hangers - either knitted, crocheted or sewn
- Quilted, knitted or crocheted pot holders
- Quilted place mat set
- Quilted coasters
- Crocheted coasters
- Decoupage placemats
- Decoupage coasters
- Sets of personalised address labels
- Sets of personalised kitchen labels
- Craft kits - knitting, crochet, card making, scrapbooking, cooking
- Seeds
- Seed storers
- Seedlings
- Decorated pot plants
- Cleaning kits
- Laundry kits
- MOO body scrubs
- MOO moisturisers
- T-shirt shopping bags
- A set of re-usable veggie bags with labels
- A set of plant markers for the garden
- A tea cup pincushion
- Lined baskets - for knitting, sewing, hankies, bread etc
- Scented ironing water
- Scented sachets
- Shoe sachets
- Make-up purses
- Dough ornaments
- Embroidered cushion covers
- Monogramed hankies
- Monogramed towels
- Monogramed face washers
- Crocheted floor pillows
- Knitted dishcloths
- Crocheted dishcloths
- Flavoured vinegars
- Homemade sauces
- Jams
- Lemon butter
- Homemade pickles
- Homemade chutney
- Homemade Christmas puddings or cakes
- Pomanders
- Bird feeders
- A set of sock covered terracotta pots planted with herbs
- Pretty hanging baskets and a packet of seeds
- Pretty seed packets (perfect for the gardener who seed saves)
- Pretty aprons
- Garden aprons
- Hand-painted dustpan and brush sets
- Handmade doyleys (crocheted, knitted or embroidered)
- Photo frames
- Home management binder
- Personalised bill paying system in a pretty binder
- Sets of personalised stationery
- Sets of handmade greeting cards
- Hand knitted socks
- Hand knitted scarf
- Hand knitted beanie
- Hand knitted gloves or mittens
- Covered notebooks
- Personal first aid kits
- Decorated canisters for kitchen, bathroom or laundry
- Lingerie bags for laundry or travelling
The list could go on and on and on.
Throughout the year I'll be posting handmade gift ideas as the Tip of the Day on a Monday, so you'll get at least a weekly reminder of this challenge.
Don't forget to check into Handmade Christmas Central right here in the Member's Centre too; you'll find new ideas and instructions appearing regularly.
And lastly, check in regularly to the Handmade Christmas forum. You'll be able to ask questions, make suggestions and of course share your ideas (with pictures if you want to!).
Throughout the year I'll be posting handmade gift ideas as the Tip of the Day on a Monday, so you'll get at least a weekly reminder of this challenge.
Don't forget to check into Handmade Christmas Central right here in the Member's Centre too; you'll find new ideas and instructions appearing regularly.
And lastly, check in regularly to the Handmade Christmas forum. You'll be able to ask questions, make suggestions and of course share your ideas (with pictures if you want to!).