Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas: 13 Pioneer Homemade Gifts Grandma Would Love

Laura Ingalls Wilder taught generations of readers that the best Christmas gifts are the ones made by hand. In her Little House books, a pioneer Christmas was small and simple, yet it glowed with love. A rag doll, a pair of warm mittens or a stick of candy felt like treasure in a log cabin far from any store. Today, with so much rush and so many boxes, that slower kind of holiday feels more special than ever. These 13 homemade gifts are inspired by the cozy world Laura wrote about. Most use fabric scraps, yarn and things you may already have in a drawer. They are gentle projects you can make at the kitchen table, and every one of them feels like something Grandma would keep forever..

Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Rag Doll Basket

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867 to 1957) grew up in a pioneer family and later turned those memories into the Little House books, published from 1932 to 1943. In Little House in the Big Woods, cousins come for Christmas and little Laura finds a rag doll in her stocking, which she names Charlotte. A simple basket gift like this one, with a doll, mittens and candy, captures that same joy. Who in your family would love a gift basket like this..

You will need: A small basket, a handmade doll, knitted mittens, peppermint sticks, a pine sprig, a scrap of patchwork fabric to line it.

How to make it: 1. Line the basket with a square of patchwork or calico fabric. 2. Sit the doll in the center and tuck the mittens on one side. 3. Add peppermint sticks and a pine sprig, then tie a ribbon on the handle.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Rag Doll From Fabric Scraps

A rag doll is the heart of any Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas. You only need a simple body shape, some stuffing and yarn for hair. Old pillowcases, flour sack towels or a worn floral dress make perfect fabric. Keep the face simple with a few stitches, the way pioneer mothers did. Children treasure these dolls far longer than plastic toys, and grown ups often keep them on a shelf for years. Would you give the doll braids, or loose curly yarn hair?

You will need: Two pieces of cotton fabric about 12 by 8 inches, stuffing, brown yarn, embroidery floss, a needle, scissors, a paper pattern.

How to make it: 1. Trace a gingerbread style body on folded fabric, cut it out and sew around the edges, leaving a gap. 2. Turn it right side out, stuff it and stitch the gap closed. 3. Sew on yarn braids and stitch two small eyes and a smile.

Corn Husk Dolls

In the days of Laura Ingalls Wilder, long before stores sold many toys, families made dolls from dried corn husks. They cost nothing and look beautiful on a mantel or tucked into a gift basket. Traditional corn husk dolls have no face, which makes them feel calm and timeless. You can buy husks in the grocery store near the tamale supplies, so this is a great project even in a city apartment. Soak them for a few minutes and they become soft enough to fold and tie. Have you ever made one as a child?

You will need: Dried corn husks, a bowl of warm water, jute twine or cotton string, scissors, a small wooden bead for the head (optional).

How to make it: 1. Soak the husks in warm water for 10 minutes until soft. 2. Fold a bundle over the bead, tie a neck, then roll a thin husk for arms and slide it through. 3. Tie a waist with twine, trim the skirt evenly and let the doll dry standing up.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Calico Apron

Pioneer women wore aprons nearly every day, and a pretty calico apron still makes a lovely Christmas gift for anyone who bakes. A ruffled hem and a big front pocket give it that sweet old fashioned look. Red calico feels festive in December yet works all year long. If you are new to sewing, this is a gentle first project with straight seams only. Pair it with a family cookie recipe written on a card. Who is the best baker in your family?

You will need: 1 yard of cotton calico, matching thread, a sewing machine or needle, pins, an iron, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut a 22 by 26 inch body, a 6 by 7 inch pocket and long strips for the waistband and ruffle. 2. Hem the sides, gather the ruffle and stitch it to the bottom edge. 3. Sew on the pocket and attach the waistband with long ties.

Hand Knitted Mittens

Warm mittens were a real treasure in a cold prairie winter, and they still feel like a hug in yarn. If you knit, a simple pair can be finished in a weekend. If you do not knit, try felted mittens cut from an old wool sweater, which need only a few seams. Either way, bright colors are easy to spot in the snow and make the gift feel cheerful. Tuck a handwritten note inside one thumb for a sweet surprise. What color would you choose?

You will need: Worsted weight wool yarn, double pointed needles or an old wool sweater, a large needle, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trace a mitten shape around your hand on paper and add half an inch all around. 2. Knit from a simple pattern or cut two layers of felted sweater. 3. Stitch the edges together, turn right side out and fold back the cuff.

Patchwork Pot Holders

Patchwork was how pioneer families used every last scrap of fabric, and pot holders are the quickest way to try it. A few small squares sewn together, a layer of cotton batting and a loop for hanging is all it takes. They are useful, colorful and nobody ever has too many. Make a matching pair and bundle them with a wooden spoon for a sweet kitchen gift. This is also a great first quilting project for older kids. Which fabrics in your scrap pile are begging to be used?

You will need: Cotton fabric squares, insulated batting, a backing square, bias tape or fabric strips, thread, pins.

How to make it: 1. Sew nine 3 inch squares into a grid to make the top. 2. Layer the top, batting and backing, then stitch a few straight lines through all layers. 3. Bind the edges with bias tape and add a fabric loop for hanging.

Dried Lavender Sachets

Little fabric sachets filled with dried lavender make drawers and closets smell lovely for months. They are one of the easiest gifts on this list and look charming in Christmas plaid. Pioneer homes often tucked dried herbs and flowers into linens, so the idea feels right at home in any Laura Ingalls Wilder inspired gift list. Make a dozen in one evening and give them to teachers, neighbors and friends. You can refresh them later with a gentle squeeze. Who on your list would love a drawer that smells like a garden?

You will need: Cotton fabric squares about 5 by 5 inches, dried lavender buds, thread, a needle or sewing machine, a small funnel, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Place two squares right sides together and sew three sides. 2. Turn right side out and fill with lavender using a small funnel. 3. Fold in the open edge and stitch it closed, then tie on a ribbon loop.

Hand Embroidered Handkerchief

A soft cotton handkerchief with a few stitched flowers in one corner is a gift that feels truly personal. Embroidery was a skill many pioneer girls learned young, and simple stitches still look beautiful today. Start with a lazy daisy flower and a few French knots. Add a first initial if you like. Fold it into a little square and tie it with string, and it becomes a keepsake that can be passed down. Do you remember a grandmother who always carried one?

You will need: A plain white cotton handkerchief, embroidery floss in two or three colors, an embroidery hoop, a needle, a washable fabric pen.

How to make it: 1. Draw a small flower design in one corner with the fabric pen. 2. Place the corner in the hoop and stitch petals with lazy daisy stitches. 3. Add French knot centers and a few leaves, then rinse off the pen marks.

Braided Rag Rug Coasters

Braided rag rugs covered many pioneer floors, and coasters are a small, quick version you can finish in an afternoon. Tear old shirts or fabric scraps into strips, braid them and coil the braid into a circle. Each coaster comes out a little different, which is part of the charm. Bundle four of them with a packet of cocoa for a cozy gift. They are also a great way to use clothes that are too worn to donate. Which old shirts could get a new life?

You will need: Cotton fabric or old t shirts cut into 1 inch strips, a needle, strong thread, safety pins, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Pin three strips together and braid them tightly. 2. Coil the braid into a flat circle, stitching the edges together as you go. 3. Tuck the end under and secure it with a few stitches.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Style Maple Sugar Cones

Maple sugar time at Grandpa’s house is one of the sweetest memories in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. You can bring that feeling home with maple candies packed into little paper cones. The cones are a craft on their own: roll brown paper, tie them with red string and fill them with treats. If you do not make candy, fill them with store bought maple candies or nuts. Line them up in a basket and they look like they came from an old general store. Who would you share these with?

You will need: Brown kraft paper, red baker’s twine, tape, maple candies, a small basket.

How to make it: 1. Cut an 8 inch circle of kraft paper and cut it in half. 2. Roll each half into a cone and tape the seam inside. 3. Fill with candies and tie red twine around the top.

Nine Patch Doll Quilt

Every rag doll needs a quilt, and the nine patch is the simplest and most classic block there is. Pioneer girls often learned to sew by making little quilts just like this. Red, cream and indigo calico give it a true old fashioned look. Make it to go with the rag doll above and the gift becomes a full set. It is also lovely folded on a shelf or used as a table mat. Would you keep it tiny for a doll, or make it baby sized?

You will need: Nine 4 inch fabric squares, a backing piece, thin batting, thread, pins, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Sew the squares into three rows of three, then sew the rows together. 2. Layer with batting and backing, right sides facing, and sew around the edge leaving a gap. 3. Turn it out, stitch the gap closed and add a few tie knots at the corners.

Stuffed Calico Heart Ornaments

Little stuffed hearts were a common homemade ornament, and they look sweet on a tree, a door knob or a gift. Calico in red and green keeps them festive, while a blanket stitch around the edge gives them a cozy handmade look. They are small enough to stitch while you chat with family. For even more ideas like these, see our old fashioned handmade Christmas ornaments that feel like Grandma’s house. How many hearts will your tree hold?

You will need: Calico fabric scraps, a heart template, embroidery floss, a needle, a little stuffing, jute twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut two hearts from fabric for each ornament. 2. Blanket stitch around the edge, leaving a small gap. 3. Fill with stuffing, close the gap and stitch a twine loop to the top.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Tin Cup of Peppermint Sticks

Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder remember how a shiny tin cup and a stick of candy could feel like the richest gift in the world on the prairie. Recreate that simple joy with a metal cup filled with peppermint sticks and tied with gingham ribbon. Add a kraft paper tag with a handwritten note. It is cheap, quick and perfect for kids to give to classmates or neighbors. Sometimes the smallest gifts are the ones people remember most. Who will get your first tin cup?

You will need: Small enamel or tin cups, peppermint sticks, gingham ribbon, kraft paper tags, a pen.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the cups. 2. Stand 6 to 8 peppermint sticks inside each cup. 3. Tie a gingham bow around the handle and add a handwritten tag.