Do any of you make Christmas gifts instead of buying them? Money is really tight this year and I thought about making gifts from my stash but do you think they will think I'm being cheap?
Also I need ideas please if you have some of what you've made or just an idea for the guys in my family? Please.

My fam has come expect at least one hand made item from me each year. it all depends on their needs. I think I'll make one of those mug pocket thingies for Dad, for his garage. The younger kids love snap bags. The older kids like the microwave bowl thingies, as does my Sunday School class (they're all college kids now). Marlene sews, so the possibilities for her are endless; I think an organizer...

I need to get busy!! Thanks, Sewred, for the nudge :D

My friends and family really love their home made gifts!
Pillow cases for the kids, bags, totes, tablerunners, place mats are always appreciated!

Yes, I am making bags for Christmas gifts already. People especially family love home made gifts and I love doing it. Even baked goods are appreciated. I spend hours cooking and this year instead of the baked goods I'm sewing/quilting things.

I have made Christmas presents for years. Anything from ornaments to pot holders to wall hangings to lap quilts. I have a stash of lap quilts and wall hangings. I am making microwave potato bags to sell at craft shows, so anything left over will be gifts. I have knit hats for the grandkids and friends for years.

I think making gifts is far better that a bought gift.

Personally, I am making 3 bags not sure if all will be BT or not, 4 table runners and a few wall hangings for friends.

I would be honored that a friend or family member thought enough about me to spend the time to create something just for me; the most important thing we have is our time.

A first baby will be added to my cousin's family so there will probably be a baby quilt in there as well but not sure if I will wait for the baby shower for that one.

I have made gifts before. I am making some this year. I am using as much of my stach fabrics that I can. I don't think it is cheap, in fact some of made gifts will have a higher value than simular things bought. I try to match what I have on hand to the person and go from there.
Good luck.

It's not cheap, stash and time are both valuable. I will be doing the same thing.

A handmade gift is much more valuable than a purchased gift - but they are not necessarily more economical. So you have to be disciplined about using the stash or you could end up spending just as much on fabric as a shopping trip.
I love to receive homemade gifts --- but even when giving a bedquilt , people are seldom aware of the cost of making one. I've had people offer me $100 to make a quilt not knowing it cost me $400 just for supplies and quilting.

Handmade gifts are the best to me, because they are made with a labor of love. I have made plastic bag hangers, aprons, placemats, coffee mug pencil holder, tissue covers and christmas ornaments.

Handmade gifts are the best to me, because they are made with a labor of love. I have made plastic bag hangers, aprons, placemats, coffee mug pencil holder, tissue covers and christmas ornaments.

My family is very particular. They want the handmade item to be the same quality as an expensive boutique item, and they don't want to receive anything they have received in the past. Since there are 2 of us who give handmade items it is difficult to remember what has been given and not repeat an item, at least not in the last 6 years. The grown children and grand children are getting sets of placemats and napkins. Some placemats are reversible, some aren't; none are quilted or embroidered this year. Two have bad backs and will get rice bags. One grandchild will get a real fur vest. Have no idea about the rest of the gifts.

I've made covers for my friends' Nooks and laptops/notebooks. I've also made little carryalls for jewelry for travel. Decorative pillows when someone has chosen their own fabric on an outing with me. I think I may make some travel wallets and CD holders next.

ali

In our immediate family of 17 we excgh names & you have to make an ornament that depicts that person. The GK's come up with some very ingenious ideas. I'll make hand stitched dish towels, table runners, wall hanging w/embellishments on them, coasters, quilts, aprons for the guys cuz they love to grill even in the winter time :)

I give family and friends homemade gifts all the time. They love them. I hardly ever buy gifts anymore. I just go to my crochet hook, knitting needles or my sewing machine.

I am making towlet seats covers for my family this year. They kinda got my goat how they treated the things I made for them last year. Maybe they will get the hint....hmmmmmmm!

do you have a picture of the seat covers?

I'm in the same boat I usually make immediate family something small but this year I have done them all a shopping bag which will be filled with different jams and chutneys (all the fruit I managed to get for free) I have made, plus one or two small bought items - all my lot love getting home made quilted bits as none of them quilt but do appreciate the time and trouble I go to. As for ideas, bags, place mats, coasters, fabric bowls to name a few

I make all of my family Pj,s or gowns. Last year I made everyone matching pants and bought red t shirts and boxed them by family as we all spent Christmas eve together at my daughters house. 4 generations, 12 people.They loved it

I am pretty much in the same boat as you. I think overal my family likes home made gifts. I personally really apreciate them even if it is soemthing I do not need. I know how much time and love goes into making gifts. Home made items make me feel loved.

I've been trying for many years now to make my own gifts especially for Christmas. So far, basically no one has gotten the hint to "make" something for me. :( I also keep track of things given every year so that I know "who" I gave what so that I don't end up giving that person the same thing the next year. I do enjoy making pot holders and dish towels with appliques on them. I also do a lot of bath towel sets with strips of pretty fabric sewn on it...works out well for the boys and men in the family. Sometimes if it's for a couple, then I will sew a set of towels...2 bath, 2 hand, 2 face. Also do the same with thin, cheap towels for people who have dogs. My latest thing is building baskets (or reasonable fact simile) and fill with homemade items and things added to it built around a theme, add cheap glass Christmas ornaments and pinecones and then wrap it up in cellophane with a huge bow (ribbon roll purchased from Costco or Sam's about this time of the year). If people don't like my homemade things...oh well. It's what "I' like to do.

I just started today designing and making my patterns and sewing them over the weekend. Will post them during the week.

With 5 great nieces and nephews I have been trying to make their Christmas presents. The kids are all under 7 and I enjoy doing it. However, I never hear a word from their parents. One parent, even when asked if they received the gifts, didn't respond (I leave them with my sister since I live 500 miles away). So this year they are getting something small that I've made and a gift card for WalMart. Don't give to niece or nephew. For Mom and inlaws I'm trying to come up with something. They will each get a microwave bowl mitt and who knows what else.
I'm tired of spending my time for gifts that aren't appreciated. I'll make charity kids quilts instead.

What type of aprons do you make for the guys? All of the guys in my family are 'grillers' too. They may like some masculine aprons.

JUST LOVE THIS IDEA.

I was thinking of making a few quilted casserole carriers. I've been thinking of doing it for the past few years but didn't. I've ordered some insubrite batting so this year is the year I actually might do it, just have to find the pattern again.

In our family, you drew names. Once everybody was an adult, we stopped exchanges entirely and only get gifts for the kids. It's ridiculously expensive to buy (or even make) gifts for everybody, but then I came from a family of 8.

I give quilts and afghans to everybody for birthdays and events. I'll be doing tote bags, coasters and hot pads this coming year since everybody has requested them.

If I don't give my family and friends a gift that I have made I'm afraid they will disown me!

I usually find some cheap broadcloth, decide on what you want on them. I usually look through my GK's coloring bks to find a certain pic, trace, cut & machine applique in place, they get such a HOOT of the style :D , hope this helps :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: OH, they have to have pockets for either their pot holder, towel or beer ha ha ha :)

Last Christmas I made patchwork scarves since we were in the middle of moving. This year I am making a lap quilt around twin size for the aunts and uncle. The rest of the relatives will probably get store bought items since they aren't into handmade that much. I may make potholders as well to throw in baskets I put together.

They won't think you are cheap, at least I wouldn't. I would be honored to get a hand made item. I know the time and love that goes into each project.

My family will make requests here and there for handmade items. I don't always know that they really like something when I send it, but I find out later when they ask for a replacement. ;) I make a lot of reheatable corn bags and painted glass ornaments for extended family, friends, and teachers. Close family often gets boxers or PJ pants, blankets, potholders, etc.

I have never had a Christmas that I didn't make a bunch of gifts. What I make differs. Sweaters one year. Scarves one year. A couple years ago, reclaimed shopping bags---------that even the guys can use for tools and stuff. Christmas ornaments. Mug rugs. Angel necklaces. Good heavens-----------I could go on forever!

Your post certainly makes me appreciate my family!

I made grilling aprons for some friends a few years back. Found my plain apron in the closet, and laid it out on newspaper, and traced it - but added length to it for men. I used duck cloth, about 7.99/yd. Each apron used 1 yard. I added a couple pockets in fun cotton prints specially for each guy. They loved them!

For now, I am working on making one Christmas present. It's a quilt for my younger brother. I bought some panels of deer and am adding some borders. At the rate I'm going, everyone else will probably get a store bought item. haha

i starting making lap quilts for my family which grew to 40+ quilts. i got half of them made so far.

this year i am giving cookbooks and handmade potholders and oven mitts. the book binders are plain half sized office binders that i will cover in fabrics of my choice and fill with these wonderful recipe cards that my local culinary store prints and sells. after seeing that apron pic, i may consider throwing 1 or 2 of those in. my family and friends love my handmade gifts as it is truly something that comes from the heart.

Book covers and bags are on my list to do for gifts this year. I personally like getting the handmade gifts as opposed to store bought. Happy sewing all.

"A couple years ago, reclaimed shopping bags---------that even the guys can use for tools and stuff."

You know this sounds like something I should do. DH has been attending local baseball team's games on Senior Nights - gets a free hotdog and drink. Well there are tables set up from local businesses, hospitals, etc. giving out freebees and of course DH picked them all up, especially the shopping bags. I think I'll cover them with some fun fabrics and give them as an added little gift that can be used for food shopping or as suggested, storing tools.

I think HM gifts are the best, and definately NOT cheap, lol!