Homemade 
 Gifts Page

Looking to simplify your holidays this year? Here are some gift ideas to help you along.

Every year it seems we are bombarded with more and more advertisements at this time of year. Here are a few ideas that might appeal to you if you think that putting a set of car keys in a Christmas stocking seems a little excessive, or if you want to do something a little more meaningful with your giving this year.

World Vision Canada Gift Catalogue
World Vision USA
Bridgehead Fair Trade Gifts
Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade
Kiva: Micro-Loans that Change Lives
Oxfam Unwrapped: UK Site
Oxfam Canada Gift Site
More Inspired Gift Ideas

Or consider offering a needed service: babysitting, petsitting, house minding, landscaping, photography, cooking, house cleaning, snow removal, odd jobs, etc.

For young children, consider making one of the recipes from the Concoctions page.
You can also put together a craft package including construction paper, glue, safety scissors, coloured yarn, washable markers and/or crayons, scrap fabric, buttons, beads, etc. Package the kit in a reusable container and top with a reusable fabric bow and/or or paintable wood shape.

If crafts aren't their thing, how about a hand-made coupon for an outing to their favourite museum or attraction with you? Or an afternoon baking their favourite cookies or muffins together? Remember that a gift of time is much more valuable than anything you can buy in a store.

For relatives, consider putting together a collection of photos from your family from the past year. There are lots of ways to do this--you can make a cd or dvd on your computer or through your local photofinisher, make a photo collage using a commercial frame or with your own scrapbooking skills, make a more traditional photo album, or try making this photo collage box. For homemade picture frame ideas, try here. You can also try your hand at other homemade gifts, such as jams, preserves, cookies, cakes, candy, etc., or try one of the ideas on my homemade gift ideas page.

Are there musicians in the family? They may need guitar picks, clarinet reeds, valve oil, ledger paper, etc.

Swimmers might need a new cap, body lotion or swimmers shampoo.

Hockey players might like a new puck, hockey tape or equipment spray.

Artisits always need supplies--smaller ones, like erasers, pencils, exacto knives etc. make great stocking stuffers.

Infants might like stackable bath toys, while preschoolers might like a batch of homemade playdough along with some plastic cookie cutters and a small wooden roller.

Older kids might like some craft supplies, special pens or pencils, a journal, or a deck of playing cards.

Cyclists might appreciate a spare innertube or reflective tape.

Hikers might like a pair of hiking socks, a new water bottle, or an energy bar.

Teachers might like a new calendar or headache relief items.

Use your imagination and the things you know about the person to guide you.