Quick Holiday Gift Ideas

For Adults:

Stitched Items: Stitch a very small cross-stitch or needlework piece for your friend's Christmas tree. "Frame" it in a tiny hoop or a tiny frame, available at craft and stitching stores. Embroider a dish towel, using plain dish towels, towels that are ready to be stitched, or a piece of linen or cotton that can be made into a towel.

Sachets: These couldn't be simpler to make, and can a person ever really have enough? Cut out a piece of fabric to make a 3"x5" or 4"x6" sachet (The fabric would be cut to 6"x5", if you are making a 3"x5" sachet). Fold the 6" part of the fabric in half, right sides facing, and sew along the bottom and open side. Hem the top as you prefer. Turn the item right-side-out. Stuff the sachet with herbs such as rosemary, pine needles, or lavender. Tie it shut with a pretty ribbon and add a ribbon loop for hanging on a doorknob, if desired.

Fleece Throw: I have made many of these throws for family members over the past few years. All I do is buy 2 or 2-1/2 yards of polar fleece material. I cut the fabric more straight when I get home, if they didn't cut it straight enough at the fabric store. Next I use Pearl Cotton and blanket stitch around the edge of the fleece. That's it! It makes a quick, yet cozy gift.

Warmers: Its easy to make your own hot/cold packs. Just cut fabric to whatever size you would like the warmer to be: long and narrow for neck warmers, square ones for a baby's upset tummy, rectangular ones for a pillow insert, etc. Stuff the warmer with flax seed or rice and herbs such as rosemary or lavender. Sew the opening closed and embellish the warmer if you like. Add instructions for warming the item. I warm my long one made of rice for two minutes in the microwave and it retains its heat for one hour. Experiment with your warmer to find out how long it needs to be heated. One year I made small rectangular warmers for my family. I also made small "pillow cases" to slip over the warmer, since the warmer itself cannot be washed due to its ingredients. The warmers were very well-received gifts. I also made a long, skinny rice and lavender warmer which I used on my tummy after having

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