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The Wednesday Christmas Day Countdown

11th Wednesday Before Christmas Day


Brown frosted tree cookies with a white snowflake and four white tealight candles burning

With the holidays fast approaching, getting a jump start on your Christmas gift-giving list is something many of us are starting to do. And rather than spend a ton of money on items you are wondering if someone may want or even need, we have come up with 11 homemade gift ideas that will bring a smile to the recipient's face! So, let's get started making some fun holiday gifts!


a pink knitted winter hat with pink pompom on top

Knitted Hat: Winter is the perfect time to gift a new hat to that special someone. So many cute patterns are accessible online, so finding a pattern tailored to your skill level should be a piece of cake. However, this hat pattern from Sharon Lentsch called Perky Little Hat was found on Ravelry.com and costs $3.00. The yarn used was Malabrigo Rasta (Super Bulky), and the pompom was purchased from Amazon.





three pair of earrings. Far left pair is green gem with angel wings; Middle pair has three beads clear on top, pink middle, grey bottom; Far right pair has a turquoise bead and turquoise heart; Each pair is attached to a light brown card that states Handmade with love

Handcrafted Earrings: These earrings are easy to make, and who doesn't love a new pair of earrings? Supplies can be purchased at craft stores such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Amazon, or Temu.




Seashell Art: Did you visit the beach over the summer? If so, make a collage from your

Grey Framed linen shadow box with different shaped Seashells forming a heart. Bottom right corner is seashell with words Edisto Beach painted on

Seashells and gift it to someone who loves the beach! Or, gift it to a family member who went on vacation with you! They will love the memory and that you made it, especially for them. This frame was a linen background. I traced the heart lightly and then began arranging the shells. A glue gun was used to stick the shells to the fabric. Some of the shells were painted with Artist's Loft Metallic Acrylic paint to add a bit of shimmer to the project. One seashell was used to place the date and location. The shark tooth at the top center of the heart was my prize finding on the trip!


Three painted rocks. Far left rock has a blue background with small house and green leafed tree; Middle Rock is painted orange with monarch butterfly centered on rock with black and orange wings. Far right rock has a white flower with yellow center and red and black lady bug on bottom left petal.

Painted Rocks: are a fun craft for the entire family. I bet Grandma would love to display some painted little gems that her grandchildren gave her in her garden. You can buy a painted rock kit or find a rock in nature. Search Pinterest for inspiration - they have many ideas! Here are a few our family has created!


Cream color knitted shoulder bag resting on the shoulder of a mannequin bodice that is wearing a grey t-shirt. The strap goes over the shoulder and the bag begins to form just below the armpit.








Market Bag: Do you have friends, a mom, sister, or aunt who enjoys going to the Farmer's Market during the summer and fall months? If so, this knitted market bag might be the perfect gift! (I think you might be able to tell I enjoy knitting!) The pattern for this bag was also found at Ravelry.com and is offered in a collection of free patterns compliments of K. D'Ettore. In Ravelry, search for Zig-Zag Market Bag; you will find all the information you need to make this darling bag.











Easy Stretch Bracelet with Beads: These bracelets are quick and easy yet will be

Two bracelets displayed on a purple background. Left bracelet has white beads with lotus flower gems and two sets of 7 small stones. The seven stone colors are red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, blue, and purple. The bracelet on the right is pink beads with a ribbon charm and an angel charm that are silver in color.

cherished for years! This tutorial from Michael's will give you step-by-step instructions along with the supply list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5_a4VYBny8

These bracelets would make a great gift for a co-worker, teacher, or best friend!






A green cheesecloth is the background. On top of the cheesecloth is a light beige and white knitted back scrubber with knitted handle on each end. On top of the back scrubber in the same yarn (light beige and white) is a knitted washcloth and a small loop on the top right corner. On top of the washcloth is a homemade bar of soap wrapped in fabric with brown reindeer wearing a red and white scarf. The fabric also has red snowflakes and brown dots.

Knitted Wash Cloth and Back Scrubber: Here is another excellent and straightforward to-do gift for the person who loves to knit or would like to learn. I made this set with Red Heart Cotton Scrubby and US 7 knitting needles. I did not use a pattern for the washcloth, but I cast it on to the width I wanted and cast itoff to my designed length. The back scrubber pattern is also listed on Ravelry.com, titled Knit Back Scrubber by Michele Wilcox. Pair this set with a nice bar of soap or shower gel, and you will have a complete gift for anyone on your list.


Scented Pinecones: During the holiday, smells permeate the air from baking cookies, Christmas trees, and now your scented pinecones! Fill a basket with these delightful-smelling pinecones and bring them to the hostess when invited to a holiday party.

Here is an easy tutorial on how to make scented pinecones: 

A light green fabric is the backdrop with a green and red dish with white interior filled with seven brown pinecones. Next the right of the pinecone filled dish is a brown bottle with a white label with writing state Fractionated coconut oil. Behind the bottle is a black box with five small bottles of essential oils. To the right of the box is one essential oil leaning against the box with orange writing.

1. Pick nice-looking pinecones and remove any extra debris on them.

2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and layer the pinecones on the baking sheet so they are not touching.

3. You will need to bake them at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes. 

4. Let them cool down when they are done.

5. For the next step, you will need a zip lock bag, fractionated coconut oil, and essential oil. (Essential oil should be high grade with no additives. Usually, the lab says "pure essential oils") Mix 1/3 cup of fractionated coconut oil and 20 drops of the essential oil in a glass bowl. Pour equal amounts of the liquid into the plastic bag with 4-6 pinecones and let them sit for 12 - 24 hours. Then, take them out of the plastic bag and place them on a clean towel for several hours to dry.  The longer the pinecones sit in the bag with the essential oil, the stronger the scent will be. 



A purple background with two homemade bookmarks. The bookmark to the left is made with a turquoise waxed string, nine turquoise beads, one silver bead with silver spacers. At the bottom of the bookmark is a silver charm with the words "Follow Your" . In the center of the charm in a cut our heart. The bookmark to the right is made with a pink waxed string and 10 beads. The bead colors are pink, clear, yellow and silver with silver spacers. The charm at the bottom of the bookmark is a cut out silver lotus flower


Handmade Bookmarks: Who said a bookmark had to be boring? You can make jewelry for your books! Pair one of these beautiful bookmarks with a book you know the recipient would love to read! The best part is that they can use your gift all year long! I followed the following tutorial on YouTube and have already made several for gifts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNFdXwVb9L8


A turquoise and pink bookmark are displayed in books on a grey bookshelf with a picture of the word Paris in pink. In the picture the Eiffel Tower is seen along with a black and pink street marker. The turquoise bookmarker is placed a book with a black and turquoise jacket cover with the title written in White, Becoming Bulletproof. The pink bookmark is displayed in a book in front of the turquoise bookmark. The title of the book is the Alone advantage showcasing a blue couch with a vase of pink and white flowers.













a knitted port colored scarf with a black background. The scarf is displayed on a bodice cream colored form with a black knob on top.

Knitted Scarf or Shawl: Scarves and shawls make a lovely gift any time of the year. One of my favorite designers is Janina Kallio and you can find her at https://www.woolenberry.com. Her patterns are simplistic but elegant and make for very meditative knitting. The scarf showcased here is Daylight. You can purchase the pattern from Woolenberry.





Handpainted pink lotus flower on a canvas in a grey frame.





Framed Artwork: Do you have artistic talent? If you do, put your talent to work and create beautiful images that will speak to the receiver of your most thoughtful gift! Canvases can be purchased in all sizes at any craft store. To complete your artwork, frame the picture. Amazon carries all sizes and colors.





Let us know some of your favorite holiday crafts that make great gifts for family and friends! We enjoy creating and receiving these precious items as they come from the heart and are always made with LOVE!

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