Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing around ways you might give truly unique and meaningful gifts this Christmas as an alternative to rampant materialism and consumerism that can sometimes squelch God’s creativity at work in us!   Add any additional ideas about homemade gifts you have given or received that have been meaningful for you.

Personal Service Certificate: Make and give a certificate and follow through on providing a service in which you are skilled or knowledgeable---the possibilities are endless depending on what you know and are able to do: babysitting, lawn mowing, leaf raking, hair cutting, cooking, house cleaning, home/car repair, personal training, gardening/planting bulbs, Christmas decorating, painting, massage, etc.  This is a gift anyone can give, and use!

Food: The possibilities are endless—cookies, pies, breads, candy, muffins, candied or spiced nuts, jams, soups, chutneys, pudding, sauces, etc.  A special and delicious truffle recipe is included at the end of this page.  There are many websites with recipes for any recipe you are looking for!   Here is one place to begin: http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Holidays-and-Events/Christmas/Food-Gifts/Main.aspx 

Meal:  Provide a whole dinner for a family with busy parents or for the elderly, infirm, shut-in, etc, or for special friends or family.  To make it extra special you might act as “server” to them for the meal.

Photos:  Frame a photo that will have meaning for someone who is special to you, or use multiple photos to fill in a collage frame or a photo book. With photo transfer paper (available at craft supply stores like Michaels)  and your ink jet printer any photo can be transferred onto a T-shirt, towel, blanket, cloth napkin, etc that can be used for everyday.

Write:  A poem, story, or a special card expressing why the person is special to you.  Draw or use a fancy font for a Scripture or inspiring words and frame.  If you play an instrument or sing, make up a song and perform it or record it to a CD.

Fabric:  Sew, knit, quilt, macramé, cross-stitch, embroider, tat lace, etc.

Art: give personalized gifts of art:  draw, woodwork, paint, sculpt, craft, collage, bead, etc.  Photocopy in black and white a picture from a children’s book or a comic strip that has special meaning, then color with colored pencils or markers.  Visit a local craft store like Michaels or Joann’s for many other ideas. 

Personal Experience Certificate:  Make and give a certificate of fun and time---then follow through on providing a special experience together with someone:  An outing to a movie, a play, dinner, a  spiritual retreat, yoga class, spa, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, swimming, birding, running, canoeing, road trip to your place at the beach, mountains, etc.

Handmade Paper:  This is a way to turn trash and waste into a reusable and truly beautiful treasure.  Here is one site with directions on how-to: http://www.pioneerthinking.com/makingpaper.html

Video: If you have taken videos of friends and family over the years, look through your archive for special events and create personalized videos to share the relevant footage for them.

Recipe book: Make or purchase a recipe file book for a young cook and fill with your favorite recipes or collect treasured recipes from cooking veteran family or friends.

Drink:  Homemade cider, ice tea, lemonade, juice, beer, wine etc.

Recipe in a Jar:  There are many food recipes that can be assembled in a jar and given as a “make fresh” recipe at home.  There are many websites with ideas.  One good place to begin:  http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html

Give Away Something You Like:  You may have a family heirloom, or piece of clothing or furniture, or artwork that is special to you and you know a loved one would cherish. Consider giving it away as a gift that money cannot buy.

Here are some links with additional ideas for original and homemade gifts:

http://www.do-it-yourself-gifts.com/

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/crafts-general.html 

http://www.makegrowgather.com/

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=96.0

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/11/13/a-do-it-yourself-christmas-34-great-gifts-you-can-make-yourself/

RECIPE: Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/4 cup brandy

1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa powder, finely chopped nuts, and/or toasted coconut, for coating truffles

8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine

Directions:

Place the 10 ounces of chocolate and butter in a medium size glass mixing bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Remove and stir, and repeat this process 1 more time. Set aside.

Heat the heavy cream and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering. Remove from the heat and pour the mixture over the melted chocolate mixture; let stand for 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, stir gently, starting in the middle of bowl and working in concentric circles until all chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently stir in the brandy. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 8-inch glass baking dish and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Using a melon baller, scoop chocolate onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Place the cocoa powder, nuts, and/or toasted coconut each in its own pie pan and set aside.

In the meantime, place the 8 ounces of chocolate into a medium mixing bowl which is sitting on top of a heating pad lined bowl, with the heating pad set to medium. Depending on the heating pad, you may need to adjust the heat up or down. Stirring the chocolate occasionally, test the temperature of the chocolate and continue heating until it reaches 90 to 92 degrees F; do not allow the chocolate to go above 94 degrees F. If you do, the coating will not have a nice snap to it when you bite into the chocolate. Once you have reached the optimal temperature, adjust the heat to maintain it.

Remove the truffles from the refrigerator and shape into balls by rolling between the palms of your hands. Use powder-free vinyl or latex gloves, if desired.

Dip an ice cream scoop into the chocolate and turn upside down to remove excess chocolate. Place truffles 1 at time into the scoop and roll around until coated. Then place the truffle into the dish with either the cocoa powder, nuts or coconut. Move the truffle around to coat; leave truffle in the coating for 10 to 15 seconds before removing. In the meantime, continue placing the chocolate-coated truffles in the cocoa or other secondary coating. After 10 to 15 seconds, remove the truffle to a parchment lined sheet pan. Repeat until all truffles are coated. Allow to set in a cool dry place for at least 1 hour; or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Truffles are best when served at room temperature.  

~ Alton Brown on The Food Network:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/