http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucda/20091214/lf_ucda/practicalgiftswinpraisefromolderfriendsfamily

Dear Abby gives a lot of good ideas for gifts to give older generations - practical, useful, and homemade. I know this helps me with some neighbors and grandparents. Hope it helps some of you, too.

Who is the gift for? :My stepfather
What is the occasion?: Christmas
List at least three of their interests: Motorcycles, classic rock (mainly AC/DC, Rush and Blue Oyster Cult), Three Stooges, The Simpsons
Any stipulations or things to avoid: No scarves. Nothing "girly".
What kind of crafting do you do? Crochet, jewelry making (which is not useful here), some cross-stitching
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: Something easy
Do you have a price range for materials? I'd like to try to work with what I already have, but I have no problem spending more money than I should at the craft store down the street.
Do you have a time limit to make this present? Until the big day. After tomorow, I should be less busy than I have
Any other information you'd like to include: I've already made ornaments and record bowls for everyone, but my stepdad is the only one who hasn't gotten something special yet. For instance I've made jewelry for my mom and sister, an amigurumi cat for my dad, etc. I have a good relationship with my stepfather and don't want to just dump last minute crap on him.

right, i go to a boarding school (music school) and all my friends there have loads of money, they are all very excited about the christmas presents that they've got me, cos i'm at home ill they keep telling me about them. i'm seeing them on friday and i need something to make for each of them. preferably personalised, but can be the same thing that i can change colour and pattern of. i'm very creative, but haven't learnt craft 'skills' as such..

WHO: 4 16 year old girls
INTERESTS: all things girly (though i'm not girly), very into christmas, and pretty but useful things. classical music.

don't have tons of materials or tons of money, so got to be cheap and done in 4 days....any suggestions?

SOphie xx

So I'm makin my mom some jewellery for christmas.. I've got everyone pretty much done. However I was considering making my boyfriend a sort of manly travel toiletries case/overnight bag.. kind of as a joke/subtle suggestion to stay over more, lulz.
Any sort of patterns out there for this type of thing??

Also if you have any other suggestions for him that'd be sweet!.. I'll fill out one of those thingies:

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Who is the gift for? The boy. It's been about 6 months. He's 24.
What is the occasion? Christmas.
List at least three of their interests: Ridiculously expensive/preppy brand-name things (burberry, polo--hence why I'm making things rather than buying them), drinking (but I don't really want to get him alcohol for Christmas, you know?), mobster/gangster movies (Goodfellas, Casino, The Usual Suspects, Guy Ritchie movies, etc.), guns (he collects them, maybe a bit eerie in light of his taste in movies--hmm), Sharks and turtles
Any stipulations or things to avoid: Nothing particularly sappy/emotional, it's not that sort of relationship. No scarves/hats.
What kind of crafting do you do? Sewing, knitting and crocheting (recently started felting), collage/decoupage, cooking but NOT so much the baking, doodling, painting
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: Most anything, I love making things
Do you have a price range for materials? Not particularly. Less than a Burberry belt, that's for sure.
Do you have a time limit to make this present? By Christmas! But I'm fast at crafting/have lots of free time at the moment

Thanks kid-skidoos!

I went shopping today and got all the materials i needed to make a sock monkey!

I had decided before-hand that this creation would be my christmas present for my best guy friend, so i started it today and it took me 3 hours to finish (since i am an amateur!! XD)

It doesnt look that nice but since it was my very first one i ever made, i feel like it is very special! =]

LOOK HERE IT IS!!!



*sorry i dont know how to LJ cut! =[ hope its ok

Who is the gift for? My good friend julie who is 20

What is the occasion? Christmas

List at least three of their interests: Music, nursing, pink, elvis, warm weather

Any stipulations or things to avoid (i.e., has to be something small, or they already have enough scarves, etc.): she has a lot of things hanging in her room so id rather not give her a decoration.

What kind of crafting do you do? Sewing, drawing, painting, ive dabbled in some jewelry and scrapbooking.

Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: anything

Do you have a price range for materials? just something reasonable. 20 dollars or so.

Do you have a time limit to make this present? xmas

Any other information you'd like to include: She bought me a concert ticket for christmas,so i really feel like i have to come up with something awesome. the clock is ticking and im feeling the pressure. haha. THANKS

And I have to say you guys are awesome! :D

So, money is tight this year (as it is for many of you, I imagine) and I have several folks whom I need to give gifts to.

After running across this awesome tutorial at www.threadbanger.com and this set of millinery instructions I decided to try my hand at feltmaking/millinery. At about 4 hours of time per piece (according to the ThreadBanger tutorial) I ought to be able to knock off awesome felt hats for my two best girlfriends, my office white elephant party, my family white elephant exchange, and even my little sister (who is flying home from Africa on Christmas Eve and will probably need a warm, fly hat to rock while she is home.)

The obligatory questionnaire:

Who is the gift for? The random folk warranting "little gestures" this holiday season.
What is the occasion? Christmas and the various holiday gift exchange parties my fiance and I are attending.
List at least three of their interests:
Any stipulations or things to avoid (i.e., has to be something small, or they already have enough scarves, etc.): Must be creative and easy on the pocketbook.
What kind of crafting do you do? Sewing, clothing reconstruction, basic knitting and crochet.
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: I'm a sucker for trying new textile art!
Do you have a price range for materials? The gift exchange parties have a $20 limit per gift.
Do you have a time limit to make this present? 4 days for the office exchange. 12 days for the other ones.
Any other information you'd like to include:

When I'm really strapped for cash, I make popsicle stick baskets for gifts. People love them, and they're very easy to make.

Supplies:
Box of craft sticks
White glue
Paint (optional)



You can paint the sticks ahead of time and let them dry before starting. I made a navy blue one once that was gorgeous, and looked expensive.

I found this website that takes you through the steps. Any questions, let me know!


ETA: Forgot to add - if you have a little extra money, try personalizing the baskets by putting something inside. For instance, my mom loves knitting, so I put a few balls of yarn in hers.

So, the coat rack/board in the front hall is old and needs to be replaced. I was thinking of making one for my parents for Christmas since it should be super easy. Any ideas on how to decorate it that would work in all seasons? One idea I had was a four season theme, but I'm not sure what exactly and it would have to be something that looked good partially covered. Also, what sort of glaze or whatever should I buy to waterproof it since rain and snow will inevitably get on it?

I made a really cool painting in my art class a few years ago and gave it to my boyfriend...I think it's one of his favorite things I've ever made for him :)

I typed up all lyrics of "our songs" and printed them out on newsprint paper in different font styles and arranged them abstractly on a large canvas. I pasted them on with a paper-machee base and let them drive for a couple of days. Once it was dry, I painted a guitar in water color, in sort of an abstract/cubism style. I used his favorite colors and kept the paint thin so all the lyrics show through.

You could do this any number of ways to work for anyone..Different lyrics or quotes that remind you of the person, whether it be a family member, friend, coworker, or significant other, and you could incorporate his/her favorite things.

You could find all of the supplies for cheap, depending on where you go and what you already have around your house..and you really don't have to be a great artist to make this project work for you. I found it a very fun project, and I think anyone could appreciate the sentimental value. :)

Hope this helps someone!

My boyfriend is close to me for now, but after christmas he's moving back to california... hopefully we'll be able to see each other before he leaves but.. anyway.

Who is the gift for? My boyfriend
What is the occasion? Christmas
List at least three of their interests: Stars, anything blue, cats
Any stipulations or things to avoid (i.e., has to be something small, or they already have enough scarves, etc.): I hate to just make a bunch of boxes for him, i've made things like that before. No jewelry. I've given enough necklaces. Has to be mailable if i don't see him before, or packable if i do. So nothing like HUGE. We don't have any pictures of ourselves to really put anywhere.. so frames and scrapbooks are out...
What kind of crafting do you do? Drawing, basic craft i suppose, sewing. I don't knit or do any needlework.
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: Well, i CAN crochet, and have made him a doll before. Don't like repeat things though, and i'm running out of options. He doesn't wear beanie hats or anything really, but i'd be willing to sew more i guess? Anything really >>;
Do you have a price range for materials? Ehh i'm like... broke. Maybe at the most 5 bucks..
Do you have a time limit to make this present? Not really. I mean it would be nice if i could get it to him before christmas or around then, but yeah.
Any other information you'd like to include: Well we've been together for 2 years, this Dec 11th was our two year mark <3 Not married yet, but very happy. We've been through a lot together and now we're facing a long distance relationship again... But yeah. he loves cats, ADORES stars and the color blue (he's partially colorblind, fully in one eye, partial in the other. Blue is the one color he can really, really see.)

Thanks for reading!

So Christmas is a'coming and I needed gift ideas. Well some of the people in my list weren't too terribly hard to get something for... and then there is always my mother. My brother and I asked ourselves, "Well what does she like?" It was a short list. Reading was good, but books are kind of lame [and if they don't tell you what they want you might give them a terrible novel] and although movies are nice with both got her a DVD last year. So that left us with... gardening. So we put our brains together and decided making her something was a good plan. This was what we came up with!

Total Money spent [including materials and extra things we bought for the present]: $31 u.s.a.

Madre's Planter Box [Made by her Children, with love]



[Pictures and instructions this way!]

New to the comm..

My extended famiy has decided to do an individual family (gift basket exchange) I have selected my uncle and his family . (of four) My idea was to make a gourmet pancake (christmas breakfast) basket.. Thats not dumb is it? Anyways I'm going to make a orange choc chip pancake (mason Jar gift), place it in a basket with some orange marmalade, specialty syrup, special pancake spatula, but cant think of anything else I could put in the gift basket

Who is the gift for? - My uncle, aunt and their two boys (21 and 19 yrs)who are home for the holidays from college
What is the occasion? - christmas party
List at least three of their interests: they love food, football and boating at the river
Any stipulations or things to avoid: nope
What kind of crafting do you do? - im good with anycrafting except knitting and say crossstitching
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: im open for anything at this point
Do you have a price range for materials? - id like to keep this gift under $25
Do you have a time limit to make this present? - about a week
Any other information you'd like to include: nope

um please help:)

~Melissa

We decided that each family member would make gifts for each other, mainly to try to show our children what the season might have been like before the consumer economy. My presents are going to be easy - I made soap for the grownups, and I plan to make homemade play dough for the kids. But my kids are having trouble coming up with ideas.

Who is the gift for? - My mom, dad, and husband
What is the occasion? - winter solstice
List at least three of their interests: they love to read, watch tv, surf the net, and the love the kids
Any stipulations or things to avoid: I'd like my kids to make these. One is 9 but the other is developmentally delayed so he's more like a toddler.
What kind of crafting do you do? - everything but fiber/needlework
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: Again, this is for the kids to do.
Do you have a price range for materials? - yes, as close to 0 as possible
Do you have a time limit to make this present? - about a week
Any other information you'd like to include: they'll need to be small because we are traveling to celebrate, and I would prefer it if these gifts were a bit nicer than the type of things they keep bringing home from school.

Been lurking for a bit and found lots of neat things I hope to try out sometime soon. But for now, I need a little help. My uncle is the King of Kitsch, completely unironically. So I know a handmade crafty thing would be an awesome Christmas present (no, I know not all crafts are kitschy, please don't stone me!) But I need help thinking of something I could give him and ideally, something I could give him & his wife as a "couples" gift.

Who is the gift for? Uncle
What is the occasion? Christmas
List at least three of their interests: cats, birdwatching, fishing, antiquing, writing
Any stipulations or things to avoid (i.e., has to be something small, or they already have enough scarves, etc.):
What kind of crafting do you do?: A little bit of everything; I'm sort of new at all of this, but I'm willing to try anything except knitting. I'm good at book making, if I say so myself
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: ah, anything?
Do you have a price range for materials?: less than $50, ideally
Do you have a time limit to make this present?: a week, yikes!
Any other information you'd like to include: I don't really have access to any good craft stores, unfortunately. The best I have is Michael's and maybe Plaza, but they lean towards art, rather than crafts.

Who is the gift for? - A couple of good friends I know for ages.
What is the occasion? - Christmas
List at least three of their interests: Because I want to do something for a lot of different people I can't give you three specific interests. But I think it's save to say that literature, movies, music and traveling in general are things they like.
Any stipulations or things to avoid (i.e., has to be something small, or they already have enough scarves, etc.): Has to be something useful. No accesory which only catches dust.
What kind of crafting do you do? - I can crochet a little bit. But I'm willing to try simple crafting of course.
Name some other crafts that you would be willing to try: As I sad - I would try everything.
Do you have a price range for materials? - No, although it shouldn't be too expensive because I'm searching something for around 10 people.
Do you have a time limit to make this present? - I need 5 of them already this thursday - I know I'm really, really late. But what are night shifts for?
Any other information you'd like to include: Me and a couple of friends decided that we won't give each other presents this christmas but make a trip together next year. Because I don't want to meet them completely empty-handed I'm searching for something small but nice which still is something useful - maybe for the kitchen or something you can wear or I don't know. It shouldn't be only an accesory because in the end these kind of things only tend to catch dust. So any ideas would be really appreciated. Thanks!