Making it personal in a gifty way.

It’s hard to find the gifts that are both personal and inexpensive for young and old, gifts that don’t take up a lot of space that are useful and appealing.

These gifts are what I’ve made or bought or bought and added to for the Grandkids this year, these ideas can be for any age group.

I bought some bath towels on special and to personalise them for each child I bought some iron on initials at 40% off. These iron ons come in many different sizes and images and are much cheaper than someone to embroider (unless you yourself are handy that way). Matching face washers, soaps and whatever else takes your fancy is great to fill out the gift. My mum loves this kind of present as this saves her from updating and spending her $, she says she’s old and doesn’t really need ‘stuff’.

Pillow cases, make your own with a print you love it can either match or contrast with what you already have or to jazz up your bedroom colours. Pillow cases are an easy thing to make with a sewing machine and only requires straight and zigzag stitiching. Have a look in your cupboard to see how they are made/assembled. 150cm X 50cm should be enough fabric to get you 1 pillowcase. Make it reversible with 2 different patterns. I made a car and truck for the eldest who is into cars. Pirates on one side with whales on the other for youngest whose nickname is Pirate Bill. Unicorns for one and Skye from Paw patrol for the other. Fabrics go on sale each season.

Fabric pencil cases to stencil an initial on to fill with lip balms and hand cream. The boys fill theirs with cars when they travel. For adults they make a great little toiletry bag or great for medications to keep in their hand/travel bag.

Kid friendly dinner plates with a matching cup or cutlery. Adults a nice matching teacup and saucer set.

Music box they come for boys or girls.

Mine love dinner place mats that they can colour with whiteboard markers.

I like to keep things simple, 1 useful gift to go with 1 fun gift for the kids.

I know it’s going to get harder as they get older (oldest 2 are nearly 5) I’ll just have to put on my thinking cap