every time my grandson and i get together, he loves my little bug magnifier, so got him a nicer bigger one. since we talked about doing the fire tower mountains this year, got a great kid book on hiking, and since he loves to draw, a cool learn to draw cartoon characters kit including tracing paper and pens and pencils!!! so excited!

I’m doing a mix of handmade and storebought - I got cute and hilarious shirts for my niece, nephews, and the boys, and tried to get things that my niece and nephew can MAKE for the other thing they’re getting. the boys are getting knit hats. they wear hats all the time and I think it would be sweet (and maybe a little dorky?) to give them knit hats every year.

I’m just thankful that the sibs and I do a secret snowflake! I am behind all of my other holiday making, tonight and tomorrow and the drive to albany and xmas eve I will be up late working sweatshop-style!

I do a combination also, it must run in the family. A little or alot depending on who they are of store bought, some made by me, some made by others. And for the kids I love to get them stuff that they can make, do, read. My knitting is taking a backseat to wrapping right now, but hopefully I will be done tonight and can finish a felted hat for my dad.

I did a combo of thoughtful/local/experiential gifts and DIY. I created a cookbook from recipes from my blog, did all the layout/design work, and had them printed on Blurb.com. They turned out beautifully - look as good as something you’d buy at a bookshop, and it’s 100% my own work. I’m thrilled with them, and I know my family will be too! And, after all the gifts are unwrapped, I’ll be able to promo the book and sell it on my site, since Blurb.com is print-on-demand.

we decided on no gifts this year for the adults. we all have more than enough and we’re just plain tired of the shopping craziness that goes with the season.

we’re getting together on christmas eve to ‘hang out’ and eat yummy appetizers. then we’ll watch the two kids open their gifts in the morning, followed by breakfast and then probably a nap. ;)

happy holidays!

I usually do a combination of homemade, store bought, experience, and family gifts. This year I made at least one small gift for everyone (and dog) on my list. It wasn’t planned. It just worked out that way because I came up with some good ideas I thought that each person would like. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy holiday activities because I was working on gifts. I think I’m going to go back to my original combination of gifts for next year.

i gave photos for the most part. I am photographer so that is where my reserve is. i made stationary and a gift box for my secret santa at work. and for my brother who is 12 i got an anime show we can watch together. i am also fighting the consumerism but what i care about most is that gifts have meaning. i don’t like buying gifts just because i “need” to get something for that person. i think the wii games are cool because family can play those together.

Merry Christmas!
Gare & Peace

I am still frantically knitting :\ (Well, not right now, because I’m at work, grr.) I think next year I’ll make something much quicker, like fudge, or maybe smaller knitted projects. Bonus is I can make one thing for the aunt & uncle pairs!

I knit simple neck gaiters for the manly men in the family out of yummy malibrigo yarn. I made an album for my dad with a photo from each year of my daughter’s life (’shopped in the year, so he didn’t have to guess). And I’m knitting to order for my mom.

I made about half of my gifts, but didn’t feel that all of them came out that well. I bought most of the rest second hand, and the final gift was food.

I have to say, though, I felt pretty crazy and stressed making stuff. If I go that route again, I’m starting in October!