I'm making the majority of my gifts. I'm currently making the second of 4 quilts for Christmas. Then I'm making purses and bags, a couple Kindle and i-Pad covers/carriers and probably some table runners and place mats. Unfortunately I have a cold right now so it's slowing me down.

I've been making quilted gifts for years for family and friends: lap quilts, quillows, pillowcases, wall hangings, table runners, etc. Last year, I made bed runners and this year, all 12 recipients are getting a table centerpiece and pot holders.

My sisters think I don't LOVE them if their gift is not home made...LOL!!! I've made the whole family, 10 total quilts last year. I did the LAQ by myself...the large ones were 60x 60 inches, made 6 that size, the others were lap quilts using the Wicked Easy pattern. Am I NUTS!?? This year I've made the girls, bow tuck purses and yes, it was all stash material.
Only had to buy the fusible batting. But, got it on sale for $4.00 a yard at Home Sew!!!! The bow tucks have been done for months. Just waiting for the 'wrap fairy' to arrive!!!!

All my children and their families request quilts and quilted items for holidays, birthdays etc. I do not have enough time to get them all done even with a LA.

Don't waste your time on store bought shopping bags. They split and dissolve and generally don't hold up. I make mine from rummage sale pants and skirts. Just a few cuts and a few seams and a couple handles and you've got a fine strong bag that can be washed a million times and won't wear out. Use the tan and blacks and greens for the guys and then buy funky pants and skirts for the ladies. You can use a light weight skirt if you put a liner in it, but you can generally find plenty of heavier skirts that work well. I've even bought a couple beautiful linen skirts that make great bags.

All my family lives elsewhere and with the price of postage to mail packages, I just send money. Kinda yucky, I know, but my teen-age and young married grandkids love it. They can use it how they want. Send money for the ggc too, and mom and dad buy what they need or take the 4,6 & 8 year old shopping. They love that. I do make (am making) quilts for them all, but one at a time & then the postage doesn't seem quite so high. I don't think homemade is ever cheap. I love them.

Here is a pic of aprons I made one year. I use masculine fabric for the guys & something feminine for the ladies. Everyone loved these aprons. One size fits all. You thread the ties up one side, around the neck & down the other side.

I give hand-made gifts all the time...quilts, table runners,pillowcases...in general anything I can think of that they need. I also give quilts for landmark events in the family: births, first homes, weddings...and sometimes "just because".

With 10 kids in the family and 16 grand children and 18 gr grand children, I make gifts. I start with making sure everyone has a Christmas stocking, table toppers, and quilts. So I sew all year to get done what has to be done. In November I make all different kinds of candy, and each family gets a box of home made candy plus whatever else I have made them. They all look forward to the things me and my husband make.

I am with you.. I do the same thing.. I make chocolate candy and give every one in the family a box of "Fran's Fancys" But then I also like to give some other hand made thing..