How to Create Homemade Gifts

You can beat the high price of consumerism and return to a simpler time by making homemade gifts for family and friends. Homemade gifts tell the receiver that you think enough of them to spend precious time creating something just for them. Follow these steps to create easy homemade gifts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Tell someone you care with food. People have long associated cooking as a sign of love. Not surprisingly, food items rank high among homemade gifts. While sweets remain eternally popular, think up other options: fresh bread and fruit breads like banana bread, minestrone soup or chili, or your spicy mustard sauce presented in an attractive jar.

2. Think ahead by presenting foods mixes for someone to use in the future. Layer the dry ingredients of a cookie recipe in a jelly jar. Mix a dry bean soup mix in an attractive bag, or consider a hot cocoa mix in a tin. With computers, it's easy to create charming preparation instructions to attach to the container.

3. Consider making herbal personal care products. With the popularity of aromatherapy, adding scents to lotions, bath oils and powers has never been simpler. Make bath salts by combining a tablespoon each of baking soda and borax with 1/2 cup table salt. Finish by mixing in 1/4 teaspoon of a scented essential oil, or experiment by blending two oils.

4. Build something with your own hands. Birdhouses and picture frames are easy projects that make nice gifts.

5. Create a gift from the digital photos on your computer. A montage of favorite photos or that 1 special photo framed is priceless. Consider producing a digital photo album for grandparents. Pull up a booklet template from a publishing or photo program like Microsoft Publisher or Adobe Photoshop; insert photos and add text for a story about your family.

6. Use your handy hands to make something precious. Knitters can knit gloves or hats. Quilters piece together special quilts. Needlepoint and rug hooking make attractive wall decorations.

7. Update the old mix tape idea. Download special songs to a recordable CD. If you're handy with video, consider creating a DVD from old family movies.

Tips & Warnings

• The presentation of a gift means almost as much as the gift itself. Use functional gift containers like baskets, mugs and flower pots. Decorate with paint and ribbon or raffia for a pleasant appearance. Use last year's tins or locate vintage tins at flea markets to use as gift containers.
• If you don't feel especially handy, consider giving the gift of time. Help a family member set up their computer or audiovisual system. Volunteer to teach a friend to do something that interests him or her. Present a gift certificate with what you plan to do.