I've seen a few discussions going on around about handmade Christmas gifts, so I wanted to post a comment here that I made on Missy's blog.... she's got a cute popcorn holder on there right now, so go check it out! :)

These are some decorated purse calendars I made. Planning on personalizing them with names or initials for folks. You can get these at tons of places, I found mine at Target. They are really fun to make. :)

These journals are AWESOME. I got them at Hobby Lobby. The reason why I love them is that they are spiral bound on the inside (I'm particular about that) but bound on the outside. The insides are pretty too. They are only a few bucks, and then you can personalize them for whoever you are giving it to.
A variation on my now infamous (or rather, overused idea) altered trays. This is a smaller sized one, and it's for putting Christmas pics in.


This is another little tray/sign I made. Just used a tin tray, dry brushed it with white acrylic paint, and added on the paper and embellishments . I attached everything with glue dots (the best glue evah!) to make sure it stayed on there.

Ok, here we go with a link-fest of ideas:

This one I have made before, and it's really fun and customizable. You can store the magnets on the back and each day add a new one.

Magnetic Calendar (designer- Amy Williams)

You could get the kids involved in making the different squares. Walmart sells a pack of 3 cooking tins for $3, or you could check out the Dollar Tree.

Another idea, using the same thing, is to do an advent calendar.

Here are step by step instructions to do it:

Teresa McFayden's Advent Calendar

Speaking of advent calendars, here's one using a muffin tin.

Muffin Tin Calendar

The girl made each square to cover the "holes" on a mini muffin pan tin, and put magnetic strips on the side to attach it. Inside each "hole" is a little treat.

Here are instructions & a pic of yet another advent calendar:

Scrap Etc. - Renee's calendar

This:

Exploding Box

(sounds dangerous, but I promise is not! hehe) It's really cool looking, and the directions look pretty simple, plus the lady has step by step pics. It would be great to do a year-in-review type photo thing!

A friend of mine made one, here's hers:

Linh's box

I liked the colors she picked. :)
Someone suggested also that you could put pics in it of all your Christmas mornings and have it sitting out during the holidays.

This is a pretty nifty idea:

Patricia Roebuck's Altered mirror

You can get the masks she refers to at Scrap Etc., Michael's or Hobby Lobby (they are a brand called Heidi Swapp that is near and dear to my heart). They are only $1.99. Or you can come over and use mine. ;)

Here are some various ideas:

Amy Kiane's Christmas Ideas

I'm so making some of these:

Ali E.'s Button Christmas Trees

Here are the complete directions:

Tia Bennet's directions (and a pic of her button tree):

This is a .pdf file (so you'll need Adobe to open it) of "Christmas Spirit" ideas. One girl had the idea of printing them on pretty paper and then filling up a decorated "Christmas Spirit" box... you pull one out each day of the holidays and do it. You could give it as a gift, too.

Christmas Spirit ideas

I know a lot of these are more Christmas crafts than regular gifts, but I know I've got more ideas floating around. :)

Labels: Craft ideas