Two snaps up you GO GIRL

I give a small gift to friends and neighbors each year, and this year it was all home made. Jelly from the berries I picked last summer, Bread from the zuchinni out of my garden and cookies I made for christmas. Wrapped in saran wrap and everyone was tickled pink.

I collected "stuff" all my life. Then my husband died and I moved. Two married sons wanted next to none of the things I had been so carefully saving to pass on to them. That was a real wake up call. I married a wonderful widower and we moved to a tiny house. All I brought with me was the quilting stuff. I gave away tens of thousands of dollars worth of "things" that I never used yet kept (and dusted!) Though we have very good retirement incomes, I still shop for clothes in thrift stores. We spend our money on fishing equipment and bait or FABRIC!! We gift with cash or gift cards; crass but welcomed especially in this economy. We don't exchange gifts because we have each other and everything we need.

I agree with everything except the "retreats." I go to Rhodes Grove, PA and bring my own chair on casters and also my Ezi Sewing Table (expensive but an engineering marvel). The food at Rhodes Grove is outstanding - 8 - 12 and 5 for dinner. I have been skipping breakfast because it is simply too much food. We have tons of fun and that is what it is all about. Best wishes to you in 2012.

Which pattern did you use for these? Thanks,glenda

[ my SIL got neck bands with crystals that hold water for mowing the lawn in the summer.]

First, I'd really like to know what the term Boxing Day means. My sister-in-law in England,just referred to it, but I don't know the meaning. So, does it mean getting out and fighting the crowds? Anyway, I have been gifting things I've made to family and friends. They always seem to like them and display them as well.Younger grandkids get a toy.This year I made messenger bags from 100% recycled wool skirts for DGD'S. Both loved them. DIL asked for one for her birthday. I also made mittens from recycled felted wool sweaters. I think family and friends appreciate these gifts more, because they know the time involved and know they have been made with "love" especially for them!

I agree in part, but my philosophy is focusing on needed useable gifts. My D#1S is a great admirer of Steve Jobs so his Bio and a B&N gift card were 2 of his gifts. He's a reader, I'm a librarian books will always be on the gift list. I make gifts and any money spent outside that is for needed or desired and useful things. Hubby needed shoes so money for shopping was what he needed. Frivolous or impulse buying are not a part of the picture. Practical and useful ARE fun in our world!

I made a lot of my gifts this year for Christmas. I only purchased two gifts which were tools to make things for the guys. Three gifts came right from my stash ( 2 ten minute table runners and a casserole tote). I hope to make all of my gifts for next year as well.

I have been going through my projects that I have had lined up to make and they got pushed aside. So far in three days off I have made coasters, a purse, two pillows out of leftover blocks, finished a binding, a wall hanging and almost finished a cover for my kitchen aid. Yet there are still more projects.

Last December (2010) I started baking one thing (cookies, breads, candies) each day starting with Dec 1 and stopped Dec 12 to get things in the mail. That sure worked for me. This year (Christmas 2011) I baked 3 things on Monday & Thursday the first two weeks of Dec; that also worked for me. It also gave me more time to sew/make and trim dish towels and hot pads for 3 girls and make gingerbread placemats for the 6 grandkids. In my sewing group we have shared projects; I made one wonder wallet for each of the girls, they in turn made something for each of us (cell phone purse, flash drive holder, ditty bag, etc.). Homemade...a wonderful concept!

Lyndak, I agree with you. I made my gifts this year as I could not afford to buy as money has been so tight. I plan on making all my gifts again next year too. I'm using my scrapes, which I have plenty of, and have already started a list of projects to work.

Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, it is observed in Canada, UK and other Commonwealth countries. It originally was when wealthy landowners in England gave their servants gifts in boxes. Now it is a holiday and almost like Black Friday in the U.S. Canadians flock to malls to shop and spent their gift cards. Personally I steer clear of malls on Boxing Day. I agree with the original poster. I gave my nephews quilts for Christmas this year, they were thrilled and they are teenagers! I made my sister a table runner and I also sewed a few things for co-workers. I am already planning what I can sew for next year. I have only been quilting for about 6 months and I love it, there is something about giving a homemade gift that I enjoy. Tomorrow I'm off to a new to me quilt shop which is having 30% off all stock, so I hoping to get some fabric to start a new quilt.

You have reached the crossroads that I reached the year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took a really hard look at everything I was doing, spending and etc. Even though I am fine (4years later) I enjoy the freedom that those insidghful reviews gave me. My christmas gifts are mostly made for my family, and in our neighborhood we remember about 14 different families with home made food goodies. It is after all the thought and not the money!:)

No, your not losing it, I feel the same way, Christmas is about the Birth of Jesus, I guess as we get older we think differently, I suppose.

It seems many stores can not say Merry Christmas, instead they say Happy Holidays, yet, they seem to take money in the name of Jesus if that makes any sence.

I find it refreshing to have handmade gifts, they have so much more meaning.

It's gotten so that everyone in my family can't wait to see what I made for them each year, so I'll just keep doing it. :thumbup:

For those of you that have made your gifts over the years:

Can you give us some ideas as to what kind of homemade/handmade presents you have made/given over the years? I know for myself and perhas others this would help jump start our thinking for next year.

Thanks

I've never gone on a quilting retreat. I just can't imagine hauling all that stuff.

The things i remember from childhood were the lessons I learned from the personal attention of an adult or something made specially for me. I dont remember the plastic presents or any excess.

Dad's special stuffing
A woman's handmade and lined Barbie clothes
Sewing with mom and playing with her scraps
Playing board games with Mom and Grandma (or just watching them play and "helping")
Building anything with Dad (even the boat he could not get out of the basement when finished)
Santa cookies each year with Mom

It left me with the great feeling that doing something was so much better than buying something.

Lynda, What a great thread you've started!

I stopped giving store-bought gifts about 15 years ago. My reason for doing this is a similar reaction to materialism. ENOUGH is ENOUGH! Since then I've made and given quilted gifts, gifts inspired by scrapbooking, and things from the kitchen. The hardest part of this project is to find a gift to make for the year, but it keeps me on my toes to be creative and come up with something that most people on my list will like. This year, I made 6 quilts!

Interestingly, when I started this "new trend", the reaction from my family was not favorable. My parents grew up dirt poor, and to them, handmade means cheap. My siblings are very wealthy and enjoy shopping and spending money--that is their way of showing love. They did NOT like my new approach to gift-giving, but they have stopped complaining about it. Now that my parents are in their 80s, they are changing their attitude to see there are more important things in life than stuff.

Personally, I love to receive handmade gifts of any type. I cherish those items long after the STUFF has gone into the Goodwill bag.

To all of you who make, rather than buy, Christmas gifts: May your tribe increase!

I have never gone to one of the quilters retreats, reason guess I just like the comforts of home more. Plus dranging all the stuffff in and out not for me. I tell my kids that may make me BUH HUM BUG but that's just me. worked to many years to want to roam, like being with my DH better. I like to make gifts and give all during the year my self also.

Things I have made in the past for Christmas gifts. I often give the same thing to everyone on my Christmas list.

Quilts

Quilted stockings personalized with name

Quilted place mats

Quilted tablerunner

Calendar, with photos of my dogs on each month -- each date is hand stamped so these took a long time to make.

Perpetual calendar with scenic photos I have taken

"Cheese dollars," similar to cheese straws. A Southern tradition.

Pepper jelly -- this is very popular here in Texas

Christmas pickles made from an old family recipe. It takes 5 days to make so no one has carried on the tradition.

Bread & butter pickles.

Peppermint bark; I had to learn how to temper chocolate to do this. It ain't easy!

Gingerbread biscotti. I make these ahead of time, seal with my FoodSaver, and freeze.

Chocolate Meringue Cake. This is an old recipe from my grandmother who has passed away. It takes 2 days to make and is a lot of trouble. Everyone likes to eat it, but no one wants to make it. ha!

Some of these may have been posted but here are some things I have done.

Embroidered tea towels
Pot holders
Mixes in a jar with the recipe
Home baked Sourdough bread (from scratch)
Home made assortment of cookies
Home made Cheese Ball
Homemade Hot pepper jelly with a block of cream cheese
Homemade Port wine jelly
Homemade cakes, tea breads and pies (depending on the recipient)
Dried herbs from my garden, tied with ribbon, placed in a plastic snack bag with a label
Whenever I give a food gift, I always copy the recipe and include it along with the food so that the recipient can see the ingredients in case of allergies.
When I give Sourdough I always offer a starter and the help they may need to get started on making their own.
Quilts
Quilted table runners
There are more but these are the best received.

A plan that would be wise for each of us!!