Before we leave tomorrow for 4 days, and before I think it is too late for posting this, I prefer to post it now. We'll be in November in no time now, October went by so fast for many reasons, and I had planned to post it earlier, but it never happened.
The holiday seasons is not about buying & spoiling family & friends. I'm not religious, so I will not talk about religious reasons. For me, it is all about making your home/nest/place warm, cozy & welcoming, for yourself, the loved ones who live with you & for those who visit you. It is a time for making things together, when it gets so dark so early. It is a time for making things for one another, because you care for those you love, you want to show them how much you would like to make them happy, even though happiness is NOT about material things. I know I love to make things for those I love & care for.
Two years ago, I had made scarflettes for my parents & for my inlaws. You may remember them :
I know the four of them had been thrilled, and had been using them a lot. (which made me VERY happy) I'll be a little late at starting making gifts this year, but nevermind ... such is life.
I have noted down ideas of gifts, obviously the list can go on and on and on etc, but it's a good start, for me, and of course for you all too, if you want to have a look at it.
What you would like to make will depend of so many factors. Who is it for ? What age ? Which personality ? Which interests ? Does this person need or lack of something in particular ? Which materials do you have available at home already ? How much can you spend on new materials ? What are your crafty skills ? (can you sew or crochet or knit or needlefelt or bookbind or whatever ...) How much time do you have for making all your gifts ? How many gifts will you have to make ?
Don't be fooled, the best or most appreciated gifts may not be the fancier, or most complicated, elaborate, time-consuming or expensive to make. You may be on a budget, we all don't have extensible wallets & days, so don't put too much pressure on yourself neither. A Happy Holiday Season is NOT about stress & pressure, we already have enough of them from the everyday life & world outside. It's all about the pleasure of making things & the joy when gifting them afterwards.
So here we go. Here are my little list. I was about to make two lists, one for the grown-ups & one for the children, but I changed my mind. I noted the ideas that might be for children more particularly, but most gifts in the list could totally suit a child' need.
Note : I will put the abbreviation HM (stands for HandMade) before some ideas, even though it is quite obvious that I mean it is handmade, but some gifts may be embellished or transformed, therefore not entirely handmade.
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HM cushion cover
HM brooch
HM candle in a teacup
handpainted mug/cup filled with candy/chocolates
cookies (+recipe) in a jar
HM apron or half-apron C
HM coasters (fabric or not)
hand embellished blanket
HM jewelry (fabric or not) : necklace/earrings/bracelet C
HM bunting / garland C
HM knitting bag
HM knitting needles / crochet hooks roll/organizer
HM shopping bag / tote
HM braided / crochetted rug
needlebook +/ pincushion + needles & pins
kit with cookie cutters/apron/tea towel/baking tray or plate
pack of fabrics & buttons or notions
HM button magnets / clothespins magnets
rope + clothespins (for hanging photos)
set of 2 enamel mugs + quality tea/coffee/cocoa
pack of zines
HM softie (animal or doll etc) C
HM finger puppets C
art supplies + HM pouch for storing them C
HM keyring
HM patchwork blanket/lap blanket
HM knitted/crochetted/sewn cowl/scarf/scarflette
HM play dough (in airtight containers) C
book with family/trip photos published via Blurb or similar
(you can make one & have many printed, too)
HM bed tray (from reclaimed wood ?)
hand or naturally dyed scarf
cat (mouse, bird or fish) or dog (bone shape) soft toy
HM jam/jelly/chutney/preserves, with covers (or not) & labels
HM knitted/crochetted/sewn wrist/arm warmers
one of your best photo, printed (large ?) & framed
HM knitted/crochetted/sewn hat
set of HM notebooks (or embellished notebooks)
HM paper or sewn bookmarks C
HM or embellished table cloth + napkins
HM table runner (patchwork ?)
HM cute shape cushion (cloud, heart, anything)
HM knitted/felted/sewn slippers
HM knitted/crochetted/felted/sewn mittens C
HM vanilla/lavender/lemon/cinnamon sugar
in a beautiful jar, with a scoop or spoon
HM luggage tags
HM mobile (hanging from a branch ...)
HM wreath (fabric, vegetal or mixed media)
batch of HM cookies/bicsuits/marshmallows/candies
/chocolates/crackers/madeleines ...
HM pot holder / trivet
HM fabric storage boxes / buckets (with handles)
HM wall organizer
HM terrarium
HM calendar (with family photos or your best drawings/paintings)
HM soap + soap dish ( bought ot repurposed)
HM tea cozy
hand bound book
HM iPad/iPhone/Kindle cover
HM earth friendly detergents/cleaners
HM bath salts
HM stone & wire postcard/card/photo holder
hand or naturally dyed playsilks C
HM lavender/cedar sachets
a good stash of furoshiki wraps
HM suncatcher
HM pencil holder (covered with twigs for instance) C
HM chalkboard & chalks C
HM bean-bags (different shapes/prints/colors) C
HM play mat / coffee table play mat C
HM hand warmers (flax filled, berlingot shaped)
HM woven trivet (including loop)
HM fabric/felt tic tac toe game C
HM everyday napkins
scarf (square or long) made from simply a soft cotton
print, that you fray (like here)
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So, there ! There are so many ideas possible, for all skills, budgets & needs. I'm sure I'll find something I'd like to make for my family & friends this year. I hope you enjoyed it & that it might inspire you to start making your own gifts, or have a vague (or more precise) idea of what you want to make this year.
Now please let me wish you a lovely weekend. Please be safe, cozy & happy. Oh, forgot to say that the red gingham pouches you can see on the photo above are the wrapping I made for all the orders (from the shop) that will ship in November. It's currently closed but I'll reopen as soon as I'll be back.
Until then, take care, lovelies.
xoxo
S
You're an inspiration dear friend. xo
Posted by: Lisa J | October 29, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Ooh, I wish I were on the receiving end of your gifts! They all sound so lovely. I'm doing a handmade Christmas again this year, so thanks for the ideas!
x Katherine
Posted by: Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens | October 29, 2011 at 04:34 PM
What a great list of ideas. I usually make up hand-knitted gifts, but your suggestions make me want to "branch out" a bit.
Hope you have a wonderful and restorative get-away. You deserve a break!
xoxo Nicole
Posted by: Nicole | October 29, 2011 at 08:44 PM
i try to make as many of my gifts as possible but having such a large family sometimes there is just not enough time. Every year I say I will start making earlier but every year life happens.
You are a beautiful maker of things and I can attest to all the care and love you put into each and every stitch.
xo
Posted by: margie oomen | October 29, 2011 at 10:53 PM
What great ideas you gave us!Thanks for sharing!Have a nice trip!AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | October 29, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Ever year I write a big ole long list of handmade gifts I will make, and usually only manage a few, so little time! Mostly my kids get the lions share and there are always a couple of mama made requests on their wish lists, will always makes me smile :) Thanks for some great ideas <3
Posted by: Tallulah Maggs | October 30, 2011 at 12:16 AM
Now, THAT's a LIST!!!
Thank you for the great ideas!! 8*)
Posted by: Melissa 8*) | October 30, 2011 at 12:32 AM
What an inspiring list! Wow.
Have a great getaway with your family. xx
Posted by: Kathleen | October 30, 2011 at 06:40 AM
wow- what an amazing list! happy making.
Posted by: melissa | October 30, 2011 at 09:04 AM
Sonia, I love this post and the list! It's really inspiring. I'm hoping to make a few of the things you mentioned. It's really got me excited about what I can make in the cold winter evenings. Thanks for the inspiration my friend!
Posted by: Jill Wignall | October 30, 2011 at 11:10 AM
What a wonderful list, loads of things to get started on. I hope I get some gifts made this year. I also hope you've had a lovely trip away. Jx
Posted by: joanie | October 30, 2011 at 08:10 PM
such an inspiring list!
would that gift-giving time was 6 months away
Posted by: barbara | October 30, 2011 at 08:34 PM
This list is just the magic I needed to stop my early Novenber panic and fill me instead with excitement and inspiration...thank you.
Posted by: Mousy Brown | November 01, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Woah! I am planning to make my gifts this year and now have no excuse if inspiration flees. Thank you for the gift of this wonderful list Sonia. Time to get planning. Love to you as always.xxx
Posted by: Lisa | November 02, 2011 at 05:24 PM