Homemade Christmas ideas

[Colleen]

So the holidays are coming, and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas for homemade gifts? I've made a few things allready and have been brainstorming as to what i can make for the others on my list. I prefer to give things i've made or painted etc.. It's far too costly to buy at the store and would rather repurpose things to create one of a kind works of art that come from the heart. A little blocked at moment and in need of insperation....Have a wonderful thursday all...its trick or treat night tonight here....

[KITTY]

Hi Colleen. There's one thing that i love to make for people {especially women} at christmas. I have a decent collection of essential oils and stuff. I like to make bath salts. You can put them in recycled glass containers with ribbons or raffia. Some of my favorite ones are patchouli rose, and lavender vanilla. I use a mixture of epsom and rock salt, essential oils, and sometimes rose petals or lavender flowers in with the salts to give it some color. When you use it in the bath it really makes for soft skin too. Peace. Kitty

[☼Royce☼]

I pick up things at yard sales such as-jewelry boxes, empty bottles, just things that I can make special for family and friends by painting them with a scene or picture. I have also done collage of pictures of them.
Great topic by the way.
Blessings,
Royce

[john]

i look threw the trash on the sides of the street you find a lot of still good items that would otherwise just be thrown away you can pretty up and make them your own then you can give it to the person you intended to just because its nearing holidays doesnt mean you have to buy expensive store goods just make them. be sure to ask before just rumaging threw their trash though otherwise they get angry
peace later and have fun

[solarman]

This is a good thread....but has anyone notice that when your selling your soul to Babylon there is no energy left to be creative with, or is it just me??? Solarman

[solarman]

OK guys,
I'm still waiting on these ideas from you. Anything??? Solarman

[Jin Firewalker]

Hi Colleen,

I feel ya on homemade gifts are less expensive than store bought, plus like you said, they're more personal and heartfelt than say a run-of-the mill hallmark card. Here is my two cents as a fellow artist:

1) Thrift stores are sometimes a good place to find a diamond in the rough, or at least a few piece(s) in which you can creatively build something

2) If there are old, abandoned public places or if you live in a big city places and/or business(es) where you can get say old, or recycled wood, tile (pieces)

3) Dumpster diving and/or treasure hunting when you're out and about are another idea

4) Any leftover materials and/or scraps from other art projects you've done you could reuse in a new art creation

5) For colors, paints, canvas, if you didn't want to buy them at an art store, then you could make them from scratch by means of dye powders, paper making, origami, build a wood or metal frame, and assemble ox hair or nylon homemade brushes

6) Your creativity and imagination, think outside-of-the-box, no limits, no boundaries, create whatever you feel is beautiful and your family and friends will appreciate it, cause you made it

Best of Luck and Happy Holidays

[Colleen]

Jin,
Thanks for your little list. I have been trying to use up extra supplies as much as i can, i am working on a scrap throw quilt for a neighbor, and I actually scored a bunch of half painted/started canvas' at the flea market last week for real cheap so i have been busy painting over them. I have also decided this year i am using brown craft paper as wrapping ( i can get it free at work, its used as packaging with some deliveries)
Have a great holiday!!

[solarman]

Been meaning to reply to you guys that hit me back on this...Thanks.
That was a good list Jin, I only dumpster dive for scrap metal, was making good money till the market crashed on industrial metals..guess I should look for other things but I just make the rounds where I know there is metal.
Collen sounds like you scored big at the flea market with the canvas'. I work all day Sat. and Sun. so flea markets are a thing of the past for me...any way thanks for the input. I know its bad this year for most of us but here's hoping you and your family have a great Christmas. ALAN