Handmade gifts

I am going to take your idea Grandbatty ,
and give to the food bank and suggest my friends do too.
Thank you ?

I would love to be on your waiting list Pantglas. ?
Homemade chutney and jams are soo much nicer than shop bought.
My sister is like you, turning seasonal produce into preserves and sending some my way.
As long as I return the empties, washed, I get a new jar ?

My group of friends stopped exchanging gifts a long time ago and had a meal together instead pre Christmas. None of us ‘make things’ that could be given as gifts.
It is doubtful that a meal will happen this year as we are 4 from 4 different households ?

One group of friends and I decided to donate to a food bank instead of giving each other gifts. Another friend and I go out for a meal instead of exchanging gifts. I think hand made gifts are lovely. Have you tried making candles? There are kits to get started. Or soap?

Love that idea pantglas2 think that’s much more personal.

Some people love hand crafted gifts,others are less than impressed. As someone who loves crafting I have often thought it would be easier,and often cheaper to get a card out of a cheap box and wrap up a banal toiletry set?. So I choose my recipients carefully!
I would love to do edible gifts but I'm not a chutney or jam maker and there is the issue of items staying fresh if given out a week or so before Christmas.
Last year I made popcorn kits. I put popcorn kernels in a pretty jar. In a smaller jar I put homemade popcorn seasoning.
This year I'm knitting an ipad case for my daughter, at her request.
I've found some lovely jewel art bookmarks and key rings sets that I need to start on. Plus Christmas mug cosies ?

I do know what you mean Calendargirl - I had an aunt who insisted on knitting/crocheting hats and scarves but the colours just didn’t suit me!

My jewellery making friend knows me better and chooses a colour from what I wore the last time I saw her - clever girl!

There’s actually a waiting list for my preserves - those who save the jam jars are near the top for obvious reasons!

I don’t mean to sound negative, and I’m not talking about myself, as I am pleased to be given a pot of home made preserves, but you often see unwanted home made Christmas gifts on bring and buy stalls later in the year, or re-gifted to a friend as “oh, we don’t eat chutney, jam etc”.
And someone offered me some home knitted gloves only a few days ago, an unused gift, to go in a shoebox for the homeless, so they will be appreciated.

My friends and I haven’t done proper presents in years but I always give a pot of my homemade ‘something’ in a voile bag - Red Onion Marmalade was last year’s offering!

One friend makes mini Christmas cakes, another makes jewellery so earrings/bangles come my way which is lovely.

OH is getting a flight on a seaplane from Loch Lomond. The adults will get consumables (e.g. lovely cheeses, port) as most of my friends and family prefer not to add to their possessions and the children will have money sent to their parents who will choose something wanted, needed and appropriate and not necessarily tangible. (e.g. horse riding or dance lessons).