Giving the gift of homemade can be anything you want it to be. You can make a craft item, sew a set of custom pillowcases, or create a meal for a new mom. Any of those ideas show others you care, you know them well, and you want to share something special with them! What better gift is there than the gift of homemade?!

I grew up surrounded by everything being homemade. We were poor, though I didn’t realize just how poor until I was older. With two younger brothers, one income, and a leaky old farmhouse, my mom and dad had their budgeting challenged monthly. But it’s not the hand-me-down clothes or the bologna sandwiches I remember about my childhood.

Instead, it’s the Barbie playhouse my dad built as a birthday present, the cool Halloween costumes my mom created (pantyhose and yarn for a Raggedy Ann wig?!), and the evening home-cooked meals we shared as a family. Working in the garden, picking cherries with my grandparents, and raising our own chickens and pigs gave me an appreciation for homemade items. To this day, this is one of the biggest gifts my parents and grandparents have given me!

The Gift of Homemade…

Today, too many people are of the belief that others prefer store-purchased items. Of course, that’s the case for some items! However, other everyday goods are MUCH BETTER when they’re homemade! Case in Point: my students rave about packaged cinnamon rolls until they make homemade ones in a Foods II lab. They are so proud of their creations they can’t wait to share! The rolls are beautiful, delicious, and my students made them with their own hands.

That is what makes homemade the best: it is a creation made by you, not someone else in a land far, far away. 🙂

Your homemade gifts can be thoughtful and personalized! Someone in a factory doesn’t know your friend, but you sure do! You know his/her favorite color, favorite food, favorite movie…Making a gift personalized makes it special for the person you are giving it to.

It’s Not as Hard as You Might Think!

Making homemade gifts doesn’t have to be something huge and elaborate! I think that’s where social media intimidates everyone. Beautiful pictures on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, etc. make people think, “Well, I can’t do that so I’m not even going to try.” That, my friend, would be a shame!

In a time when we’re constantly shown images of glorious items created by experts, it’s hard to believe we can make anything that someone else would treasure. Instead of using this mindset, focus on the ideas these social media outlets might provide for your next gift of homemade. You might see an idea, modify it to meet your needs, and your friend or family member will absolutely LOVE IT. Why? Because you made it SPECIAL for THEM!

We are so lucky to have a plethora of places to begin for our homemade gifts. Absolutely lovely presents can start with items found on clearance, at the dollar store, a thrift shop, or your own kitchen or backyard! The trick is being on the lookout for something small that can become something great!

Here are a few ideas:

• Cheap fabric from a thrift shop repurposed into pillowcases, a Christmas tree skirt, a little girl’s dress, etc.
• A bag of fresh green beans or sweet corn from your garden.
• Double a recipe for your favorite dinner and share with a busy friend.
• Purchase leftover Christmas, Valentine’s, Easter decorating items from the dollar store and save to create a gift basket for new homeowners.
• Garage sale treasures repurposed
• Give the gift of time. Watch someone’s children…this is inexpensive and can mean a lot to a frazzled parent!

The list can go on and on. Use your imagination, the Internet, or the ideas of others! We have a wealth of information at our fingertips. Giving the gift of homemade has never been easier!

Doesn’t it take A LOT of time?

One of the misconceptions of giving the gift of homemade is the time factor. We’re all busy. We are all in different stages of our lives, with different responsibilities pulling us in different directions. However, I feel there is always time to make something special for someone else. It just takes a little planning.

I can make a double recipe of my favorite Minestrone Soup and share this with a friend. That doesn’t cost me more than 2-3 minutes extra, tops. A pan of Scotcharoos takes no time! My personal favorite for a special someone is my Homemade Chocolate Covered Peanuts. They are inexpensive, yet so, so, so good! These types of homemade food items can be a much-appreciated help to a busy schedule. Even if you don’t share with someone else, you can share with yourself! Just freeze for a future hectic day!

Think about all the gifts you have! We have each been blessed with talents that can make the lives of others easier. Isn’t that what giving the gift of homemade should be about? Each little homemade gift makes the world a better place by simplifying our busyness, sharing our bounty, and connecting with others to let them know we care.

Other Gift Ideas…

For a few other gift ideas, check out my Freebies page. Here I have several printables to include with recipes for a special friend, teacher, coach, etc. Share your love with others and share the gift of homemade! 🙂

If you’d like to see what products I use to create homemade gifts, please see below. Please know, these contain affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission on any sales, at no extra cost to you. The income I earn helps to pay for maintaining my blog. Thank you so much for your support!