Be Merry and Bright: Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

Featured Clients,

December 15, 2011

With the holidays upon us and just 10 days until Christmas, women came to The Motherhood on December 15, 2011, to share their best ideas and instructions for handmade gifts, along with places to find thoughtful gifts to purchase.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 tips and ideas for last-minute holiday gift creating, buying and giving!

Tip #10: A well-wrapped gift makes it seem even more special.

“I started a whole Pinterest board with wrapping ideas!” said Kendra, Me and My Insanity. “I love that there are lots of free printable gift tags available!” http://pinterest.com/kendrahalterman/wrap-it-up/

“This one is cute with candy for ornamentation,” said Vanessa at The Sew*er, The Caker, The Copy-Cat Maker.

Here’s a site that offers MANY great wrapping suggestions: http://olderandwisor.blogspot.com/2011/11/way-31-that-was-random-50-more-gift.html

Tip #9: Photo gifts are a great standby.

“Photo gifts are so sweet. I found a bunch. These bracelets are available for purchase,” suggested Vanessa at The Sew*er, The Caker, The Copy-Cat Maker.

She also shared a number of other photo ideas (including magnets and coasters):

Kendra at Me and My Insanity used individual photos of family members to make personalized versions of the game “Guess Who”:

Tip #8: For inexpensive gifts with little mess, turn to mason jars.

“I give jars of hot fudge sauce to my neighbors,” said Rachel, Family Ever After. “These are great gifts because they last up to 3 weeks in the fridge and don’t have to be eaten right away.” She provided the recipe on her blog: http://www.familyeverafterblog.com/2011/02/hot-fudge-sauce-thanks-mom.html

“Here’s a gift I’ve ALWAYS wanted to try. And maybe I will this year since I don’t have much time! Cookies in a jar!” added Kayla S.

Tip #7: Package small themed items in a basket for a larger gift.

“Great last minute gift idea for the woman (or man!) in the kitchen! I am so doing this for someone. I just had a baby so I am like 100% last minute ideas!” said Heidi, Honeybear Lane.

And Kayla S added, “I LOVE making gift baskets for people for Christmas. I did 4 last year! Here’s a super-cute spa basket if you have someone who needs to relax!”

Tip #6: Give baked goods on fancy plates.

An old standby for gifts to neighbors and friends, cookies and other yummy goodies look much more festive on cute plates like these.

Tip #5: Annual ornaments are fun gifts for family.

“Here [is what] I made with my 3 year old last year,” said Kendra at Me and My Insanity. “The little fingerprint snowman ornaments were fun to make.” She provided a tutorial:

http://meandmyinsanity.com/2011/12/chatting-about-handmade-christmas-gifts.html

“My hubby & I have collected an ornament each year from our vacations and have 9 random, fun ones to display,” said Kelli, Lolly Jane. “We should start collecting ones for our son.”

Here is a tutorial for an alphabet photo block ornament from Lolly Jane: http://lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/alphabet-photo-block-ornament-tutorial.html

Tip #4: Experiential gifts make for lasting memories.

“We’ve created a tradition of giving experiences, wrapped up in a pretty box,” said Emily, The Motherhood. “So, with my aunt, we’ve set aside a weekend to go on an Audobon Walk along the shore with her and her box is covered with decoupage pictures of birds, the water, walking shoes, blue sky, and what not.”

“Great idea!! My brother gave my family a trip to a resort this year. It’s great to get things that you probably wouldn’t spend money on yourself,” said Heidi at Honeybear Lane. “Love the idea of a photography session too!”

Tip #3: Don’t forget about your child’s teacher.

Kelli at Lolly Jane shared an idea for a teacher gift basket. “Brilliant and has a cute poem,” she said, and shared the link: http://www.howdoesshe.com/christmas-gift-idea-teacher

Vanessa at The Sew*er, The Caker, The Copy-Cat Maker, shared ideas for “cubicle snacks” in jars and scissors wrapped in bags with cute tags that read, “You’re a cut above the rest!”

Tip #2: Practical gifts are appreciated.

“One idea for family is to purchase an accessory for a room they are re-doing – I’m getting a new mirror for the bathroom my mom just remodeled,” said Heidi at Honeybear Lane. “I guess it’s practical, but my mom really prefers practical gifts!”

Tip #1: Go DIY crazy! Here are some more great ideas from our co-hosts.

“Extremely Hot” apron for a guy in the kitchen (from Vanessa):