Gifts Galore

Following on last weeks blog, I felt so excited myself for the upcoming festivities that my Pinterest and Google searches has taken on a new level. I’m getting that tingling feeling all over.

This weekend I decided to make some “cold clay” for my daughter and it kept her busy most of the Saturday afternoon cutting out shapes and decorating them for the Christmas tree. I could just sit back and see her taken into another world of being creative. The duties of decoration solely stood on her shoulders and she is reveling in the appointment of the official Christmas tree Decorator.

Looking at her, a fast growing 11 yr old who, one the one side still wants Dolls and toys, but also old enough to notice all the Technology and Gadgets with 3 zero’s to many on the price tag.

Staying in a crafty frame of mind I cant help to think if making a gift for someone become something taboo? I understand life is busy and things are often chaotic. But I think we have become used to the idea or excuse that I cant be creative. I don’t have the time. Its to difficult. We rush out to the shops and spend hundreds on gifts that might end up in the back of their cupboard quickly forgotten or used once or twice and the novelty wears off.

Receiving or giving something from the heart should be a value we instill in our children. They should know and understand that its not about the money value placed on how expensive or how many gifts I have received or give. I can go deeper into the meaning of Christmas. That is not lost on me and I know the same for you. But this is real problem for me when I see people sometimes cripple themselves to buy gifts, not just financially, but the stress to perform and rush through a mall to buy and buy just robs the joy out of Christmas.

So with that said. I hope I can entice you to think out of the box by grabbing some of my ideas for gifts and gift wrapping and make it your own. I hope you find the joy in giving something you have made or  created yourself.

Couple years back I made gifts for my in laws. I saw on Pinterest this awesome idea on how to use Modge Podge, a photocopied picture and a wooden slab. I decided this would make great wall clocks. Click here for a quick tutorial from “The Woot”

In my case I used a wooden box I could buy from the nearest hardware shop which included the clock mechanism. The Modge Podge I made myself (Pinterest is loaded with some recipes). I went through my Picture albums and photocopied the pages. I will post the link for you here. I spent under R100 for each clock I made. This idea is so easy, you can use pictures of flowers and transfer it onto a set of coasters or perhaps even place mats. I bet you can even come up with an idea yourself.

That same Christmas all the little ones clubbed together and made me a string of beaded necklaces with matching bracelets and earrings. I loved this and still wear it today. Beads are readily available and making jewellery is not rocket science.  Why not include the transfer project onto a jewellery box?

One year I saw large glass cookie jars. They were budget friendly so I grabbed some before they were sold out. I went home and baked enough cookies to fill each jar. Pretty ribbon around with a handmade card and teachers gifts were done for the year.

For the bakers in the family. Baking rusks or cookies makes lovely gifts. Especially if you decorate them with chocolate chips or cherries and colorful icing drizzle on top. Kids can help and they will love handing them out to Granny or Granddad.

Cook different Chutneys or jams. Buy little jars and in pretty boxes present gifts with your homemade chutney or jam. Perhaps add a little packet of Melba toast or crackers to enjoy together.

Infuse Olive oil with chilly or garlic and fresh herbs. This by far is the easiest to do. If you can get hold of clear glass bottles you are A-for-Away.

The same can be done if you want to perhaps make some pickles. Pickle some chilly or garlic.

For those who frequently sit with achy muscles. Why not sew a rice bag that can be heated in the microwave? Here is an easy pattern for you.

The list is endless. I can go on and on. I personally love if I receive gifts that is homemade. I love body lotions and nice smelling stuff. There are many working moms with a side hustle trying to make ends meet. I can almost guarantee you wont need to look very hard for someone to order from. In turn you can boost their morale by the added sales.

I’m going to post a link here for more amazing ideas, as I can honestly go on and on. I will keep you busy forever.

Now all these wonderful gifts you have needs some beautiful wrapping paper. My sister Tan-yah came up with a wonderful idea one year. She bought cheap linen fabric and cut bags which she sew together with colorful embroidery cottons. Using fun stamps she decorated each of our gift bags and using felt sewn our names on each bag. I can honestly say she could have handed me a bag of onions. The bag itself was wonderful to receive and I still have it today.

Another cool idea is get the kids to paint on sheets of craft paper. It will personalize each and every gift you wrap this year. Its fun for them and cheap on your pocket.

Don’t forget to share your magnificent ideas…After Christmas of course