Handmade gifts are a tradition. Remember last year when you promised yourself you would make homemade gifts all year long? And here we are. Searching for all the quick handmade gifts to give to our family and friends. Because, even though we love giving homemade gifts, life is busy and sometimes messy and we just don’t get them done during the rest of the year. At least not enough.
No matter if you are looking for gifts made from yarn, fabric, or food, or nature, take a look at this selection of handmade gifts from around the homesteading community. I think you will find at least a couple that will inspire you to stay home from the shopping center and create just the right gift.
Short on time? These handmade gift ideas are just for you. The majority take only a small investment of time, most under 4 hours.
Handmade Gifts Made from Yarn
Yes this is my comfort zone. However, even if you only crochet or knit in straight rectangles, there are idea that you can whip up in just a few hours. The pom pom book marks are super cute! I stumbled on those by accident while looking for something else. What a cute idea for teens, teachers, Bible study classmates, and just about anyone who reads! Pom poms are not just for hats!
Quick and Easy Crochet Scarf Pattern
Tunisian Crochet Braided Earwarmer from TLYarncrafts. This is not a free pattern. I added it because it’s what I am currently making for gifts this year. It’s versatile and trendy and I adapted it slightly to my own preference. I recommend this one!
Homemade Gifts of Food and Beverages
Many of us are looking to declutter and simplify. Adding more more more stuff to our houses is so yesterday. Food gifts, created and attractively packaged, are always in style, and appreciated!
Preserved Smoked Garlic Bulbs for Cooking
Enjoy a warm fire started with these festive pine cone fire starters.
Apple Cranberry Jam or Apple Cranberry Jelly
Handmade Monogram Mugs Add a pack of hot cocoa or coffee or tea and you have a lovely gift!
Kits for Do It Yourself Handmade Gifts
Kits for Health and Beauty are appreciated and help your giftee learn a new skill too. People are amazed at how easy it is to make handmade lip balm. Another idea is a kit for extracts. With the current price of vanilla beans,(and the not so yummy flavor of imitation extracts) give the ingredients! A “make your own” kit is the perfect handmade gift.
Unique and Natural Solid Perfume
Do it Yourself Lip Balm Kit – it’s amazing how easy it is to make lip balm from healthy ingredients!
Homemade Extracts can easily be given as a do it yourself style kit. Put all the ingredients in a pretty basket or bag and attach instructions.
Sew a Homemade Gift
Sewing is a great way to create handmade gifts for family and friends. And don’t miss the Bees Wax wraps that are also made from fabric.
How to Make Potholders from Old TShirts
Wool Mittens from Recycled Sweaters
Bees Wax Wrap for Plastic Wrap Alternative
Soaps and Lotions
Everyone appreciates handmade body products. The mere fact that the gift is made from quality, natural ingredients is enough of a reason, and yet folks get so creative that the soaps can look good enough to eat! Even the plain Jane, goat milk soap is a treasure, and a healthy choice for your skin. I should warn you that making soap is addictive! Once I start, the options are unlimited and I end up making quite a few batches of soap at one time. If you are cutting it close on time, try the recipes in Jan Berry’s newest book, Easy Homemade Melt and Pour Soaps Cut down on the curing time required with cold process soaps.
DIY Sleepy Time Herbal Bath Tea Doesn’t that sound perfect?
The Gift of Learning
While not exactly a handmade gift, you will be gifting the knowledge to make something valuable or learn a valuable skill. With beekeeping and soap making being very popular, these classes and more are sure to be an appreciated gift.
Soapmaking with Axe and Root Homestead
Shop Small
If you really are too tight on time, don’t despair! The world is full of many talented people hoping you will find your way to their independent shop, website or Etsy store this season. Here is a short list to get you started.
5R Farm in Oregon Handcrafted, small batch soap made with natural ingredients.
Jeanie Green Hens on Etsy has handmade, handknit, and other gifts from the farm.
Wild Oak Farms on Etsy offers a natural raw goat milk and calendula soap with no added fragrance. Don’t miss the handmade soap dishes and body scrubs too.
Hopefully you feel encouraged now to go forward and conquer your gift giving list. They say that giving homemade and handmade gifts is truly giving from your hear. I agree with this. It’s can also be giving your family and friends ideas and encouragement to live a more sustainable, healthy and earth friendly lifestyle. Still not sure? Check out the following for more handmade gift ideas.
Ten More Handmade Gifts can be Found Here.
Gift Basket Giving and Gifts in a Jar are other fun ways to prepare handmade gifts from the homestead.
