Do you have knitters in your family? I do. I am one. Though not a very good one.
In any case, knitting needles are a remarkably easy thing to make (according to Martha Stewart) and they make a great little gift.
You can get doweling of several different thicknesses at any hardware or craft store. 
Saw the dowel to the desired length (my dowels were all 36″, so I cut most of my needles to 12″ lengths, though I did make a set of four 9″ double-ended needles). Use a pencil sharpener to create a point.
Sand the dowels down to create a smooth surface that won’t catch on the yarn. Make sure as well to dull the points a bit. It’s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye. You can rub the needles with a bit of warm beeswax, just to protect them and let the wool slide a bit easier.
Then all you have to do is use a glue gun to put colourful buttons at the ends. 
And there you have it. Tie them with some pretty ribbon and give them all away!
Or keep some. Your choice.
