Are you making Christmas gifts for men? Here are some ideas!

Edited to add: I have added a few more ideas from the comments (continue to add to the list – we will all appreciate it nect year :-)).I am just adding them real fast, but might elaborate later.

Do you have your gift-list ready?

I don’t. I never do in time. Also – there is always some unexpected gift that I have to get at the very last minute.

But the main reason that the list isn’t done is the men.

Yes. I don’t know why, but the men in my life are so hard to get presents. They either don’t wish for anything, or the thing they want is some technical feature that cost more than my entire gift budget. Is it the same for you?

The Tree at my In-laws two years ago. Might be a few homemade things in the packages..

The Tree at my In-laws two years ago. Might be a few homemade things in the packages..

I thought I would go through some of the handmade christmas presents I have made and gifted, as an inspiration to you all :-) And also I might mention some that I would like to make (hypothetically, of course, since family members might read here..)

 

Gifts For Men (young and old):

Placemats and napkins. A few years ago, I made a set of these (4 of each) for my then bachelor brother (who was in his mid-twenties at the time). I made them in black cotton and embroidered with silver thread on the placemats. I simply cut two pieces of cotton for each placemat (the size I wanted + 1 cm seam allowance all around), interfaced one of the pieces with black iron on interfacing, and embroidered using my machine. I did some chinese or japanese signs  (which went with the decor he had). I then placed the pieces right sides together, stitched around the edge (but leavin a hole to turn through) before I clipped corners, turned and pressed. I then edgestitched (topstitched) around and closed the hole in the process. I did not quilt them!!
The napkins were cut (40 cm x 40 cm)  and then hemmed using the rolled hem on my serger (with black thread.). They were were well recieved and he used them a lot.  You don’t need a pattern for this project (but google for one, and you will find!). And embridory isn’t necessary either.

 

Fleece socks. I make a lot of these every year. Mostly because we live in an old house and guests need to wear them to not get cold. And I don’t want to waist my knitting on slipper socks:-) There are so many patterns out there – including  free tutorials. And of course there is also my MariaDenmark Super Socks pattern!
I have also made them as gifts – Once packaged with a matching fleece blanket (a large fleece piece, edges with overlock stitches) and some tea (for my brother, again). Once with several pairs of socks in different sizes – pakced in a drawstring back labelled “guests” – the idea being that the recipient could use the socks for their guests, like we do. This was not for a man, but could have been (if he had a cold house:-))

 

Soap and shaving soap. I realise this is not for everyone – but I have enjoyed making soap for years (and it’s really easy!) and many years ago (before I met Dennis, even) I cooked old fashioned shaving soap for all the men on my gift-list. (I have the recipe somewhere, should you be interested, but there are several on-line) I put the shaving soap in a personalised cup and added a shaving brush to the package (but no razor, all though I guess I could have). The recipients (my dads and one of my brothers) all liked the gift and came back asking for more, when they had used it. They liked it better than the store bought kind. (The same year I also made a home made saddle soap for my sister – and she wanted more, too!)

Maybe a laundry bag like this - but with an applique on front?

Maybe a laundry bag like this – but with an applique on front?

Laundry Bags. This would be perfect for brothers just moving out or something like that – big canvas bags to haul to the laundrette, or to hang on hooks in the bathroom (I used to have some (in my first appartment) with program settings appliqued on (90*, 40*, wool), so I could sort directly into the bags. I still do that (all though I use baskets now I have more space). I found this tute and this, and there are many more!

 

Aprons etc. Everybody cooks from time to time. But it seems like most men prefer to cook on special occasions – and they can talk for hours about special ingredients and processes etc. For those people I might consider making a set of apron, potholders, and french press cozy. All in appropiate design. Modern and that goes with their taste and style. Most men would prefer gray or black, perhaps even ecru and brown – but i don’t know any who would like flowers on their potholders. Google for patterns, if you like. There are so many to chose from.

I knit this for Dennis 2 years ago. The pattern is very versatile!

I knit this for Dennis 2 years ago. The pattern is very versatile!

 

-Hats and mittens. This is going to be my big thing this year. I noticed that especially one of my dads use a very old acrylig knit hat – and he is going to get a new one knit in luxury camel yarn from the shop. I really enjoy knitting this pattern, but for my dads it will get a cuff. My brothers will get it as it is.

 

– Knitted socks. I didn’t mention those the first time around, even though I am actually making some this year. Only for men, who really appreciate a woollen sock – as they are very time consuming and often incredibly boring to knit (most men like one colour, no patterns!)

 

– Pyjamas or lounge pants. Great for the yonger men or boys – but also, I could see myself making these for my son and my husband in a fun print.

 

– Cookies. Tini mentioned cookies. I don’t like to bake, butif you do, it’s a brilliant idea. Also I could imagine doing homemade cookie-in-a-jar gifts for the cooking guys (along with an apron or something like that). Or what about Soup-in-a-jar… Or cocoa.. there are plenty of ideas out there (google “homemade gifts in a jar”)!

 

I am settled on hats for the dads and brothers this year. Now I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas for homemade gifts for men – there are birthdays coming up,too ! Share share :-) I’ll be back with Christmas crafting part 3 in a few days – with fast homemade gift ideas for the women (much,much easier!) and perhaps even the kids (that is difficult, though!).