Sustainable & Meaningful Gifts to Make (

Here's what I'm planning to make as gifts for a more sustainable & meaningful Christmas. Let me know below what things you're planning to make gift giving more sustainable & Eco-Friendly.
Patterns talked about:
Bloem Potters Apron: tinyurl.com/bdhvvyjy
Peekaboo Kid City PlaySet: tinyurl.com/4cxkhyvm
Videos, Podcasts, Blogs & people mentioned:
How to Make Wax Wraps: • How to Make Beeswax Wraps
How to make produce bags: tinyurl.com/yhast32u
Sustainablish - Podcast: www.asustainablelife.co.uk/a-...
‪@SewLikeDotty‬
‪@AdamSews‬
‪@InAgatasCottage‬
‪@erenarmitage‬ - My DIL YouTUbe Channel
DIL Etsy Shop:www.etsy.com/shop/ErenArmitage
Do-Nation - Make a pledge to reduce your carbon footprint: www.wearedonation.com/individ...
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I'm wearing - Toaster Sweater By Sew House 7
The pattern can be found here: tinyurl.com/27swy6dt
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You can find me:
On Instagram: / frugalisama

[@donnacieslik213]

Hi Sam, thank you for sharing your ideas. The peek-a-boo pattern is such a lovely idea I went and purchased it ! I’m going to make the garage for my grandson. Happy sewing take care. 🧵👋🏻

[@Frugalisama]

It's lovely isn't & so versatile, glad that you liked it 🤗

[@SusanSmith-hl3iv]

Thank you for sharing your lovely project ideas. I so appreciate your aim to educate us on sustainable making and giving. ❤

[@Frugalisama]

You are so welcome!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

Make a backpack for Teddy. Include not only the story but pictures of your aunt and mum and you. Invite your mom to add a written memory too ... In her handwriting

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that's such a lovely idea - thank you 🤗

[@cindy7702]

Love your idea of sustainabilty.. Love the bear fix up.. thats perfect

[@Frugalisama]

Thank you 🤗

[@YasuTaniina]

Over 1000£?! That's crazy. I have a family of 5 and even when we went all out we probably spent $300-400 for the whole family including stocking stuffers. This year we're spending less then half that. I might still sew a pokemon for my 5 year old. I think I'm going to wait till my daughter turns 4 in March to sew her the doll every girl in the family gets. I haven't thought of anything to sew for my youngest. His birthday is in a week and then there's Christmas, but he's getting a lot of little trucks already that will give him hours upon hours of enjoyment

[@Frugalisama]

I know the figures are really eye opening. I find younger children get really overwhelmed with all the stuff & play with the boxes more than the toys they came in, he will love his trucks 👍

[@jennifermaddock4382]

Years ago I bought some Christmas cotton on clearance and sewed gift bags. I've used them for wrapping every year since, so i dont use any wrapping paper. A set of cloth wrapping bags would make a great gift.

[@Frugalisama]

That's a great idea - thanks for sharing, easy to wrap awkward shapes too 👍

[@mysewperpower]

Great ideas, Sam. I love Christmas, but I hate Christmas. This time of the year is always stressful for me. A long time ago in my family I got the reputation of being "cheap" because I refused to spend a lot of money (which we didn't have anyway!) in yet another thing that would end up in the back of a closet after a few weeks. Years ago I declared unilaterally that only people under 18 would get presents and most of my relatives stick to it. I love gifting DIY edibles (cookies, infused oils, cake mix, fruit jam...). Hope you have a lovely Christmas!

[@Frugalisama]

Yes I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas too - too much pressure to conform - good on you to make the change & see others changing as a consequence. 🤗

[@robynlaszlo6128]

Thanks for all the great ideas i agree we have way too much stuff love making handmade gifts

[@Frugalisama]

Me too Robyn 🤗

[@rosalieward665]

I have a McCalls house pattern from 1982, which you could make Rabbit, Bear or Mouse families, along with furniture, I had a lot of fun making this for my daughter. The house roof had a handle so it was easy to carry. We eventually had two more daughters so that treasured house had a lot of play time, and a few repairs! This year I’m making felt food for our youngest grandson, his Mum is making him a kitchen centre, I’m looking forward to cooking with him. 🥰 Thank you for the great ideas, gifts from the heart.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that sounds lovely Rosalie & it sounds as though you've passed on your love of sewing too 👍

[@sharonmccollister4204]

Rosalie sounds like so much fun. Can you telle the pattern number so I can hunt ebay for it. Or could you copy your pattern and I will pay for your sharing with me? My grandkids would love this and I would love having fun with them thank you.

[@rosalieward665]

@@sharonmccollister4204 It’s an old tissue paper pattern McCall’s 8346, so I don’t think it would copy. I have grandchildren too so I’ve not quite done with it yet. Hope you can find one on eBay.

[@rosalieward665]

​@@sharonmccollister4204

[@clothingalterations]

Great ideas

[@Frugalisama]

Glad you like them!

[@margaretmillar7866]

I love the heirloom ideas - the dolls house from peek-a-boo pattern shop is so adorable.

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Margaret, it's lovely isn't it & so versatile 👍

[@karenbensdon4643]

Awe the heirloom teddy with his story stitched in the pocket is beautiful!

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Karen 🤗

[@AdamSews]

Some awesome ideas and projects for people to be getting on with Sam, thanks so much for sharing these! I love the idea of being more sustainable and encouraging others to make changes to impact their usage of things too 😊

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Adam & thanks for hosting & getting us all organised early 👍

[@dazzys4618]

Great video. Very thought provoking. As much as I love Christmas, it gets to me that we buy too much just because it’s for Christmas and ‘need’ to get something. I’ve struggled to get sensible and sustainable gifts for my adult kids to go in a stocking. Think I’ll make some pjs this year instead. My mum carried on with stockings for the grown ups but I’ve gradually mentioned more useful contents or more recently a bottle of gin instead, after all, the contents are used and the bottle recycled!😂

[@Frugalisama]

Ah yes, the traditions that we carry on just because, I used to buy cards from myself & my son, to go to the same person because that's what my mum did - madness! last year I did away with cards completely & donated to a Donkey sanctuary & will continue to do so but hopefully other family members will do the same this year. Just one step at a time 👍

[@theyorkshiresewgirl]

Such beautiful well thought out gifts. I’ve tried to do the same this year. Cut down on bought “stuff” for the sake of it and make more things I think will get used x

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks Ruan, yes we've all probably got enough stuff !

[@lisahalmshaw1275]

Some fantastic thoughtful ideas Sam. Keep us updated on Ted’s glow up ❤

[@Frugalisama]

Thank you! Will do 👍

[@julieottaway177]

I made everyone bags last year and this year I have used all of my scraps to make quilts for them all just one left to finish making all hand quilted it's kept me busy and dispelled of all of my odd bits of fabric

[@Frugalisama]

What lovely thoughtful gifts Julie, love a scrap busting project too 👍

[@derynporter5287]

Some great ideas here. Each year I seem to hand make more of my presents. I’ve ordered the little house pattern to make a garage for my grandson and the potter’s apron pattern for my sister who is also a potter. I’ve just ordered a selection of Star Wars material to make my son some oven gloves and I’m hoping there will be enough left over to make my grandson a chef’s hat and some other bits and pieces.

[@Frugalisama]

Oh that would be so cute with the matching star wars accessories - glad that you liked the patterns I shared 🤗

[@magsohara7908]

Thanks Sam - lots of great ideas. My sister and most(!!) of my friends and I abandoned giving each other Christmas gifts a long time ago and now we only exchange gifts for birthdays. For little gifts to friends and family I’ve made soup bowl holders (I made myself one and use it almost constantly). Useful gift for housewarmings presents too. I’ve also made yoga eye masks which have some rice sewn into the inside bag (fancier cotton fabric on the outside) to create weight when doing the end relaxation which keeps out light and encourages you to keep your eyes closed. Might just have to search for apron patterns to make for some of my family who like to cook. 🤓🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Frugalisama]

Lovely gift ideas Mags - I've made the soup bowl holders too - the Tessuti apron is a good free pattern, use mine all the time 👍

[@InAgatasCottage]

Brilliant ideas :D I am so glad you liked toy pattern. I have at home Teddy that was my cousins, then my and now my daughters. It's around 50 years old. He travelled with me from Poland many years ago. He has special place on Alice bed and he is taken to all doctors appointments etc

[@Frugalisama]

Aw that's lovely that he's travelled with you, it will be a treasured member of your family once again thanks for the heads up for the pattern, it's still at $5 too 👍

[@lynnshepard7485]

I really like your sustainable ideas. The apron is really unique; I think my daughter would love it! I’m making my gifts this year and you’ve given some great leads, Sam. Thanks! 💗

[@Frugalisama]

You're very welcome, yes the apron is a bit different isn't it 👍

[@sandrachamberlain5760]

Loved your video and ideas. It's prompted me to think forward as I have a 1960's Teddy and Panda bears, I'm going to think on how to forward them on and like you.. cover their modesty and age! Thanks for providing links too. 😎💜

[@Frugalisama]

Aw that's lovely to hear Sandra, yes let the next generation treasure them 👍

[@sewagnes6706]

Some lovely ideas Sam. Loving the sustainable aspect. Would love to see the teddy when he's all mended and in his new outfit! Thanks for sharing 😻

[@Frugalisama]

Thanks, yes I show him all spruced up 👍