Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any day)

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Very cool, Janan!

That is just so creative and special. I can see why you kept it and I love the idea.

I asked my mom and she says her most treasured gift she has ever received is her faith, and the best gift she has ever given, is birth. I thought her answers were nice, & worth sharing.

As for me, my best and most treasured gift is my bike from my brother...because he's now deceased, and the best gift I have given is my sponsporship of a young African girl for the past three years.

Other gift ideas...

One year my mom and I made homemade wreaths and decorated them with stuff we got from the craft store...like sugared cranberries, pinecones, and craft apples. People just loved them.

Another time we made homemade bee's wax candles and we got the sheets of wax from the craft store...they have all colors. We pressed beads into the candles when they were made and some were even letter beads that spelled out people's names. They were a real hit.

I used to be really into candle making and would melt down whole clear blocks and chunks of it, in a pot. I would add dye to color it and used nice jars and glasses to pour the wax into...

I liked making "rainbow" candles, where I'd have several layers of different colors of wax. If you wait for each layer to dry solid, there's no running into the the color beneath. They look fantastic when they're done and people really like them.

It can mess up your kitchen though, so for less mess, I suggest the bee's wax candles.

I'll add to this thread a bit more later, but thank you Janan, for your great ideas and for begining such a creative thread.

: )

Jananas Bananas · 11-07-2010, 01:33 PM

Thanks Sherry! I really love the beeswax candle idea! I know all the girls in the family will love that as we are all candle burners!

Is there a way to scent them with with anything? Could you put a little scented oil on them have you tried that? The beads spelling out their names is really clever too!

Yes, your Mom's treasured gifts are definitely worth mentioning!

My sister and I gathered some muscadine vines (I think it was the same time we made the jelly) and made wreaths and Christmas trees one year. They are plentiful in many areas in the South and free! We also gather pine cones and nuts and seed pods to decorate them. You can paint and glitter them for a more sparkling effect. You can put mini lights on them also if they aren't the ones that get hot (you need those to wrap the bananas with anyway). The pine cones make really cute little Christmas trees themselves too and you can decorate them with teeny little ornaments that you can make or get at a craft store, dipping the pine cones in wax make good fire starters too......to be continued

~JaNan

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-07-2010, 02:55 PM

Yes Janan, you can definitely scent the candles and I've done it with the melted wax ones I've made, but not the bee's wax ones.

You could definitely smear oil on the bee's wax sheets though before rolling them and this would give a great scent to them. I thought you might be into candles too, so that's kinda cool.

If you make a bundle of candles as a gift for someone, or even just a pair of them, you can use nice colored ribbons to tie around them...a nice touch.

Wow, your wreaths sound spectacular Janan! How decorative and creative. I like making my own wreaths too because you can change them each year with different things on them.

Gingerbread houses also make great gifts, that people really enjoy. They are inexpensive to make & oodles of fun!

In the past too, I was really into making jewelery with beautiful stones and beads (obtained from wal-mart & craft stores) that you could loop on a string and make a necklace or a bracelet. My young niece used to come over all the time and she'd want me to make her beaded jewelery, for her and her friends.

So many cool gift ideas. Looking forward to hearing more...

: )

Jananas Bananas · 11-07-2010, 04:22 PM

Here are some Fairy Houses that I have made:

I try to keep everything on them as natural as possible - twigs, lichen, moss, acorns, berries tiny dried flowers, tree bark - with a few exceptions, I think the door knob on one is a glass bead, and the windows are florist marbles. I'll post more pictures as I find them. I really have tons of fun making these as they are all one of a kind and are made from whatever I have gathered up at the time!

~JaNan

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-07-2010, 05:11 PM

Those are just beautiful, Janan!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely pics with us. Love the little decorations you've put on the houses...so nice!!!

: )

Jananas Bananas · 11-07-2010, 07:09 PM

Sherry do you have any pictures of your crafts and jewelry you have made?

I make jewelry too - Here are a few pictures of some jewelry I have made:

Amethyst

Amethyst

Smokey Quartz

Amethyst

Ametrine

Amethyst chip Bracelet

Amethyst

Amethyst necklace

What can I say? I like purple!

~JaNan

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-07-2010, 07:15 PM

Oh wow Janan! That jewelery is just stunning! Amythest is my birthstone!!!

I used to make jewelery awhile ago but mine was more suited as gifts for children...more little girl like. Sorry no pics.

Your pics are just beautiful though, Janan. Can't wait for the other member's to see how talented you are. Those look like they should be selling in some store somewhere...and I'd buy some
of it!!!

You're awesome, Janana!

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-07-2010, 10:46 PM

By the way, Janan...

When I get some of my Christmas stuff out soon, I'll take some shots of my homemade wreaths...

: )

saltydad · 11-08-2010, 12:54 AM

Mom is into making fused glass- jewelry and other items. She also knits up a storm, at least as much as her arthritis lets her. As for me, I love giving (and receiving) books the most, although plants are definitely a close second. And the best gift I ever received was my son Shawn.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 03:27 PM

Bob · 11-08-2010, 05:09 PM

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 05:13 PM

Wow Bob...I am truly flattered that my "Blue Princess" shrub is the best gift you ever received!!!

It just makes me that much more happy I sent her to you!

Enjoy!

Jananas Bananas · 11-08-2010, 08:57 PM

Thanks for posting Howard, Bob, and especially Sherry! We have to have gift ideas for kids too!

Thank you for the pictures!

I actually do sell some of my jewelry to a Boutique in Miami Sherry, and have sold jewelry and the fairy houses, among other things on eBay. Not just things I've made but regular jewelry too. It is all one of a kind vintage estate jewelry which I have always been very passionate about.
Figured you might like this one since it is purple!

And so no one thinks I'm shamelessly plugging my stuff, everything I have pictured here has been sold. BUT....it can still be used as gift ideas GUYS!!!!

~JaNan

stumpy4700 · 11-08-2010, 09:09 PM

I cant believe no one has said it yet....WE LIKE BANANA'S.......if only christmas was in the spring. I would have to say that my best gift recieved was when I was 10 my Dad gave me my very own shotgun. No more sharing his. I wish I kept it, but sadly I traded it in on another one. I regret that now.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Just gorgeous, Janan!

Is that purple one a ring or a pin? The color is fabulous!

Thanks for taking the time to show your shots. I love them, so feel free to show more if you want to later...

Another nice gift idea for people who might be broke and have no money to buy material presents...

There are other gifts that you can give to people, that don't cost anything, but that will still be appreciated. Offering someone your time for example, to help them do something, i.e. paint their garage, make dinner, clean out the basement, etc. can be considered a gift....an act of kindness.

Not all gifts come in brightly wrapped packages, but they can still be just as valuable and sometimes even more so.

: )

Blake09 · 11-08-2010, 09:18 PM

Verry beautiful everyone!!!

I really like the fairy castle!

stumpy4700 · 11-08-2010, 09:22 PM

HBL, I love the idea of helping someone out. I would love to revisit Christmas 50 years ago when it wasn't so commericalized.

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2010, 09:27 PM

Yeah I agree Jeff...it's just all about commercial anymore, and so many people have lost the true meaning of Christmas.

Glad you liked my ideas.

: )

Jananas Bananas · 11-08-2010, 11:00 PM

Shoot with this economy, that is why I like the homemade and home grown gifts!

You can make or buy cards and insert different coupons for chores or favors. House sit, baby sit, pet sit, or 1 free car wash, 1 free home cooked dinner plus cleanup, one 20 minute massage

, the list is really endless and can be catered to the person receiving the gift.

I will take some pictures of a few my sister has made for me tomorrow. ~J

11-07-2010, 11:57 AM	#1
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any day) __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-07-2010, 01:12 PM	#2
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Very cool, Janan! That is just so creative and special. I can see why you kept it and I love the idea. I asked my mom and she says her most treasured gift she has ever received is her faith, and the best gift she has ever given, is birth. I thought her answers were nice, & worth sharing. As for me, my best and most treasured gift is my bike from my brother...because he's now deceased, and the best gift I have given is my sponsporship of a young African girl for the past three years. Other gift ideas... One year my mom and I made homemade wreaths and decorated them with stuff we got from the craft store...like sugared cranberries, pinecones, and craft apples. People just loved them. Another time we made homemade bee's wax candles and we got the sheets of wax from the craft store...they have all colors. We pressed beads into the candles when they were made and some were even letter beads that spelled out people's names. They were a real hit. I used to be really into candle making and would melt down whole clear blocks and chunks of it, in a pot. I would add dye to color it and used nice jars and glasses to pour the wax into... I liked making "rainbow" candles, where I'd have several layers of different colors of wax. If you wait for each layer to dry solid, there's no running into the the color beneath. They look fantastic when they're done and people really like them. It can mess up your kitchen though, so for less mess, I suggest the bee's wax candles. I'll add to this thread a bit more later, but thank you Janan, for your great ideas and for begining such a creative thread. : ) Last edited by The Hollyberry Lady : 11-07-2010 at 01:16 PM. Reason: damn spelling!!!

11-07-2010, 01:33 PM	#3
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Thanks Sherry! I really love the beeswax candle idea! I know all the girls in the family will love that as we are all candle burners! Is there a way to scent them with with anything? Could you put a little scented oil on them have you tried that? The beads spelling out their names is really clever too! Yes, your Mom's treasured gifts are definitely worth mentioning! My sister and I gathered some muscadine vines (I think it was the same time we made the jelly) and made wreaths and Christmas trees one year. They are plentiful in many areas in the South and free! We also gather pine cones and nuts and seed pods to decorate them. You can paint and glitter them for a more sparkling effect. You can put mini lights on them also if they aren't the ones that get hot (you need those to wrap the bananas with anyway). The pine cones make really cute little Christmas trees themselves too and you can decorate them with teeny little ornaments that you can make or get at a craft store, dipping the pine cones in wax make good fire starters too......to be continued ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas Last edited by Jananas Bananas : 11-07-2010 at 02:19 PM.

11-07-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Yes Janan, you can definitely scent the candles and I've done it with the melted wax ones I've made, but not the bee's wax ones. You could definitely smear oil on the bee's wax sheets though before rolling them and this would give a great scent to them. I thought you might be into candles too, so that's kinda cool. If you make a bundle of candles as a gift for someone, or even just a pair of them, you can use nice colored ribbons to tie around them...a nice touch. Wow, your wreaths sound spectacular Janan! How decorative and creative. I like making my own wreaths too because you can change them each year with different things on them. Gingerbread houses also make great gifts, that people really enjoy. They are inexpensive to make & oodles of fun! In the past too, I was really into making jewelery with beautiful stones and beads (obtained from wal-mart & craft stores) that you could loop on a string and make a necklace or a bracelet. My young niece used to come over all the time and she'd want me to make her beaded jewelery, for her and her friends. So many cool gift ideas. Looking forward to hearing more... : )

11-07-2010, 04:22 PM	#5
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Here are some Fairy Houses that I have made: I try to keep everything on them as natural as possible - twigs, lichen, moss, acorns, berries tiny dried flowers, tree bark - with a few exceptions, I think the door knob on one is a glass bead, and the windows are florist marbles. I'll post more pictures as I find them. I really have tons of fun making these as they are all one of a kind and are made from whatever I have gathered up at the time! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-07-2010, 05:11 PM	#6
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Those are just beautiful, Janan!!! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely pics with us. Love the little decorations you've put on the houses...so nice!!! : )

11-07-2010, 07:09 PM	#7
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Sherry do you have any pictures of your crafts and jewelry you have made? I make jewelry too - Here are a few pictures of some jewelry I have made: Amethyst Amethyst Smokey Quartz Amethyst Ametrine Amethyst chip Bracelet Amethyst Amethyst Amethyst necklace What can I say? I like purple! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-07-2010, 07:15 PM	#8
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Oh wow Janan! That jewelery is just stunning! Amythest is my birthstone!!! I used to make jewelery awhile ago but mine was more suited as gifts for children...more little girl like. Sorry no pics. Your pics are just beautiful though, Janan. Can't wait for the other member's to see how talented you are. Those look like they should be selling in some store somewhere...and I'd buy some of it!!! You're awesome, Janana! : )

11-07-2010, 10:46 PM	#9
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any By the way, Janan... When I get some of my Christmas stuff out soon, I'll take some shots of my homemade wreaths... : )

11-08-2010, 12:54 AM	#10
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 Feedback: 2 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Mom is into making fused glass- jewelry and other items. She also knits up a storm, at least as much as her arthritis lets her. As for me, I love giving (and receiving) books the most, although plants are definitely a close second. And the best gift I ever received was my son Shawn.

11-08-2010, 03:27 PM	#11
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Last edited by The Hollyberry Lady : 11-08-2010 at 03:47 PM. Reason: adding picture...

11-08-2010, 05:09 PM	#12
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,529 Feedback: 12 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any __________________

11-08-2010, 05:13 PM	#13
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Wow Bob...I am truly flattered that my "Blue Princess" shrub is the best gift you ever received!!! It just makes me that much more happy I sent her to you! Enjoy!

11-08-2010, 08:57 PM	#14
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Thanks for posting Howard, Bob, and especially Sherry! We have to have gift ideas for kids too! Thank you for the pictures! I actually do sell some of my jewelry to a Boutique in Miami Sherry, and have sold jewelry and the fairy houses, among other things on eBay. Not just things I've made but regular jewelry too. It is all one of a kind vintage estate jewelry which I have always been very passionate about. Figured you might like this one since it is purple! And so no one thinks I'm shamelessly plugging my stuff, everything I have pictured here has been sold. BUT....it can still be used as gift ideas GUYS!!!! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-08-2010, 09:09 PM	#15
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 Feedback: 3 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any I cant believe no one has said it yet....WE LIKE BANANA'S.......if only christmas was in the spring. I would have to say that my best gift recieved was when I was 10 my Dad gave me my very own shotgun. No more sharing his. I wish I kept it, but sadly I traded it in on another one. I regret that now.

11-08-2010, 09:17 PM	#16
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Just gorgeous, Janan! Is that purple one a ring or a pin? The color is fabulous! Thanks for taking the time to show your shots. I love them, so feel free to show more if you want to later... Another nice gift idea for people who might be broke and have no money to buy material presents... There are other gifts that you can give to people, that don't cost anything, but that will still be appreciated. Offering someone your time for example, to help them do something, i.e. paint their garage, make dinner, clean out the basement, etc. can be considered a gift....an act of kindness. Not all gifts come in brightly wrapped packages, but they can still be just as valuable and sometimes even more so. : )

11-08-2010, 09:18 PM	#17
Blake09 Blake09's Photo Gallery Zone: Zone 7B Name: Blake Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,237 Feedback: 2 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Verry beautiful everyone!!! I really like the fairy castle! __________________ A banana plant in the autumn gale - I listen to the dripping of rain Into a basin at night. ~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

11-08-2010, 09:22 PM	#18
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 Feedback: 3 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any HBL, I love the idea of helping someone out. I would love to revisit Christmas 50 years ago when it wasn't so commericalized.

11-08-2010, 09:27 PM	#19
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Yeah I agree Jeff...it's just all about commercial anymore, and so many people have lost the true meaning of Christmas. Glad you liked my ideas. : )

11-08-2010, 11:00 PM	#20
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 Feedback: 1 / 100%	Re: Gift Giving & Receiving Ideas! What do you like to give & receive as gifts? (Any Shoot with this economy, that is why I like the homemade and home grown gifts! You can make or buy cards and insert different coupons for chores or favors. House sit, baby sit, pet sit, or 1 free car wash, 1 free home cooked dinner plus cleanup, one 20 minute massage , the list is really endless and can be catered to the person receiving the gift. I will take some pictures of a few my sister has made for me tomorrow. ~J __________________ Jananas Bananas

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