Gift Guide 2011 - DIY gifts from the heart

The holidays are a stressful time of year for many people. Shopping is a hassle and it can be impossible to find a gift that all the people on the list will enjoy. Also, it can be very expensive to buy all of the gifts and it can be a tight strain on any budget. There are many gifts that a person can make at home to save some money and make a person a truly meaningful that wasn't just plucked off the shelves in mass quantities. A homemade gift is one that is truly special and shows a person how more than just money was put into the gift. These are five great gifts to make at home.

Most people love sweets. Get a jar and the the ingredients for hot chocolate, cookies or brownies and put them into the jar. Then tape the directions to make the treats on the outside of the jar. Decorate the jar and make it pretty and there is a beautiful homemade gift for almost anybody. There are many types of foods to layer in the jar and it can be personalized to a person's tastes. If a person loves chocolate chip cookies give that, or if they love cake give that. It is a meaningful and truly sweet gift.

Another really sweet and meaningful gift to make at home is a scrapbook. Save forever moments captured in time on photograph and make it gorgeous with colored papers and patterned paper and stickers and other designs to make the pages really pop. Many people would love to make a scrapbook but simply don't have the time and would be touched to receive one made for them that is unique to them and their relationship. It may take a little longer but it is one of the sweetest and most personal gifts a person give.

The next gift to make at home is soap. There are kits that can be purchased at craft stores like Michael's which sell the ingredients and give instructions on how to make soap. They smell very nicely and can be colored and shaped in unique and creative designs. This is a gift that is great for women that is also very useful. It has a use and will not end up stashed in the closet for all of eternity. Names and designs can be etched in the soap and bags can be made that are pretty to keep the soap in and give it to the person. Make soaps in their favorite colors and favorite shapes for a personalized gift.

Another home made gift is one for those who love the children. This makes a great gift for grandparents and other close family members to the children. Make a calendar with photos of the children on each month. This can be done online or a person could do it by hand. Every month the person will have a new photo of the children they love and they will be reminded of this great gift every time they use the calendar. It is useful, it won't end up stuffed on a shelf and unused like a piece of junk.

One more great home made gift is bath salts in a jar. It isn't difficult to do and it too is very useful. Get bath salts in many colors, scents and types and pour them into a glass jar. Tie ribbons around the jar and decorate it creatively. Many people enjoy sinking into a bath tub at the end of the day and would love having bath salts to make the experience that much more relaxing.

These are five great home made gifts that are more meaningful than gifts plucked off the shelves that are not personalized at all. Putting time and energy into gifts makes them much more special and makes them more memorable and is a gift that a person can really feel good about giving.