Need a Last Minute Gift? Here are the Best Homemade Gifts

I like to give homemade gifts, I am also very crafty so this works for me. Many people limit themselves by thinking that because they haven't sat down and created a masterpiece, they aren't crafty. I am calling no sell on that idea! What is necessary is not that a person be, "crafty," it is that a person want to create something. If you have the desire to create there are options to be found.

Photo crafts, family photos, these offer endless opportunities for gifting. Make copies of your photos or family heirloom photos at the scanner of a local retailer. If these pics are digital then simply upload them to www.snapfish.com or any number of websites that offer digital photo album services. www.walgreen.com.  With basic internet skills this is a breeze! Both locations also offer discounts and Walgreen has store pick up of your album. The program allows pictures to be added and even your own script, names, dates, places. Favorite scriptures, poems, whatever matches those memories. Now my favorite.......decoupage!!! The featured picture is decoupaged onto a box shaped like a tree with some Christmas themed paper and my Nephews photo. Choose a simple square item for your first project. Go to www.plaidonline.com for tips and techniques. Click on Learn to see videos and slide show tutorial. Make a copy of a photo with the copier in your public library or the local office supply store. Color or black and white on regular paper. Choose a glass, plastic or wood item and cut the photo to fit on the face of the item.The items below are all options found at Walmart.

Purchase some Mod Podge at www.hobbylobby.com and attach the photo using a sponge brush and the Mod Podge as glue. Simply paint on the mod podge.  Smooth with the sponge brush, paint on more Mod Podge and smooth away any bubbles.  Allow to dry and repeat two or three layers. Guess what? You are CRAFTY!!!

Gift Baskets

Choose a container of any type that appeals to you or seems to match the personality or decor of the recipient. Metal buckets, baskets, decorative boxes, Jars with a lid or any type of item that can hold things. Here are some ideas: Movie night basket, favorite snacks, popcorn, candy, treats you purchase or if you make homemade snack mix, cookies or candy, toss those in a container. The bucket below can be purchased at www.amazon.com or you could use your imagination to re-create a likeness from your hometown store.

Malco movie gift cards can be purchased for the basket at www.malco.com if you are thinking theater. You could add some cash for snacks to a festive envelope. If its a movie night at home, a DVD, some comfy fuzzy socks, microwave popcorn, mixed nuts, fruit. All of these could be put in a fun bowl large enough for sharing snacks. Toss in a lip balm for those salty snacks, some drinks or drink mixes, Just think of items you would want if you were watching a movie at home! Tie a ribbon around the container and add a bow and a tag for pretty presentation.

Rainy Day Activity Basket: Best for kids ages 4 - 9 years. Crayons, coloring book, clear tape, kids scissors and a glue stick.

Tent kit: One flat bed sheet, full size or larger, in a light color. Spring type clothes pins for attaching the sheet to hold it up.The clips below are perfect and only $1 at the Dollar General Store!

Laundry markers for decorating the sheet. Encourage the kids to draw pictures and write their names and of course, add the date!  This will occupy the kids now and be a treasure for you in later years. If you aren't familiar with this concept, the sheet is best used over the backs of chairs to create the tent.  Toss in some small figures for imaginative play inside the tent. Some toy cars, books and maybe a small flashlight.

Ice Cream Sundae Kit: Sprinkles, sugar cones, different sauces, chocolate, caramel, butterscotch. Spray cans of whipped cream, a jar of maraschino cherries, gummy bears or worms, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles.

Now the ice and whipped cream will be a bit tricky. You may have to leave it out of the kit and stash it in the freezer to be taken when your guest leaves. Depending on what your budget allows, add sundae cups, spoons or other items that will go with the theme. Teen Girl Gift, bright nail polish, nail buffing block, a facial mask, (look for single masks for a little more than $1 in the cosmetics aisle). The masks below are available at your local Walmart store.

iTunes cards are great for purchasing music, books, apps for those devices that teens love!

Scented candles, chewing gum, lip gloss, a current teen novel, movie tickets. What does this girl like? Observe her and choose some items of your own! Hostess Gift, there is always that bottle of wine or box of chocolates for the hostess. When those items don't fit your hostess, give some things to enjoy when the guests all leave! A trip to the local Dollar General Store and you have a great gift basket for $20 or less!  Crossword puzzle book, classic movie DVD, small mixed nuts, hard candy or chocolate,a few current magazines, cozy socks for lounging. Cruise the aisles and you are guaranteed some great items!

 For The Men try the West Parrish Barber Shop located at 2427 West Parrish Avenue, for a gift certificate. Phone 270-485-2898 for other information. They offer the, "Hot Neck Shave" with every haircut. I have it on good authority that this is quite a treat for the man in your life! Pair this with a straight razor shave and maybe a gift card for breakfast and coffee with the guys!

Fishing Collection Put together a variety of fishing gear. Hooks, line, plastic worm baits and maybe a fishing magazine. Some portable snacks that can be carried along in a boat or the toolbox. Mixed nuts, jerky, peanut butter crackers, cookies, chips. Some reading glasses for the truck. Things that won't melt and don't require cold keeping. Bottled water and a package of wipes for cleaning hands. Hunting Collection Hunters leave the house early when its cold! Hand warmers and foot warmers are great items to start your gift. The sporting goods department is a bounty of items to choose from. Hunter orange hats and vests, everything imaginable in camo, gloves, hats, clothing. A travel coffee mug or thermos for that caffeine rush! There are scents for drawing deer to you and items to wash clothes in that take away human scent. Extra reading glasses for the glove box of the truck.  A Duck Dynasty devotional book and a hunting magazine. Snacks and bottled water are great to have way out in the woods. Beef or Turkey Jerky are great for this basket too. There are even videos available featuring hunting tips and information from the pros.   Gardening Basket Men and ladies enjoy gardening and purchase new seeds, tools, peat moss and fertilizers every year. Fill a nice sturdy bucket or watering can or decorative flower pot with gardening tools and seeds.   Starter pots for seeds that can then be transplanted into the ground for growth. Flower bulbs, Miracle Grow, Weed B Gone, items to combat garden pests. Tie items from a tomato cage and weave some ribbon through the fencing to add Christmas flair. Use different colors of ribbon to hang various items at different levels. Let your imagination, "grow" wild! Car Care Collection Is your guy a gear head? Give him some car cleaning items.

A wash mit, drying towels, wax, tire black, car air fresheners, a gift card from Shammys Auto Wash, 2524 Frederica Street in Owensboro, or visit them at www.shammysautowash.com to purchase gift cards or wash packages online.

Be sure and choose the correct store location for packages. Grandma who has Everything!  A book of postage stamps, stationary, variety of greeting card, especially helpful if she isn't computer savvy.  How about picking up her subscription to the local Messenger-Inquirer or her favorite magazine? If she is on a fixed income a Kroger gift card is a great idea and can be used for groceries, pharmacy or gas. And there is nothing wrong with good old cash!