Top Ten 10 Things To Make as Gifts this Christmas….

Disclaimer: making gifts if done right takes more time and effort than buying a gift ever would. They are truly a labor of love. Here is the list:

1. Mix CDs: This is only ok if they are amazing. Either make a set like Best of Rock, Pop, Etc. Or Road Trip CD, Breaking Up CD, Christmas CD, Don’t Feel Good CD, Angry CD. Or a CD for each month. All should have notes and be decorated-see what I mean it is harder.
2. Note Cards: When my sister turned 19 I made her 20 note cards each had a reason why I liked her. Now since I am no artist I just wrote them out in different colors and it was only part of a gift. But if you are artistically inclined you could draw the reason, take a photo, make a scrapbook, once you start ideas will flood believe me. Oh and don’t forgot one to grow on.
3. Bouquet of Something: I am pretty sure I stole this idea. But what do they love wooden spoons, Sharpies, School Supplies, Golf, anything that can be placed as a bouquet will work. Just tie together and put in a vase.
4. Heart Attack: So this is something really lame you usually do for someone just for fun. But basically you cut out card stock hearts write why you love someone on the hearts. Then glue the hearts to forks (fork down) and stick them in their lawn and doorbell ditch. This is harder to do in say a colder climate because the ground is too hard to get a fork into.
5. Scrapbook Pages: This one is hard because it is really easy to get overwhelmed. I am a tad OCD about my pages so I can do a few in an hour. And this is one where you have to go above and beyond otherwise it just looks like you slapped something together. First off do you have enough pictures? I planned to do this for my brother once and then came to find I only had a handful of pictures, and not the 10 pages I hoped for.
6. Letter: This is just nice with any gift. A handwritten letter is always cherished in my book. Tell them your fave Christmas memory of them. 10 reasons you love them, 10 things only you two laugh at, 10 fave moments with them or just tell them you love and are proud of them.
7. What Can you Do?: I have a friend who can free draw amazingly well she handmade a calendar. Another she is a pro at Photoshop she also made a calendar. Me I can take pretty good portraits (not technically great) but the person looks like themselves and I take a ton so there is always at least one good one. You can take portraits of your brothers and sisters for your mom. The place you used to vacation, the house you grew up in, it goes on and on.
8. Recipes: This one can really be a labor of love. You have a sister who bakes? Or a couple of siblings who would love copies of Grandma’s recipes? Copy them over and put them in a book for them to start and have. Or print and bind them.
9. Kits: So many ways to go on this one. Heidi makes date kits for her parents. I made her a road trip kit when she left for MI. Let’s say they are about to change jobs. Make them a new job kit, something to put on their desk, some inspirational quotes, a list of sick excuses, a list of things to never say to your coworkers, a list of lunch places around their new office, letters for along the way: open at your first lunch, open when you get home after your first week there, open when you need a pep talk, etc.
10. What do they like?: Are they all about baking- make them a baking kit. Do they love the spa treatments make some bath salts, hair treatment etc. If you have the time and the effort you can always find something.

And 2 I Don’t Like That I Always Receive...
1. Anything that is cute yet useless: it will just sit in your closet. Oh a fuzzy paperweight with my initials thanks so much! A remote control cozy awesome! A handmade doll I am 23 with no kids and they kind of creep me out, but it sure is pretty! Oh sweet another throw pillow I have an even doezen now yay!
2. I Like to Make This So That is What You Are Getting: I like to scrapbook so someone has to drop a hint if they want pages, otherwise I just think I am doing it for my own enjoyment. I also make a mean cheese ball but you may hate cheese. On the other hand my sister makes cookies every year for her group of friends and it usually involves at least 6 separate types of cookies and a decorative tin so who would not want that. Just be sure you are making a gift for someone not just continuing your hobby.