Comments on: Making it – handmade and second hand birthday gifts

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:07:23 +0000

Thanks so much! I feel very inspired now and am ready for all of those birthday parties!

By: Ellie

Ellie — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:12:37 +0000

We just had my son’s 3rd birthday. On the evite we said, “Gifts are not necessary. Max won’t notice and we won’t care. If you do want to bring something, hand-me-downs, kid-made, and second hand items are great.” One friend sewed a bookbag for him, then put some hand me down books inside. Great idea!

I have also made superhero capes (for boys and girls both), crowns, aprons, stuffed toys, beanbags, etc. My son was too young to do much with these projects, but he has used fabric markers to draw on fabric that we can incorporate. It’s harder as the gift recipient gets older to think of what to make. I love the cuff idea!

By: Maryam

Maryam — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:36:32 +0000

i love reading this post (as i have several times!), so thank you for posting about it. i’m making my kids’ birthdays handmade (gifts, crowns, decorations). when the time comes to visit other kids’ parties, i’ll remember this blog. it has been inspiring

By: lynne

lynne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:08:46 +0000

i’m very excited about all that you are doing in the world of future craft. this is one of our handmade gift idea….

http://whatmookiethinks.blogspot.com/2009/02/diy-chore-charts-and-placemats.html

By: admin

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:57:35 +0000

hey all!
sarah, i’ve got a great tee shirt skirt pattern that would be perfect for making and gifting for 8 and up year olds. good idea. i’ll post a tute pronto.
blue mama- i’ve also got some fun boy’s gifts comin’- some easy to make games and outdoor toys that are fun for the whole family!
kathie

By: Sarah Bork Hamilton

Sarah Bork Hamilton — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:45:06 +0000

Gals-I have a request…..I am wondering if you might invent some kind of a groovy skirt that would be easy enough for a gal of 8 to make for herself or for one of her friends as a gift. Could be t-shirt or even out of seed bags or ? My big one wants to be a fashion designer, natch!
xo

By: Jen/Blue Mama

Jen/Blue Mama — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:38:08 +0000

Ok, this is my last comment of the day, I promise! I just remembered that I made a simple felt superhero cape for a little boy’s birthday last year, it was cute, easy, fun and inexpensive and he liked it!

By: Jen/Blue Mama

Jen/Blue Mama — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:08:35 +0000

ps: I can’t wait to see your list, I have boys so handmade gifts are definitely trickier for them…

By: Jen/Blue Mama

Jen/Blue Mama — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:08:04 +0000

I love this post! I’ve struggled with birthday parties and gift giving too. I once thrifted this really cool giant plastic skull for a little boy’s birthday and was thrilled–until I saw it next to all the giant Lego sets. He seemed to like it and it was prominently displayed in his room the next time we saw him…and all the Legos were probably scattered all over the place.

I am trying to fully embrace the second-hand/handmade gift giving with pride. This post was great, thanks so much!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:03:48 +0000

I’m huge into handmade gifts. Jewelry is always a big hit as is clothing if you know the person. I also like to make art for kid’s rooms. If you’re interested, I have a handmade gift guide on my blog. It’s under the Handmade Gift Guide button in the right hand margin. Last Christmas I started compiling links to great gift tutorials for babies, grandparents, teachers, boys, etc so I would never be at a loss for a handmade gift. I love it! I’m hoping to do the same later this year and end up with even more gift guides. Go handmade!