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features | main feature Homegrown Holiday

By Mary Jane Bogle

With all the lights, treats and traditions, it’s no wonder Americans love the holiday season. Some of us even celebrate with parties and gift-giving all month long. But those festivities come with an expensive price tag — to the tune of over one trillion dollars. That’s what Americans spent on holiday gift giving last year alone. (That’s trillion — with a “t.”)

This year, more than ever, it might be time to reign in the spending while still making the holidays special for friends and family. Homemade gifts are just the way to do it. A quick Internet search yields literally thousands of ideas. Here are some top picks to get you started.

Tips for Treats – If you love to bake, some homemade goodness can be the perfect pleaser for hostesses and friends alike. Cookies are always a great option, but you might want to branch out this year and tackle a new recipe for toffee, caramels or even gingerbread fudge.

Sew-Sew – You don’t have to be an accomplished seamstress to pull off some of these unique, handsewn gifts. A needle and some thread, along with fabric scraps, are all you need to make beautiful, scented hand warmers. Those with a sewing machine might want to tackle a zippered earbud pouch, iPhone wallet or luggage tags and key fobs. You might even consider transforming an old sheet into a simple, kimono-style robe. Canned Cuteness – Think Mason jars are just for canning? Think again. Fill one up with everything your friend needs to make quick breads, brownies or cookies, minus the liquid ingredients, of course! Or you can always pour some homemade hot cocoa mix into pint-sized jars for an extra treat on Christmas morning. Add in some homemade marshmallows, mini chocolate chips or crushed peppermint for an extra special touch. Bath & Body – Bring the spa treatment home with a wide variety of bath bombs, fizzies, salts and scrubs. These homemade products typically take less than 10 minutes to assemble, and you can make most of them with products readily available at your local grocery store. Pick up some cast-off china at your local thrift store to make teacup candles, and you have everything you need to pamper all the people on your gift-giving list this year.

Wood Works – If you’re handy with tools, consider blessing friends and family with homemade wood products, such as a wooden iPad stand for your favorite chef, custom photo frames for the grandparents, or even a clothespin kettle trivet for the tea drinker in

your life.

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Assembly Required – Not a pro in the kitchen? No problem. Consider putting together a baking set for your favorite chef instead. Grab a vintage tin or woven basket and fill it with a variety of baking tools. Look for unique cookie cutters and holiday sprinkles, spatulas and wooden spoons, or even a new apron or hot pads. You might just get some cookies in return!