We are on day eight of the Simplifying Christmas Meme! Today's topic is "Simple Homemade Gift Ideas"
Click on the Christmas Button above to get details on this meme, and join in on the fun! To see the prize you could win CLICK HERE. To win this prize, either write about this topic on your blog, and link back to here, and post your link in the MckLinky at the bottom of this post, or leave a comment about this topic. :)
Click on the Christmas Button above to get details on this meme, and join in on the fun! To see the prize you could win CLICK HERE. To win this prize, either write about this topic on your blog, and link back to here, and post your link in the MckLinky at the bottom of this post, or leave a comment about this topic. :)
One more thing. My Friend Mica is having a Christmas Book Giveway on her Blog.
Oh! I almost forgot! I think I was asked by a few people to share the cinnamon roll Recipe. Well, you have to Thank Miss Paula Dean for it. Cause that's the one I use. ;-) You can find it
Part of the reason for this meme is to encourage to keep things as simple as you can this year, but to also inspire you for next year. I have already gleaned a lot of ideas from every one's blogs that have participated. So thank you so much for sharing!
One year I was inspired to make all of my kid's gifts. This year, I am not doing that, but trying to get them gifts that inspire their creativity.
My Blogging Friend Heidi always inspires me with her handmade toys that she makes for her children. Go take and look over at her blog.
This year just really crept up on me. So I took the easy route for me, thus the most simplest. But I love the idea of handmade gifts. One you know it was made in America. Two, you know who made it for you did it with thoughtfulness and love. I know when I make a gift I tend to think more about the person I am making it for. Imagining how they will enjoy the gift. ♥
Now some of us aren't what other's call crafty. And that's OK! But here's a little secret. My forte' isn't cooking. I like it sometimes. But I would rather get my hands dirty another way. So all you ladies out there baking dozens and dozens of cookies this Christmas. That is so not me. I make the cut out cookies for my family. We enjoy and consume them. I don't give them to no one else. ;-)
I might enjoy cooking more often. But when I was younger I never learned to cook well. Sweetie joined our family one year after our wedding day. And for about six months of our marriage I didn't have a kitchen. So I have been a very distracted cook my whole marriage. It isn't fun, but a necessity of life.
Well, I do enjoy baking, but my hips don't enjoy it. Boy I am getting off track.
Anyway! I would like to share with you some pictures of Christmas pasts where I did make a few gifts.
Below was the "family gift" for our extended family that I made. It's a clear Christmas ornament with a lighthouse painted on it. Sand is placed on the bottom with teeny tiny sea shells. I also wrote the Bible Verse:
Psalm 27:1
The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One year I was inspired to make all of my kid's gifts. This year, I am not doing that, but trying to get them gifts that inspire their creativity.
My Blogging Friend Heidi always inspires me with her handmade toys that she makes for her children. Go take and look over at her blog.
This year just really crept up on me. So I took the easy route for me, thus the most simplest. But I love the idea of handmade gifts. One you know it was made in America. Two, you know who made it for you did it with thoughtfulness and love. I know when I make a gift I tend to think more about the person I am making it for. Imagining how they will enjoy the gift. ♥
Now some of us aren't what other's call crafty. And that's OK! But here's a little secret. My forte' isn't cooking. I like it sometimes. But I would rather get my hands dirty another way. So all you ladies out there baking dozens and dozens of cookies this Christmas. That is so not me. I make the cut out cookies for my family. We enjoy and consume them. I don't give them to no one else. ;-)
I might enjoy cooking more often. But when I was younger I never learned to cook well. Sweetie joined our family one year after our wedding day. And for about six months of our marriage I didn't have a kitchen. So I have been a very distracted cook my whole marriage. It isn't fun, but a necessity of life.
Well, I do enjoy baking, but my hips don't enjoy it. Boy I am getting off track.
Anyway! I would like to share with you some pictures of Christmas pasts where I did make a few gifts.
Below was the "family gift" for our extended family that I made. It's a clear Christmas ornament with a lighthouse painted on it. Sand is placed on the bottom with teeny tiny sea shells. I also wrote the Bible Verse:
Psalm 27:1
The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
The year I was inspired to make ALL of their Christmas gifts was a busy and hectic one. I did a lot of sewing! I think it was in the space of two weeks that I did it all too. I was crazy I believe.
Pajama's for the kids.
Quilts for the girls bedroom
Tutus for the girls...who found them stashed away before Christmas. But oh well, they were happy!
And last, but not least, a soft doggie made from an old T-Shirt for my baby nephew
So that's what I made for that particular Christmas. Last year I only made one measly thing. And I did it in a hurry, because I made it in about one day, and didn't take my time like I should of. But that's the beauty of kids. They don't notice sewing mistakes. :) This is a Beauty and Beast Belle dress. Well, it's supposed to be anyway. Bean was thrilled with it though!
So do you make any homemade gifts? Please share with MckLinky Below. And again, if your reading from my facebook page, please visit http://www.heartofamommytoo.blogspot.com/ and visit the other blogs that have been participating. ♥ 
3 comments:
aww thanks for sharing my give away dear!! I love how you got crazy for two weeks sewing your kids gifts. I always make something for my daughter. I have made nightgowns and different elephant stuffiness. Last year was the sock elephant. I am making her a elephant doll this year. I have also made all my lady family members dolls in previous years. Whew lot's of work but well loved. Hugs!!!
I love the teepee!!!
I like to make gifts as well.
I have a website called http://www.handmade-adelaide-baby.com with all sorts of free baby patterns and homemade baby gift ideas.
For my daughter one year, I bought an Easy Bake Oven. To save money, I made little cake mixes. I saved the boxes from Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, and covered them in a new label I printed on the computer, then I added cake mix portions from a full sized cake mix in a bag inside. I found the instructions online for using a big cake mix, so I added directions to each box. I also made frosting mix (using a saved baking powder canister) and gave her pink sprinkles, an apron and hot mits. We had lots of fun baking!
This year, both my older kids are into re-enacting history and make believe stuff, so they are all getting wooden swords and shields, which we will paint and decorate. I bought some neat belts at the thrift store, and am making a loop for the swords to go in, and attaching a little treasure pouch to each.
DH likes bow ties, but they are like $30 each. So I found a free online pattern, and bought nice regular silk ties from the thrift store in fabrics he'll like. I'm taking them apart (E-Z!) and using the fabric to make a bow tie! I did have to order some little slides online for hardware, but that was under $5.
We do enjoy baking and making homemade candy. My Mom is making chocolate dipped biscotti this year to give away. We found adorable wooden boxes, matching tissue paper, and cello bags to give it in. Last year, she paid about $35 each for food gift baskets for her corporate clients. This year, we spent only $33 for 8 of these really awesome boxes to present her homemade biscotti in. She's saving a bundle, and the gifts are going to be SO cute!
I always buy tins at the after Christmas sales, saving 75-90% off.
~Gwen
Wow! You are one busy and talented lady. I wish I had those skills.
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