Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
Scented Stuffed Animals
We are not talking taxidermy, we are talking lavender or scented bags in the shape of animals. These scented animals are very easy to make and are great to hang in the wardrobe, push into drawers, hang in the car, you can put them anywhere that you want to create a nice fragrance.
All you need is...
Felt in assorted shades, PVA glue, thread, stuffing, lavender flowers, potpourri, or scented oils for fragrance.
The basis for any of the scented stuffed animals is a circle of fabric. Use a mug to draw around onto a piece of paper to create a pattern piece. Using the pattern cut out two circles of felt. This forms the animal’s head or body, and also makes up the main part of the bag.
Extras can be slipped between these two circles. Extras may be limbs, ears, horns, tails, or hair. Also tuck a loop of ribbon between the two circles to be used for hanging the scented bag up. Pin the ribbon and the extras into place so that the pins point outwards like the spokes of a bike wheel. This makes it easier to sew.
Sew a row of small stitches around the edge of the circle, making sure that the needle passes through all the layers of fabric. Leave an opening at some point on the circle, preferably where there aren't any extras hanging out. This hole is to stuff the animal.
If you have access to a lavender bush, you can collect all the dead lavender flowers and leave them upside down in a paper bag to dry. You can use these dries flowers to scent your animal bag. Lightly stuff the animal with packing and add some dried lavender flowers. Similarly you can scent the animal with potpourri.
If you are using scented oils to fragrance the animal, drop the oil essence onto the packing before stuffing the animal. The oil can discolour fabric, so adding it to the stuffing means that it won’t spoil the finish of the scented bag.
Lightly stuff the animal and then close up the opening.
To finish, cut out eyes and other features from felt and glue them into place. Animal’s eyes look really good if you cut a triangle out from the pupil. It gives the animal character.
These animals are delightful, you could make your favourite animals, or endangered animals, or animals from specific areas such as Africa, Australia, India or the North Pole.
I'm sure you will have a lot of ideas for making scented stuffed animals, and I bet you have a lot of fun making them too.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
What are some neat homemade Christmas gift ideas?
I have a few people to buy for like cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. We are all kinda close, but I am tight on money. Does anyone have any neat homemade gift ideas??-
ANSWER:
My mom always makes soap. It's actually really cool and it comes out all good-smelling and stuff. It's the best and all of my cousins and aunts and uncles love it! I mean, everyone needs soap, right?
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QUESTION:
What are some homemade Christmas gift ideas?
I'm a teenager, and every christmas I like to make homemade gifts for about 10 adults in my family. I can't find any good ideas on the internet... all of the presents are useless or something a kid would make. I've already made scarfs, pillows, and candles before, so I don't want to do those again. Thanks so much!
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ANSWER:
Mincemeat
Pickled onions
Fudge
Pot pourri
Individual Christmas cakes (use bean tins for size)
Christmas sacks or stockings - hand made and embroidered or quilted.
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QUESTION:
Homemade Christmas gift ideas for someone who loves 1950s fashion?
My sister is really into vintage fashion at the moment (particularly 1950s). Does anyone have any ideas what I could make her as a homemade Christmas gift? I'd love to make her a dress, but not sure I have enough time left to make one.
Thanks for reading!:)-
ANSWER:
I don't know if you mean you don't have enough time in your daily routine, or you don't have enough time until the big day. I certainly think you do, as long as you keep it simple. here are some simple patterns I spotted for you to try and help you out.http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_8_10&products_id=12372# the shirt style dress screams 50's a black one with white polka dots and paired with a red pair of flats or pumps, very vintage, very polished, and still perfect for every day wear
http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_8_10&products_id=12379# This style just makes me think of Doris day, I could see her wearing it with a pair of short white gloves or a string of pearls
I have to say the poodle skirt idea, that was a little stereotypical, and I'd stray away from that, go more modernized 50's. If you have painting skills you could paint her a picture of Munroe, or Hepburn. That would be the extent of my thoughts, good luck
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QUESTION:
What are some simple homemade christmas gift ideas for adults?
I need different ideas on what are some easy handmade christmas gift ideas that adults will enjoy for christmas time.
Any help will be great.
Thanks.-
ANSWER:
After seeing store bought baskets, and being disappointed in their shoddiness and poor quality, I make baskets, and varied them by theme according to each family. It got quite expensive last year because it was my first time, but this year I am picking up wicker baskets at thrift stores such as The Salvation Army and Goodwill.1. Bring baskets home. Line up in the bathtub . . . turn on shower with warm water over them to remove the dust. Place them out in the sun to dry, and air.
2. Silver, gold, red, and green (or whatever color you like) paints and lovely 2" Christmas ribbon can be picked up at Dollar Tree for .00. It is embossed with gorgeous designs. Make sure to keep in the mind's eye how that ribbon will coordinate with the colors you have chosen to paint your baskets, or leave them natural.
3. Filler ideas:
Edible Ideas: home baked cookies, fudge, breads . . . a pretty mug stuffed with individually wrapped teabags, a pound of good coffee, beef jerky, summer sausage, nuts, chocolate covered pretzels, fruit, etc. Also candies and cookies that you find at a reasonable price such as Target, Tuesday Morning, local dollar stores etc.
Luxury: Bath mitt, bubble bath or oil, loofah sponge, scented soaps, lotions, bath salts (that can be made with epsom salt, and essential oils.)
Kitchen: pot holders, oven mits, homemade cookie mix, dishtowels, etc.
You can also tuck in a farmer's almanac, crossword puzzle books & dictionary, pencils, manual sharpener, a favorite magazine that the recipients would enjoy, but would normally not splurge on for themselves. I found so much pleasure in making or finding items to go in my baskets.
The possibilities are almost endless regarding the themes that can be used . . . gardening, makeup, shut-ins, etc.
Last year when I delivered my baskets to my family members they were surprised, and I could tell that they enjoyed the fact that I had put time into their gifts. I had placed a 2008 farmer's almanac in my oldest brother's basket last year. He said he started to buy one, but saw the cost, and did not . . . so he was obviously pleased. The beautiful baskets were placed in prominent places where family and holiday visitors who dropped by could rummage through the basket, and find some goodies to nibble on. After the holidays, they own a pretty basket that can be used for fruit, etc. next year.
Anyway . . . I hope this helps.
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QUESTION:
In expensive homemade christmas gift ideas?
I know Im starting early but otherwise ill never get it done, i want to made my friends a homemade gift, but i don't want to hear answer like h/m cards (boring) or no-sew quilts. Something fun for me to make and something my friends will love and treasure, btw i am 13 and so are my friends. Thanks soo much-
ANSWER:
Make a collage of pictures of you and your friends and frame it. You can also cut out words or phrases from magazines and include those in the collage. Or, pick your favorite picture and design a frame. Also, you could make a small scrapbook. These are all ideas that I think your friends would love and they could keep it forever as something to look back on.
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Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas