Ideas for homemade useful holiday gifts

[Emba]

I just realized again how much fabric and yarn I have in my stash. It is the time of year to start my holiday crafting, but I need some ideas for gifts that will not be mere cutesy clutter.

 Tote bags are useful, but I think we’ve got a superfluity of them. Ditto with hats and throw quilts.

 I’m out of ideas, please help.

[stephanier.1765]

Aprons for both the men and women. You could do funny grill master ones for the guys. Even the kids would probably love them. Aprons or smaller toolbelts come in handy for crafters who are always misplacing their scissors or their phone. Pillows that hold books for the little ones. Throw pillows for the older girls for their rooms.

That's all I've got for now but I'll keep thinking about it.

[Katy]

One thing I’ve been looking at is fabric cases. My toddlers don’t really need a diaper bag any more, but I do need a small case with diapers and wipes inside my bag. I need a bag for them each to have a change of clothes in the car, plus a small first aid kit in my bag & large for the car. I need a case to hold headphones for like half of us.

I need a winter bag with extra clothes for everyone in each vehicle, and it would be great if they were separate pouches each the size of a large sweater box for everyone in the family (including dogs), possibly color coded or different fabrics, bonus point for a clear pouch to put in a label for names. Then a big case to keep all the pouches together, either zipped in or maybe just grommets and carabiner clips to keep stuff together in case the car rolled to something.  It would also be nice to have a couple extra pouches for emergencies (first aid, car care, blankets, etc).
 

I’d like a little pencil case sort of thing with a separate section for pens, makeup, and feminine hygiene supplies for my tote bags & larger purse. 
 

I’d love if instead of 1,000 presents someone got my kids cheap gifts with built in storage. Like a busy bag with a couple Color Wonder books & a zipper section for the markers for the little ones, and maybe a few other small toys each in their own compartment. A duffel bag with room for muddy soccer cleats & a sweatshirt on one side, a compartment for the bag on the other, and a long crossbody strap to help them carry it home from the park on their own. 
 

My smaller kids need slippers every year, but if you sew them yourself make sure to make non-slip soles. 

[Carol in Cal.]

Something I would love to have is reusable, washable bags for things like fresh bread or fresh veggies that keep them reasonably fresh without plastic.  I don’t know whether those are feasible design wise or not, but if someone had tried a design and found that it worked and then made me some, I would be thrilled.

[Carol in Cal.]

Also, I carry a big tote as a purse, and I like to have smaller bags inside of it for organizing things.  One for lipsticks and chapstick, because those would melt in the heat of a parked car so they have to come out as a unit (all of them).  One for pens and maybe a small tablet of paper.  One for my current knitting project.  Actually, knitting project bags are one of my main needs all the time.  They are nutsy expensive, but really, all I need is a cloth bag and I’m all set.  

Those back seat of the car organizers that tie onto the front seats in cars are awesome, too.   As are busy books for little kids to use in the car or church.  

[Miss Tick]

I have made a bunch of these open-wide zippered pouches. They are cute and fun to coordinate fabrics and zippers.

Fingerless Mitts can be a quick knit and don't require any fussy fitting.

[Kareni]

A gift I would really appreciate:

A set of fabric gift bags in various sizes to use in lieu of gift wrap.

Here's one tutorial.

Regards,

Kareni

[Emba]

All the car organization suggestions made me think - a car quilt made of scraps with denim on one side might be appreciated by my sister. I have so many scraps!

i May make some gift bags, but probably just to give the gifts in, not as a gift in themselves, and not for everyone. I know my mom would use them but not sure anyone else would appreciate them, and SIL might throw them out.

[WoolC]

Hand knit socks have gone over really well as gifts here.   I now make my dad a pair every year.

[Emba]

5 minutes ago, WoolC said:

Hand knit socks have gone over really well as gifts here.   I now make my dad a pair every year.

I love the idea - or at least I would love someone to knit me some socks! But I really don’t love knitting them and have only managed to ever give one pair to  my mom, and I knitted a very short cuff on those.

[Emba]

41 minutes ago, Dreamergal said:

I am new to machine sewing only after panic buying after the pandemic hit so my skills are not up there. But I know hand sewing and embroidery.  But have lots of fabric lying around because I bring them from my home country as saris or scarves.

Masks. Most of us will be wearing masks for brief periods so I have given them to my fashionable friends who use them to accessorize. 

Tote bags. Some I have hand embroidered in addition.

Cloth gift bags. I made cloth gift bags for our family in one color per person.

Pouches.

Pillow cases.

Pillowcases are definitely something my kids could use, and I’ve got lots of prints they would like. 

[PrincessMommy]

cloth napkins and cloth towels to replace paper towels.  Covers for bowls and fridge storage in lieu of tin foil.  If you go to Etsy and look around you'll probably find lots of inspiration.

 

 

 

[Tiffnkids]

Some of my favorite handmade gifts have been knit washcloths, dish towels with knit or crotched top like this, afghan that folds into a pillow like this, and when my kids were little hooded towels sort of like this.

Also, dh's grandma made him a Christmas stocking from his grandpa's old neckties - love that!

I would love a beautiful handmade Christmas tree skirt. And definitely as others have mentioned reuseable gift bags

[WendyLady]

I was given a couple of these soup bowl cozies last year, and then made a set for my daughter and her husband. They are easy to sew and I use them all the time. We love soup and we have been sick here recently - these bowls make it possible to eat a bowl of soup in bed or on the couch a little safer. I use them at the table, too. I think it keeps the bowl warmer while eating!

I've been thinking of making some little washable eye make up remover pads for my girls.

I love the idea of making some little cactus pin cushions, but my girls don't sew and my mom has plenty of pin cushions.

Can't wait to see other ideas!!

[J-rap]

I need pillow case liners!  Not actual pillow cases, but you know -- as pillows get older, even if they're still in great condition -- they start to look a little grungy.  I've been wanting to get pillow case liners (with a zipper) that I can keep on the pillows all the time (just washing now and then), and then put the actual pillow cases on over that.

[Ali in OR]

My SIL crocheted everyone dish scrubbies out of tulle ribbon (tulle about 6" wide--our JoAnn's has it in the wedding aisle). There are some youtube instructions for similar scrubbies.

One of the best gifts (but not so glamorous) is a heating pad you heat up in the microwave. Mine start with a 10"x20" piece of heavy fabric sewn into a long rectangle, fill with millet (bird seed--nicer than rice), sew shut. I make a little flannel case too that's washable. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes and take it to bed with you in winter. Or put on a sore neck, back, arm, etc.

[prairiewindmomma]

Cord wraps with a snap closure

Zippered pouches

yoga mat carrier

clutch bags

travel jewelry organizer

camera strap cover

 

[Drama Llama]

5 hours ago, Emba said:

I just realized again how much fabric and yarn I have in my stash. It is the time of year to start my holiday crafting, but I need some ideas for gifts that will not be mere cutesy clutter.

 Tote bags are useful, but I think we’ve got a superfluity of them. Ditto with hats and throw quilts.

 I’m out of ideas, please help.

Oven mitts?
 

[kbutton]

Not fabric or yarn, but homemade cards are popular with some folks that still send notes by hand. 

[Emba]

2 hours ago, WendyLady said:

I was given a couple of these soup bowl cozies last year, and then made a set for my daughter and her husband. They are easy to sew and I use them all the time. We love soup and we have been sick here recently - these bowls make it possible to eat a bowl of soup in bed or on the couch a little safer. I use them at the table, too. I think it keeps the bowl warmer while eating!

I've been thinking of making some little washable eye make up remover pads for my girls.

I love the idea of making some little cactus pin cushions, but my girls don't sew and my mom has plenty of pin cushions.

Can't wait to see other ideas!!

Soup bowl cozies! I know my sister wanted some of those. I should do that for her.

[Emba]

1 hour ago, Ali in OR said:

My SIL crocheted everyone dish scrubbies out of tulle ribbon (tulle about 6" wide--our JoAnn's has it in the wedding aisle). There are some youtube instructions for similar scrubbies.

One of the best gifts (but not so glamorous) is a heating pad you heat up in the microwave. Mine start with a 10"x20" piece of heavy fabric sewn into a long rectangle, fill with millet (bird seed--nicer than rice), sew shut. I make a little flannel case too that's washable. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes and take it to bed with you in winter. Or put on a sore neck, back, arm, etc.

I have done heating pads with rice, so  everyone on my list already has them! They’re a great quick and easy gift.

[Emba]

1 hour ago, BaseballandHockey said:

Oven mitts?
 

That’s a good thought too. I haven’t made any in awhile but I think I’ve still got some of the insulating batting. Also I’ve made them with a double layer of cotton batting.

[Carol in Cal.]

The Warsh Rag in Mason Dixon Knitting is awesome.  

Also they have these crazy good ideas for knitting many strands of yarn as one to make things like kitchen mats or bath mats.  

One year I inkle wove Christmas ribbon (reusuable) out of 5/2s cotton, and those were very popular, but no one could stand to use them as that would involve giving them up, so as a sustainable Christmas move it was kind of a bust.  Touchingly, though, decades later my aunt used one for a present for DD, who didn’t know until I told her that I had made it.

[Jaybee]

5 hours ago, Emba said:

Pillowcases are definitely something my kids could use, and I’ve got lots of prints they would like. 

I was going to say my sil gave one ds a pillowcase she'd made for him out of a fabric with trains on it. They weren't babyish trains, but it was more of real engines. He loved that thing and used it for years.

[Frances]

17 hours ago, Ali in OR said:

My SIL crocheted everyone dish scrubbies out of tulle ribbon (tulle about 6" wide--our JoAnn's has it in the wedding aisle). There are some youtube instructions for similar scrubbies.

One of the best gifts (but not so glamorous) is a heating pad you heat up in the microwave. Mine start with a 10"x20" piece of heavy fabric sewn into a long rectangle, fill with millet (bird seed--nicer than rice), sew shut. I make a little flannel case too that's washable. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes and take it to bed with you in winter. Or put on a sore neck, back, arm, etc.

T

Edited November 11, 2020 by Frances

[Teaching3bears]

Reusable grocery bags.

[Emba]

In case anyone else is following for ideas, I had one tonight - for dd and my niece I think I’ll make some scrunchies. I found both sewn and crochet patterns. It will be a nice stocking stuffer and/or present topper instead of a bow.

[WendyLady]

5 minutes ago, Emba said:

In case anyone else is following for ideas, I had one tonight - for dd and my niece I think I’ll make some scrunchies. I found both sewn and crochet patterns. It will be a nice stocking stuffer and/or present topper instead of a bow.

That's a good idea. My dd loves scrunchies.

I'm thinking of sewing PJ pants. This thread made me look in my stash and I found that I have an abundance of flannel. When our kids were little, I always sewed christmas pj's but stopped at some point along the way. I will give one pair a try and see how it goes before I commit!

[gardenmom5]

Wool/fleece mittens, ear warmers, or scarves.  (Acrylic is about looks, not function).

 

There are some fun crocheted baby toys. 

Tote bags

 

[Elizabeth86]

Not sewing related, BUT I was considering making those homemade vicks shower steamer things. I love them when I'm sick, but I never seem to have any when I'm sick.  I wanted to make a bunch for myself and others. I doubt I'll get around to it for another 20 years, it's fun to dream.

[busymama7]

On 11/10/2020 at 10:35 AM, Carol in Cal. said:

Something I would love to have is reusable, washable bags for things like fresh bread or fresh veggies that keep them reasonably fresh without plastic.  I don’t know whether those are feasible design wise or not, but if someone had tried a design and found that it worked and then made me some, I would be thrilled.

Along these lines, bowl covers.   Elastic and fabric but I think that they work best if you wax them or something. 

[Emba]

15 hours ago, Elizabeth86 said:

Not sewing related, BUT I was considering making those homemade vicks shower steamer things. I love them when I'm sick, but I never seem to have any when I'm sick.  I wanted to make a bunch for myself and others. I doubt I'll get around to it for another 20 years, it's fun to dream.

I had never heard of those. My mom used to rub Vicks on my chest or under my nose when I had a cold. I hated it. I don’t even own any Vicks.

[WendyLady]

15 hours ago, Elizabeth86 said:

Not sewing related, BUT I was considering making those homemade vicks shower steamer things. I love them when I'm sick, but I never seem to have any when I'm sick.  I wanted to make a bunch for myself and others. I doubt I'll get around to it for another 20 years, it's fun to dream.

I like this idea. We have a eucalyptus tree and I think I could add some chopped up eucalyptus to the shower steamer. I am currently a bit congested, so the idea sounds very appealing. 

My girls have made some sugar scrubs as gifts in the past - that could make a nice gift basket with the shower steamers and a knit washcloth!

[Lucy the Valiant]

Someone made me some adorable zipper-close pouches a while back, and I didn't know what to use them for for sevearl years, until it FINALLY dawned on me - for empty "trash bags" (grocery bags) in my van! I love using them for that! 

Also, "grocery bag tubes" in general (we re-use grocery bags as trash bags here, and it's handy to have the tubes in 2-3 places). 

 

 

[katilac]

My mom made me some circular coasters out of absorbent fabric and I love them very much. And wish she would make me more, but she's very meh about sewing unexciting things that aren't for her grandkids, lol. 

 

1 hour ago, Emba said:

I had never heard of those. My mom used to rub Vicks on my chest or under my nose when I had a cold. I hated it. I don’t even own any Vicks.

Nobody complained about having an earache near my grandma, because she would put  a jar of Vicks into your ears. She regarded the directions for use as mere suggestions. 

[Lucy the Valiant]

Also hot rice sacks! We have made those for children, before, and - some children use them on their feet during cold winters and the "holding still to feel the warm pillow" causes them to fall asleep & sleep better. 

[matrips]

My kids love flannel pj shorts and pants.

[bibiche]

On 11/10/2020 at 8:04 PM, kbutton said:

Not fabric or yarn, but homemade cards are popular with some folks that still send notes by hand. 

Here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pinterest.com.au/amp/pin/150589181265265826/

Now it’s fabric related. 😉 

[Emba]

1 hour ago, bibiche said:

Here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.pinterest.com.au/amp/pin/150589181265265826/

Now it’s fabric related. 😉 

Those are really cute!