one gift for the whole family?

[notanotherxerox]

I want to make everyone nice Christmas presents but I don't really know what type of things the majority of the people on my list would like so I thought I'd put together one gift for each family/couple. I feel like this gift might not be as apreciated as much as individual gifts but I'd rather this than give them something they completely hate. Do you guys think a group gift still shows that I care and put thought in to whatever it will be?

 I've done this before and made some kind of cookie or cake mix in a jar that they added the wet indgedients to with some kitchen type accessories, but I don't want to repeat gifts and I know some people don't enjoy baking like I do so does anyone have any ideas for other fun family gifts?

I have to make things for a couple of couples with no children, a few families with teenagers, and several single people in their 40's.

Do you guys think a group gift still shows that I care and put thought in to whatever it will be?

Thank you so much for any input!!!

[alteredmommy]

I really like to give group/family gifts and think that most people seem to enjoy them (other than the pre teen kids who all get too much stuff anyway in my opinion )  When I'm feeling particularly frisky I do different themes for different families but usually (like this year) I do pretty much the same thing for everyone.  This year I'm doing eco/green gifts, with wool dryer balls, reusable sandwich wrappers, knit dishclothes in a gift bag made of newspaper.  I usually tuck in some baking or other treats I've made too.

I think any gift that you have taken the time to craft all or part of shows you care, which is the whole idea behind gift giving right?

[onceinlovewithAmy]

I would think that you could do this along the same lines as the "in a box" gift thread.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=20191.0

I personally see nothing wrong with a group gift. I usually do group gifts for two of my sisters' families (I have four sisters--one I don't bother with, one I get individual gifts for the members of her family, and the other two that I'm not particularly close to).

I agree with alteredmommy; if you have taken the time to craft part of a gift (or all), only a scrooge would be offended. I would also think that a group gift would encourage that familial spirit we're supposed to have at Christmastime. If someone gave my husband, stepdaughter and I a group gift, I'd feel more encouraged to share it with them and enjoy it with them, rather than going off on my own with a gift that was given just to me. That's just my thinking on it, though. I think group gifts are a great idea.


I would definitely dig through the "in a box" thread and see if any of the suggestions strike your fancy and would be good for those you're giving gifts to.

[notanotherxerox]

Thank you so much for both of your input! I feel better about giving group gifts now and I'll definitely look through the "in a box" thread. Alteredmommy, I love your idea for the green theme gift! Thats so cool.

Thanks again!

[alteredmommy]

The in a box thread is awesome for theme ideas!