Do you do a "craft of the year" for Christmas?

[lenswyf]

When I was a single mom and WOHM, I had a lot of people that I wanted to bless with something, but not a lot of money. As I looked for inexpensive things to make, I ended up learning a new craft each year that I would use to make gifts. Have you done that?

This year, we're short on money because both dh and I have been laid off until February. I think I'll be making moss terrariums in baby food jars for a lot of people, along the lines of this (http://www.etsy.com/listing/70743711/live-british-soldier-mini-terrarium?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=mini+terrarium+&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all) or this (http://www.etsy.com/listing/110291502/moss-terrarium-with-little-people-in?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=moss+terrarium&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all). I really like the ones that have mini people in them doing everyday things.

[blondie]

:bump

[mamajane]

I think I'll be making moss terrariums in baby food jars for a lot of people, along the lines of this (http://www.etsy.com/listing/70743711/live-british-soldier-mini-terrarium?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=mini+terrarium+&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all) or this (http://www.etsy.com/listing/110291502/moss-terrarium-with-little-people-in?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=moss+terrarium&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all). I really like the ones that have mini people in them doing everyday things.
Those are really neat. Would you go out and find the moss and stuff yourself?

[BlissfullyEsther]

We have done a craft of the year a number of times. We simply use what materials and skills we have and create something with those. One year we made picture frames from old fence pailings, another year we made recipe book stands. The cost of buying a gift for 6 adults is prohibitive, and the constant consumerism of "giftmas" is exhausting, to us.

[lenswyf]

Hubby says he'll go gather moss, but I'm inclined to order it. I really want to add some lichens, particularly the British soldiers lichen and pixie cup lichen. I'm considering ordering this collection (http://www.etsy.com/listing/91137910/3-pc-british-soldier-lichen-pixie-cup?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=british+soldier+lichen&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_search_type=all). If I use baby food jars, a little bit will go a long way.

[kklibrarian]

I've done "crafts of the year" for the nieces and nephews. One year everyone got an apron or an artist smock. Another year everyone got sock monkeys. I sort of still have a "craft theme" for my home-made gifts even though the age spread on the nephews and nieces has gotten a lot wider. This year all of the mid-level aged kids got towel wraps, hoodie towels, turbie twists.... all bath related stuff. The babies got sock monkeys because I couldn't think of something bath related that I thought they would enjoy that I felt confident crafting. :shifty