The Joy Of Home-made Presents (Homemade Christmas Presents)

Member Name: jennyyy21

Product:	Homemade Christmas Presents
Date:	10/12/07 (298 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun and unlimited possibilites

Disadvantages: Macaroni photoframes?

So, here it is. The time of year when TV adverts are taken over by toy, celeb perfumes and supermarket adverts. The Coco-cola advert appears and we all go into mass panic worrying what to buy people and who to visit. Yep, it's Christmas time.
Every year it's exactly the same. You have so many people to buy presents for, you lose count. You have to save like crazy, or sell any valuable posession to get enough money to be able to afford it all. Then when you actually get to the shops, they're packed full of stressed shoppers in ques going around the shops. The joy of Christmas shopping. Walking around the High streets in the freezing cold, bags bashing into your legs when all you really want to do is sit at home, in the warm. Well, with making your own Christmas presents. You can.

Remember when you was little, and at School you would make these gifts. Macaroni photo frames were my speciality. Stick random bits of macaroni down, and you could always trust 1 kid to eat the raw pasta. Then you would slap lots of fishy-smelling glue on top of it, and pour heaps of glitter on. I used to be so proud of them, and could never understand why they mysteriously "vanished" after new years day...
I also made incredibly useless felt purses. Get 2 pieces of felt. Sew them around 3 edges and Ta-Daa you have a purse. They were lovely, but just plain rubbish. Well, thankfully there are other home-made presents you can make, unless you want to make macaroni photo frames of course :)

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES:

Yes, you can buy these in the shop. But you miss out on the best part!
These are veryvery simple, and quick. And you can make hundreds (if you want!) in one go. Here's how to make the Truffles:
Ingredients (for 36 truffles)
- 150g (5oz) Either Milk or Plain chocolate
- 150ml Double cream
- 25g (1oz) Unsalted Butter
- Drop of Vanilla Essence

Method

- Break the chocolate into small squares into a microwaveable bowl. Put in microwave on medium for around 2 minutes (depending on microwaves voltage+amount of chocolate) until it is smooth
- Put the chocolate to one side. Put the butter into a separate bowl and part-melt in the microwave
- Add the cream and drop of vanilla essence then put back in the microwave to completely melt butter
- Leave on the side to cool. Once cooled, add the butter+cream mixture to the chocolate slowly stirring
- Cover with clingfilm and leave in the fridge for about 1 hour, or until its set
- Take out fridge then using two teaspoons scoop out small amounts, and roll into circles. Using either chocolate sprinkles, or cocoa powder. Roll the truffle in this until it is covered. Repeat as necessary

Simple, and incredibly addictive. To make these a proper gift you could present them in a number of ways. Either, by wrapping them in polythene and tying with a ribbon. You could leave them like this, or put in a nice festive basket. You could put the truffles in a box lined with tissue paper. Or serve these to your guests on a plate!

SCRAP BOOKS/ CALENDARS

These are always nice things to make, and receive. A plain scrapbook ready to be filled can be purchased from many shops, I'd say Hobbycraft has the best quality range.
You can buy packs of special papers very cheaply from hudreds of shops, or you could just use plain coloured papers and do interesting designs onto them. You can do whatever you wish with a scrapbook. You can fill it with Family+friend photos. Or of places, or things the person likes.
Same with a calendar, either send the photos away to somewhere like Snapfish. Or, you could buy a kit which is very cheap. And all you need to do is print photos onto the paper provided. Easy!

JEWELLERY :

Every girl loves jewellery. So whether your looking for a present for your Mum, Gran, Sister, Auntie, whoever! This is a great idea. Beads and such are very easy to get hold of nowadays.
First thing, you need to decide whether your going to make a necklace or a bracelet.
Then, you need to get hold of the appropiate tools. Hobbycraft is a great place, it stocks everything! But, if your not near a store then www.jillybeads.co.uk is the next best thing. Everything is at very reasonable prices, and delivery is only 70p no matter how much you purchase.
You'll need beads, chain or elastic and clips. If making one completely from scratch is far too daunting for you, then buying a kit is just as fun! These include everything required and clear instructions. Great for amateurs, who aren't sure what to do.

Other ideas of what to make are:

Cookies- you could decorate these, and display them in a similar way to the truffles. Recipe for basic biscuits is on 1 of my Recipe reviews

Photo frames - Basic Polystyrene or cardboard ones are available, all normally under £2. Simple paint these and either decorate with beads or sequins, etc. Then put a favourite photo inside

Knitted Scarves/ Hats/ Gloves - If your good at knitting, or want to start this is a perfect idea. Either buy a simple kit from shops like The Works. Or do 1 from scratch if you know what to do

Making presents is really easy, and a cheaper solution if your abit short on money.
Hope this have given you some inspiration! :)
Merry Christmas :)

Summary: The Joy Of Home-made Presents