 Homemade Gifts)
As much as possible we give handmade. In fact as I type, my husband is out in the garage working on a climbing wall that he’s building for our daughter (she’s going to love it!).
Many of our homemade gifts involve sewing, but since I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I wanted to share a couple of no-sewing-required gift ideas. One is an annual tradition, and the other is one of my favorite homemade children’s gifts.
Everyone Loves Food
I love to give home-cooked or home-baked food for Christmas. It doesn’t clutter up a house and it’s bound to put a smile on its recipient’s face as it fills their tummy.
A couple of years ago, we made Chai Snickerdoodle cookies (you’ll have to google the recipe because this was in the dark, pre-Pinterest days) and filled up embellished, empty Trader Joe’s chai tins to give as gifts. They turned out super cute, and yummy.
Every year I continue my mom’s tradition of banana (nut) chocolate chip bread. I bake it in small loafs and then wrap it up with a bow to give to friends, neighbors, teachers and family members. It’s a family favorite that I’ve gradually been modifying over the years (maybe I’ll try it with honey or coconut palm sugar this year?). I thought I’d share my recipe, in case you’re looking for a new quickbread.
Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Bread
Makes 2 large or 4-5 small loaves
2 bananas cut & mashed –about 1 cup (I keep overripe ones in the freezer to use- just thaw in microwave and mash)
1 cup sugar (evaporated cane juice sugar)
1/2 cup orange juice
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
***
2 cup flour (half unbleached white, half wheat)
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
***
1 cup chocolate chips (try grain-sweetened!)
1 cup chopped walnuts or other nuts
- Beat together first set of ingredients with electric mixer. Then mix second set of ingredients in separate bowl and add all at once to wet ingredients.
- Then add chips and nuts (optional). Don’t overmix!
- Grease pans, and pour batter into pans.
- Bake at 350° 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool before removing from pans.
Eat, give away or store in fridge (also freezes very well, too).
For the Little One in Your Life
Last year I wanted to make something for my daughter that incorporated family photos– much of our extended family lives far away and she loves looking at pictures of all of them. At three, she was also just starting to get interested in games. I ended up making this game for both her and my niece.
The Family Photo Memory Game
The basics:
I printed out wallet-sized photos of all the family members in pairs and attached them to scrapbook paper. Then I took the cards to my local teacher supply store and laminated them in a big sheet that I could then simply cut apart. It doesn’t matter how many cards you make as long as there’s two of each.
I made a little zipper pouch to hold them, but if you want to go no-sew, this would be a great opportunity to repurpose
- a mason or applesauce jar
- an oatmeal carton
- an old drawstring gift bag
- a decorated cardboard box from a box of granola/cereal bars
- or even a plastic baggie
Add a simple explanation of rules to the set and it’s good to go! Easy peasy and my daughter loved it.
What’s your favorite no-sew homemade gift that you’ve made or plan to make?
About Nicole
Lovely ideas, thank you! I like very much to give consummables too…
Veronica´s latest post: Nuestras fiestas · Our holidays
I love the idea of the memory game. When my son was little he used to always carry around a photo album filled with family photos. This would make an excellent gift. Thanks!
Pam M.´s latest post: Coconut Oil Chocolate
Love the photo memory game! I’ve been making those little zippered pouches this month…so I think I could totally pull that off!
Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy´s latest post: A {Sense}ational Season, 5 Ways
I love the family photo memory game! What a great idea.
Stacy´s latest post: Bigger Picture Moment: I’m the Only One!
This is such a wonderful idea!! My mind immediately went to our family vacation photos. Ferb, I know what we’re going to do today!
I think these are great ideas…maybe it’s just me, but I think the photo memory game would be perfect for big kids, too
I’m still a child at heart 
The foodgift idea is great. I LOVE receiving food gifts from friends, because they always come in cute containers…and the food tastes great, too
Have a great day. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather
´s latest post: MY TEA TIME TUESDAY AND TEACUP & TEA THINGS TUESDAY FOR DECEMBER 1st.
Heather
I forgot about that matching game idea! I remember seeing that when you made it awhile back and wanting to copy it…maybe I can pull it off before Christmas! Love it!
Krissa´s latest post: Weekend Links {12.4.11}
The memory game is great! I love making consumables for gifts, and often make cranberry bread, but since moving out of state from most of our dear friends and family, I’ve been in a quandary as to how to preserve/ship/etc. the breads between baking and delivering. Any tips, anyone? Also, our first child was born this summer, and I am trying to think up simple home/handmade gifts for him — he’ll be 5 months at Xmas — help?! THANKS!
I love the memory game idea. I think my daughter is still too young this year but she’ll love it for next year. Thanks for the reminder that homemade gifts can be simple.
Steph´s latest post: A Word About Miracles & Milestones
Great ideas! I usually do baked goods to neighbors, too. We have also done several photo calendars for family with the birthdays on them. They love this! Have a great day, Claire
I love the photo memory game. My sister made one for our family 20 years ago (really!!) and it’s really hilarious now. Time to make a lot of new cards!
I love the chai cookies idea! I make cookies for all of our family each year, and those sound like a delicious change!
Here are a couple recipes that I have not tried yet:
tastykitchen.com/recipes/…/chai-snickerdoodle-cookies/
http://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-chai-snickerdoodles-194245
I will also try the matching photo game-but not till next year.
laminated memory game is awesome!
thefisherlady´s latest post: my favourite things/ the good fight against AIDS
I love making games for the kids and know my 3 year old will love her photo memory game she is receiving for Christmas this year thanks to your inspiration. Thanks.
Can you give me details on the climbing wall??? My husband would love to make one for our daughter!
Love the other ideas too!
Thanks