I am doing it, so can you.

For the past few years my family has been making most of our Christmas presents for each other.  Last year I did a ton of food - caramels, bread, cookies, dog biscuits, infused cranberry vodka, truffles.  But after most of my family also did food - granola, canned goods, candies... then it was a little overboard with sweets.  This year I tried to keep food to a minimum and am so thankful for it because I have already finished the non-perishables.  I wanted to share some of the items that will be in my gift bags - click on the links for further information and how-tos.  All of these things are insanely inexpensive to make - less than $10 per person for everything and will probably take less time than shopping.

Mushroom Pencils from Oh I Like That

These are so cute and fun.

Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

I have not met a dog that doesn't go crazy over these, the most time consuming part is rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutter.  You could skip the cookie cutter and just cut into squares.  

Sugar & Salt Scrub

This link from Sunset magazine also has other great homemade gift ideas.  I added eucalyptus essential oil to the scrub (also using the essential oil in the pinecone fire starters below).

Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

These really are the easiest to make, melt chocolate, dip, sprinkle, let dry.  I used multicolored sprinkles, pecans, peanuts, coconut, and clear crystal sprinkles on either white or dark chocolate - really the possibilities are endless.  

Design Sponge Pinecone Fire Starter

For those that have and use a wood-burning fireplace (none of our relatives in Florida will be getting these!).

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Using fresh cranberries and pumpkin this bread smells like the holidays.  You mix all ingredients in the bowl, put it in the loaf pan and bake (recipe says 50 minutes, but every time it has taken 85 minutes).  Easy-peasy.