Homemade Gift Ideas
While the economy is getting back on its feet, many of us are still trying to find ways to save a little money. Homemade gifts can be a great frugal gift idea and also a way to show that you care. Unlike a new book or CD bought off of Amazon, these gifts take a little more time and effort, and the results are more unique and interesting. Homemade gifts don’t have to be cheesy, cheap, or purely sentimental, either. Check out these ideas for fun, useful, and cost-effective homemade gifts.
Homemade Food Items
Honestly, who doesn’t love receiving something delicious for a present? While you can’t usually go wrong with a batch of made-from-scratch chocolate chip cookies, homemade food gifts can be a lot more creative than that. For a more mature gift, consider making someone these attractive and tasty flavored vinegars and oils that they can use for cooking. With a few small jars and some creativity, you can put together a “spice sampler” set, featuring spices prominent in different cuisines around the world. Homemade granola is inexpensive to make too, and you can find many different recipes online. Package it in an attractive jar with a ribbon around the top.
Of course, cookies, truffles, and other bite-size dessert treats usually don't go unloved. To personalize them and make them special, consider cooking them in special shapes, or using them spell out a pertinent message. Packaging can also go a long way to making this gift a real heart warmer. Have a friend who recently found out she is going to have a baby? Package her truffles in clean baby food jars.
Food kits are another creative and simple food gift. Food kits consist of creatively packaging all the necessary ingredients for cooking one specific item. For example, put all the ingredients for chocolate-chip pancakes in a mason jar; layer the ingredients one by one in the jar to make it look attractive. Other possibilities include homemade muffin mix, along with a muffin tin (great for a new college student), or homemade hot cocoa mix, packed in a cute mug.
Artistic Presents
Another great class of homemade presents calls for getting out your scissors and art supplies. Homemade art presents can range from the truly useful, to decorative, to kitschy; there’s likely a fitting idea for everyone on your list.
In the decorative and useful realm, teacup candles are an interesting project and involve transforming a pretty cup and saucer into a colorful candle. Homemade stationary is a nice, classic gift for the person who has everything. For gifts with a little more sentiment, consider making a calendar out of old photos, using free online programs. If you’ve got some time on your hands, collect memories from friends and family to put together a memory jar for a loved one.