What gifts are you making? Questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
What gifts are you making? Questions
9
Sun, 12-14-2008 - 11:25am

1.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Sun, 12-14-2008 - 5:36pm
I think the best was the year that I made address labels for everyone. About 5 families had moved to new addresses. I used Printmaster, and since I had recently got it, I had a free 1 year membership to their clip art site. I did them all basically one nite, LONG nite, but once I got in the swing of it, it was pretty simple to do. All of them got some labels focused on their interests, all got yellow ribbon ones, all got the XMAS cow one(this is WI a strong dairy state so seemed appropriate) and my sister got a whole bunch of doxie labels. They were all sure it had to take forever to get them done, but it did not really take that long once I found the pics I wanted. I found I could get a really big box of the right size at Sams club cheap, and it did not take that much ink either! I figure the end cost at least now I have the program, and have pics saved really runs about 50 cents a sheet. I did also then in a later year do some book plates( basically bigger labels with message saying Please return this to "Susie Q" and since they all like books that worked out nice too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Sun, 12-14-2008 - 5:45pm

1. What kinds of gifts are you making this year?
We exchange names in my family. I got my Aunt's name. I made her some greeting cards (Christmas, birthday, generic note cards).
Yesterday I baked cookies with my girls so that they will have some stuff to give grandparents, cousins, etc.

2. What kinds of homemade gifts do you like receiving the best? Which ones do you dread getting?
I love getting homemaade gifts. Some of my favorite gifts have been homemade. I really hate either getting or receiving gifts that it seems like it's something that is given just because you need to get a present.

3. Do you have a good homemade gift disaster or success story to share?
A few years ago I made my Aunt a scrapbook of her grand-daughter. When she opened it, she started to cry. She said she was surprised that I would take the time to make something so personal.

4. Do you think you are spending more or less money making gifts? Do you enjoy making gifts?
I love making gifts. I really enjoy scrapbooking, and I have found that people are just so appreciative of it when I make it for them. I also really enjoyed making the cards this year. In the past, I have made Christmas decorations, and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure if I spend more or less money. But to me, spending the time really enjoying a hobby is so worth the money that is spent on supplies. For me, it's therapy.

5. In your circle of family, friends, and coworkers......Who is more likely to appreciate a homemade gift? Who would appreciate them the least?
I can't think of anybody who wouldn't appreciate it...maybe I am niave though!






iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2003
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 11:37am
Address labels are a terrific idea! Thanks for sharing.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 1:10pm
One suggestion in addition to the fancier labels with some clip art on them,
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 1:20pm

Rice bags.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-04-2008
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 1:27pm
This year I am making a plate of baked good for my neighbors and kids teachers.
Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 1:54pm
I'm making placemats and napkin sets for people.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 2:42pm
1. What kinds of gifts are you making this year?


So far I have made rag quilts, panel quilt for new grandbaby, aprons for little girls, still have a few things to make. I work better under pressure lol


2. What kinds of homemade gifts do you like receiving the best? Which ones do you dread getting?

I like all handcrafted gifts


3. Do you have a good homemade gift disaster or success story to share?

I made jammie pants for my then 6 year old nephew - he is now 10 and still wears them, they are pretty short on him but he loves them so will have to make a new pair for him this year (luckily he only got taller not wider lol)


4. Do you think you are spending more or less money making gifts? Do you enjoy making gifts?

Depending on the gift it usually costs me more to buy the material and make a gift than to go purchase it but I also know that it will last longer. I do enjoy making quilts and bags.


5. In your circle of family, friends, and coworkers......Who is more likely to appreciate a homemade gift? Who would appreciate them the least?


This year I am making my Mom a lap quilt, she is always making quilts for various family members and no one has made one for her for many years. I found some beautiful cotton with quilters supplies printed on it and will use that for the backing and will make a sampler quilt block style for the front, (I'm just learning how to paper piece and do up quilt blocks.)


We are a family of handcrafting gifters. And I married into a family that also enjoys making and receiving handcrafted gifts.

For the adults we usually specify that the gifts have to be handcrafted and be less than $20.

Avatar for meandmypea
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 12-15-2008 - 2:48pm

1. I made a lot of my gifts last year. They were knitted hats & scarves mostly, and I made them with very good yarn - cashmere blends, and added a nice pin for decoration. I didn't save any money, but I loved the process, and I have my own little tags that I sew on that say, "made with love by me". I'm not making anything this year. I don't save money by making my own, and it just ends up stressing me out. And people didn't appreciate what I put into it. My mom told me this year to not put in the effort to make something. She said they (my mom & grandma) would rather have Wal-Mart gift cards instead. That kind of hurt my feelings.

2. I don't mind homemade gifts at all. I would rather have a gift from the heart than some last-minute item mindlessly grabbed off an endcap in some store. The only exception is the one year an ex-SIL made everyone Christmas sweatshirts with puff paint. ;)

4. I spend at least double to 3x the amount making a gift than I do just buying out of a store. One Christmas I made my grandma a huge heritage-style scrapbook that had layouts with pictures of her grandparents all the way up to her great-grandchildren. In the book, supplies, and photo printing, I bet I spent at least $250. And it took me about 2-3 months to complete.

5. As far as appreciation, my in-laws definitely are far more appreciative than my own family of homemade gifts. My grandma liked the scrapbook, but she, my mom, and my aunt all seemed a little weird when they got the knits from me. :(

Bridget



Bridget