Several years ago when we were just starting a home studio, we had less than a little money. We decided to make a good many of the gifts that we gave each other and our girls. Here are some of the gifts we made...we STILL get requests from the girls to do more of these:
1. Make a "Mama" or "Papa" tape...We had a tape recorder and we would make a special tape for each child. On it we would sing hymns, and read favorite books, sing counting songs, or alphabet songs, and leave them special messages just from us. This was not only a gift to the child, but a gift to Mama or Papa, too. When the girls were young, I could let them have some time to listen to their special tape. This would encourage their learning, and give me some extra moments to get something done, or spend time schooling an older child. I would like to figure out how to get a new special recording for each girl onto our itouch for them to listen to this year. Maybe I could read them poetry, or older stories, etc.
2. Buttercrunch, or other homemade family goody. Everyone one of our girls requested a bag of homemade buttercrunch for Christmas this year. Sometimes I think that homemade goodies are more fun to get in your stocking because you can't get them in a store. Demand and supply, and the such. ;)
3. Last year I took the, then 5 yro old aside and instead of going to the dollar store to pick out presents for everyone, I helped her make HUGE snowflake shaped iced, sugar cookies from scratch. We wrapped them up carefully and hid them in the freezer. And she brought them out for everyone on Christmas. She was so delighted with her gift...and so was everyone else!
4. A few years ago I took my oldest daughter to the fabric shop and she picked out a yard or two of patterned flannel for each sister and cousin. Everyone got a unique fabric. Then, with a VERY simple pattern, Emma sewed each child a pillow case of her own on the sewing machine. It was a simple, but sweet gift from a 9 yro.
5. Putting together an organizer for your spouse's needs...maybe scripture memory, maybe coupons (Ryan put together a system for my coupons last year), or anything else they need help organizing. It takes more thought than cash, and sometimes that makes it more valuable.
What are some of the homemade gifts that have been a success in your home?
We grew up doing homemade gifts for teachers, family, and friends. One year we made things you could put in your fire (made from pinecones and different things you sprinkle on them) that would make the fire change colors. We made necklaces for our teachers by sewing a tube-like thing of material, dropping a marble in, and the putting a bead with a circle in the middle over it, then repeating (does that make sense?! : )) One year we did bath salts, cookie stuff in a jar, and pasta dishes in a jar. We've made homemade Christmas ornaments from dough, and I got some plain large ornament balls last year, some ribbon, and painted Christmas ornaments for cousins. This year I'm making a grapevine wreath, more ornaments, candy bags, and cute flowery hair clips for the girls! I LOVE homemade stuff. I love your idea about the tapes to the kids. How special! My aunt mentioned today that the little kids draw names and spend about $5/gift. I said, "Why don't we say it has to be a homemade gift?" She thought that was a good idea! ; )
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