Condo Blues: 30 Homemade Gift Ideas for Women, Men, Girls, Boys and Dogs

Thursday, December 2, 2010

30 Homemade Gift Ideas for Women, Men, Girls, Boys and Dogs

I Christmas shop year round for items as well as for ideas. That way I have time to make sure my gift is meaningful to the recipient. It spreads the spending out throughout the year so I never have to pay with credit. Sometimes I buy and sometimes I DIY it really depends upon what I think the person will like or need that year.




Jenn of The Green Parent  suggested to those of us in The Green Mom’s Carnival with craftier blogs could write about gifts/decorations that folks could make with the stuff they already have around the house as a way to offer suggestions on how to celebrate the holidays without going overboard.

This year my DIY options are severely limited. I killed my sewing machine last year making Christmas gifts. Seriously. The thing won’t run. At. All.

*whimper*

Since I can't make anything new, I went through some old posts and came up with 30 ideas for homemade holiday gifts for women and girls, men and boys, families, and your little dog too!



7 Homemade Gifts for Women and Girls


1. Peppermint and Kahula Sugar Scrubs While you’re at it make a little extra for yourself for some holiday pampering.

2. Buttercup purses  I got so many compliments on the purse that I made for myself that I made them for others as gifts. This is a great stash buster project! 

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3. Microwave Soy Candles My mom makes these candles with glasses and containers she buys at her local thrift store.

I dearly love these candles – HINT. (Got that Mom?)


4.Woven Ribbon and Washer Bracelet 

I always get compliments on this bracelet when I wear it.


5.Ironing Board CoverThis might be a strange gift but if you know someone who has a beat up ironing board cover that they are meaning to replace and never do, they could probably use an iron board cover that coordinates with their laundry room.
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I think ironing is evil, hence the flaming skulls.

6. Hair Bow Barrettes are so crazy simple and cheap to make I can't believe I actually bought hair bows back in the day!


7. Lavender sachets I used lavender I dried from my garden but you can buy dried lavender buds at The Container Store for the same purpose.


4 Homemade Gifts for Men and Boys

1. Prince of Wails Onsie I made this for baby Mr. N from a baby snap suit I had in my sewing stash. You could also make this for a Princess of Wails too.



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4. Pajama/Sleep pants  Husband and I live in the fleece pairs she made for us.  Since all of the organic material was baby themed, I went with licensed sports team fabric in fleece or cotton depending upon where the person lived. They were a hit! Especially the fleece pants. Girls will appreciate this gift too.


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The pink girly skull camo sleep pants are mine - thanks Mom!

5 Homemade Gifts for Dogs


At my house, dogs get Christmas gifts and have a Christmas stocking. I'm not ashamed to admit it.


1. Personalized dog towel
I found this orphan organic cotton towel on sale and made into a towel for Blitzkrieg's dog cousin Chopper. Yeah, the dogs have organic towels. Do I? No. *pout*

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2 Braided fleece dog chew toys I make these from the fabric scraps from projects I do throughout the year and sometimes old towels too worn for another reuse. They are the only toy that lasts longer than a day with Chopper, who likes to live up to his name by chewing things. Lots of things.



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3. Allergy Free Apple and Banana Dog Treats Both Blitzkrieg and Chopper are allergic to corn and wheat. It's easier to make their treats so I know exactly what is in them.

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Blitzkrieg says hi


4. Paw Print Dog Blanket  I made this blanket from a dollar store baby blanket and scarves for a craft challenge but you could easily do the same thing with scrap fabric. 

 Hi again.


5. Dog Bowl Wall Art and a Raised Dog Feeder 

 

It's not like my dog is spoiled or anything. 
He appreciates good design much as the rest of us.


7 Homemade Family Gifts

1. Corn hole bean bags and game boards  I sewed the bags and built the game boards because I'm awesome like that.
 
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2. Cloth Napkins Using this gift of Christmas napkins got me into the habit and let me ditch disposable paper napkins altogether.
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3. His and His Embroidered Towels Of course you could also make this for a His and Hers or a Hers and Hers house too.


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4. Framed Kid Art Miss M drew this picture of Blitzkrieg when she was four. I love it.

 

20 comments :

Melissa O said...

Thank you so much for all the great ideas. I'm definitely going to make my dog the braided toys. She goes through the rope toys I buy at the store in an hour (maybe minutes). I think these would last longer.

The apple and banana dog treats look good but she is allergic to eggs otherwise I would be making those also.

Anonymous said...

I would love to make the soy candles, but the link you have doesn't work (it goes to a "this page no longer exists" page).

Do you have another link?

Jessica

Lisa said...

Thank you for posting these! I see a few things to add to my list!

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Jessica - sorry about the dead link I put this post together a little too quickly last night. I fixed the link.

Lisa said...

Awesome list. You should add this to the Linky on my blog carnival-
http://www.retrohousewifegoesgreen.com/2010/11/green-holiday-blog-carnival_29.html

Carol said...

I am lovin' all these homemade ideas! My Gracie is gluten-free also, so I will definitely try out the treats, and who doesn't love homemade food goodies?! I will definitely link up to this post at some point; it is too good not to share!

Carol
antiquetexan.blogspot.com

AllieMakes! said...

FABULOUS ideas! Thank you so much for sharing them!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Wow--so many great ideas here--thanks for sharing!!

Stephani said...

Such wonderful ideas!! Thanks so much for sharing with Crafty Friday!

Jenn said...

What great ideas! Thanks for putting this together. I am definite making a few of these for the folks on my holiday list!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Terrific ideas! I was looking forward to seeing the Peppermint Kahlua scrub idea, but the link says "Condo Blues" doesn't exist. But we know better than that. ;)

Thanks for linking your creative talent to my party. I look forward to seeing you each week.

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Brambleberry Cottage - I fixed the link. Sorry about that!

Nike@ChooseToThrive said...

Love all the great ideas! Thanks especially for the clippy link--my two little girls thank you.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

This is a fabulous list - thank you for sharing. I've been meaning to make a buttercup bag. Been wanting to try that. My grandpa made the bags game for each of us grandkids one year. Great gift!

Thanks for linking to Dare to DIY!

Lori aka Groovy Green Livin said...

Fabulous ideas-thanks for sharing! My favorites are all the doggie toys, treats, blankets and towels. My chocolate lab would be in heaven with any of these.

Green Bean said...

Wow, the soy microwave candles are really really intriguing. I'll have to give those a shot!

Ginger said...

Great ideas! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

Santa's Gift Shoppe and Ideas said...

Hi
Just wanted to let you know that I “ Featured” you on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Blog Hop today for your great project & inspiration! Be sure to grab the “I was featured” on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Button/Code for your sidebar! You deserve it! Thanks so much..If you’re not a follower already we’d love for you to join us...
Barb

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

What great ideas! I love that you included furbabies, too! Thanks so much for joining the party!

Anonymous said...

Your dog is SO cute. Like OMG. Love him :)

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