Sewing Tutorial: Charming Trivet

 Have a pack of charm squares and need a project? Here's a way to use six of them to make a little trivet to protect tabletops from hot serving pans.

Three charm squares per side

SUPPLIES

6 charm squares
Batting
Insul-brite
Cutting tools: ruler, rotary cutter, cutting board, and iron

For this trivet, I have two sets of three matching squares

DIRECTIONS

Cut four of the charm squares in half diagonally, making eight right triangles.

One side will have the US flag in the center with the stars on the edge,
and the other the reverse

Now cut the triangles to fit against the uncut charm square: center the right angle on your cutting mat and trim so that the hypotenuse (opposite the right angle) is five inches long. You'll be cutting about an inch off the smaller angles of the triangles.

Does that make sense? Like in the picture.

And cut half an inch off the hypotenuse. Repeat these steps for all eight triangles.

Three inches tall, five inches long at the widest part

    
Now sew four triangles to each side of the two remaining charm squares, right sides together.

I have my needle in the default position, and the fabric lined up with the foot.

Iron both sides flat.

And of course, square up the sides if needed.

Layer the two pieces with the batting and Insul-brite: both pieces of fabric right sides together, then batting, then Insul-brite.

Or Insul-brite then batting; doesn't matter

Stitch around the edges, leaving room for turning. Flip right side out, iron, then top stitch.

Stitch along the seams too; it holds the layers together better and looks nice.

Trim any loose threads, give it another press, and you're all set!

Gifts for Anniversaries

 Anniversaries are a great way to mark partners' commitments to each other. While the people celebrating the anniversary usually know each other well enough to find the right way to mark to occasion, it can be useful or fun to look to lists of "traditional gifts" for the different anniversaries, and brainstorm from there. As with any event when people exchange gifts with each other, the critical part is that all parties agree on the type and level of commemoration: whether everyone agrees to an exorbitant and opulent celebration, a small and intimate private function, or no acknowledgement at all--it's all good.

There are non-traditional ideas too. For example, items made in the year you were married (or when your relationship started) like wine or coins minted that year: give a penny for your first anniversary, a nickel for your fifth, and so on. Take a trip to a place that was special early in your relationship, or somewhere you've always wanted to go. Enjoy a recreation of the first meal you shared together. Set aside time to look through mementos of the time you've spent together. You can throw a party to celebrate with people important to you, or have an intimate evening alone. A vow renewal can be a lavish event or a few minutes set aside after a standard religious ceremony--I've attended both, the latter only because I happened to go to church that day, and both versions are touching. You can (several months in advance) request anniversary greetings from heads of state in some countries--check the relevant office's website for information on how to request a letter of congratulations.

First: Paper (traditional) or clocks (modern)
Books, letters, origami or other paper crafts, printed tickets to an event, stationery, magazine subscription
Promise of time--commit to spending time doing something with your partner

Second: Cotton or china
Anything sewn or otherwise handmade out of cotton; clothing, bedding, etc
Fancy meal on fine china dishes--either at home or a restaurant

Third: Leather or crystal/glass
Jewelry, clothing, accessories, shoes, etc made of leather
Personalized glassware, wine-tasting trip

Fourth: Fruit or flowers; or appliances
Plant a garden or fruit tree together, enjoy local produce at a farmer's market or locavore store, make a meal of local foods
Shop together for needed replacements, find useful accessories for current appliances, use current appliances for something you both enjoy (e.g.; cooking a nice meal)

Fifth: Wood or silverware
Buy or make a sculpture or home décor, take a trip to forest or museum that features wooden art, play a game with wooden pieces like Jenga, build something together
Enjoy a fancy meal with the "good" silver

Sixth: Candy or iron; wood
Candy bouquets, homemade candy, gourmet sweets; iron décor or garden art, tools
Buy or make a sculpture or home décor, take a trip to forest or museum that features wooden art, play a game with wooden pieces like Jenga, build something together

Seventh: Wool or copper; desk sets
Storebought or handmade wool clothing or accessories, wool craft supplies, a trip to the countryside or a farm (or if you already live on one, do you want a new sheep?); copper décor, cooking supplies, garden art, or tools
Monogrammed stationery, fancy pen or even an inkwell with a feather pen, computer accessories or upgrades

Eighth: Pottery or bronze; linen or lace
Storebought or handmade pottery for the kitchen, garden, or for décor; bronze tools or art
Table linens with monograms or other personalized touches, new clothing or accessories, décor

Ninth: Willow or pottery; leather
Storebought or handmade pottery for the kitchen, garden, or for décor; pooden furniture, walk through a forest or arboretum, woven basket filled with...anything! 
Jewelry, clothing, accessories, shoes, etc made of leather

Tenth: Tin or aluminum; diamond jewelry
Tins of gourmet food, homemade food wrapped in foil, trip to places where tin or aluminum souvenirs are made, equipment or tools made of tin or aluminum (lower-priced bicycles are often made of aluminum; perhaps a biking trip), metal container to hold...anything!
The obvious like rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces--or art or décor

Eleventh: Steel or fashion jewelry
Stainless steel kitchen supplies or tools, artwork, car accessories or a car trip
Jewelry for a night out, jewelry fashioned into artwork or décor

Twelfth: Silk or linen; pearls
Silk undergarments/lingerie, silk bedding, silk outergarments like ties or shawls, personalized linens
Jewelry, art, or décor with pearl or mother-of-pearl inlay; oysters, trip to a beach

Thirteenth: Lace, textiles
Lace lingerie or other clothing, lace-trimmed décor, "laced-up" shoes for a walk, anything wrapped in lacey doilies, lace-looking treats like delicate cookies
Monogrammed or otherwise personalized home décor, new clothing or other fabric-based home needs, shopping trip, fabric for crafts

Fourteenth: Ivory, gold jewelry 
Of course, it's best to avoid actual ivory as it should stay on the animals it comes from--but perhaps a trip to wildlife refuge or zoo or museum where the animals are found (ivory comes not only from elephants, but other animals including walruses, narwhals, and elk, plus extinct animals like mammoths and mastodons), or a trip to a concert hall, or to a museum that has ancient artwork is in order.
Aside from the usual jewelry like rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches, gold can be made into artwork and décor.

Fifteenth: Crystal, watches
Jewelry, décor, vases, stemware, a meal at a fancy restaurant, artwork
Any time-keeping instrument, or a gift of time

Sixteenth: Coffee or tea (both traditional and modern)
Matching mugs, date to a coffee/tea shop, fancy brew, coffee/tea making machines or accessories, treats that go with the drinks (or other drinks like hot chocolate if coffee and tea aren't your...cup of tea)

Seventeenth: Wine and spirits (both traditional and modern)
Date to a nice bar, wine-tasting, tour of a brewery or winery, bottle of high-end alcohol (or other drinks like sparkling cider if alcohol isn't wanted or appropriate), picnic lunch with a toast

Eighteenth: Appliances (both traditional and modern)
Shop together for needed replacements, find useful accessories for current appliances, use current appliances for something you both enjoy (e.g.; cooking a nice meal)

Nineteenth: Jade (both traditional and modern)
Meal at any of the numerous restaurants with "jade" in the name, jade jewelry or art, jade-colored clothing or other items, bonsai jade tree, trip to a place where jade is a popular souvenir item

Twentieth: China, platinum
New dishes (especially if after two decades, yours need replacing), personalized dishes, figurines or other décor made of china
Art, jewelry, or décor made of platinum; music from a "platinum" record

Twenty-first: fire, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Candle-lit dinner, date around a fire pit or at an open-flame grill, barbecue tools or foods, trip to see fire-related things like volcanos

Twenty-second: water, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Visit to an aquarium or natural body of water like a lake or ocean, kayaking or canoe trip, drinkware, cruise, fountain for a garden or the home, swimming adventure like scuba diving or snorkeling, trip to a wishing well or fountain

Twenty-third: air, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Balloons, trip on an airplane or hot air balloon, sky-diving or parachuting trip, something breath-taking or a way to indicate "you take my breath away"

Twenty-fourth: stone, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Pizza or other food cooked on a baking stone, hot stone massage, rock climbing or similar adventure, go out for drinks "on the rocks," visit to a place with stone sculptures, precious stones made into décor or jewelry, stone artwork, a way to indicate "you're my rock," anything given in a stone box

Twenty-fifth: silver (both traditional and modern)
Anything wrapped in silver-colored paper, silver art or jewelry, silver décor or dinnerware

Twenty-sixth: art (both traditional and modern)
Handmade or storebought artwork, trip to an art museum, art classes to take together

Twenty-seventh: music (both traditional and modern)
Playlist of favorite or meaningful music, date to a concert or orchestra, new music equipment (either or listening or making your own), music lessons, a song you composed yourself

Twenty-eighth: linens (both traditional and modern)
New dining linens, new bed linens, a meal out at a fine restaurant, textiles for crafting, handmade linen items

Twenty-ninth: tools  (both traditional and modern)
Tools for any hobby or pastime: crafting, woodworking, cooking, et. al.; working on a project together, using your creativity and talent to create a gift

Thirtieth: pearl or diamond
Décor, art, jewelry, or home goods with pearl or mother-of-pearl; oysters, trip to a beach
Décor, art, jewelry, or home goods with diamond; diamond-tipped tools, trip to a museum with diamonds like the Smithsonian with the Hope Diamond

Thirty-first: travel/tourism (both traditional and modern)
Any trip near or far, items for traveling like new luggage or a travel toiletry set

Thirty-second: bronze (both traditional and modern)
Bronze artwork or décor, bronze jewelry, bronze home goods, bronze-colored clothing or accessories, anything wrapped in bronze paper, history lecture about the bronze age

Thirty-third: iron (both traditional and modern)
Iron décor or home goods, cast iron cookware, hobby items made of iron like golf clubs, a meal together high in iron, history lecture about the iron age

Thirty-fourth: food (both traditional and modern)
Any meal together, whether home or away, elaborate or simple; anything to make food

Thirty-fifth: coral or jade
Trip to a beach (bonus points if it has coral), a seafood meal, anything coral-colored or wrapped in coral-colored paper
A meal at any of the numerous restaurants with "jade" in the name, jade jewelry or décor, anything jade-colored or wrapped in jade-colored paper

Thirty-sixth: antiques (both traditional and modern)
Any vintage piece, décor reflecting important parts of the past, a trip to a place known for antique souvenirs, anything that fits in the theme of "old fashioned" including old fashioned doughnuts or the drink old fashioned

Thirty-seventh: books (both traditional and modern)
Autographed and/or first edition of a favorite book, e-reader, audio book to listen to while on a trip, a story you've written yourself

Thirty-eighth: luck, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Shamrock or lucky penny or other symbol of luck, trip to a casino (as with any gambling trip, agree on an amount of money you're comfortable losing and take only that in cash to avoid temptation)

Thirty-ninth: laughter, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Watch a comedy together, go see a comedian live, tell jokes together, reminisce over happy memories--and get ideas for making more

Fortieth: ruby (both traditional and modern)
Ruby jewelry or artwork or décor, a meal of red-themed foods like red wine and ruby grapefruits, a bouquet of red flowers

Forty-first: office or desk décor (both traditional and modern)
Personalized picture frames or pen holders, computer equipment, stationery

Forty-second: clocks or watches (both traditional and modern)
Personalized/engraved watch, artful wall clock, setting time aside for each other

Forty-third: entertainment, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Take in a movie or a live show, have an entertainment date at home with popcorn and snacks

Forty-fourth: electronics (both traditional and modern)
Replace worn-out electronics or buy the ones you've always wanted, upgrade your electrical outlets or do other needed electrical work, "fun" electronics like digital photo frames or entertainment-themed devices

Forty-fifth: sapphire (both traditional and modern)
Artwork, décor, home goods, or jewelry with sapphire; blues or rhythm-and-blues concert, anything blue-colored or wrapped in blue-colored paper

Forty-sixth: games (both traditional and modern)
Any game to play together, attending a sporting event, a personalized treasure hunt, a murder mystery dinner theater or escape room date

Forty-seventh: garden or plants (both traditional and modern)
Walk through a garden or park, National Parks pass, gardening supplies, houseplants or garden plants or seeds, a bouquet of flowers utilizing flower messages (e.g.; red chrysanthemums symbolize "I love you")

Forty-eighth: home improvement, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Depending on your budget and needs, anything from a new piece of home décor to a remodel--or just spruce up your house with a solid cleaning, either together or from a cleaning service

Forty-ninth: copper (both traditional and modern)
Home goods, tools, décor, jewelry, or artwork made with copper; anything copper-colored or wrapped in copper-colored paper

Fiftieth: gold (both traditional and modern)
Artwork or jewelry made with gold, gold-colored flowers, anything gold-colored or wrapped with gold-colored paper, anything that represents elegance and longevity

Fifty-first: photos or cameras (both traditional and modern)
Scrapbook or collage of treasured memories, professional portraits, a trip together (with a camera) to create memories

Fifty-second: bath or spa, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Anything for a relaxing bath (alone or together) like fancy soap or a good book, spa day, new towels or other bath needs, heated towel rack

Fifty-third: plastic (both traditional and modern)
Just about any item can be made of plastic--including plastic gift cards to a nice restaurant

Fifty-fourth: glass (both traditional and modern)
Home décor, serving pieces, or artwork made of glass

Fifty-fifth: emerald (both traditional and modern)
Jewelry or artwork or décor made with emerald, trip to the Emerald City or Emerald Isle or similarly-named places, watching the Wizard of Oz, green tea, anything green-colored (including money) or wrapped in green paper

Fifty-sixth: day, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Spending a day together, a movie date watching movies with the word "day" in the titles, remember the wonderful days you've had together--and make plans for more good memories

Fifty-seventh: night, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Spending a night together, a movie date watching movies with the word "night" in the titles, a night out, star-gazing, anything for making sleep better

Fifty-eighth: faith and hope, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
If you're religious anything related to your faith will work, anything uplifting, trips to places that inspire faith and hope

Fifty-ninth: charity/love, as a theme (both traditional and modern)
Charitable acts you can enjoy together, donations that memorialize your commitment to each other like a donation of a park bench with your names on it

Sixtieth: diamond (both traditional and modern)
Artwork, jewelry, or décor with diamonds     

Gifts for Gardeners

If there's someone in your life you want to give a gift to who enjoys gardening, catering to that hobby is a great starting point. Some things to consider when picking a gift:

How big is the garden? Some are spread out over a person's entire property, some are in a side yard, and some are grown in containers on porches or countertops. All gardeners need to water their plants, but the size of the garden will mean that a watering can is better for some and long soaker hoses and sprinklers are better for others. Just about everyone with an outdoor garden could use sun protection. Many people will find gardening gloves and knee pads useful, but smaller or established gardens are less likely to need trowels and shovels. Gardens that take up only part of a yard are easier to maintain and look nicer with clear garden borders or even raised beds--talk with your recipient to see if those would make good gifts. People with container gardens have less space to work with, so new plants and seeds might not be as welcome, but perhaps some more containers are needed for new plants or ones that have outgrown their current containers. Terra cotta pots are nice for this: you can paint them to customize them for your recipient. Larger gardens can be time-consuming to care for--maybe the owners would like an automated watering system, or even just help and company while weeding. If there's room for more plants in any size garden, perhaps look for "fancy" ones like heirloom varieties or strains of flowers with especially striking patterns like galaxy petunias.

What is the garden for? For food, for relaxation, for landscaping, for beauty? Someone who grows food might appreciate complementary crops to grow, like herbs that can be mixed with the already-planted tomatoes to make sauces. If you're near a farmer's market, you might be able to find seeds or starts of local or heirloom plants--I like to find Walla Walla onions to grow over other varieties, for example. People who enjoy spending time in the garden might like garden décor like windcatchers or birdbaths, or some lawn furniture to sit in while appreciating the plants. You can make garden art, too: I helped my kids and my sister-in-law's kids make stepping stones for my mother-in-law to put in her garden. If someone has spent a lot of time and effort transforming an area into a garden, gifts that help keep it nice are great, like mulch and other fertilizer or weed control measures. 

What sort of climate does the garden grow in? Not all plants grow in all environments. An aloe vera won't do well outside in cold climates, and aquatic plants like lilypads are going to be tricky to grow in arid climates. Someone living in a harsher environment might like a greenhouse though, and they come in a variety of sizes. Local plants will be easier to care for and grow better than exotic ones, plus any with flowers will provide good food for local pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even some bats and other mammals will appreciate local plants along with your recipient. If you know someone whose garden needs extra attention, maybe you can offer to care for it when the person is on an out-of-town trip. 

How much access do wild animals have to the garden? If your recipient is tired of rabbits, deer, birds, or other animals sampling the garden, fencing or other deterrents are a good idea. I personally use a dog to keep mammals away from my garden (she doesn't mind the birds and neither do I), but you really ought to talk to people before springing pets on them! For something as permanent and visible as a fence, definitely consult with the gardener first. For smaller and shorter areas, a frame covered in chicken wire and placed over the plants makes it difficult for animals to get in, although depending on the size of the holes, small animals like wrens and mice can still slip in, and of course insects and other invertebrates can as well. Beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantids are a good offense as are beneficial nematodes, eating small creatures like aphids that would otherwise feast on the plants, damaging them. There are also sprays, storebought and homemade, that can deter animals. Certain plants, for example crocuses and bluebells, work well to keep animals like deer away too, and marigolds deter slugs and snails; a gift of those plants to make a border might be nice. Used coffee grounds add nutrients to the soil (fresh ones would be too acidic), deter pest insects, and attract worms--a friend of mine works at a coffee shop and often brings me used ground for my compost pile. Motion-activated sprinklers, lights, and sound equipment can also help. On the other hand, if your recipient doesn't mind "sharing" with the local wildlife, maybe you can look for something to encourage the animals: bird feeders, plants that pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies love, and places for them to roost like bird houses and bat boxes. A nice trail camera or traditional camera could work too.

How particular is the owner about the garden? For example, I grow both food and ornamental plants. There are some fruits and vegetables I don't care to grow, but I'm open to planting almost any kind of flower or succulent or other decorative plant. Some people might have preferences for specific varieties, too: maybe Roma tomatoes are better than beefsteak or cherry. Maybe you love the garden gloves you use, but your recipient likes another. If you're concerned you might not pick the "right" plants or garden tools, a gift card to a garden store is a good choice. You can pair it with the gift of time: take your recipient to lunch, then head to the garden store together. 

Gifts for Milestone Birthdays (and other fun events)

While any birthday can be fun in its own right, some have special meaning. These will vary depending on your culture and heritage--some numbers have more significance than others for different people. A person's very first birthday is important in many cultures, and although the child won't remember whatever is done to mark the occasion, most people still enjoy doing something to celebrate. Other ages have special meaning depending on where you live. For example, turning 15 is a big deal in Mexico and other Latin American countries where a girl celebrates with a quinceañera, but isn't as important an age in my culture. If there's a particularly extravagant gift you want to give someone, a milestone birthday is a good excuse to give it.

Reaching the next decade of life often stands out as extra reason to celebrate. I have dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins, which makes celebrating each of their birthdays individually a bit unwieldy, but I make sure to send them cards for their fortieth, fiftieth, sixtieth, seventieth, eightieth, and ninetieth birthdays (we've had a few of the extended family make it to the century mark, but that was before I learned to read and write). If the importance is the number itself, a gift of that number of items can be nice. When my parents turned 60, my siblings and I gave them each a $60 gift card to mark the occasion, more than we usually spend on their birthdays. While you might normally call or visit around a birthday, big milestones can be the impetuous for more people to be able to visit, or for you to save up for a trip to see the person. When my paternal grandfather turned 80, we all gathered for a party for him--and did the same ten years later when he turned 90. A few years after that, there was a similar party on the other side of the family when my maternal grandfather also became a nonagenarian. 

Sometimes the reason for extra celebration is new privileges the new age brings. In the US, a person can get a driver's license upon turning 16, becomes a legal adult at 18, and is allowed to buy alcohol at 21. It's pretty common to see gifts relating to cars, independence, and drinking at those ages (of course, be mindful of individual's preferences and possible restrictions; not everyone will be able to or want to partake of the new privileges). It can also be fun to celebrate less well-known perks, like turning 25 and being able to rent a car without purchasing extra insurance, or turning 35 and (in the US) being eligible to run for president. 

There are a variety of songs about age. The Silver Beetles song "When I'm 64" asks "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" My parents like the song, so I brought them dinner when they hit that age. A currently-teenaged family friend likes Taylor Swift--I'm already looking forward her twenty-second birthday so I can make her a card themed around her song "22." Adele has an album titled 21, Neil Sedaka sang "Happy Birthday Sweet 16." There are also movies related to particular ages or numbers in general that can serve as a springboard for ideas. You might have inside jokes about certain ages that could inspire ideas too.

Golden birthdays are fun to celebrate too. A golden birthday is when a person turns the same age as the date; for example, turning five on the fifth on the month. Of course, people born on the first, second, third, and probably fourth won't remember their golden birthdays, but it can still be a fun excuse for a special gift (or wait for them turn 11, 22, or 33 and call it a platinum birthday). I give my godchildren, nieces, and nephews birthstone jewelry on their golden birthdays. The earliest golden birthday so far was when a nephew turned eight; he got a tie bar with his birthstone embedded in it. A goddaughter got a birthstone necklace when she turned twelve, and a niece got birthstone earrings when she turned seventeen. One niece will have to wait until she's 29 for hers!

If you happen to share a birthday with someone you know, that can also be special. One of my daughters was born on my cousin's birthday, and she sends her "birthday twin" a card every year. I also know a few parents whose children were born on their birthdays and other people (aside from twins and other multiples) who share birthdays and enjoy celebrating with the other person.

Making Gifts with Kids

Most hand-made gifts that an adult might make can also be made by a child, given enough patience on the part both the child and the adult helping. Here are some ideas for gifts more with children in mind.

Check the library or a book store for ideas too; 
there are tons of craft books for kids.

CRAFT KITS

You can find craft kits just about anywhere, from dollar stores to craft stores to impulse buy sections of grocery stores. Suncatchers; modeling kits for soaps, candles, ornaments, candies; stepping stones; beading and jewelry; yarn, sewing, and other needlecraft; even baking kits--baked goods are an excellent gift for kids to help make, because even a very young child can help put sprinkles on cookies or stir a batter. Craft kits come with everything you need already in them, making them a convenient way to get all your supplies. Well, everything except patience and cleaning supplies...

You can also get ideas from the kits--maybe you have the supplies on hand already! 

TOOTHPICKS, POPSICLE STICKS, CLOTHESPINS, AND OTHER WOOD IDEAS

Little pieces of wood are great for crafts. Provided they're smooth (i.e.; no splinters), your child can use them to make flowers, butterflies (with dyed coffee filters), model planes, bookmarks, frames, and even 3D shapes like bird feeders or pencil holders. You'll also need things like paint, glue, and twine for lots of projects. Let your child's creativity lead the way!

SALT DOUGH, CLAY, PLASTER, AND OTHER SCULPTING MATERIALS

Most kids love molding and sculping shapes. While it can get messy (have them work outside, in a garage, or over spread out newspaper or junk mail ads), it's a fun way to help kids create a gift. Materials that will harden and be water-proof are good for coasters, stepping stones, and even cups, plates, and bowls so long as there are no toxic materials that can leach into food. Be sure to give these sorts of creations with instructions to hand-wash!

You can buy ready-made clay or make your own. Salt dough is popular and easy: 1 part salt, 4 parts flour, 1.5 parts water; bake the creations for two to three hours at 250F; let cool; paint. A tip: kneading salt dough is an excellent way to find paper cuts you didn't know you had. Wear gloves if you have any scratches!

Good for handprints, paw prints, any shape you have a 
cookie cutter for, and 3D objects.

There are also pottery studios that can fire higher-quality clay in a kiln, and place to paint sculptures and other pottery. At both types, you'll need to be able to get back to the studio in a week or two to pick up your finished pieces.

FILLING CLEAR VESSELS

I've most commonly seen this idea used for Christmas ornaments, but you can also make suncatchers and curios. All you need is a clear glass or plastic item and something pretty to put inside. They can be filled with ribbon, fabric, crinkle paper, silk flowers, Easter grass, colored sand, or glitter. You can drip some acrylic paint in the bottom and tip them upside-down over a paper cup until dry, letting the paint swirl around the inside. You can also paint the outside or help kids make designs with their fingerprints.

There are more shapes available that spheres,
and other sorts of containers like fancy jars.

You can also fill a jar or other container with dry ingredients for cookies or other recipes. This past Christmas, one of my kid's friends gave us plastic Christmas ornaments filled with hot chocolate powder, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, and marshmallows: fancy hot chocolate!

JEWLERY AND SIMILAR DECORATIONS

Beads made from various materials, ribbon, charms, embroidery floss, jewelry wire, fishing line, maybe some chain links or earring hooks and needle-nosed pliers: have some on hand, and your child can make something as simple as a necklace with a single charm on it, or weave an elaborate friendship bracelet, or make a hair bow, craft a keychain, or even create a windchime. Be aware of choking hazards and keep an eye on things to avoid spills, and see what creations your child comes up with!

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Maybe you want something easy, something that can be done in few minutes and that your young child can handle without making a mess or getting frustrated. There's nothing wrong with a simple wildflower bouquet or a card with a picture your child drew. A painting on a piece of cardstock, felt, or thin foam makes a nice bookmark or frame for a picture! If you're already making cookies, let your child add some food coloring to part of the dough, cut some shapes, or add sprinkles or frosting. 

If your child wants to make a present for someone, gauge your child's patience, attention span, and motor skills and help guide toward a suitable craft. It might get messy, but your child will have fun and enjoy making something special to give to someone special.

If You Can Bake, Cook, or Brew, You Can Make...

Food is a great gift if you know your recipient's dietary restrictions. Whether it's a little treat or a full meal, food is a great way to show people that they're appreciated and cared for.

Sweets and small food gifts are great for holidays, birthdays, and saying thanks, congratulations, or welcome. Cookies, candy, brownies, fudge, jam, seasonings and rubs, infused vinegar or oils, vanilla extract, syrups (either for dessert toppings or in drinks), homemade beverages and beverage mixes, bread and pastries; even food grown in your garden. It's always nice to have a little treat.

Providing a home-cooked meal is a great way to help out busy people, like new parents or people who have just moved or who are busy planning events. Not having to worry about what to make for dinner can help people cope with difficult times like drawn-out medical issues or relax and enjoy happy occasions.

You might able to make something extra-special to eat. Old family recipes are great for this: my mom's side of the family always loves getting my great-great-aunt's secret recipe cookies, and my dad's side appreciates the nostalgia of getting a loaf of the bread my great-great-grandmother made for Sunday dinners. If you know someone's favorite food, see if it can be used in a new sort of recipe or given another kind of twist. My sister-in-law likes rhubarb, so rhubarb cake and strawberry rhubarb pie are obvious choices, but rhubarb syrup that can be poured over pancakes or ice cream is a more fun gift to give. Use fun cookie cutters and colored icing to make a delicious bouquet of flowers or special molds to make shaped candies or cupcakes. You can find themed recipes, like a batch of Italian Wedding Soup for an anniversary present.

Regardless of what kind of food you're giving, make it easier on your recipient by giving it in a container that you don't need back. This can be as simple as wrapping a lasagna in heavy foil or as intricate as packing everything in a picnic basket, utensils included. As with any food gift, take into consideration allergies and intolerances, religious and health restrictions, and how long the food will be refrigerated.

If You are an Artist, You Can Make...

Being able to create art is a wonderful talent, and a great way to make personalized and customized gifts. There are myriad possibilities.

HOME DECOR

Provided you know your recipient's tastes well enough, a piece of framed artwork is a lovely addition to a home. It's also a fun way to celebrate major milestones, like new babies or weddings. One of my mom's friends works drawing houses for a real estate company; when my older brother got married she drew professional pictures of his and his wife's childhood homes. One of my aunts is a professional photographer, and she's put together some inspiring pictures of family members, landscapes, and even one series of plants--may sound odd, but they're beautiful. 

If you're unsure quite what would be best, you could also offer your services to paint a family portrait or something similar. Explain you'd love to make something, but you want to be sure it fits with your recipient's aesthetic. Be prepared for some people to decline (politely, I hope).

Lots of people like inspirational quotes and images; if you have talent in graphic design, calligraphy, or wood-working this could be a good avenue for you. I have a few friends who make gorgeous home decor like this. 

If your talent leans more toward three dimensional pieces, decorative bowls, vases, candle holders, frames, paperweights, coasters, or other such items work well. Small boxes or bowls to hold things like keys, jewelry, and coins are useful and easy to store. If your items are more utilitarian, make sure your recipient knows that, for example, the plate can safely hold food without leeching anything into food, and how to care for it (handwashing vs dishwasher, proper kinds of soap). Little trinkets like prisms, whose primary purpose is to be beautiful, are also good ideas.

OUTDOOR ITEMS

A family moving to a new house might appreciate a handmade address sign, stepping stones, decorated planting pots, wind chimes, bird feeder, or garden sculpture. Of course, be sure your recipient knows the pieces are safe for the outdoor weather, and take a moment to think about the climate and any pets who might try to chew on something.

OTHER IDEAS

You might be able to craft toys or even board games for children, or make a piece reflecting the child's favorite animal or hobby. You might even be able to illustrate a short book. For babies, perhaps a piece to help parents mark milestones like the first time a baby sits up, smiles, crawls, etc.

I have a few family members who make stationery. Whether made with rubber stamps, graphic design programs, found items like pressed flowers, individual drawings and paintings, homemade paper, other card cut into collage pieces, or anything in between, they're useful and beautiful.

Gifts for: Grandparents

By the time people reach grandparent age, they usually have all the "stuff" they want (and sometimes more!). For this reason, I like to stick to either consumables or small gifts with nostalgic or sentimental significance. 

CONSUMABLE IDEAS

Restaurant gift cards are easy, and easy doesn't mean bad. Both my grandfathers were raised during the Great Depression--a free meal is always nice. You can also consider gift cards for massages, manicures, housekeeping, golf courses, sports events, music or television streaming services, and other events and services.

For other ideas, think of your grandparents' favorite foods. My paternal grandfather, upon learning I like to cook, gave me the recipe for his mother's bread. I was a teenager, and guess what recipe I knew I'd be pulling out every Father's Day, Grandpa's birthday, and Christmas? My maternal grandfather loves unusual and spicy foods, so any display of unconventional food gets a once-over from me. He also has a favorite recipe, "Sacred Cake" without which his birthday is incomplete. Do you grandparents like coffee, and is there a roaster nearby? Tea, snacks, sweets? You could put together jars of dry ingredients for baked goods, if you know your grandparents enjoy baking. Be mindful of dietary restrictions like diabetes, but if there's a treat you know you can find or make, you're set.

For non-edibles, consider stationery, candles, soap, tickets to events or places (and they don't necessarily need to be "for old people;" so long as you know your grandparents would like it, why not tickets to an amusement park or zoo?), art supplies, bulbs and seeds for flowers and other plants, cosmetics, and maybe even help setting up Skype or Facetime or something similar to talk to family members who are far away.

GIFTS REPRESENTING YOUR HOME

A simple idea, great for a group of siblings and/or cousins, is a collection of little gifts representing where you live, especially if there are several locations involved. For example, one year, my two siblings and I each lived in a different state from our grandparents. We gave them three potholders, one representing each state (Arizona, Hawaii, and Texas), and a small consumable gift from each one: Arizona's Fairytale Brownies (a fantastic gift on their own; they're delicious), Hawaiian-made honey, and a Texas snack mix.

If you're looking for very specific fabrics, eBay is a good place to start--you can usually find fat quarters or by-the-yard cuts of an amazing assortment of oddly specific fabrics. In this instance, the Hawaiian fabric was found in a store in Honolulu (Fabric Mart, which has an online shop), and the Texas and Arizona prints were from eBay. Another great website is Spoonflower.

This way, the grandparents had something small and useful as well as fun treats, all of which reminded them of their grandchildren. Most cities and even small towns have some shop with locally-made consumables and/or small items: candles, chocolates, spice mixes, soaps; maybe even a book by a local author or about a place's history or folklore.

GIFTS FROM EVERYONE

If you have lots of cousins and you're close with them, you might be able to get all the grandkids working together for a present. I've done this a few times for grandparents' Christmas presents, and every time not only were the cousins willing to help, they were happy that they didn't need to come up with a gift idea. One year, I had several people help me with knitting afghans. I taught a few how to knit and they did anywhere from a few stitches to a few rows, and others just helped pick colors. 

Our grandmother ended up using this to keep warm during chemotherapy treatments years later;
fortunately she's recovered now.

Another year, I had my cousins send me pictures of their families (aunts and uncles too). Everyone chipped in a bit of money for printing the pictures and for a 100-page 4x6 photo album. At the time, there were a few of us grandchildren were pregnant, so some of the empty pages had sticky notes "saving" them for pictures of the great-grandchildren. We still send pictures now and then to keep the album updated.

Young children can get in on the fun as well. Just recently, I helped my children and my nieces and nephew make stepping stones for my mother-in-law's birthday. I purchased some kits from a craft store that came with cement mix, molds, and stones and glass to set in the cement (and added some of the random buttons and broken jewelry I'd accumulated over the years). Each child decorated a stepping stone and we used the included letter stamps to put their names on their stones. Since my mother-in-law loves gardening, having things in her garden that her grandchildren made was perfect.

Of course, a group gift doesn't need to be elaborate. There have been some Christmases that several of us chip in for a restaurant gift card so our grandparents can enjoy a nice dinner. Every time, regardless of how much work went into a gift, it's fun to write all our names on the "from" section of the gift tag.

GIFTS ABOUT EVERYONE

In my opinion, these are the most fun. I have a large extended family, so if I can think of an idea to showcase all of us, I'm all over it. One I recently saw was in a neighbor's house. She has four children, several grandchildren, and a few great-children. She had a shadowbox with "Counting my Blessings" written across the top, and three labels inside: children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Each label had hooks underneath, to hold numbers representing how many of each she had. I might need to do that for my grandparents.

One gift I have made my grandparents is a birthday calendar. If you have the time and inclination, you can make your own. You'll need fourteen screw eyes, several wooden disks (or hearts or whatever shape you want) ideally with two holes already drilled in, small metal rings, hanging wire, a long wooden board, a fine-tipped permanent marker, and paint (I like acrylic best for this). You can also purchase custom ones on sites like Etsy.

Told you it's a big family

While I actually made it, I presented it as from all of us, because I had help from everyone in deciding colors and figuring out birthdays--it was very much a group effort. I was also able to go to a thrift store and buy 50 greeting cards at a dime each: enough for a card for everyone (there are 51 markers up there, but that's including our grandparents themselves and they don't give cards to each other).

Again, these don't need to be big, elaborate endeavors. I find gifts like this fun to plan and make, but I know not everyone does. There was one year we all chipped in for a collage picture frame and put pictures of us in. Our grandparents loved that, too. My in-laws loved the digital picture frame loaded with pictures of the grandkids. And really, the most important thing for them was the time spent with us during the holidays or their birthdays. They absolutely loved the sentiment and thought behind the gifts, but talking with us was the real highlight for them.

Sewing Tutorial: Pie Carrier

A woman I worked for handed me an item like this that her grandmother had made years before, wondering if I could reverse-engineer it. I took it home, pondered it for a few days, and figured out how to make my own.

A pretty and convenient way to carry your desserts.
Works well for a plate of cookies, too!

SUPPLIES

Two half-yards of fabric, one for the outside and one for the inside (one yard total)
About four yards of bias binding
Batting
Ribbon or other item for ties

I use a set of dollar store shoelaces; the aglets mean I don't need to worry about fraying.
I found the pie fabric on the Spoonflower website in J. M. Clemenson's shop.

DIRECTIONS

Once the fabric is washed and ironed, cut a circle with a diameter one to two inches larger than your pie pan. You'll need three circles: the outside fabric, the inside fabric, and the batting.

This serving plate of mine is just big enough to be a guide

I layer all the fabrics together as I cut them so I don't need to repeat the steps three times:
batting inside the inside and outside fabric, both right sides out.

Next, cut the crescents that go on the top of the pie. I find the easiest way to do this is to cut another set of circles then use a smaller plate (salad plate, in this instance) as my guide to make the crescents about three inches thick, and cut it in half to make the two crescents. Again, you'll need one inside fabric, one outside fabric, and one batting.

Or cut the semi-circle first, then use the plate as your guide to make the crescents.
Use the little semi-circle as part of a heart-shaped oven mitt.

Cut the two straps. They should be about an inch longer than the diameter of your original circle and two to three inches wide. Now you have all the pieces: the circle, two crescents, and two straps; each one a set of one outside fabric and one inside fabric, both right sides out, with batting between them.

These crescents overlap a bit, so I need to trim them.

There we go.

Layers

Now you will sew the long edges of the straps and the inside edges of the crescents. Use a narrow seam allowance, and trim the edges as necessary.

Could have gone a little narrower, but that's nothing my Ginghers won't take care of.

Next, sew on the bias binding. I am lazy and bought bias tape; double-fold is best for all these layers. When you add it to the crescents, do the short, straight edge first. Sew your ties in when you add the bias binding to the inner curved edge. 

Make sure it's long enough to be tied into a bow; five or so inches will do it.

Sewn securely to the crescent.

Inner edges done!

Now layer the pieces, pin them in place, and sew the outer edges of the circle. As before, use a narrow seam allowance and trim the edges.

Watch out for the ties, and be sure to catch all the layers.

All you have to do now is sew the bias binding on the outer edge of the circle. And bake a dessert to go inside it.