Christmas Plans start today.

**marylp** · 09-19-2009, 10:09 AM

It is going to be rough this year guys. So I am planning my gift giving now. It is going to be mostly homemade stuff. I have a huge family and some people from work and church that I would like to give to. Any ideas on what to make and give. Last year I gave 6 people jars of dried onions, cilantro and parlsley that I dried myself. Made a really pretty "gourmet" gift. I am thinking of gifting this again to different people and maybe also using other dried stuff. I wont give this to people that I know don't cook. Are you making anything homemade.

I know its early, but time is speeding by. Any ideas? Mary

**Pal334** · 09-19-2009, 11:01 AM

I have been making the wooden trucks all summer. A few at a time. Have to stock up, probably more kids this year than last will need them. I hurt my back last week so am slowed down for a little bit. But will keep puttering with them. I think I will distribute through the township pantry, that way the parents can have something to wrap. As I grow older, I appreciate the value of homemade stuff more.

**Rick** · 09-19-2009, 11:05 AM

Here's a link from a couple of years ago on Christmas gifts.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...christmas+gift

And a few more ideas:

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...christmas+gift

**Winnie** · 09-19-2009, 11:19 AM

For several years now, I've been making donations to charities on behalf of my family members. It's not much and I choose small charities that are relevant to each person. Most of my family have way too much stuff and this a way of giving something real. I then just give them all a small bag of chocolate coins(yes the adults too!) for christams day.

**BENESSE** · 09-19-2009, 11:52 AM

I started doing this years ago and it's been a huge hit.

It's a "gift certificate" custom designed with each person in mind to be used at their discretion. And it involves your time.
For example, a gift of day of babysitting for a busy couple, a home cooked meal for 2 (4, 6?) brought over and served by you, a foot rub, a ride to somewhere fun for an older person who is no longer driving, etc., etc., you get the idea.

10 years ago I was a recipient of such a gift and its thoughtfulness brought tears to my eyes. Nothing else came close before or since.

**marylp** · 09-19-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks everyone! and BENESSE, what a great idea! Last year I gave homemade laundry detergent in a cute bag and the reciepe printed on pretty paper, that was a big hit also.
I really like the "gift dertificate" idea!

**Sourdough** · 09-19-2009, 09:48 PM

I give a nice BIG Goose. They just bend over and get the GOOSE......or I can deliver the goose........They can choose from a big fat GOOSE, or a young smallish goose.

**Rick** · 09-19-2009, 11:31 PM

So....does that make you the gooser or the geezer?

**Sourdough** · 09-19-2009, 11:49 PM

Tis' more blessed to be a gooser....than a gooseeeee

**oldsoldier** · 09-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Mary..... Homemade gifts IMO are better than anything in the store. It shows you took the time to make it personal. In addition to the store bought stuff, Everyyear I make some kind of "jewelry" for everyone on my list as I have said before I am 1/2 cherokee so I make that kind if stuff. Usually using bone hair pipe beads, leather, glass and brass beads and such. I,ve made chokers, key chains, hat bands, braclets, and such. They seem to go over better than the Figi's candy or the Cabela's jerky.

**LindyLu** · 09-20-2009, 09:00 AM

In my family, we all agree that the very best Christmas was the one that was 100% homemade. We're doing it again this year and my gifts to each will be a family cookbook, complete with short family/friend story & a photo of the person that gave me the recipe. I got a bundle of plain white 3 ring note books at Sam's very cheap and will be using greeting card weight paper. The books can be added to as time goes by and makes it kind of an ongoing gift idea. As to some smaller gifts (must have lots to open), will be fire starters made with saved drier lint and melted candle ends in pretty Dixie cups. Hope this helps.
LindyLu

**Rick** · 09-20-2009, 09:57 AM

My daughter has done a calendar with all the family events marked out (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). Each month has a family photo in place of where the advertising would be in a regular calendar. For the individual events, she put a picture of that person for birthdays and that couple for anniversaries. It was really pretty cool.

Something along these lines.

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