FAQ: Handmade Gifts

I've decided to start addressing some of my more frequently asked questions here on the blog. That way I can direct people to a nice post complete with pictures and links rather than writing out a long, awkward response via email. I tend to do my emailing late at night so if you ever get an email form me that makes little to no sense, please do forgive me. It's probably just because I'm deliriously tired and should be sleeping!

 Do you have a question you'd like me to answer here on the blog? Email me if you do. I always love to hear from you (:

It's the season of giving and we're all thinking about what to get our loved ones. If you're like me (as in a starving college student) you have to pinch your pennies to prepare for this time of year. One way to combat this is to make handmade gifts. You can really save some cash and who doesn't appreciate something handmade?

Don't be fooled though. Handmade gifts can cost just as much, if not more than store-bought gifts. I've learned this lesson more than once. One year I spent $65 on a gift basket that I gave to my boyfriend's parents. I had set out to save money but, the basket and cellophane alone cost me almost $20. Lesson learned: skip the fancy packaging and focus on the gift itself. 

So here I've assembled a long collection of handmade gift ideas that I've seen around bloggyland with some of my own tutorials mixed in there. All of these are relatively inexpensive and can be very thoughtful.  Click on the picture for the link and enjoy! 

Starting with my favorite. How cute is this DIY earwarmer from Delia Creates?!

All of Disney's tutorials are golden but here's one of my faves:

A quick and easy sew. The charm makes it extra personal too (:

Love this DIY Cell Phone Case from Swell Mayde. She even includes the free printable pattern!

Perfect for your sitster, friend, Mom, or any other special lady.

Who says a quilt has to be complicated to be pretty? Try making a strip quilt like this one from Red Pepper Quilts. I made one of these for my sister last Christmas and loved how it turned out!

These are just too cute not to share. Dana from Made shows you how to make these cute heart shaped pot-holders.

No sewing required!

How pretty is this Casserole Carrier from Taylor Made? She even includes an etched casserole dish with this handmade wedding gift.

A perfect little stocking stuffer. 

Rebecca shows you how to make this Pearl Ribbon Necklace over at My Girlish Whims!

Love this quick and easy vintage bookmark tutorial from Vintage Lemon!

But what about the boys? 

Yes it can be much harder to come up with handmade gifts for the men in our lives. I've faced this dilemma many a holiday. Here's some neat ideas but, if all else fails maybe just try baking some homemade treats. They say a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right?

Happy Crafting!

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