Top 10 Homemade Gifts

1. Photo calendar

Create a calendar full of his or her favourite memories! Choose the right format and size from Blacks! This gift is meaningful and practical. 

2. Baked goods  

No one can resist homemade baked goods over the holidays! From pies and shortbread, to rice crispy squares or chocolate bark, the possibilities are endless. Try adding some red and green chocolate, candy or sprinkles to make it festive!

3. Personalized pillow 

Turn any image or letter, into a pillow! 

Here's how: 

• Scan or upload image onto computer. 
• Visit Spoonflower and select "create custom fabric". Include a half-inch border around the image for seam allowance. 
• Order fabric (a linen cotton canvas "fat quarter") and cut a same size piece of baking fabric (i.e. linen or broad cloth).  
• Pin the fabrics together, right sides facing. Stitch around the pillow along the seam allowance, leaving a four inch wide opening along one side.
• Use small scissors to clip the corners. Turn pillow right side out. 
• Push out corners, iron out wrinkles, and stuff with loose fibrefill stuffing before blind-stitching the opening closed.

4. Painted pottery 

Create a piece of dish ware, or a christmas ornament. The Clay Room, Crockadoodle, and Colour Me Mine are some locations to get you started. Try using Google to find other convenient locations near you. 

Ladybug bowl set

5. Coffee table book 

Make a personalized coffee table book, with Blurb. Choose a theme that is meaningful to the recipient, and consider adding a mix of images and words! 

5. Baking ingredients 

The perfect gift for the avid baker. Add all dry ingredients of your favourite holiday recipe to a mason jar. Attach a note detailing instructions and quantities for wet ingredients. Add a piece of fabric, bow or ribbon to make the jar more festive. 

7. Crochet 

Learn how with your friends, relatives or even youtube! Make someone a scarf, headband, blanket, or any other item you can think of!


8. Homemade tea


Create your own loose leaf tea! 
  

Chai loose leaf tea recipe (no caffeine) 

• Cinnamon sticks
• Dehydrated ginger (found at any loose leaf tea store)
• Whole cloves
• Cardamom seeds 

Decide the quantities of each of the above, based on desired flavour, amount and cost. Combine in a grinder and blend. Put the blended mixture into a small jar, and add festive decor, if desired. 

*This gift pairs nicely with a mug, tea infuser, or Ontario honey.

9. Recipe book

A list of recipes may be helpful for a passionate cook, or even a beginner looking for quick recipe ideas! Use your own recipes or ask a friend! Add colour and creativity to make the book special and unique. 

10. Magnets 

Turn your favourite small item, into a magnet! For example, a watch face, or anything that is easily mounted on the refrigerator. 

Here's how: 

• Place the item face down.
• Apply hot glue to the black magnet rims, which can be purchased at Walmart. 
• Press the magnets against the item of your choice. Let dry for five minutes. 

What are your homemade gift ideas?