I would really like to accomplish the goal of a mostly homemade Christmas this year. The only issues I might have are gifts for my dad and the skateboards that the boys are asking for.

Anyone else doing this?

I've been thinking of it lately, but my brain won't come up with much. I'd really love to, though.

i have no talent in this area, but it sounds awesome to do!

I have done it.

Its fun and challenging.

Not sure how appreciated some of the gifts were (SIL :) )

No, but I commend you. I did a homemade Christmas that I worked so hard on last year and sent out these amazing gift boxes to our family. I made goodies and then everything we bought was locally made in WV. Anyhow, it was totally underappreciated IMO by EVERYONE so this year, I got refurbed ipod shuffles for everyone. $50 each (which was my budget) and they will be super light to ship (shipping alone last year killed me).

now...i could do a homemade christmas...just not made by me. but then that would be a little too costly.

I have the benefit of not having to buy for most of our ungrateful family. I only buy for my IL's, my parents, my neice and nephew, my kids, and dh. My SIL loves when I make her kids clothing and so does my mom. We also buy for dh's staff and the boys school staff (about 65 people). All of those gifts will also be home made items like hand made soap or tea mixes.

Oh I should add, I only buy for 5 people, my parents, my inlaws, and my brother. I also buy for my great aunt... I think I am going to get her a down comoforter and duvet.

I have the benefit of not having to buy for most of our ungrateful family. I only buy for my IL's, my parents, my neice and nephew, my kids, and dh. My SIL loves when I make her kids clothing and so does my mom. We also buy for dh's staff and the boys school staff (about 65 people). All of those gifts will also be home made items like hand made soap or tea mixes.

LOL.

I'm going to try to make cloth grocery bags...a full set...for each family that we gift to.

I don't have plans for the kids but in light of the recent china paint scares I might. They're kind of used to my stuff/work so wow factor doesn't come easily if I'm doing the making.

I do it every year, except for any special requests. My family loves the homemade gifts. Last xmas I had some trouble though because my mother had passed (a year ago today) and it was her favorite holiday. But, I love to make things for people so I will start again very soon to get done in time :D

I do it every year, except for any special requests. My family loves the homemade gifts. Last xmas I had some trouble though because my mother had passed (a year ago today) and it was her favorite holiday. But, I love to make things for people so I will start again very soon to get done in time :D

:hug: sorry it's a hard day for you.

we do, everything had been completed for a few months now :)

I normally do and its the plan for this year as well. I've got crocheted shrugs done for my nieces and just got the measurements to do dh's nieces. I'm doing matching twirly skirts and then wool ponies to go with them for all the girls on my list. I've got 2 of the 6 quilt tops I need for various families done. Still trying to figure out what to do for my various nephews.

Last year I managed a basically free holiday with lots of repurposing and material recycling (dd uses the puppet theatre we made her every day so I think it was a success :) ) This year I'm just going with handmade with a goal of using only materials I already have-- I've got to clear out my sewing room a bit. I might cheat and trade for some wahm made stuff for ds and his first Yule.

Do picture books count? Every year my list of people to buy for gets smaller. The grandparents are getting the picture books, and I'm not sure about the rest of the family.

absolutely! :)

I love doing the picture books. Sadly, it's the only time of year I send them to everyone, and I skipped last year as I was too fried. But, this year I want them done by Sep 30 - Oct 15...since I have more than a year to put in them, it makes sense.

I also love the reusable cloth bags for groceries idea...I really may have to do this. I have t shirt transfer paper I found cheap a year or two ago at Big Lots, I can put a cool earth-friendly logo or even a pic of our area of Vermont or something. Fun!

I'm not sure what I'm doing for the kids. I'm still making K a dollhouse, but as a birthday present, but maybe I could do furniture and people for it. I'd love to do soft sculpture Waldorf dollhouse-sized dolls...hmmm...I think I've hit on it. I would have to make some for Jake too. There you go. I have all the supplies already! Perfect. :hbeat: