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Google
Homemade Christmas Gifts
+10
happyfrog
Nonna.PapaVino
Turan
CapeCoddess
Triciasgarden
cheyannarach
camprn
daryl.weaver
llama momma
jillintx
14 posters
Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Homemade Christmas Gifts
My DH and I are making Christmas gifts this year, and one project is seed bombs. These seed bombs are bascially small dried clay balls with a little bit of worm castings and some flower seeds in them. You can slightly bury the "bombs", or just toss them in areas that need a little "love." When it rains it will disolve the clay, the seeds can sprout, and the worm castings will give the seeds a little boost. I've selected flowers that are hardy in this area, and I have hopes that some of these flowers will reseed themselves. I think that a handful of these and some home canned items will be a bit hit for gifts.
Has anyone else been working on gifts?
Has anyone else been working on gifts?
jillintx-
Posts : 82
Join date : 2012-02-06
Location : Cleburne, TX zone 8a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
Been straining and bottling homemade vanilla
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
jillintx wrote:My DH and I are making Christmas gifts this year, and one project is seed bombs. These seed bombs are bascially small dried clay balls with a little bit of worm castings and some flower seeds in them. You can slightly bury the "bombs", or just toss them in areas that need a little "love." When it rains it will disolve the clay, the seeds can sprout, and the worm castings will give the seeds a little boost. I've selected flowers that are hardy in this area, and I have hopes that some of these flowers will reseed themselves. I think that a handful of these and some home canned items will be a bit hit for gifts.
Has anyone else been working on gifts?
Cool idea. I'd love to see a picture of them. Do you mix seeds on the balls?
daryl.weaver-
Posts : 104
Join date : 2012-01-10
Age : 61
Location : Madison, MS (zone 8a)
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
There's a link on this thread about seed balls/bombs.daryl.weaver wrote:jillintx wrote:
Has anyone else been working on gifts?
Cool idea. I'd love to see a picture of them. Do you mix seeds on the balls?
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4747-fun-side-projects-and-ideas?highlight=other+gardening+projects
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
There are several different ways to make the "bombs" but I'm going to mix the seeds into the clay. That way the dried clay can protect the seeds from birds until it rains.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.
jillintx-
Posts : 82
Join date : 2012-02-06
Location : Cleburne, TX zone 8a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
Here is a photo I took from online:

http://www.safarisamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/seedballs_PaulWellman.jpg

http://www.safarisamblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/seedballs_PaulWellman.jpg
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
I helped my college-age daughter make soap today for "inexpensive" gifts of her time. It was sorta fun and came out grew for a first try...certainly gift worthy. I also canned pickles this summer and plan to give those to family and close friends.
daryl.weaver-
Posts : 104
Join date : 2012-01-10
Age : 61
Location : Madison, MS (zone 8a)
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
I have some nice mango chutney I am gifting, as well as honey and stained glass.




43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
I have seen these before but completely forgot about them! I think I might make some of these for stocking stuffers tomorrow! Glad you brought it up again! I am making some maesuring boards (To measure kids height and hang of the wall) for both sets of grandparents!
cheyannarach-
Posts : 2037
Join date : 2012-03-21
Location : Custer, SD
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
Sounds like a good plan. Also it makes it easy to lob into empty lots and such.jillintx wrote:There are several different ways to make the "bombs" but I'm going to mix the seeds into the clay. That way the dried clay can protect the seeds from birds until it rains.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.

43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
llama momma wrote:Been straining and bottling homemade vanilla
How do you do that? That sounds wonderful!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
daryl.weaver wrote:I helped my college-age daughter make soap today for "inexpensive" gifts of her time. It was sorta fun and came out grew for a first try...certainly gift worthy. I also canned pickles this summer and plan to give those to family and close friends.
Those are wonderful gifts and sound fun to make!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
camprn wrote:I have some nice mango chutney I am gifting, as well as honey and stained glass.
That honey looks so heavenly! This is a dumb question, what do you do with the honey comb? Where does the bees wax come from?
I have been wanting to do stained glass for a long time. That looks like fun!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
camprn wrote:Sounds like a good plan. Also it makes it easy to lob into empty lots and such.jillintx wrote:There are several different ways to make the "bombs" but I'm going to mix the seeds into the clay. That way the dried clay can protect the seeds from birds until it rains.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.![]()
That made me laugh, lob it into someone's yard and they would wonder why flowers are growing where they weren't planted. I know you said an empty lot but my mind wandered!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
I haven't done anything this year but in the past I have made the traditional cookie press cookies. One of my sons-in-law tried to walk off with most of them a few years ago. My neighbor and good friend last year gave us jam she made. I love homemade gifts!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
The bees make the wax and build it into comb to store their honey. In many part of the world honey comb is desired above the extracted liquid honey. You can eat the comb or chew it until all the honey comes out then spit out the wax.Triciasgarden wrote:
That honey looks so heavenly! This is a dumb question, what do you do with the honey comb? Where does the bees wax come from?
I have been wanting to do stained glass for a long time. That looks like fun!
I started doing stained glass a number of years ago. I started by taking a class at a locally owned mom and pop craft store. It's fun, but bring band-aids.

43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
camprn wrote:Sounds like a good plan. Also it makes it easy to lob into empty lots and such.jillintx wrote:There are several different ways to make the "bombs" but I'm going to mix the seeds into the clay. That way the dried clay can protect the seeds from birds until it rains.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.![]()
You can throw them on open ground, and they will grow???
daryl.weaver-
Posts : 104
Join date : 2012-01-10
Age : 61
Location : Madison, MS (zone 8a)
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
OH! Yes indeed, guerrilla gardening.daryl.weaver wrote:camprn wrote:Sounds like a good plan. Also it makes it easy to lob into empty lots and such.jillintx wrote:There are several different ways to make the "bombs" but I'm going to mix the seeds into the clay. That way the dried clay can protect the seeds from birds until it rains.
I'll try to get a picture of them when they're done.![]()
You can throw them on open ground, and they will grow???

43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
camprn wrote:The bees make the wax and build it into comb to store their honey. In many part of the world honey comb is desired above the extracted liquid honey. You can eat the comb or chew it until all the honey comes out then spit out the wax.
I started doing stained glass a number of years ago. I started by taking a class at a locally owned mom and pop craft store. It's fun, but bring band-aids.![]()
That's what I thought about the comb but didn't know why it was also in the jar. I thought I was missing something so that explains it. It is so beautiful!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
It's great to see so many people excited about making their gifts. - as I read this thread I could feel the enthusiasm!
LM - how long have you been making vanilla? I just did a quick search on it, and it mentions that beans from different areas have different tastes...have you experimented with that yet? (getting ideas for next year already.....)
LM - how long have you been making vanilla? I just did a quick search on it, and it mentions that beans from different areas have different tastes...have you experimented with that yet? (getting ideas for next year already.....)
jillintx-
Posts : 82
Join date : 2012-02-06
Location : Cleburne, TX zone 8a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
I started in February. Here is the thread that someone started.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4537-make-your-own-vanilla-extract
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4537-make-your-own-vanilla-extract
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
This was our (me and my daughter) first attempt at soap making. It was a good learning experience, and I'm sure we will improve.

I actually found some recipes for soap made in the blender which sounds a lot less messy and sticky. When I think about home made soap and candles, it brings to mind "hippies" from the 60's (which is ironic because they were widely derided for the LACK of soap use). I was thinking about doing some gifts for my staff with a retro 60's theme of tie-dyed soap scented with sandalwood or patchouli (talk about a blast from the past!) and a CD of last 60's/early 70's music (think Joan Biaz). I'd also add from fresh baked sour dough bread as a nod to the Haight-Ashbury "summer of love" and some of the pickles I made from my sfg. I think it would be a fun gift. It would certainly be unique.

I actually found some recipes for soap made in the blender which sounds a lot less messy and sticky. When I think about home made soap and candles, it brings to mind "hippies" from the 60's (which is ironic because they were widely derided for the LACK of soap use). I was thinking about doing some gifts for my staff with a retro 60's theme of tie-dyed soap scented with sandalwood or patchouli (talk about a blast from the past!) and a CD of last 60's/early 70's music (think Joan Biaz). I'd also add from fresh baked sour dough bread as a nod to the Haight-Ashbury "summer of love" and some of the pickles I made from my sfg. I think it would be a fun gift. It would certainly be unique.
daryl.weaver-
Posts : 104
Join date : 2012-01-10
Age : 61
Location : Madison, MS (zone 8a)
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
jillintx wrote:It's great to see so many people excited about making their gifts. - as I read this thread I could feel the enthusiasm!
LM - how long have you been making vanilla? I just did a quick search on it, and it mentions that beans from different areas have different tastes...have you experimented with that yet? (getting ideas for next year already.....)
I didn't answer your second question on vanilla --
No I haven't experimented with different ones. But I wouldn't be surprised if I have a mixture since some were store bought as Madagascar bourban beans and others were from a food co-op that were sold in plastic baggies without the info.
llama momma
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 4921
Join date : 2010-08-20
Location : Central Ohio zone 6a
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
Just goes to show ya that stereo types clearly aren't always the result of factual awareness and logical thinking.daryl.weaver wrote:When I think about home made soap and candles, it brings to mind "hippies" from the 60's (which is ironic because they were widely derided for the LACK of soap use).
43 years a gardener and going strong with SFG.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t3574-the-end-of-july-7-weeks-until-frost
There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance. ~ Henry David Thoreau
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t1306-other-gardening-books
Re: Homemade Christmas Gifts
llama momma wrote:I started in February. Here is the thread that someone started.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t4537-make-your-own-vanilla-extract
I sure love being able to read discussions on different topics like the vanilla extract one. Thank you for bringing it back!
Triciasgarden-
Posts : 1634
Join date : 2010-06-04
Age : 68
Location : Northern Utah
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» Best Mothers Day gifts---ever!
» A Mother's Day Message from Mel!
» Friends with gifts
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» A Mother's Day Message from Mel!
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» Father's Day Garden Gifts
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