By Becky & Carolyn from Carolyn's Creations
People often associate ‘handmade’ with expensive, but it needn’t be the case. When we get a bit creative, we can support local businesses and make a quality handmade gift for our loved ones without taking out a second mortgage. How, you ask?
1. Pick your base – the handmade gift!
Find a product from a local handmade business, to suit the recipient you had in mind.
For example: Grandad loves caravanning up North in the Winter, and is always cleaning Nan out of cake, that she has made. Let’s help Nan out and get Grandad in the kitchen with an apron with a cool print, that showcases his travelling passion – caravans!!
2. Let’s make it!
Why not make a Layered Brownie Cake Mix that even Grandad will be able to make? (there are so many recipes on the internet (bakeplaysmile.com even had free recipe method labels!!) Nan can now put her feet up, while Grandad musters his inner Masterchef! You can make some custom labels on Canva.com (most of the templates are free!), and affix them with double sided tape. Jars are easy to get hold of – empty the last of your Coconut oil or Olive jar and remember to give it a good wash and dry prior.
3. Wrap it!
You could use twine and a spare piece of plain or patterned fabric? Charity Shops often have fabric remnants for less than $2, or get the kids to paint some lovely paper.
4. Done!
You now have a thoughtful gift, that has supported a small local business and personalised it for the recipient to enjoy.
Some other suggestions:
1. Handmade Boot Protectors packaged with Flower Seeds collected from the garden or from a local nursery? You can make a seed packet from leftover craft items and personalised labels on the computer.
2. Handmade Toddler Feeding & Art Smock with a Watercolour set –
watercolour is less mess than standard paint so their parents will thank you! Again, a personalised label can give it that special touch. It is also great lightweight gift too. Perfect for sending to that cute nephew who lives interstate.
3. Handmade Hand Towel with Homemade Preserve – Grandma’s recipe for Strawberry Jam or do you have a Marmalade Lover? A hand towel really does help dry cleaned hands, after a sticky Jammy breakfast! You could even make a relish or dukkah? Leftover jars in the home work, or from a local charity - sometimes even for free! Custom labels give their own quirky twist. Often, you will find the ingredients are already in your pantry – bonus!
Sharing freight costs from a local business, with a friend, who also wants to support that
business, can help reduce or even eliminate the freight cost. Head to a local market – often local businesses can sell their products cheaper there, as there is sometimes less overheads or better yet - support a local Australian Handmade business from this website, who will most assuredly do a happy dance when they see you have purchased one of their labours of love!
Whatever you can, whenever you can - especially this Christmas - local business needs you more than ever. Your support, is the best Christmas Present.
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Thankyou everyone for the wonderful, encouraging feedback! We had a lot of fun putting this all together - Carolyn & Becky from Carolyn's Creations.
Such great ideas, thank you
Love the fabric for wrapping idea
I love this! What a great idea pairing handmade with something made by you.