An exchange of christmas gift ideas...What to make?

[Sawdust=manglitter]

With a few projects on the go at the moment and not much spare time I thought I'd get the thinking cap on now for what to make for nice Christmas gifts for the family etc.

I've already made and given a few gifts for various people already like:

an oak bird box,

Some little picture frames,

an 'ash' ashtray,

cherry bowl candle,

and some other turned bowls

What other nice gifts have people made in the past?

An exchange of ideas and examples (with photos) would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dynax]

I'm thinking of doing some jigsaws, i have some photos of my partners great nephew and i thought about doing some jigsaws for the other family members,

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks Mike, a jigsaw would be fun to do, but as I dont have a scroll saw I dont think I would trust myself to do a tidy job using a coping saw!

 

[SPSlick]

The RSPB recommend not having a perch on a bird box as it allows predators to attack the nest.

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

The RSPB recommend not having a perch on a bird box as it allows predators to attack the nest.

Doh!! (homer)

 

[dynax]

Thanks Mike, a jigsaw would be fun to do, but as I dont have a scroll saw I dont think I would trust myself to do a tidy job using a coping saw!

Hmmm, a scroll saw would help, but not impossible with some fine blades in a coping saw, it would be very labour intensive though,

 

[undergroundhunter]

These always go down well.

Matt

 

[lurker]

This is a good thread.
Can everyone post ideas for inspiration.
I always leave this too late but need to get cracking as stuff needs to be finished in early Dec so any finishes can dry DAMHIKT!

 

[dynax]

here's a few to get things started,

candle sticks, worktop savers( i used granite tiles and walnut edging on some i made a few years ago), butler style tray, kitchen/hostess trolley, house name/number plaques, photo frames, pen/pencil holders, laptop table, clocks, mirrors, lampstands, plantpots, window boxes, wooden planters, whirlygigs, footstool, cd/dvd holders, chalkboards, easels, music stands, windchimes,

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

This is a good thread.
Can everyone post ideas for inspiration.
I always leave this too late but need to get cracking as stuff needs to be finished in early Dec so any finishes can dry DAMHIKT!

Thats exactly what i thought! I dont usually think about christmas until its way too late, but the misses actually started some christmas shopping and asked me to make something for her parents, so thats what got me thinking

I'm loving that star though, very nicely done

 

[bobajobob]

Nice work and good design Matt.

That Bird box looks a very desirable residence. Should last a few years.
I made my last box with interchangeable entry holes. Great or blue *** sizes.
Very rewarding. A great present

Bob

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks Bob! The box was for my dad, so gave it to him with no hole and asked what birds he wanted to attract. He likes his ****, so gave it a 25mm hole.

Do you have any suggestions for nice gifts to make?

 

[monkeybiter]

I can be so childish :roll: :lol:

Excellent thread, a very useful idea that could earn sticky status with enough participation. Thinking cap is on....

 

[bobajobob]

I think Mike's list is pretty comprehensive. For gifts I only have two customers - my wife and daughter. (My son only appreciates something if it's Windows10 compatible)
For my daughter it's small pots , dishes and boxes for her desk and anything artsy for her living room (vases, bowls, boxes) The appreciation is always pretty moving.
For my wife its much of the same but I made her a ring box for a special occasion that was very well received. If you know the recipients let their personalities be your inspiration. It's a very liberating and uplifting experience when you make purely for the enjoyment of others. Oh yes! Nearly forgot the grand children. Spinning tops and dice,
mobiles and jewellery (wooden of course).

A refreshingly selfless topic. Well done

 

[nev]

Saw this on Facepants the other day (apparently the creators are inundated with orders at 30 odd dollars a pop!), like the simple idea, but wondering if it could be 'smartened up' a bit, i.e. not shabby chic?

 

[dynax]

a few more ideas,
bar skittles (could be fun after a few drinks), giant size 4 in a row, table football, wine rack, fish tank, building blocks, string puppets, display cabinets (for collectors,cars,trains,thimbles,figurines,etc), tissue box, toy box, a crate of beer, a block of wood a chisel and a mallet ( diy carving/sculpting set),
i'll try and and think of a few more over the weekend,

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

Thanks all for the great suggestions!

I also cant believe I haven't seen this category at Axminster before...
http://www.axminster.co.uk/accessories/ ... -gift-kits

There are a few stocking fillers sorted right there!!

 

[MarkDennehy]

I'm currently staring at a way-too-long list of things to make for xmas. None of which I've made yet, but if all you want is ideas...

Play kitchens for kids. Look how simple these are. There can't be more than forty euros worth of wood in there :

Lap desks (because reading and writing in bed is a thing round these parts and nobody makes shaker-type lap desks for that anymore it seems).

And a sidecar cot (for my sister's incoming ball of sleepless nights). But I think that one might be a bit overcomplicated for a simple stocking filler...

 

[Sawdust=manglitter]

The play kitchen is a nice idea!

 

[MarkDennehy]

And so simple to build from what I can see. And they make them from white pine so cheap to boot. The hardest part I can think of is cutting the circles for the hobs and knobs and the longest part would be waiting for the finish to cure. Unless someone sees something I don't, in which case, now would be the time to speak up and save me from hours of heartbreak