This is no help - It's too hot to think of Christmas gifts. There has to be fall type weather before the inspiration hits me to make Christmas gifts. Is that Primordial???  Edey.

elovestea:

Is that Primordial??? 

It's natural, I'm sure! I've noticed that when we have a cool, rainy day, I'm much more inclined to knit or gather food to put up for the winter.  

For the knitters, I once received a gift from my grandma the first year I owned my own car.  She bought an ice scrapper at the dollar store then knited a larg mitten over the handle part.  I love this and still use it to this day 17 years later.  I love how it keeps the ice and snow from getting all over your hands and keeps your hand warm at the same time.

Jenn

karenteacher:

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.

Someone gave me one of these (home-made) a couple of years ago for Christmas. I love it! I use it a lot when pregnant. I think the one I have has corn in it but not sure.

God bless,

Julie

juju_mommy:

karenteacher:

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.

Someone gave me one of these (home-made) a couple of years ago for Christmas. I love it! I use it a lot when pregnant. I think the one I have has corn in it but not sure.

God bless,

Julie

I like rice because the grains are smaller, so it forms better to wherever you're putting it - but you could use any small grain, I would think, or dried peas, or buckwheat hulls, or anything else that won't burn in the microwave.  Beans could work too - but they might be too large for comfort.

I like making knitted dishcloths/washcloths.  I use a simple pattern that seems to be everywhere.  I also use it on larger needles with some thick chunky yarn to make quick throws which are a good gift for anyone.  Winter hats seem to be a great gift for every man I know, at least in CT.

Daphne

I make Granola , puppy chow , fishy mix , give to different family ..

I've make Teddy Bears for my new Grand babies and I hired a lady to knit (I cant learn ) to make my DH a hand knitted sweater . 

I made three quilts so far.. two more to finish. 

Canned goods: watermelon rind pickles, cantaloupe jam, watermelon jam

My sister ALWAYS gives me a container of hot cocoa mix.  I love it.

I usually try to make Christmas ornaments.  Of course, I "think outside the box."  That is also my wedding gift when a couple gets married.  Long story.

Last year, I gave pre-made 6"x6" scrapbooks.  All they had to do was pull out the pages and put in their pictures.

For my out of state family, I'll be making baskets of all kinds of Kentucky foods--Ale 8 soda, home canned produce, Moonlite BBQ sauce, etc.  I know DH's brother and sister and their families really miss KY during the holidays.  Maybe a little "taste of home" will help them get through a little easier.  For my nieces and nephews, I'll be making those fleece throws with the knotted fringe.  Super easy and cheap too since Hancock fabrics has their fleece 50% off right now.  DH's employees will all get movie baskets (popcorn seasoning mix, popcorn, $5 gift card to Blockbuster, and movie candy from the Dollar Tree).  Haven't decided what to get our parents or my siblings yet.  Parents may get breakfast food baskets (jam, scone mix, et al).  My sister and her husband will probably be getting a Lowe's gift card as they just bought a house.  Unsure what to get my brother as he is really hard to buy for...

I have finished the mufflers/scarves for the 9 yr old and 4 yr old.  Need about 2 more rows of stitches for the 2 yr old.  Then I need to put tassels on the ends.  I do this while sitting with Daddy.  And get double duty out of it because crocheting around him seems to provide him some calmness since he can remember sitting around and watching his oldest sister (the one that passed away about a month ago) crocheting all of his life.

re-tired