Christmas 2009, what are you making?

[redheadedrowdy]

hehthur, those bottles are really cute! 

[yzzilnoaj]

Boyfriend's mom- Making her a decoupaged seed box, since she loves gardening and "old things", so I'm trying to find the perfect old box. She also loves birds, cats, tea, books (she's a high-school English teacher) and religion. Trying to think of something else to make her.

I think that's about it. I LOVE reading this thread, you are all so unbelievably imaginative and crafty! 

If she is into birds you can make her a nesting ball. You put left over string, thread, small pieces of material (pretty much anything small, soft and colorful) in a grapevine ball.  Come early spring she can hang it out with her bird feeders and the birds will use the soft items to make their nests.  Last year we had three nests in our yard that were purple and blue. 

[hehthur]

hehthur, those bottles are really cute! 

thanks so much!

[MonK]

Hi, I'm new here but I'm jumping in feet first!

We are crafting all gifts for our family this year but we're celebrating Christmas early with my husband's father's side so I thought I'd list my plans and hopefully get some ideas for the last two people on our list!

-Father In Law: Undecided - we were thinking of a liquor set but are already gifting that to 2 other people in the family. He's into fishing but makes his own lures. He likes coffee but makes his own at home. He loves his grandkids, kids, and pets. He plays guitar.
-Step MIL: candles in glasses etched with sayings like "family" "love" etc.
-BIL: Beer mugs etched with skulls & liquor set
-SIL: Undecided - she's 21 but lives far away so it needs to be something mailable. She loves photography, horses, nature, etc. I suggested a french memo board but my husband didn't seem to understand the point of them. A bath set is a possibility but I'd like to do something more unique for her.
-Step-BIL: Liquor set & etched drinking glasses with sports team name/logo
-Step-SIL: Bath set: slow globe soap, lip balm, bath fizz
-Niece (2): A handful of sock puppets
-Niece (1): Hooded Towel/Hooded Robe Towel (need to find pattern)
-Step-BIL: Reversible sports blanket likely made out of fleece

[lacyjae]

Hello merry craftsters! Long time lurker, first time writer (I think)... need some advice!

My new boyfriend has nephews! One is two or three, and one is toddler-sized. I have no ideas for xmas pressies! I've read a bunch of the posts and I liked the reindeer hooded bath towel idea, but is this suitable for both ages? I've only met the fam once and don't know much about them, but I'd like to make something that both kids and parents would like and appreciate.

Any other ideas out there?

Many thanks in advance!

[kaz814]

Hello merry craftsters! Long time lurker, first time writer (I think)... need some advice!

My new boyfriend has nephews! One is two or three, and one is toddler-sized. I have no ideas for xmas pressies! I've read a bunch of the posts and I liked the reindeer hooded bath towel idea, but is this suitable for both ages? I've only met the fam once and don't know much about them, but I'd like to make something that both kids and parents would like and appreciate.

Any other ideas out there?

Many thanks in advance!

Crayon rolls with coloring books comes to mind - every kid likes to color!  Though I can't imagine that the boys wouldn't like the towels.  They sound cool!

[Smuckers9]

-Niece (1): Hooded Towel/Hooded Robe Towel (need to find pattern)

I think my mom made these for us when we were little by attaching a hand towel to a matching towel. Lay the towel long ways, and attach the towel in the middle...if your interested I can ask my mom how she did it exactly or do a more detailed tute 

[b2j2fitz]

Lacyjae

Last year for Christmas, and for my 3 yr old son, I bought him a batman mask and gloves at Walmart and made him a matching batman cape to go with it.  You could do a superhero cape with their initials on it or a logo you come up with for them.  If you're interested, I can find the tutorial I used to make mine.  There's a few around though

On to my list of things to make...

M in law-hubby is thinking on building a potting table for her porch...it would have a tiled top on it.  We also always buy her some gormet flavored coffee
F in law-a t-shirt with his grandkids pictures on it...using an iron on transfer to do this unless someone out there has a better idea??
Mother-same as for mother in law, and a hot pack for aches and pains and cold feet in bed!
Dad-the grandkids t-shirt and a hot pack
2 nephews 3 and 4 yrs old-personalized superhero capes
nephew (7 yrs) ?
Sister in law who teaches pre-school-a messenger bag for teaching

Future sister in law-the phoebe bag
Close friend of the family and son's preschool teacher-a vera bradley style bag
my secret sister at church-a crochet project bag
My 4 yr old son-corn hole jr., crayon role for travel time and sitting in church!
my 2 yr old daughter -tutu, wings, wand, barrets
7 week old daughter -stuffed blocks, possibly a mobile? or baby name book
Husband-a new messenger bag for toting things to/from work...made from that digital camo fabric...
stenciled t-shirts, and a t-shirt with our kids picts on it. 
2yr old niece-tutu, wings and barrets
8yr. old nephew ?
6 yr. old nephew??

Any thoughts for these three nephews would be great!!

[dancedupapillon]

MonK, I found a tutorial for hooded towels and I thought of you.
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/11/29/hooded-towel-tutorial/

There are also lots of other tutorials on her site, and they're organized by themes (kids, teachers, travelers, edible...) so there are lots of ideas there for pretty much everyone on your list.  I think I'll make a bunch of her lunchbags as wrappings this year.
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/05/08/lunch-time/

[Tickle_Me_Pink]

I've already been thinking, and I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to make.

Granny: the knit hat ornaments/pot holders
Grandpa: ?
Grandpa: ?
Grandma: ?
Mom: Golden Snitch ornament, and cauldron ornament
Dad: buying an ornament
Brother: ?

I'm thinking for my grandparents, I'll just go to Hancocks and pick out some fun Christmas pattern and sew something.