As Christmas of 2010 approaches a lot of people’s minds are occupied with the thought of what they are going to buy for everyone on their gift list this year. One trend that can be applied to getting gifts for children, parents, siblings, and friends are handcrafted gifts. This is a trend this year because of the economy and everyone’s Christmas budget being a little tighter than years past. Handcrafted gifts can be a cheaper and more personal alternative than what you may find at a high-end department store this year. Some ideas for making your own gift are putting together a gift basket. If you’re a good baker an assortment of cookies along with a cookbook can be very pleasing gift. If you’re not so talented in the kitchen, then maybe opt for buying a plain picture frame at a craft store and decorating the frame and inserting pictures of you and whoever the gift is for. This is a very personal gift that someone can keep and remember forever. If you’re not a very creative or artistic person then don’t sweat it, because you can still find many crafty, handmade products that others have made to sell. One place to find crafty personal gifts is Etsy.com. Janna Coumoundouros Bissett, has a shop on etsy.com called LilacPop where she sells jewelry, knitted items, and fine art photos or drawings, all of which she has made herself. The products range from 14 to 80 dollars so there is something there for everyone’s price point. Below is a picture of a few necklaces from a craft show she did recently.
When it comes to buying presents we have, don't want it, can't afford it or your parents don’t even know because we don’t tell them anymore. It seems to be the most wonderful time of the year. But with it being only a few short weeks until Christmas it also seems to be the most stressful. You have to begin your budgeting and find that one perfect gift for that special someone. If you are in need of help this season we have also came up with some more ideas that are unique and trendy. Showing someone you care or not knowing what to get can end with buying something with that person’s initials or name. It is something that is a gift that’s slowly growing and becoming more popular with kiosks in the Fayette Mall or your hometown embroidery. You can do anything from mugs, bags, key chains, to even ornaments. Don’t worry about spending your whole paycheck. On our college budget it could be as inexpensive as 10 dollars.
60 comments:
Home-made gifts are a great idea, especially for college students! It's the thought that counts anyways. Most parents would probably like this even better because you took the time to put it together, and it's a keepsake for them. Little items with your initials on them are getting more and more popular for sure.
Home-made gifts are such a great idea this season ! i have made Puppy chow and am giving that out to some people as gifts. Who doesn't like a sweet treat for a gift?!? I'd rather receive food than something i can't use. Initials are also a big gift idea! i love getting gifts with my initials in them !!
Elizabeth Griffith
I seem to always end up making my mom a home-made gift! She thinks they mean more then one I would buy for her! That website seems great and i'll have to check it out for some ideas this christmas!
Hand-made gifts are a really good idea for college students, or anyone on a budget. These gifts are a terrific idea for those heart-felt gifts given to loved ones. I'll definitely be visiting Micheal's for some craft ideas!
-Rob Stromquist
I loved that website about the homemade jewelry! It seems like just my little sisters style so im definitely going to be ordering something for here from that site! I never know what to get my dad for christmas though! I wish that would have been included in this post. He doesnt wear ties, and has all the tools you could imagine. I find that treating my dad to dinner, or getting him a gift card to a restaurant is always a good way to go!
Meredith Gross
I love that this blog put in a website to show the growing trend of handmade gifts. I also agree that handmade gifts is a growing trend and also that initials/name gifts are very popular. I know I personally have done both of these kinds of gifts in the past for friends and family.
Although I am not very crafty, I make my grandma a Christmas ornament every year. She loves ornaments, and although they aren't the prettiest ornaments in the world, she loves that I personally make them for her. She has collected all the ones I've made her since I was a little girl. We enjoy going through all of them and laughing at how unartistic I am! It's something I look forward to every year with her. This just proves you can give someone an inexpensive gift with a lot of meaning.
-Paige Hofmann
I completely agree, i love the idea of handmade gifts! My family draws names out of a hat every year to make something themselves for that person and it has always been a hit! I also wasn't aware about the kiosk at the fayette mall, thats awesome!
I love giving my friends personalized home-made gifts, its giving them a gift like our friendship, one of a kind. Well that was cheesy but true! If there is nothing I can make, then I always try to find something unique and different. I love going to fred flair and other related sites to find these kinds of gifts.
I will have to check out that website! Home-made gifts are a great idea during this recession! I think family members are more into the home-made gifts from the heart anyways! I will definitely be looking for good deals this season to save a little money!
-Danielle Custer
I love cute things that you can add initials on. Stores such as The Front Porch and Peggy's in Lexington have very cute mugs, blankets, hats, etc that can be embroidered. I think this definitely makes the gift more personal and it is something that the receiver can use and feel special using.
I didn't even think about doing homemade gifts. This is a very good idea since they are very inexpensive to make. Now I won't have to worry about what to get my family. And they wont be disappointed when they see gifts from me under the tree.
I am planning on making a few gifts for people this year. So far I have enjoyed the time I have spent making them and I agree that they are more personal and have a more special meaning. They are also a good way to save money.
Christine Wolfzorn
I think homemade and personalized gifts are a great idea! I know.this year I'm doing monogrammed scarfs for everyone. I hope everyone likes them!
I think homemade and personalized gifts are a great idea! I know.this year I'm doing monogrammed scarfs for everyone. I hope everyone likes them!
Homemade gifts sound like a great alternative. They give a personal touch towards the gift and often times are functional/useful gifts that your friend/family will appreciate. They save money which ensures your Christmas money isn't depleted on gifts only.
I love making gifts for my friends and I really like the idea of personalized items because you can never go wrong with them. I also like the idea of being crafty, making gift baskets is fun and can be in any price range.
Homemade gifts are always more personal and special. They are a great idea to not only give a meaningful gift but to also save some money. I will also have to check etsy.com because it sounds like they have some really unique and cute items.
Julie Sutton
i love making homemade gifts for my family to me they seem more special like you put more thought into it. it is also helpful for people like me who are in college and trying to save as much money as possible! this year i am making my sister a fleece blanket she always comments on mine so thought she would love it and it would be useful during the winter season.
Home-made gifts are a fantastic idea! I have seens all sorts of accessories that have been personalized with initials on them lately. I think they are all adorable and would indeed make a spectacular and inexpensive gift this holiday!
-Erin McGee
I love monogrammed and embroidered gifts! I always tell people that don't know what to get me that, that is always a safe route. Hand-made gifts is something that I do every year. Especially for my friends. I love making picture collages and flower arrangements. All of these ideas are inexpensive and personal.
Great Post with Great Ideas!
-Katie Fisher
I really like handmade/crafted gifts. Some of the most special gifts I've ever received have been handmade. They're more personal and meaningful than a gift card or something bought from a random store.
Lauren Brickey
Homemade gifts are a great idea, and you never have to worry about someone getting duplicates on gifts then. You can always make something unique and it's not that hard to come up with creative ideas. plus, it shows that you put more thought into the gift, without putting you over budget.
Homemade gifts are always a favorite, from when your 4 for now! Even if you aren't super crafty, most things can be made with minimal skill or the help of others. I love doing the picture frame idea, especially for some people.
-Bethany Davis
Being a college student my budget for christmas shopping is ridiculously low. I think handmade gifts are a great idea. They are a great idea because they are personable and affordable. The handmade gifts in the photo are very cute and would make great gifts for anyone. I know my mom would love the personalized travel coffee mug!
For a person like me homemade gifts are always the way to go. I am the biggest bargin shopper I know, deals can't hide from me. The 'Initial' gifts are always a big hit in my book although some letters are hard to come by for others. I love how they are inexpensive and fun to make. This is a very intresting blog and the pictures are also cute.
Being a college student my budget for christmas shopping is ridiculously low. I think handmade gifts are a great idea. They are a great idea because they are personable and affordable. The handmade gifts in the photo are very cute and would make great gifts for anyone. I know my mom would love the personalized travel coffee mug!
I love the idea of making your own personalized gift. I have done the frame idea before and it is great. Another idea is to make a collage of pictures and you can be really creative with it. You don't have to have a ton of artistic talent to make a homemade gift.
-Olivia Rink
Being a college student my budget for christmas shopping is ridiculously low. I think handmade gifts are a great idea. They are a great idea because they are personable and affordable. The handmade gifts in the photo are very cute and would make great gifts for anyone. I know my mom would love the personalized travel coffee mug!
I love the idea of non traditional gifts for everyone. The second picture shows great ideas for almost any college girl. Personalizing little items like the ones shown in the photo make the gift a little more sincere. I have never heard of etsy.com so i dont really know what it offers. i will have to check it out though!!
Lauren Farinelli
I loved your blog post and I absolutely loved your ideas you gave for presents this holiday season. I have so many people to shop for that I run out of unique ideas for each individual person and usually get stuck. This post has really helped me out a lot and I can't wait to finish up my shopping!
--Raegan Kuchar
I love your picture frame and embroidery ideas! I know I love getting things with my initials on them, it makes everything feel more personal. This post had some really great, thought out ideas. Can't wait to finish shopping!
I love making home made gifts for my family and friends! I feel like its way more sentimental versus just buying any ordinary gift you can at the mall. There are so many cute stores around where you can find embroidery ideas. I can't wait till I go back home and can finally finish up my holiday gifts!
It's always great to bake a cake or some cookies to decorate in a basket and give to your boyfriend's mom or grandmother, it's also inexpensive and shows that you're still thinking of them. I love making little trinkets and I've used etsy.com to sell some myself! Also, quibids.com is an AMAZING auctions website to try to get brand new things like iPads, iPods, phones, televisions and more for as little as a few cents to $5 WITHOUT the scam! I swear, try it!
I think the homeade gifts are the best! They seem to literally be made with love- being that the designer takes their time and effort towards polishing and tweaking the gift to the receiver's liking. They are also great for children. Not only is it a great activity, but it also holds sentimental value when looking back on the progression of each year's gift. Also, because these types of gifts hold so much more value/importance than store bought items, I never think of them as being cheaper- a price can't be set for this!
I think homemade gifts work out fantastic! Especially when you are on a budget. The picture frame idea I think is one of the most popular because it captures a memory while giving a gift at the same time. Hobby Lobby is one of my favorite places to get the essentials for doing things like this. It's and easy, fun, and creative idea you can do for anyone!
-Amber Olinger
I think that the hand crafted ideas are great! I love making gifts like that! Etsy is a great website, and I definitely recommend it! they have a lot of good artwork and crafts for cheap!
This blog did a great job on giving ideas for gift giving! I love making gifts for people and I usually do it every year for my parents. I agree that the initials gifts are very popular! I have received and gave those gifts before as well. I'll have to check out the website you all included, it looks interesting!
-Jordan Jenkins
I like how you all touched on all sorts of gifts for all personalities. I personally really like monogrammed items and I have given them as gifts as well. People tend to stick to impersonal gifts such as giftcards and I like to add a little more effort into my purchases.
-Elena Jones
Home-made gifts is what I plan on doing this year. Hopefully to the person it will mean more to them because they know I spent time on it and put some effort into it. My sister just found out she is pregnant with her first child, so I plan on making her a baby photo frame that she will definitely put to great use in the nursery.
Kerri Prichard
These gift ideas are really cute. I like that there is something for everyone mentioned in the blog. I know I love giving people gifts, but I hate actually shopping for them. I would love a one stop shop. Most of the gifts that were in the picture my parents always use as stocking stuff-ers. Hopefully no one gets me that for Christmas!
I like the idea of giving someone handcrafted gifts because they are more personal and usually have sentimental value for the person receiving the gift and you can often find these for a reasonable price. Holiday shopping is usually pretty stressful because I often have no idea what to get unless someone tells me but this post had some great and affordable ideas.
--Kasey Paterson
Its definetly that time of the year again, the holidays. This time of the year is specaial, it lets you be thankful for all the things you have, and all the things you don't have. It is a great time to spend with family and friends. Being gifts for other people is always nice to do at this time of the year also.
When I was little I would always bake for presents or make homemade cards. Although, this year a unique idea i have used is putting a picture of a friend and myself on a pillowcase. It is always fun to give unique gifts and see their reaction.
-Kayla Sienkowski
I definitely have been thinking about making my parents' presents this year. It is so stressful being a college student and having no income. I know that my mom will enjoy a handmade gift probably even better than one I could afford. The cookies and a recipe book were a really cute idea!
-Abby Hurley
I think homemade gifts are cool and creative. It shows the person you're giving the gift to that you made it from the heart. Another thing is, if it's homemade then no one will have anything like it. But also when you make crafts or make gifts to give to people you also have to think of the factor of getting all the supplies you need for the craft or item. So i feel like it's a win/lose.
-Adria Haearn
I absolutely ADORE homemade gifts :)
Growing up with my mom who is a domestic goddess she has given me a talented hand in the kitchen and taught me how to use my creative detail oriented eye to make precious, homemade, creative, and cutesy gifts for friends and family. This year everyone in my family is getting a homemade gift and a store bought something and I'm definitely more excited about giving the homemade gifts. I believe this is because not only do they show the love and time you put into the gift but they are also unique just like the person you are giving them to :)
This was such perfect timing for this blog post! I have never heard of LilacPop but I am going to check it out for sure now. I would have to say that while buying great gifts for family and friends is fun, making them yourself is all the more rewarding!
-Kyrie Cloud
I agree that making a christmas gift for someone is so much cheaper and adds a personal touch than buying an expensive gift at the mall! I have never heard of lilacPop but it sounds like a really cool place to find ideas on gifts and i'll definatel have to check it out to find some things for my family and friends!
When i first joined a sorority handcrafted gifts were a must, and they still are. i made little christmas ornaments for my friends and every member of my "family" in the sorority for the holiday season. my sister recently got engaged and someone threw her an ornament party, i handcrafted an ornament with her and her soon to be husbands monogram on it with the date they got engaged! they make for great presents and are fairly simple and inexpensive to make!
-abby theobald
Being a poor college kid I think handmade gifts are a great idea. It also shows you put thought and effort into it. However, Im not really that crafty.
Andrew Wyatt
I love handmade gifts and they are always more thoughtful I think. I always have a hard time deciding what to get friends and family. These gifts are really cute and great ideas. Being a college student you don’t have a ton of money to spend on everyone but find neat cheap gifts you are still about to buy for everyone you want.
Jessica Stockdale
Home made gifts are always so personal and sweet! I think any type of food, or something made with that persons initial on it is a lovely gift! Creating collages/picture frames/scrap books, is something I love to give out as gifts!
Homemade gifts are a great activity to do with friends. You don’t even have to have a specific project to start out with. I recommend going to Michaels and just wondering around for a bit until you discover something that you would like to paint or create. This way you get craft time with friends and a personal and cheap gift for your loves ones.
i think this blog does a good job telling students about cool and cute gift ideas. I havent really ever thought about making a gift for someone in a while but it sounds like a creative and fun way to give a gift to someone on a small budget
-amanda birch
These ideas are really cute. I love making homemade gifts and it shows that you really put thought into the gift. It can also be a great way to show someone you care when you are on a tight budget, which many of us are.
I totally agree with the handcrafted gifts this year. My roomate is making her boyfriend one of those stitching leather belts. Although it is time consuming, it makes a great thoughtful gift. Since I can't make all my gifts by hand, I am going to try to budget my gifts and get great, yet affordable gifts.
I think homemade gifts are such a good idea for anyone who has a low budget for Christmas, which I know is me and probably a lot of other college students. I have also never heard of LilacPop but I'm sure their hand crafted gifts are cute; I'll have to check it out sometime.
-Cortney Hockenbury
It can definitely be difficult at times to find the right gift for someone. This can be even more difficult for someone with a tight budget. I have notices that it is better to plan ahead when shopping for Christmas gifts. I did not know about this website mentioned in the blog but think this is great! Also these are some very creative cheap ways to make a gift for someone and personalize it.
-Anne Hart Atchison
homemade gifts are a great way to show you care even more just becasue you took the time to make them and not just run through the store and pick up anything you see.
jannifer buchanan
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