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 Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:34 pm
Reading through these threads, it's very obvious to me that there are some really creative people here! I was wondering if any of you ever considered making things for your local charities during the holidays?
We've probably all seen the "Angel Trees" at the local Walmart, and heard the requests for coats, hats, and gloves for kids. Most of us probably donate our unneeded items to local charities. But have you ever thought about making things especially to give away? What do you think about this?
Would you do this?
What would you make?
What age group would you like to help?
What local charities interest you?
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:38 pm
I would if I had patience with knitting. halfway through a scarf I'm done.
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:15 pm
I would love to make things for charity, if only I knew what was needed! I'm also new to the area so I have no idea what charities are around here or how to contact them sweatdrop
I think my main focus would like to be on children and/or single parents. Children get a lot of thought around the holidays, but it's still hard on parents too. I remember my mother being extremely stressed every Christmas because she always felt awful that she couldn't do more. (Single mom with a job that barely paid enough to keep the utilities on)
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:07 am
It IS hard on the parents. When our house burned, 4 months before the youngest child was born, it was really rough---her sister was not yet a year old, and the boys were 15 and 4. We needed everything! I always remember where we were when I think about what people need.
Of course, everyone needed clothes. But the kids really needed their own blankets and something to cuddle with, and we all needed a pillow! Winter was coming, so we needed coats. And the oldest one needed a sketchbook, and a radio of some kind----
Anyway, even if you don't knit, crochet, or quilt, afghan-sized blankets can be made from fleece for next to nothing, just cut fringes on all four sides of a square or rectangular piece of fleece....you can make hats, scarves, and mittens from fleece, too. There are patterns for simple stuffed toys that can be made very quickly. Tote bags are easy to make, and then can be filled with goodies---maybe a blankie and a toy for the little ones, a scarf and hat for the bigger ones, bath stuff for the mommas (we make these for the women's shelter), and toiletries, etc., for the guys. You could always tuck in a coloring book and crayons for the kids, or a magazine for the parents, or for those in a nursing home.
The first Christmas, I made stockings. Didn't know what would go in them!, but I made them, and they were filled. The next Christmas, I made stuffed toys, and shirts for the big guys. A couple of years after that, it was bigger blankets for the 3 youngest kids, to wrap up in while they watched tv, made from 1 1/2 yards of fake fur, just backed with whatever I could find---they still have them, and still haul them everywhere! Then big fleece floor pillows, they haul those still, too.
There is always a need for these kinds of things, year-round. The firemen and the police carry donated toys and blankets with them every day, and the shelters always need basic comfort items for all ages. Places like the Ronald McDonald House and most shelters depend on volunteers not only for the basic everyday cooking and dishwork, but also just for people to LISTEN, to play with children, to rock a baby.....Just call or show up, and say, "How can I help?" They will be happy to see you!
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:39 am
Hey, I forgot there are woodworkers here! Make cars and blocks!
My husband made so many blocks for the kids one year, a whole big tote-full!
We got a couple of 2 x 4's, marked them, and he got permission to use the bandsaw at work and cut them all out after hours. We still have them, and the kids (grandkids and other little ones) still play with them when they come.
They've never seen so many blocks! And it really didn't take much time, just a quick mark-cut-and-sand, and they were done!
There are patterns for animals on a stick, they are made to be pushed. The ducks have pieces of rubber stuck in the wheels, and when you push them, the "feet" go slap-slap-slap on the floor. Makes the kids laugh.
And what about puppets? They're easy to make.
Bath towels from the local dollar store are a good resource. You can make little kids' robes and soft toys from them.
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:41 am
Wow, it's hard to wrap my head around all the possibilities, looking around it doesn't seem like there's that much stuff in a simple house. That's why I'm lost about buying baby stuff for my soon-to-be-born, I just can't imagine everything he/she would need. Good thing my fiance's here xp
You're embarking on a great adventure, Mystic. I envy you. God be with you! heart
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Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:46 pm
Vanilla eXee
I would if I had patience with knitting. halfway through a scarf I'm done.
Then just make little ones----for little kids!
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:14 pm
That's an idea, but when I was little my mom always got me adults sized ones 0.0 do you just make it shorter or what?
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:24 am
Vanilla eXee
That's an idea, but when I was little my mom always got me adults sized ones 0.0 do you just make it shorter or what?That's about it! biggrin
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Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:28 am
This isn't crafting, but---
My oldest daughter is addicted to claw machines, the ones where you put in a dollar and try to get a stuffed toy. She's pretty good at it, so she ends up with lots of little toys that we bag up and take to the fire department!
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Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:30 pm
Hi!
I knited 15 A4 like squares to give give to wrap for love. It was really satisfing. And i had lots of fun doing it. Just spend 10 - 15 min just knitting before you go to bed! Trust me that 10 min will turn into an hour!
Have Fun!
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:18 pm
lillyet Hi! I knited 15 A4 like squares to give give to wrap for love. It was really satisfing. And i had lots of fun doing it. Just spend 10 - 15 min just knitting before you go to bed! Trust me that 10 min will turn into an hour! Have Fun! That is great!!!! Good for you! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! It's never a bad day to start------
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Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 5:30 am
When I was in Girl Scouts as a kid we made puppets for the children's hospital for Valentine's Day one year. It was a big hospital so it took around 20 of us to make enough. Another thing I have done is make hand-made cards (I noticed there is a thread with some great ideas I have to try!) for different groups. I have given them to nursing homes, mostly, but I also made cards for 9/11 victims after the tragedy. I get tons of positive feedback from the places I take the cards to.
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Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 11:07 am
dragon_of_emry When I was in Girl Scouts as a kid we made puppets for the children's hospital for Valentine's Day one year. It was a big hospital so it took around 20 of us to make enough. Another thing I have done is make hand-made cards (I noticed there is a thread with some great ideas I have to try!) for different groups. I have given them to nursing homes, mostly, but I also made cards for 9/11 victims after the tragedy. I get tons of positive feedback from the places I take the cards to. Handmade cards are a great way to get children involved in doing for others, too. I know of many churches that carry on a "card ministry," where members send cards to specific people who could just use a little TLC. It is surprising just how much those in nursing homes, especially, enjoy a card made by a child.
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Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:04 pm
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