How to Make Homemade Vanilla

Imitation vanilla (aka vanillin) is full of chemicals made to mimic the flavor of real vanilla. I've stopped buying imitation vanilla, but it can be so expensive. I'd love to take it one step further and start making my own! Saving with Shellie has some great information about doing just that.

 

See How to Make Homemade Vanilla.

Easy Holiday Gift Ideas with Printables

Still on the hunt for an easy gift for a friend or neighbor? How about using Thirty Handmade Day's printable with a cute little towel? Who can't use more cute towels?!

 

See the Easy Holiday Gift Ideas with Printables.

Soup in a Jar Gift Idea

This soup in a jar gift idea from Sweet Caroline's Corner would be perfect to give a neighbor. So many times we just give little treats, but the idea of having soup is fabulous. They can choose to use it on a hectic holiday night or save it for later.

See the Soup in a Jar Gift Idea.

Cookie Hostess Gift

 

Holiday and Christmas parties will be in full swing soon and Pies and Puggles (guest posting at Persia Lou) has a fun way to make and package your own hostess gift! If parties aren't your thing, this could even be a cute way to give neighbor gifts.

 

See the Cookie Hostess Gift.

Gift Giving with Uncommon Goods

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I've already started my Christmas planning. I'm a planner at heart, so I make lists upon lists to get ready for the gift giving season. And I start making those lists months in advance! One of the things I love about planning out gifts is thinking of and finding unique gift ideas. That's where Uncommon Goods comes in! They have gifts for all ages and sizes and for every room in the house.

 

My step-father is probably the hardest person on my list to shop for. He's very particular about what he will allow as décor in his house, which is why something like this Eye Glasses Holder would be perfect for him. It fits in with the theme of his home and serves a purpose! You can check out other Christmas gifts and stocking stuffer ideas here.

 

 

My mom just (finally) upgraded to a smart phone, so this portable iPhone charger could be just the thing for her. It's cute and vibrant, so she won't lose it easily. She can also take it anywhere that she can't take her wall or car charger. Uncommon Goods has so many other unique gift ideas for women!

 

 

We're also shopping for my sister and brother-in-law. We love to get together with them and play games, so a new board game from Uncommon Goods might be right up their alley. Split Decisions sounds so much fun!

 

 

 If you're looking for something funny and unique, how about these Warm or Cool Face Mugs from Uncommon Goods. Aren't they hilarious?! They're perfect for storing extra marshmallows, cookies, or some donut holes.

 

 

 If you're looking for something unique to give those on your gift-giving list, then definitely take a peek at what Uncommon Goods has to offer. Have you ever checked out their website before? Is there anything that's on your list this year?

 

 

 

 

 

(This post is sponsored by Uncommon Goods. I received payment for writing this post, but all opinions in this post are my own. This post contains no affiliate links)

12 Days of Christmas Crafts (Santa Gum Holder)

  Head over to Creative Itch to see her 12 Days of Christmas projects.  Most of the ideas are paper crafts that would make amazing neighbor/friend/teacher gifts.   Some would be cute for family members and kids.   My favorite is this Santa Gum Holder!!!!

See the 12 Days of Christmas crafts.

Simple Wooden Block Nativity

I think I posted this last year, but I think it makes a great neighbor gift!  I'm thinking about making some of these simple nativities from Watch Out For The Woestmans.  

See the simple woodblock nativities.

Santatizer - Santa Hand Sanitizer

How cute would this Santatizer be for a friend, co-worker, neighbor or teacher gift for Christmas?   So Dang CUTE!!!!   I totally want to make 100 of these from Coley's Corner!

See the Santa Hand Sanitizer.

Neighborhood Dance Party

  Back when I had a little more time, we threw some really fun neighborhood parties!!!!   We were the party house.   If I had more time right now, I'd be throwing a really fun dance party like Brassy Apple did!   My kids and the neighbors would LOVE this!

See the neighborhood dance party.

Rice Crispies Ornament

If you haven't given out neighbor gifts or your kids' friends gift yet, The Finer Things has a really cute idea for rice crispies ornaments! This would be fun to make as a family too! They look like ornaments, but taste so much more delicious!

.

See the rice crispies ornaments.

.

Snowman Hand Sanitizer

What a fun last minute gift for friends, teachers and neighbors (or yourself)!!!! This not only says Christmas, but January and February too! Crafts and Crap turn the plain hand sanitizer into a snowman. Great idea!

.

See the Snowman Sanitizer.
.

Neighbor Gifts Galore!

Welcome to the
NEIGHBOR GIFTS
Categorically Crafting Show

where you can show off all of your fun projects featuring neighbor gifts!

Today's compilation of projects is brought to you by me and Amy from naptime crafters

Christmas is just around the corner! Whip up some of these fun handmade gifts, so you always have something on hand.

These "root deer" have always been one of my favorites. Head on over to naptime crafters for the how to

These retro dish towels from Flamingo Toes are just too much fun!

Make a 20 minute tote with The Purl Bee

Teaginny came up with this darling ruffled wristlet key chain.

For all your friends with a sweet tooth make some decadent royal icing biscuits with Red Ted Art's Blog

And now for my gift ideas!!!

Every neighbor can use some fancied up hand soap or sanitizer. See how to make this at Creations By Kara.

I love all gifts in a jar!!!! The neighbors can use it when they want. Cookie mix, brownie mix, soup mix, soft scrubs, toppings, spices, nuts, cupcakes, pasta, etc. There are so many options. Visit My Delicious Ambiguity to see a round-up of more than 30 gifts in a jar ideas including free printable tags. (Picture from Make It Do.)

Nannygoat made these adorable stamped washer ornaments last year. These would also be fun for your own tree.

Make a CD of your favorite songs and package it in this cute CD holder.
See how to make it at The Creative Itch.

And last (but not least), we've made these deliciously tasty PEPPERMINT MARSHMALLOWS using the recipe from Little Birdie Secrets. We give a packages of hot cocoa mix and a large marshmallow for every person in the family. My neighbors love it (especially their husbands.)

Please join your crafty post if, and only if, it corresponds with the category and theme of Neighbor Gifts. (If it doesn't fit in this category, please link it up to Whatever Goes Wednesday.) Link up crafts, decor, sewing projects, food, tips, etc, that has to do with neighbor gifts. If you have joined a neighbor gifts project to a party on my blog before, feel free to add it to this show too! If you have a lot of turkey projects, please choose your favorites. (Please no more than 4 posts per blog). Link to the specific posts, not to your main blog page.

Let's see what you have created (either recently or in the past)!

You can paste the "Categorically Crafting" button onto your blog post. I would love to see these floating around so more people can post their themed projects. I will leave this linky post open until next CC Show. Keep checking back for more ideas!!!

The next 2 Categorically Crafting Shows are as follows:

Dec. 10 - Christmas Trees

Dec. 17 - Handmade Gifts


Check back here to see the rest of the FALL ideas from the last CC Show- amazing!!