It rather goes without saying that you have to plan ahead for Christmas if you want to give homemade gifts. Because although it's "the thought that counts," it really helps your cause if it's also well-made, tasty, beautiful, and/or useful.

Over the years I have been both the giver and receiver of homemade and handmade gifts. Christmastime is a great time for this if you plan ahead. But honestly, homemade gifts are wonderful year round. And if you are a real planner, you can do even better by purchasing items in bulk for making your gifts.

One of my favorite childhood memories is how my grandmotheralways incorporated crafts for kids into our Thanksgiving Day celebration.It was funfor all of usand a good way to get little hands out of the kitchenwhile not sitting in front of a television. Although the projects I've created for my kids to do have never been as elaborate as hers were, they certainly have done the job of keeping kids busy. If you'd like, this could be something that the kids could give teachers or friends for Christmas. Depending on the age of the children, you could do ornaments, paper boxes, finger-print cards, cocheted scarves, picture frames, or foam door hangers. One of my favorite sites for projects is: www.familyfun.com. A trip to your local craft store will leave you with no lack of ideas either.

Now if you are looking for some good adult projects, there are plenty of those too. Last Christmas I received an dipping oil that was fabulous. Just find a recipe and mix in a beautiful glass jar (this will probably be some combination of dried herbs, salt and pepper). Attach the recipe with a pretty ribbon and you have a simple, tasty, and beautiful gift. The same thing could be done with a good quality vinegar infused with fresh herbs.

If you have picutures from a recent trip, either of your family or nature, make or use extra prints and adhere them to cardstock to make unique notecards to give grandparents or aunts and uncles. You can be as fancy as you like by adding ribbons, stamps, stickers, and whatever other embellishments you can think of. Just purchase the cardstock and envelopes at the craft store and your imagination is the limit.

Thanksgiving Day is an ideal day for craft projects. Even in Colorado where the weather will most likely be beautiful, you'll want something for after dark or a trick up your sleeve just in case this snow keeps coming!