Homemade Gift Idea Exchange

Finally! It's here! I've been very busy putting together some examples of homemade gift ideas, and I hope you have fun with them. I've included a link for recipes and tag instructions, and a link for other resources.

If you have any gift ideas you'd like to add, just add your name with the gift idea title next to your name (example: GiBee; Container Gifts) and the link to your idea post (rather than your blog's home page). If you have any questions, please email me and I'll help you out as best as I can. In order to keep confusion to a minimum, please do not add a Mister Linky to your blog, but rather, direct people to my blog.

Take your time to view everything, and... enjoy!

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"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

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And, really ... that's what a homemade gift is -- a little bit of God's grace, like a piece of your heart, that you've taken the time to share with another person.
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Categories:

1) Economical Homemade Gift Ideas (that you can put in a jar or bag)
2) Homebaked Gift Ideas
3) Thematic Basket Gift Ideas (more costly)

Economical Homemade Gift Ideas

Here are some simple and inexpensive gifts (that you can put in a glass canning jar or treat bags). You probably already have most of the items in your kitchen already, making it even more economical! Cellophane treat bags can be found in the baking section of a craft store, and comes in a variety of sizes. Jars can look adorable when trimmed with seasonal fabric, ribbons, wraphia, buttons, etc. The tag can be handwritten on a piece of cardstock, cut with zig-zag scissors and tied on with a nice ribbon.
1) Cream of Potato Soup Mix
2) M&M Cookie Mix
3) Pretzel Rods dipped in Chocolate & Sprinkles
4) Spiced Nuts
5) Hot Chocolate Mix
6) Candy Cane Cappuccino
7) Snowball Marshmallows
8) Apricot/Cranberry Bread Mix
9) Christmas Crunch
10)Calico Baked Beans & Seasonings



Homebaked (some in containers) Gift Ideas

Nothing says "I love you," or "You're special to me" than a homebaked gift. It's comforting, and tasty, and shows you cared enough to spend an extra moment to make them something special... but not all things need to be made from scratch! You can make a beautiful loaf bread (like banana nut or cranberry orange) from a boxed mix and wrap it in cellophane and tie it off with a bow... no one will know that you didn't make it from scratch! Brownies and cakes can be made from box mixes too, and everyone loves the thought that went into making them!

I love making Bundt cakes and giving them as gifts on an inexpensive glass plate purchased from WalMart or the Dollar Store. Sometimes, I even find fun plates at garage sales and antique stores. And, if it's a special gift for a special someone, and I want to give them a fun or groovy plate, I will pay a little extra (like $10) and get a cool plate from Target or any other store that carries funky things!

Here are some funky boxes that I got from the craft store. The set of boxes included 4 nested/stackable boxes in various sizes as seen below ... so adorable for only $4! That's FOUR boxes for $1 each! And, I placed homebaked items in the boxes with tissue paper... so fun to receive and open!





Double Lemon Delights
(made from scratch)





Fudgy Brownies
(box mix was used, but
brownies were cut out in
round shapes with a glass)







Here is a rectangle glass plate I purchased at WalMart for $6.78, and added the homebaked Chocolate Nut Bars and a ribbon for a cute gift:
















You can also make fun pretzel treats or candy and give them in either a plain white candy box (baking section of the craft store for $2.50, 6 per pkg) or in cellophane bags:



Smashed Bug Candy




Christmas Crunch (white chocolate and candy cane bark)





Thematic Basket/Bag Gift Ideas

I love themed gifts! Especially when they are "basket" gifts! They can be so personal and filled with many fun things... They are more costly, but are fun to put together for a special person! Remember: They are only as expensive as you make them -- these are just ideas!

1) Gingerbread Cookie Kit in a Bag -- Total Cost: $14
Includes:
Gingerbread Cookie Mix in a bag (Pantry)
Sugar in a bag (Pantry)
Sprinkles and Red Hots (WMart $2)
Miniature Chocolate Chips (Pantry)
Decorator Icings (Craft Store $8)
Gingerbread Cookie Cutter (Craft Store $1)
Gingerbread Ornament (Craft Store $1)
Gift Bag (Craft Store $2)



2) Couple's Gift -- Total Cost: $31.96
Includes:
A Candle (in chinese takeout box) (WalMart: $1.96)
Homemade Candy (Pantry)
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (Pantry)
A couples devotional
(Night Light For Couples
by Dr. James Dobson - $15)
Leatherette Desk Box (Craft Store $15)

Optional Addition: Gift Card to Olive Garden ($25)

3) Lovely Feet Basket -- Total Cost: $40 (Use Rom. 10:15b on tag: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"):

Includes:
Fluffy White Towel (WMart $4.24)
Candle & Holder (Craft Store $5)
Burts Bees Foot Lotion ($8)
Nail Polish (WMart $1.96)
Sugar Scrub
Cushy Socks (WMart $2.88)
Sea Sponge (WMart $2.87)
Worship CD (WMart $9.96)
Basket (Craft Store $5)




4) Gardener's Delight Basket -- Total Cost: $22.58 (Use Jeremiah 31:12c on tag: "They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more."):
Includes:
2 Amaryllis Bulbs (WMart: $2.97 ea.)
Special Liquid Soap (WalMart: $5.97)
Hand & Cuticle Salve (WalMart: $3.44)
Poppy Seeds (cheepseeds.com: $3.00)
Clay pot container (Craft Store: $0.95)
Journal (Craft Store: $1)
Basket (WMart $5.25)




5) Thinking of You Basket -- (Use 2 Timothy 1:3 on tag: "I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers."):

Variation #1 -- Total Cost: $11.99


Includes:

Tea Cup (Thrift Shop $8)
Tea Bags (Pantry)
Double Lemon Cookies (Pantry)
Basket (Craft Shop $3.99)







Variation #2 -- Total Cost: $15.97


Includes:

Tea Cup (Antique Shop $10)
Tea Bags (Pantry)
Devotional (WMart $5.97)
Wrap in Cellophane and tie off with bow






6) 3 Quick Gift Ideas:

Quick Idea #A: A Basket with Christmas Crunch, Snowball Marshmallows and Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix















Quick Idea #B: A Basket with Candy Cane Cappuccino, Pretzel Candies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods, Christmas Book














Quick Idea #C: A holiday Mug (WMart $1) Cream of Potato Soup Mix, Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods
















BONUS: Other Random ideas to help spur your imagination

Priceless Beyond Words -- This is a wonderful idea I got out of the "Homespun Gifts from the Heart" book (along with a few other ideas listed above) that is perfect for an older child. The story in the book is that a Pastor's wife gave her daughter on her thirteenth birthday a used Bible. The mother had purchased it new, and read through the Bible in one year, making "mom notes" in the margins, written especially from mother for daughter, about her favorite passages, spiritual yearnings, memories of how a biblical truth was learned, or various people who embodied certain attributes of god. She gave the Bible to her daughter with a Scripture Reading Plan so the daughter would have the Bible read by her 18th birthday (5 year plan). This is also an excellent gift for kids going off to college, leaving the house for their own place, or getting married -- not only did the daughter receive insight and special notes from her mother's heart, but she also received a guide for getting into the Word every day. Yes, it takes some planning on your part, but it's a gift that will be treasured for years and years.

Christmas Fun -- A family gift at Christmas time (geared for families with young children): Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix in a canning jar; Cranberry-orange sweet rolls made in a disposable foil pan; homemade magic reindeer food for the kids to sprinkle on the lawn in a recycled baby food jar (it attracts reindeer, if you know what I mean); homemade Christmas Crunch.

Christmas Fun for Adults -- A sweet little gift for a couple that enjoys a quiet Christmas Eve together: A collection of homemade spiced nuts; homemade cinamon-sugar pretzels; homemade sticky buns in a disposable foil pan; some gourmet coffee in a small glass canning jar with a pretty ribbon around it (that way, you can split one bag up a couple times).

A gift for a mother, sister, or girlfriend -- A thoughtful gift that encourages the one you love to spend some quiet time alone, possibly relaxing in the bath tub: A white towel rolled up and tied with a ribbon; a white pillar candle and a glass candle holder (you can get these inexpensively at the craft store or WalMart); a book according to what they like to read; a scented soap (Bath and Body Works); a scented body lotion.

A girl's gift for tired hands and feet -- This gift is for the woman that spends so much time working around the home, in the garden, or in the laundry room, that her hands and feet go neglected, and are rough and chapped and in need of some TLC: Homemade hand and foot scrub in a small glass canning jar; soothing foot balm; scented hand lotion; a good lip balm; white cotton socks.

I hope you've enjoyed these ideas... Don't forget to sign in on my Mister Linky (I hope it works) to share your ideas!

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Have a blessed time preparing Homemade Gifts Made with Love!


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1. EaglesWings (Calendar) 2. Angie - Jelly 3. Jen (tins,jars,plates,baskets) 4. Julie (Orignal art note pads) 5. Laurel Wreath 6. Susie 7. kpjara 8. Shalee 9. Larae (blankets, etching, vodka)

10. Susanne 11. Kathleen Marie (this and that) 12. Laura- Fruits Basket 13. Chupieandjsmama 14. A Chelsea Morning (several things) 15. Christina 16. Jessica (felt pincushion and coasters) 17. Susan (Bunch of Cookie Mix in Jar Recipes) 18. Susan (Bunch of Bread Mix Recipes)

19. Julie Bo Boolie (Frozen Ready To Go Meals) 20. Lady Why (Alphabet Scramble) 21. Mommaofmany 22. DeputyHeadmistress 23. Kim (easy child\'s apron) 24. Gilby 25. kpjara #2 (decoupage and earrings) 26. kelly (christmas stockings)

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