We’ve just said our farewells to summer, but before we know it the holidays will come. And with the holidays comes a lot of work—expectations to please all the family and many of our friends.
I have some advice for all of us: if you enjoy giving gifts made by your own hand, limit the number of receivers and limit the size of your project. Don’t try to crochet comforters for more than one person. Don’t end up baking twenty dozen cookies. Keep the project manageable and both you and your recipient will enjoy the process.
Homemade gifts send a message. They say “I care about you enough to spend some of my precious time creating something I hope you love.” Remember when your children used to pick dandelions from the yard and bring them to you? You cherished them. So even if your efforts at a homemade treasure aren’t picture-perfect, the time and effort will show you care.
Let’s take a look at some of the most welcome homemade gifts and find some resources to help you make them:
Candles:
The Spruce Crafts All you need is a container, some wicking and wax. Add color or scents as you wish.
Live Simply Gather your ingredients and turn out beautiful candles in minutes.
Green Living Ensure your candles are non-toxic. Follow the simple directions from Green Living.
Old Walsh Farm Create rolled beeswax tapered candles quickly and with little mess.
Our Oily House Make candles the old-fashioned way. Learn to hand dip them. It’s worth the effort.
Bath Items
Hello Glow Create a variety of bath salts, bombs and scrubs for an at home spa experience.
Style Persuit Choose from a large variety of recipes to make body scrubs, body butters and soaks.
Humblebee and Me Whip up your favorite bath salts, body washes, soaps and bath biscuits.
Ornaments
The Pioneer Woman Choose from seventy-five cute Christmas ornament patterns including salt dough picture frames, gnomes, and snow globes.
Stylin by Sarita This is a selection of cute tree ornaments made with a variety of supplies including pasta, yarn, corks, ribbon, bells and seashells.
The Purple Pumpkin More holiday ornaments made from burlap, dried fruits, glass balls and mason jar lids. Even the grandkids can help with these.
Food Items
Taste of Home This site is a treasure trove of homemade food items to give as gifts. From sweet to savory, you’ll find several items to add to your gifts made with love.
Martha Stewart Martha is still going strong in her 80’s. She has curated fantastic recipes to create as gifts including currant jelly and brown sugar chocolate chunk shortbread cookies. Her wrappings also make the gift extra-special.
Great British Chefs Some truly spectacular gift items here. Look for Christmas muffins in a jar, apple jellies or macarons for some tasty gift items.
Crocheted Projects
Sarah Maker This site is a treasure trove of free holiday crochet patterns from ornaments, to coasters, hats and more.
Wonder Crochet Quick and easy projects such as bookmarks, bows, purses and pouches.
Yarnspirations Find patterns for scarves, ponchos, dishcloths and baskets.
Simple Sewing Projects
Hello Sewing This site has many free and easy patterns. You can make a grocery bag, a travel pillow, a fabric luggage tag or a zipper pouch.
Hobbycraft Create a make up bag, an apron, dinner napkins or a cute tote bag. Lots of choices.
Sew Can She Sew a pillowcases or two, a wallet, a soft doll or a beautiful mini-quilt.
So sit down and make your gift list. Select the craft you wish to tackle and get busy. If you start now you’ll have plenty of time to complete a lovely array of homemade gift items.
