I have a huge family so we usually draw names at Christmas (except for the kiddos). This year we decided to make our gifts rather than buying them. There's not a limit but mine needs to be on the lesser expensive side but not too el-cheapo. I don't want to do anything that requires sewing and don't want to do food. I know some of the ones I've talked to are doing everything from park benches, to grills to quilts so you see what I'm up against. This will not be for a specific person because we will just draw numbers to pick a gift. It doesn't really matter if it's for a male or female. I have no idea what to make! I want it to be nice and not just some little arts & craft trinket. Do any of you have any suggestions or any good web sites that may have some ideas? Thanks! (and candles are out b/c everyone has a ton of them already)
I make photo bottle cap necklaces & bracelets. I have sold them at craft fairs. Grandma's, sisters & Moms seem to really love them. My site is www.kimbows.vpweb.com and www.myspace.kimbowsetc.com if you want to check them out. It wouldnt be as big a gift as the grill & bench you mentioned but it might be a good supliment gift. Good luck!
Hi,
What about a family photo album or a large frame with a group of favorite pictures.
I am just starting on two photo albums for my 2 best friends birthday in December. I found a nice album at "Michaels" and have started selecting pictures from over the years to copy or get reprints of to put in the albums. I plan to type up little phrases and put next to the pictures.
Also, I have had custom made frames made in the past by a local company. I highly recommend the company called "Frame It" ###-###-####. I purchased frames from them at a craft show the first time years ago.
I recently made one of those blankets that you tie all the ends to make it look like a fringed look? You know what I mean? I saw one at Hobby Lobby and they actually had the instructions. It was SUPER easy! There is no sewing involved, just cutting and tieing. I made a flannel puppy dog quilt... so just buying the material was all you really have to do and get ready for some serious tieing.... hope this helps!
Maybe you could do a parenting survival kit (it sounds like at least some of you are married). If you have some prescription bottles you could put a lable on it with something like "Take one as needed to improve sanity" or "Take one as needed for creativity" and then put some M&M's or skittles or something like that inside. You could also put some little self pampering things in it or some little activities that could be used for the kids to do (Uno, or some other kiddie card games). If you have siblings who travel alot (even if it's just 5-6 hours) maybe a traveling survival kit. Something like that can be as inexpensive or "pricey" as you want to make it. You can also find some fun things to put inside it on the internet, where you just print it off...
I also read in a magazine once, to create a game based on family stories and such. You could do that. You could make a game board with pictures around it showing something from your childhood that has a fun story attached (you can collect memories from family members). Or you could make squares that say something like "Tell your earliest memory", "Tell about your favorite halloween costume", "Tell us your most memorable Christmas". You could do all sorts of fun things with that.
Anyway, I hope maybe that can get you started on brainstorming. It looks like no one else has posted yet. Good luck with it. I don't know what your hobbies and interests are, but these could be done by almost anyone.
