I give gifts to quite a few people at work, so I'm always looking for something different that's not too expensive.  One year I made heating pad/trivets, which went over really well.  I made them in two layers - the inner layer was unbleached muslin, so the filling wouldn't leak out; the outer layer was in patterned fabrics that I picked up from the remnant bin.  I sewed roughly 8" x 8" squares out of both fabrics together, leaving 1 end open, turned them right sideout, then sewed channels 2" wide down the outside, filled each section about 2/3-3/4 full with rice and a few cloves (so it smelled good when heated) and sewed the end shut.  They could be used as heating pads (microwave for 2-3 minutes) or as trivets, and you can pick the outer fabric based on the intended use, and change the size as appropriate to the use.  I still the use the ones I made for myself over 4 years later - the cloves don't smell anymore, but the heating pads work great.

Hi Pat, I'll jump in with this being my first post.

Obviously, it depneds on how gifts are received by relatives. This year for the first time I am making everyone gifts-here are some ideas I have come up with

Guys: knitted socks, boxers in cute knit fabrics (sew the fly closed and they can wear around the house). Edible gifts. If he likes to cook, home made mixes and rubs for the bargecuer? If he likes to cook, a homemade apron and or cooking mit(this is what I will make for my father in law). If he plays golf, golf club covers, if he is a huge sports fan, a blanket or a pillow with his team's logo fabric? Homeade slippers look easy enough, although I have not made them. A ski hat or ski scarf? if it is a grandparent, a nice frame finished with a picture of the kids?

For teenagers: since I have two of my own and nieces in college...an underbed organizer, a wall organizer, bright pillows for their room, an afghan or quilt in their room colors, bright fleece or knitted scarves or hats, (there are a gazillion purses out there in terms of patterns), designer Ipod or phone cover. Any thing in their college colors or teem stuff. A laundry bag for their room, organizers for their room and desktop, a laptop cover if they are going off to university, a decorated journal or album. One of the things I am giving each of my kids for christmas is a decorated album with favorite family holiday recipes. If youhave the skill (I do not) jewelry like earrings or an ankel bracelt.

One of the things I am doing this year is making a pile of handmade cards for all occasions and giving them to someone in a nice folder to give.

Homade food baskets (you may have to add some purchased items. I will make hot fudge sauce, rasperry fudge sauce, strawberry sauce and so on and give it with ice cream toppings in a basket)

Placemats and napkins.

This blog has a gazillion sewing ideas -most of which are pretty easy

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=291

 Wow, thanks, everyone. I'm getting some good ideas, but keep them coming! 

I have boxes upon boxes of men's ties and as soon as I find my sewing machine(!), I think I may try a rug from them for my mother's bedside.  I'm not going to make it as big as some I have seen.  I'm just going to use half a tie.

I bought a handkerchief doll at Goodwill today for $1.  I need to handwash it to get a couple of dirty spots from one leg and the skirt, then I'll embroider baby  great-niece's name on the hem.

I'm also attempting a "woven" blue jean rug for my 9 yr old niece.  If it turns out okay, I'll make her a pillow to match.  I'm also going to make her a bulletin board and a purse from old jeans and buttons.  I have a pillowcase doll that I have done all of the embroidery work on for her also.  I just need to get the dall body sewn and stuffed.

For the 3 year old grat niece I'm going to make a "pocket" purse from the pockets of blue jeans and some buttons.  She thinks she is supposed to have things like her aunt (the 9 yr old).

I have no idea yet for DH's niece and her partner, nor for DH or my brother and his wife..  Daddy will get the next Francis book (assuming there is one) and lots of sweets.  I would love to be able to make things for some of them but it's hard to do.  Lauren and her partner garden and can and make beef jerky (that's what we get from them and it's soooooo good).  My brother & SIL aren't really into hand made presents even if I could think of soemthing for them.

Besides, the two rugs, purses, pillow and bulletin board will probably take me the rest of the year to do!

re-tired

my latest Prima magazine (british) has a couple of great ideas for xmas.   make a kneeler pillow for gardeners out of pvc fabric and with a handle. basically looks like a stuffed pillowcase with a handle on one end.  Also a outdoor cushion with a pvc fabric bottom and cotton top. for plopping down anywhere in the garden and sitting.

also buying garden tools and painting the handles for example red paint with polka dots for the gardener in your life.

Pat:

I know it's early, but not really too early to start making gifts for Christmas.

It's not knitting, but I was shown how to make earrings while I was in mexico. You only spend maybe a dollar a pair so i am going to try it.

 WE always made Chex Mix for Christmas. One friend expects a big bag from me. Last week, I was given a box of Rice Chex and Cheerios. Then Walgreens had Planters peanuts 2 for $5. I bought 4 cans of peanuts . Price was $10 less two coupons for $3 each so paid $4 for the 4 cans. Three cans of nuts and the cereal will be put back for Christmas. I found cans with a 2009 date. Babs

babs:

 WE always made Chex Mix for Christmas. One friend expects a big bag from me. Last week, I was given a box of Rice Chex and Cheerios. Then Walgreens had Planters peanuts 2 for $5. I bought 4 cans of peanuts . Price was $10 less two coupons for $3 each so paid $4 for the 4 cans. Three cans of nuts and the cereal will be put back for Christmas. I found cans with a 2009 date. Babs

I do the same thing Babs! But I call it Cajun Scrabble. I use Tony Chacere's Seasoning on it for the adults (gives it some kick). I love it because though it costs a little to get all the ingredients, it makes soooo much! I usually divide it up and put in those cute tin cans (you can get them after Christmas on sale for cheap, though this year I totally forgot!!!), lined with some tissue paper to absorb any grease and/or moisture. It's always a big hit.

God bless,

Julie 

 I look for tins at thrift stores and yard sales too. It makes a great gift to have a few extra in case someone shows up. DH is always willing to eat any leftovers. lol Babs

TexasQuilter:

if he is a huge sports fan, a blanket or a pillow with his team's logo fabric

That's a great idea! DB has asked for only two things so far this year, one being a Paul Pierce jersey (Boston Celtics).  I'm going to keep on the lookout for some Celtics fabrics and maybe I can make a very easy quilted blanket (I'm a novice at sewing) and a matching pillow.

I've come across several recipes for making apple butter in the crockpot. When harvest season comes around I'm going to try out one or two, and if it goes well I'll put up several pints to put in the food baskets.  I like the Chex Mix idea, I know I can do that in the crockpot, too! It would make a nice savory addition.  I always do up baskets for our friends & neighbors of cookies and candies and they look forward to it.  I also buy my baskets & tins at thrift stores and yardsales. If all else fails and I can't find something second-hand, our local Dollar Tree (everything $1) normally has a nice selection of baskets around Christmas.

I'd also like to make some ornaments, I haven't decided on the medium yet to make them.

A close friend of mine is pregnant, and she's due in January. I'd like to knit or crochet her a baby blanket. I haven't corcheted in years though, and I've yet to learn how to knit (something my mother can't do, either). I'll get something figured out!

My brother is going to school for ceramics/sculpting and art and is also really into photography. I'm going to keep an eye out for sculpting supplies, books, clays, etc. on sale along with sketchpads and charcoals to put together a gift for him.  My parents were taking an evening ceramics class with him and Dad really got into it, so maybe something along those lines for him also.  Mom's really into painting, so I'm going to look for oil paints & brushes on sale.  The bonus here being that its small enough to mail. Although my parents are looking into options for coming up to visit for Christmas along with my brother! That's about the best gift a girl could ask for