Each family has its own customs and traditions at the holidays. For years, I've enjoyed making homemade, personal gifts for some of my family members, something that requires creative input on my part and remains relatively inexpensive. (I call these "sister gifts," although they aren't always restricted to my four sisters.)
Here are a few of my favorite personal homemade family gifts from years past:
Manicure bouquet - This is one of my all-time favorite gifts I've created over the years for my sisters. Take a small red clay flowerpot and arrange manicure/pedicure supplies in it like a bouquet of flowers (nail file, clippers, nail polish, etc.). Wrap the entire pot with 'flowers' in a square of tulle or netting (available from craft or fabric stores) and tie with a ribbon.
Red or green pepper jelly - Another favorite homemade gift. Make red and/or green pepper jelly from scratch at home and put in interesting jars. Cut a gingham or other fabric square for the top of the lid and fasten with a rubber band, then cover with ribbon. Make interesting homemade labels for the front of the jar.
Cutting board with wooden spoons and kitchen towel - I found some darling gingerbread man-shaped cutting boards one Christmas, then added designer dishtowels and some wooden spoons and tied with a ribbon. For an added personal touch, add a recipe handwritten on a recipe card.
Bookplates and stationery - I'm lumping these two together, since they're both personalized items. Buy inexpensive bookplates at a bookstore (like Barnes and Noble) and write your recipient's name in each plate in your own handwriting (if you don't think your handwriting is up to the level that it works for that, hire a calligrapher or get someone else whose handwriting is better to do it). The same thing can be done with inexpensive notecards and stationary; personalize them in your own handwriting for a thoughtful personal gift.
Wallet with giftcards - Find an inexpensive good-quality simple small wallet or something similar (if you have a Coach outlet nearby, there are many creative interesting and inexpensive choices). Fill with gift cards in small amounts (McDonalds, iTunes, etc., or personalize for the individual in large or small amounts). This is a particularly great gift for kids who are too old for toys and too young to have their own money.
Cookbook - Write your own cookbook, a personal one or a family one, make copies and distribute to family or friends. Include appropriate anecdotes or photographs for a personal touch.
Fortune cookie box - I happen to love to save fortune cookie fortunes, so last Christmas I decided to give my sisters fortune cookie boxes. Find a colorful Chinese take-out box (these can generally be found in craft stores), fill it with fortune cookies (either purchased or of your own creation), and tell the recipients the box is to store all their future fortune cookie fortunes or anything else that is equally meaningful. If you're feeling really creative, make the fortune cookie fortunes yourself, or add some of your past favorite ones to the box.
Photostamps - Photostamps can be a great and inexpensive way to give a personal gift at the holidays, and the only effort required is to find a photograph to use to create the stamp. Stamps can be ordered from photostamps.com or zazzle.com in varying amounts of face postage, with pictures of people, pets, places; almost anything you can imagine you can create on a stamp. I've done photostamps of grandchildren recently with great success; a personal favorite is four of my grandchildren standing in front of Lambeau Field bundled in Packer gear during a home game in the middle of winter.
Other personal, creative gifts you might consider at the holidays:
*a personalized Monopoly game
*a custom CD
*a photo in a musical card frame
*a self-published book of favorite photos
*a spa gift basket
*personal "air-travel" survival kits
Whatever you give, be sure it comes with lots of love and a part of yourself, if possible. There are many things that can be created with a little imagination and not a lot of money. Enjoy coming up with your own.
Happy holidays!
bonus mini movie review of new moon:
I went to the midnight show of "New Moon" last night, and while not a great film, it's not as horrible as some might expect from the reviews. Those who are fans of the series, and 13-year-old girls (generally, the same), will likely enjoy it. It's a typical sequel, and mostly eye candy for the prepubescent set. I wouldn't be taking small children, but there's nothing horribly offensive in it except bad writing and Buffy the Vampire Slayer acting.
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I'd hate to see a cookbook that I wrote though. The thought of that one makes me laugh.
Now, about the whole "New Moon" thing, please explain this line:
"mostly eye candy for the prepubescent set"
How would you know what the "prepubescent set" considers eye candy these days? What, exactly, did the eye candy consist of? Semi naked teenage boys?
Cheeky little monkey.
duane, exactly. Cheesy indeed. I know because the audience made lots of noise, collective OooooOOoos and AaaaAAhhhhs when the guys took off their shirts. I just giggled.
Wonderful post, Kathy! Thank you...
Tiger, I thought so, too. I actually gave bookplates back in college when I could still buy them for as little as $2.
O'Really, sure. Uhhh. . .I need helpers, stat. Where's that Freaky girl?
Catherine, you are so fortunate to have a gran like that. I was thinking about food traditions that attach themselves to holiday gift-giving. I like to make homemade caramels, should do that again this year. I had a roommate in college whose mother always made gugelhupf for holiday giftgiving, and I did that myself for several years following. I can only imagine your gran's shortbread is scrumptious and filled with love.
Cat, a deadbolt could be a great personal holiday gift indeed. The wallets I gave to some of my grandsons a couple of Christmases ago and were a big hit, got them for not too much money at a Coach outlet, then filled with gift cards in small denominations.
Owl, thanks! Sometimes it helps to get ideas from other sources when we're looking for inspiration.
I just wanted to add for those who are unclear that there are some people who have to make homemade gifts; it isn't just a clever option. It helps to keep that in mind. Some of these gifts can be made for very little money, and many of them can be done for under $15. This post was intended for those who might appreciate some suggestions of things to do that are creative and less expensive.