Do you remember making reindeer ornaments out of wooden clothes pins in elementary school? All those homemade gifts used to make your mom and dad so proud. Why take away the fun of a homemade gift just because you’re grown up now? There are lots of things you can make yourself that will impress your closest family members and friends even more than something you can buy from a store.

Get Artistic!
Are you good at drawing, painting, or sculpting? Make homemade presents using your artistic muse! Put your artwork in a nice frame and wrap it up. If money is not an object, you could look into taking a blown glass making class at your local art studio, then make handmade blown glass ornaments for everyone on Santa’s list.

Get Cooking!
If you are a whiz in the kitchen, one of the easiest and tastiest presents can come in the form of a meal or treat. Layer the dry ingredients for brownies, cookies, or chili in a big glass jar. Cover the top with a piece of pretty seasonal piece of printed fabric and a ribbon, with the recipe attached to it.

These wintertime favorites are sure to be a hit.

Here’s a recipe for chocolate chip cookies – my favorite!

Put into a jar:

Instructions for the Tag:
1 cup butter or margarine softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Thoroughly blend together the butter or margarine, the egg, and the vanilla. Empty jar of cookie mix into the butter mixture. Mix until completely blended. Drop teaspoons full of batter about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Here’s another one for oatmeal cookies:

Put into a jar:

Instructions for the tag:
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl; thoroughly blend. Add the butter or margarine, the egg, and the vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Shape into 1 inch balls. Place on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet.

For diabetic family members, replace sugar with their favorite sugar substitute, and use whole grain flour. Remind them to use skim-milk in the recipe.

Then add a tag to the jar with the recipe to mix and bake.

Get Crafty!
Here are some directions to make a pretty holiday centerpiece that anyone can make, and people will be sure to love.

Holiday Potpourri Centerpiece:

Get a clear vase at your local crafts store. Buy a bag of fragrant potpourri (I like vanilla), and a string of 100 Christmas lights, colored or plain white. Layer the lights and potpourri in the vase until it’s full. Let the plug dangle out over the top of the vase. Tie a piece of printed fabric over the opening with a ribbon, leaving the plug trailing out under it. Plug it in, and you have a lovely sweet-smelling homemade gift.

If you have more advanced skills when it comes to home-making presents, try making soaps or candles!

There are lots of other ideas for easy and advanced homemade crafts both online and in books at your local library. Find your favorites and let your friends and family enjoy them.

Get Creative!
Do you have a hobby that would translate into an easily made gift? Maybe you know how to knit or crochet, and could make scarves for friends and family members. Maybe you are good at woodworking? Try making a spice rack or something else clever or handy as gifts.

Get Musical!
Maybe this holiday, you’d like to give the gift of music. Make a mixed tape or CD as a gift to friends and family members. Break out your favorite holiday music to use, and make a compilation of just Christmas music. Or if use an online music service, burn the songs you paid for onto CDs for friends and family members. Make sure to check with the site’s rules and music copyright laws before you start burning though.

Get Poetic!
Do you have a family member or friend who loves to read? Buy a nice journal from a stationary or book store. You can write all their favorite poems in it with a calligraphy pen. Or make up a short story with an inspirational message and dedicate the story to them.

Get Sentimental!
Remember all those family photos you have stuffed away in boxes in the closet? Time to break them out! You can use double prints to make collages and scrapbooks for your loved ones. Or go to a craft store and buy a simple craft frame. Get buttons, jewels, and other decorations to glue on your homemade frame. Then put a nice photo in it, sure to inspire happy memories from the past.

No matter what you choose to give as gifts this year, remember it’s not the money you spend, but the thought that counts!