With the holidays rapidly approaching, I am beginning to feel the urge to get prepping. I always try to plan ahead and buy things all year long that catch my eye when they are on sale, or things that I think would make a great gift and I won’t be able to buy later. This way, I’m not blowing my budget all at once. Thank you, Dave Ramsey.
However, I’m feeling a desire to be more purposeful in my gift giving. To give something that’s truly from the heart or that would really mean a lot to the receiver. Don’t get me wrong, I always have this purpose in mind, but I’m thinking along the lines of homemade. For one thing, it’s generally much more frugal, and for another, it can truly show how much you care – or don’t, depending on how the gift turns out. 😉 Which leads me to my next point: we’ve all received homemade/handmade gifts that were less than desirable, no? You know what I’m talking about – the hunk of fruitcake that was made in a coffee can and has a taste that’s reminiscent of Folgers; the hand-knit sweater from a great aunt that makes you a front-runner for next year’s ugly sweater contest; the jar of hot fudge that is so thick and hard, you couldn’t chip it out with a jackhammer. You get the idea. While I’m sure that gifts such as these were truly good intentions and heartfelt, I would rather give a gift that can be cherished and enjoyed, not thrown in the compost pile or passed along to Goodwill.
So. Tell me. What homemade gifts do you enjoy giving/receiving? What is the best you have received? Worst? What do you hate to receive that’s homemade? What are you looking forward to making this year? Please leave me a comment and share your thoughts. Looking forward to it…
Closing with a picture I love:
This one was taken out my dining room window. It is the view that I am blessed with in the morning while I enjoy my coffee. Absolutely beautiful.
This post was linked to: Freaky Friday , Small Footprint Fridays, Homestead Barn Hop, Simple Lives Thursday
dwellinginthesecretplace 
Verginia
November 9, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Great Idea, Barb!
Back in the day when we were rubber stamping cards, one of my daughters used to make me a supply of cards for me to give out for the upcoming year (thank you’s, birthday, etc.), ribbon them up and put them in my stocking. It was lovely, but so touching I found it hard to give my favorites away. It was very practical, frugal, personal and memorable. I still have some and they are precious to me!
dwellinginthesecretplace
November 9, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Thanks Verginia! That is a great idea ~ especially b/c I hate buying cards – they are so expensive!
Jim Beattie
November 9, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Sorta like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2VFgHGKzx4 You’ll remember this. 🙂
dwellinginthesecretplace
November 12, 2012 at 7:34 am
Ha! Good times. 🙂 Maybe you’ll get a cigar box this year…
Jim Wendy Rhodes
November 11, 2012 at 12:51 am
For the past 7 years I’ve made fudge. I make 35 to 40 lbs. each year. We give it to our clients, church family, and our friends and family. It takes me 1 to 2 weeks to make, cool, cut and pack. I have it down to a science! Everyone looks forward to it each year. One client would always ask for it before they left town for Christmas. They would use it as a bribe for their children while on the plane! Depending on how much I pack per “gift” (large families I give them more) it’s $3 to $5 dollars. That includes the packaging and a card. So not to bad!
I also have made and recieved the meal-in-a-jar. I love them! Instead of jars, you can get cute baggies to put them in at the dollar store. I like to give and recieve things that can be used, not something that will just collect dust or take up space.
Hope you come up with something! And please share with us what you end up doing.
Wendy
dwellinginthesecretplace
November 12, 2012 at 7:35 am
Sounds like a lot of work, Wendy! How kind of you. I’ll try and update what I did after the holidays…don’t want to give away any surprises. 😉 But, maybe I’ll post w/a few of my favorite ideas.
Kim Kohlman
November 11, 2012 at 7:34 am
I second the cards!!! Jelly, salsa, chutney, apple butter etc. I know lots of people make this stuff but some people don’t and if they do your recipe may be different so yummo! Soaps, and lotions:) One year my mom made my sister and I a large muslim bag with a Santa painted on it to load gifts to the many places we have to travel for the holidays, we love them. Kim
dwellinginthesecretplace
November 12, 2012 at 7:37 am
Will you bring my presents to me in the Santa bag? 😉 How sweet. One of our old neighbors made my kids a “snowman” kit ~ she painted a snowman on a muslin bag, and then filled it w/a hand knit scarf, a dowel w/a wooden carrot on the end, etc. They loved it.
Stephanie
November 11, 2012 at 10:05 am
I love receiving jellies. My sister in law cans everything and I love when she gives out her raspberry or strawberry jams. My other sister in law has made me homemade cards as well to use for the year and I loved mine too. Its a great idea for a gift.
dwellinginthesecretplace
November 12, 2012 at 7:38 am
Hmmm, sounds like homemade cards is in the running for the winner… 😉
Teri Gelseth
November 16, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Yay for sure!
Melanie B.
November 17, 2012 at 3:33 am
I love to make ‘gifts from the heart’ (aka home made gifts)… I’ve made cards, jellies & jams given with a loaf of bread or English muffins, pickles, chex mix, Chrismas ornaments is a biggie for me…. I LOVE to find a few each year to make! Family have loved this and even commented how they are the most cherished of their collection! 🙂 Thanks for this thought provoking post…. I enjoy Simple Lives Thursday too! ~ Blessings, Melanie
Auburn Meadow Farm
November 26, 2012 at 3:23 am
To each his/her own. I know not all agree on this one, but I take the attitude that I’ll celebrate the way that is most meaningful to me and those who matter will either love it or not mind.
I’d much rather get a brick of a fruitcake than a Wal-mart sweater made in Bangladesh…
Thanks for the thoughtful post 🙂