Let’s get this clear:\u00a0 A handmade gift is one of those gifts that can go terribly wrong.\u00a0 If it doesn’t fit, is the wrong color, wrong style, or if it’s just plain ugly, it can’t be returned.<\/p>\n
Mothers and grandmothers will, of course, absolutely love a handmade gift, any handmade gift, from their child or grandchild – even if it is the most puzzling, atrocious creation they’ve ever beheld.<\/p>\n
Everyone else – be careful.\u00a0 Your handmade gift may make some very awkward moments.<\/p>\n
Well chosen and crafted, a handmade gift can be a delightful way to show someone how well you know them and how much you care about them.<\/p>\n
Handmade gifts can also be great last minute gifts.<\/p>\n
That said, I’ve been thinking about handmade gifts that have a good chance of being well received. Here are some ideas.<\/p>\n
[12\/07\/16 Broken Links were updated and replaced]\u00a0 [12-20-17 broken links were updated and\/or replaced]<\/p>\n
This is a good gift for the person who likes to bake and cook. Especially when baking or cooking with flour, most cooks will at least once in a while want to wear an apron to keep their clothes from getting splatters and flour smudges.\u00a0 Unless you are quite sure of the person’s taste, avoid exotic or cheesy designs and go for functional, yet pretty.<\/p>\n
One thing that makes an apron perfect as a handmade gift is that it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece in order to be functional.\u00a0 In fact, if an apron is too pretty the cook might be reluctant to wear it and risk staining it!<\/p>\n
Here are a few easy apron instructions that I found:<\/p>\n
The instructions are detailed and the aprons are lovely.<\/p>\n
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These are nice because they are meant to be tucked away in a drawer, which takes a lot of the pressure off of making them look perfect.<\/p>\n
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This makes a small notebook that is nice for keeping next to the phone or in the car.\u00a0 Add a pen to complete the gift.<\/p>\n
For the really creative, this can be used to make an actual book, such as a book of original poems, or a book of quotes.<\/p>\n
See Kate Sew – A Little Tutorial for Making Little Books<\/a><\/p>\n – made with Epsom salts, so can be used for a foot soak instead.<\/p>\n These are very pretty as well as practical.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’m not particularly fond of cutting up perfectly readable books, so I suggest using a book that is hopelessly outdated, or perhaps has damaged or missing inside pages.\u00a0 As long as the cover and spine are in good shape, this project can make an attractive hidden storage book.<\/p>\n If you have a printer and a word processing program such as MSWord or OpenOffice you can make a personalized calendar.\u00a0 Use photos of the family, the pets, the house, the surrounding city, or even favorite vacation photos for each month.\u00a0 If possible, note birthdays, anniversaries, and other special days on the calendar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – layer the dry ingredients for baked goods in an attractive pattern in a jar.\u00a0 Be sure to attach a card or printout with the recipe and baking instructions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This one I personally like .\u00a0 It’s unique as well as practical.\u00a0 It can be used in a car or purse to neatly store all those little receipts, sales tickets, and scraps of paper.\u00a0 It can also be used for storing the same small papers in a drawer or on a desk.\u00a0 If you avoid the flowered patterns and go for a masculine color, this is even a great gift for the man in your life to keep track of papers in the garage or glove box.<\/p>\n There are many variations on this one … but I really like this one that uses a deck of cards:<\/p>\n A key to this gift is to make it personal.\u00a0 Try to stay away from cliches like “You help me ” and instead be more specific “I love how you open the garage door for me when I get home.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hopefully these will give you some ideas for handmade gifts.\u00a0 Now, you’d better pick your gift and get started if you want to get it done in time!<\/p>\n Merry Christmas!\u00a0 I hope you and your family have a holiday filled with peace, joy, love, and prosperity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related posts:\u00a0 Fat Dollar – Inexpensive Gift Ideas <\/a><\/p>\n Simple Life – Meaningful Gift Ideas<\/a><\/p>\n Fat Dollar – Last Minute Low Dollar Gift Ideas<\/a><\/p>\n Related posts from The Fat Dollar –\u00a0 More Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas \u2013 $10 or Less!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
4.\u00a0 Bath snowballs<\/h2>\n
Fragrant Bath Snowballs <\/a><\/h4>\n
5.\u00a0 Planted arrangement – spices, herbs, flowers<\/h2>\n
Try this Mini Succulent Garden <\/a>from\u00a0 Real Simple<\/h4>\n
or Christmas Flower Gift<\/a><\/h4>\n
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6. Secret Treasures Book<\/h2>\n
How2dostuff has good instructions for How to Make a Secret Hollow Book<\/a><\/h4>\n
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7.\u00a0 Family Calendar<\/h2>\n
Here are some calendar templates\u00a0 calendarlabs.com Photo Calendar<\/a><\/h4>\n
Microsoft Office has many free calendar templates office.microsoft.com<\/a><\/h4>\n
8.\u00a0 Cookies or Bread in a Jar<\/h2>\n
Here is one for Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread<\/a><\/h4>\n
And one for Cowgirl Cookies<\/a><\/h4>\n
\u00a0M & M Cookies in a Jar
\n<\/a><\/h4>\nChristmas Cookies in a Jar<\/a><\/h4>\n
9.\u00a0 Bookmarks<\/h2>\n
I love these beautiful bookmarks<\/a> you can make with stray earrings<\/h4>\n
10.\u00a0 Oilcloth Receipt Wallet<\/h2>\n
Oilcloth Receipt Wallet<\/a><\/h4>\n
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11.\u00a0 Things I love about you list<\/h2>\n
52 Reasons i love you<\/a> – this is a gallery showing many variations of the card book.\u00a0 You can also purchase and download a template on this site if you are in a hurry.<\/h4>\n
50 Reason Why I Love You Jar<\/a> – this sweet idea uses candy and small stickers to deliver the messages<\/h4>\n