I’ll admit that I don’t know how the elves manage to make all those gifts every year. It’s exhausting and stressful!

This year, I didn’t make as many gifts as I’d have liked to. Not only is it (usually) cheaper to make some gifts, it’s also so special to give someone something you spent time making just exactly as they’d like it. Still, I’m not sure if I was too scared to show up with homemade gifts, or too lazy to come up with good ideas…but either way, it just didn’t happen.

I did manage to make a few things though, so I thought I’d share them with you in case you were looking for inspiration to do the same thing next year.

1. Wyatt’s “meh” ornament.

Now, I first saw something like this on Etsy and knew immediately it was perfect for Hubs. I love the irony of a Christmas ornament that’s anti-Christmas ornaments, and I think it perfect describes Hubs’s relationship with our tree. He doesn’t really enjoy decorating it, and he could probably be fine without the effort of putting up and taking down the tree, but when it all comes down to it, he still enjoys the idea of it, and especially the idea of how much I love it. Thus, the ironic ornament for my ironic closet-Christmas tree lover of a Hubs.

I didn’t make a tutorial for this because all I did was use sticky-backed felt and some thread. Just cut the shapes you want and stick it on. Easy as pie (except cutting out the letters–that’s not easy or fun, but you get the idea).

2. Wyatt’s stocking coupons.

I’m not a tyrant, but I do make a grocery list based on what we need and stick with it. Thus, when Hubs asks for soda or treats at the store, I always say no. Hence, these:

And, I also tend to stay up later than Hubs would like and not plan as many “free” nights as might be preferred, hence these:

Now, yes, I think these little coupons things are, generally, kind of silly, because who really uses them, but I also think that it’s partially the thought that counts, and this was my way of saying, “I’ll work on doing these things to bless you this year. Enjoy.” So I found a freebie template online and customized it. Easy and a little cheesy, but he liked it, so it still counts as a success.

3. Zucchini bread.

I made mini loaves for several people and though I’m not sure they all loved it, the two kiddos I had begging me for a piece before dinner on Christmas eve sure enjoyed it. Plus, the zucchini was left over from this summer (we love free produce from family!) and pre-shredded and frozen so it was quick to make!

What about you? Were you a busy little elf making all your gifts or did you head out to the “gettin’ place” to round up the stuff for Santa’s sack?