rubbish christmas presents volume 5 
I’m trying to plan homemade presents for family and friends. We’ve done this with moderate success in previous years (last years not quite set truffles weren’t brilliant to tell the truth 
) and I’m trying to get organised enough to get started now if not sooner (in other words, I’m also scouring the cupboards and stacks of stuff to find things I’ve bought to do through the year that can be reassigned iyswim).
With this in mind, I’m also wandering the web. Today I’ve found French Memory boards and Kids Journal in a jar which both feel like they have potential. I’m fairly sure I’ve seen cheap artists canvases in various places, and an excuse to buy a proper staple gun has almost got to be taken up I’ve got cotton fabrics and polyester batting, and ribbons and buttons won’t cost a lot so that could be a couple of aunties very happily set up. There’s a particular one I have in mind, who year in year out buys my children lovely carefully selected presents (last years for Small was a Thomas T shirt, not a big present, but one he loved). The thing that makes this so ironic for me is that she is actually no relation at all - she is the ex-wife of my stepfather’s eldest brother, and yet she takes time and energy to buy these lovely gifts for children she never sees.
Every year I swear that I will make the effort to go see her, and each year somehow the months fly by and I don’t. So I’m determined that I will put time and effort into a present for her to show how much I appreciate the thought she puts in to hers.
So does a memory board seem suitable? Or is it too twee for words?
I’m considering a kids journal for Big - with a suitably pink and sparkly book to write in, it could be a hit.
I’ll keep on digging though, and no doubt be back with more suggestions. We’ve started crafting today with a big pack of handmade recycled paper that I picked up at the Works yesterday for £4.99. I’m quite pleased with some of the effects I’ve achieved. I’m going to be spending the evening preparing yarn dolls for the school’s autumn fayre next Thursday - I’ve promised a variety of things for a home made stall. Might whip up a few more crocheted necklaces as well, it’s all for charity after all.
5 Comments
the painted vases we did went down well. we got those cheap wiggly ikea vases, and let SB loose.
That memory board looks nice - Gwenny wanted to make something similar for a noticeboard for her room, must get round to doing that! With some photos of the kids on it I think that’d make a lovely present.
Having similar thoughts here wrt Christmas pressies. Love the memory board idea (which will surprise no one who’s ever been to our house and seen the walls here :lol:). - and yeah, I think something along those lines would certainly give back the message you are hoping for about appreciating the effort put into choosing gifts for Big and Small that you are looking for.
loving the memory boards idea- hadnt thought of using ready-stretched canvasses. I will be back to steal more of your ideas
I’m also going for the home made stuff. The kids will get the usual expensive latest greatest from Oak’s mum..so all I have to do is give her the list of the kids wants (one pressie each and Meadow’s choice this year is Zoo Tycoon computer game..so it’s not major stuff, just stuff I wouldn’t buy). But I have simply had it with the christmas mania and have no cash whatsoever so….
Luckily, I know what my kids want and I can make it (errrr..I reckon so) Meadow will get a big scrapbook of her life with baby photos etc (willow already has one), Willow is still after me to finish an quilt type thing for his bed, and Ash wants a Knights dressing up outfit and for me to finish the Peter Pan dolls I’ve been making (Waldorf types with an edge). Yep. That’s great. Got my list sorted out. If I could just find the key to the sewing machine….argh! Humbug.