# Christmas presents a non-crafty person can make for cheap/free? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885 "2009-09-13T03:35:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/41 "2009-09-17T06:27:16Z")
I’ve made Christmas ornaments before using simple origami shapes and aluminum (from cans) as the paper. I used [THIS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ZgQkoSh_I) technique to make a box. You have to be able to cut an aluminum can and make square sheets to start from. I then cut thin strips out to make “ribbon” for the box and it looks like a miniature Christmas present (which it will become). Apply a hook with fishing line or anything that looks good. Make a test one from paper that matches the maximum size you can get from a can to practice on. And food is always good or a combination of food and an ornament. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/42 "2009-09-17T08:02:34Z")
> [@meenie7](#): > > Oooh, I forgot about baking. I love to bake (especially cookies) and I’m learning to cook (especially with my crock pot which I am way too excited about) 🙂 For grownups, you can also make infused vodkas or flavored oils for cooking by immersing herbs, fruit rinds, etc. in liquor or oil that you decant into beautiful (thrift store) bottles. With a pretty tag and a ribbon, it makes a nice gift. Vodka with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary would be really pretty for Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/43 "2009-09-17T11:38:31Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Candy making. > > Buy some paper boxes from a local restaurant supply store OR buy chinese takeout boxes from your local Chinese food place (they will look at you funny, let me tell you) OR stalk the dollar store for inexpensive decorative tins. > > Chocolate covered stick pretzels (dip in: nuts, coconut, sprinkles, etc) > chocolate covered butter toffee – so freaking easy > -mix equal volumes butter and sugar (1 cup/1cup) in a saucepan over medium (gas stove) or high (electric stove) heat. > > - Stir constantly mix will melt, boil, froth, begin to “look sticky” then turn the color of toffee (approx 5 minutes) > -When it turns the color of toffee, > **optionally add some chopped pecans** > Then pour out onto a buttered baking sheet. Set to cool (outside if its cold, otherwise in the fridge) > -When fully cool, melt some chocolate in the microwave, spread with a spoon over one side of the toffee, cool, flip, repeat. Break the toffee into bite sized chunks. > > If you really splurge on the chocolate it costs about $2-3 per pound to make (retails, typically $25/lb) My mom used to make ‘dead spiders’ la choy [rice noodles](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WY4AEFTDL._SL500_AA280_PIbundle-12,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_.jpg), any sort of nut [she made them with broken macadamia nuts for me once, fantastic but peanuts, mixed nuts or cashews work great], peanut butter chips or butterscotch ships[my favorite] mixed into melted chocolate and dropped by the tablespoon onto waxed paper to cool in little spiky piles, sort of like chocolate covered dead spiders 😃 I think she got the original recipe from some womans magazine back in the early 70s as a halloween no bake cookie sort of thing. She had made them with milk chocolate, and the really good dark chocolate - the only things that need to be in it are the noodles, some form of nut, some form of chip and the coating chocolate. I suppose you could use the colored white chocolate enrobing in red and green. ---
**Author:** ![Tamarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tamarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamarin)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/44 "2009-09-17T14:04:38Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > The image is glued face up to the back of that marble, right? Yeah, I spread Mod Podge on the flat side of the marble-glass-thingy (what is the real term for these things anyway?:p), then press the picture face up onto it. Sometimes there are air bubbles or whatever, so I just press on the back of the picture to smooth it out until it looks good through the rounded side…did that make sense or did I make it more confusing? Also, if the white glue/Mod Podge stuff gets onto the top of the glass, it’s easy to clean off with a damp cloth. ---
**Author:** ![Tamarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tamarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamarin)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/45 "2009-09-21T21:14:56Z")
Since people seemed interested in the magnets, I thought I’d bump this thread to post some better pictures of [what I’ve been working on.](http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss118/JJubble/Magnets/?albumview=slideshow) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/46 "2009-09-21T21:42:19Z")
I think most people would understand times are tough all over and a simple card is enough. But if you must give something, go with cookies, you can’t go wrong with cookies, except for fig newtons, the world’s only awful cookie 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/47 "2009-09-22T13:57:09Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I think most people would understand times are tough all over and a simple card is enough. But if you must give something, go with cookies, you can’t go wrong with cookies, except for fig newtons, the world’s only awful cookie 🙂 It’s not a cookie, it’s fruit and cake! (I love Fig Newtons :).) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/48 "2009-09-22T22:38:24Z")
How about telling everyone instead of presents ( which if you think about it, what does anyone really need?) everyone gives the gift of time and a dish to pass at a Christmas get together at your place. You will clean and stuff for everyone and let them come to your place. That will be your present to them and the bonus is you will get leftovers!!! ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/49 "2009-09-22T22:40:07Z")
> [@Tamarin](#): > > Since people seemed interested in the magnets, I thought I’d bump this thread to post some better pictures of [what I’ve been working on.](http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss118/JJubble/Magnets/?albumview=slideshow) They are so cool! Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/50 "2009-09-22T23:22:15Z")
Depends on how old the adults are. I made a present once for an adult friend of mine. She’s into Snoopy, so a month before her birthday I began downloading Peanuts comics. I looked at the pictures and made a personalized story with Snoopy in it by copying and pasting the drawings out. I had about 30 days worth of comics so I had a lot of pictures to work off of. Then I printed out the finished comics, glued them to a little book/folder thing, and put backgrounds of Peanuts characters as the wallpaper. She liked it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/51 "2009-09-23T15:15:54Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > oh! nearly forgot… tampax angels! I want the red one! Sorry, everyone, sorry. That was tasteless. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/52 "2009-11-20T23:38:34Z")
Here’s how we made unique and rustic Christmas ornaments. You will, however, need a saw, or someone to wield a saw. When we used to get a real pine for a Christmas tree, we’d have to saw off part of the trunk, which was usually too long, to fit it into the holder. So we’d have a bark covered pine log about a foot long and 6 inches in diameter. Mr. Sali would get out the saw and slice the log into thin rounds and we’d let them dry out for a few days in a warm place. Then we would make a small hole at the top and thread a piece of wire or ribbon for hanging. On the round of wood we would glue a picture, usually a photograph, and using a sharpie on the back write the year and the name of the person in the photo, where it was taken, etc. and it was ready for hanging! We have a stack of photo ornaments taken over the years and they are really nice keepsakes. I guess you could paint some kind of decoupage glue over them to preserve them. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/53 "2009-11-20T23:56:52Z")
I’m sorry. This maybe should have gone under the “Crafty Dopers” , not the “Non-Crafty Dopers” Christmas-present- making. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/54 "2009-11-21T22:51:26Z")
A breath mint stuck to a folded road map is a do-it-yourself gift that practically screams “planning and forethought”. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/55 "2009-11-21T22:58:28Z")
If you’re giving home-made gifts like cookies and such, Goodwill and other thrift stores are _great_ places to get tins! Even tins that would cost a buck at the Dollar Tree are maybe thirty-five cents. If you’re doing a lot of these tins, that little bit of price break can make a big difference! I’m ashamed to admit I did not read the whole thread, but did anyone mention “home-made” hot chocolate mix? It should be pretty easy to Google the recipe; it’s basically powdered milk, cocoa and sugar. If you decide to do something like this, again, I’d look for pretty jars at thrift stores/Goodwill stores. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/56 "2009-11-22T03:07:14Z")
Something a family member did a few years ago was collect a favorite recipe from each member of the family and put them all together in a family cook book. Easy to put togther and print from your computer. My wife once had a business for a while that consisted of writing short biographies of people, and turning the stories, including scanned old photos, into gift books. People gave these as birthday, anniversary and wedding gifts or gave books of family stories to their children as keepsakes. This might be something you could do for family members or friends. “Memories of Good Times Together” or “Uncle Billy’s Silliest Moments” or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885/57 "2009-11-23T05:03:42Z")
> [@Hedda\_Rosa](#): > > Make a pomander, out of oranges and cloves and spices. These are a huge hit and so traditional, but you have to give at least 6 weeks lead time. Google “orange clove pomander instructions”. Thanks for this idea! I had never heard of them before. I know what all my friends are getting! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-presents-a-non-crafty-person-can-make-for-cheap-free/509885.md?page=2)