Homemade Gift Ideas for a Green Holiday

by Amy Judd | December 17, 2008 at 09:49 pm

1313 views | 20 Recommendations | 24 comments

Here are just a few ideas of what to do if you want to make something rather than buy something - to have a 'Green Holiday' and I don't mean the colour of money.

What about the idea of giving someone a coupon to spend time together? It sounds cheesy, but the memories you will cherish more are the ones that you make with someone, not the ones that you make with an object.

Or, how about...

.....

Bake something for someone. Think of someone who might enjoy a batch of homemade cookies or a pie.

Frame a piece of art created by a child. Some relatives would love receiving something like this.

Sew an apron for your favorite cook with a personalized saying on it.

Create a paper mache Christmas tree out of newspaper.

Cross stitch something onto a towel, apron or framed Aida fabric.

Make a candle holder out of a tin can by punching a design into it with hammer and nail. Recycled soup and coffee cans work well for this and you can use a stencil similarly to carving a pumpkin.

Create a homemade photo album full of favorite family photos.

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AlvarezGalloso

at 07:00 on December 18th, 2008

Great article

Jason Sanders

at 09:44 on December 18th, 2008

This year I mixed together some cookie recipes, included a few *unbroken* eggs, and wrapped it all up nicely. All they have to do is add milk!

You can also do the same thing with flowers by purchasing a nice pot, filling it with potting soil, and burying some seeds in the middle. Make it a surprise!

Paschen

at 10:31 on December 18th, 2008

Those are some great Ideas for a GREEN HOLIDAY.

HazelFiver

at 16:06 on December 18th, 2008

recipe via thepioneerwoman.com
Delicious "Hyacinth's Everything Cookies"
they were a big hit!

HazelFiver has contributed a photo to this story.

sumsion

at 16:11 on December 18th, 2008

My world-famous cookies. Well...maybe not the world, but at least neighborhood-famous. sumsion.com

sumsion has contributed a photo to this story.

jadg

at 16:25 on December 18th, 2008

One of many batches of christmas cookies that mom and me made. Most of them got sent out across American and Europe to friends and family as presents.

jadg has contributed a photo to this story.

HiDiane

at 18:18 on December 18th, 2008

Vintage printed cross stitch kitchen towel kit found at a thrift store. No thread was included so I used colors to match my kitchen.

HiDiane has contributed a photo to this story.

sweet mate

at 20:50 on December 18th, 2008

Y U M! Raspberry & White Chocolate Kisses! (see photo below)

Show someone you heart them (or @ least think they're pretty good!) with little sweeties like these anytime, but this holiday season why not make them as stars or another shape that takes your fancy... any simple cookie recipe where you roll & cut out the dough will do!

It's the white chocolate & raspberry combo that makes these so delicious. For the ULTIMATE flavour, I recommend white chocolate with a high cocoa butter content, & organic jam . You can use different flavours of jam/jelly & choc, but I say go organic & top quality as much as possible - you can really tell the difference in the tasting!

To see all my photos on flickr, email me, or to find out more, click on one of the links below:
sweet mate has contributed a photo to this story.

Stitchergal

at 20:45 on December 18th, 2008

I made this project for a friend in Simi Valley, California for Christmas. She belongs to the Red Hat Society. This project is cross stitched on 28 count white linen and it only took me a couple of days to make. I hope that she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed stitching it for her! Debby Littlefield- Magnolia, TX.

Stitchergal has contributed a photo to this story.

BritneyMarie

at 21:03 on December 18th, 2008

Pac-Man cross stitch photo by Stephanie Gravatt

BritneyMarie has contributed a photo to this story.

bakeandsewblog

at 21:18 on December 18th, 2008

Blogged at www.bakeandsew.wordpress.com

bakeandsewblog has contributed a photo to this story.

hummmlan

at 23:23 on December 18th, 2008

Made from an old vintage linen kitchen towel.

hummmlan has contributed a photo to this story.

dolcifusa

at 00:32 on December 19th, 2008

fabric: sponge set
pattern: ©Bent Creek
thread keeper: GD, Dolci Fusa
foto: ©Dolci Fusa
dolcifusa.blogspot.com

dolcifusa has contributed a photo to this story.

abetterjulie

at 08:34 on December 19th, 2008

Making gluten free pizzas with homemade pesto and tomato sauce.

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MySweetThree

at 09:47 on December 19th, 2008

I make paper mache beads. These are just a larger version of them, and I made ornaments out of them..They are super easy to make....make a pulp out of newspaper, water, and glue..and roll them into balls. You could sand them down for a smooth finish, whatever texture you prefer...!

MySweetThree has contributed a photo to this story.

campbellrawpress

at 10:13 on December 19th, 2008

This is one of my handbound 8" wide x 7" high Coptic stitch photo albums. The green/gold/white vine cover paper book has already sold, but there are lots more books up on my website at http://www.campbellrawpress.com - enjoy!

campbellrawpress has contributed a photo to this story.

Adventures with WonderLa

at 10:22 on December 19th, 2008

Italian Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies. I borrowed from two different recipes I found online and came up with one yummy holiday treat. My 3 year old daughter helped make these and felt proud to share them with our loved ones.

Adventures with WonderLa has contributed a photo to this story.

Zhad_Squad

at 10:37 on December 19th, 2008

Kirby Towel stitched by Sherezada Kent. Kirby designed by Johloh at Sprite Stitch, one of my favorite blogs. Stars designed by my husband.

Zhad_Squad has contributed a photo to this story.

The Hardest Button To Button

at 07:54 on December 20th, 2008

I embroidered this apron set for my Aunt and her 2 toddlers. The names are done by machine, the veggies are done by hand.

The Hardest Button To Button has contributed a photo to this story.

Mari Salinas

at 18:08 on December 21st, 2008

homemade chocolat chip cookies.
hot chocolat.
that's all you need on a gray afternoon.

Mari Salinas has contributed a photo to this story.

katie jean

at 14:14 on December 22nd, 2008

This is a special one of a kind apron that I made using new fabrics and a little piece of of embroidered fabric that I bought at a local thrift shop. I saw the little cross-stitched kitty and knew that it would make the perfect pocket, once I found the perfect fabric!

thanks for looking!
www.katiejean.wordpress.com

katie jean has contributed a photo to this story.

azzayindia

at 08:27 on December 23rd, 2008

this year i am just drinking

Ida Gul (not verified)

at 02:25 on December 28th, 2008

Stitchable items like aprons, towels, bookmarks and bags etc are my thing. It's fun and it's already readymade so they are a huge gift from the heart. Oh and baby wear too not just for the holidays but for newcomers to the family. it's nice to cross stitch a little pattern on those booties.

Ida

www.theartofstitch.com