If you’re anything like me, you’re beginning to feel the pressure to find those special Christmas gifts for your family and friends. If you’re even more like me, you’re also feeling the stress of a tight wallet. This year, I’m looking more and more into DIY gifts that will be sentimental and yet usable all throughout the year. I have to admit, I’m loving some of the things I’m finding, and I’m beginning to think I need to make some these for myself!
Personalize your gift-wrapping
By using brown paper, it is easy to decorate each package for the person you want to give them to. You can make the ribbons, pom-poms, or letters the centerpiece of the wrapping rather than the paper itself. I love the idea of putting initials, or stamping their name on the gift. Every year my family has a little bit of trouble finding the tags and remembering which presents belong to whom. This makes each gift easier to find! The packaging’s simplicity is what I love about them. This wrapping cost efficient and meaningful. To see more photos and ideas, go to http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2011/09/10-easy-gift-wrap-ideas.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FXVSbu+%28Fireflies+and+Jellybeans%29.
Make a Mouse pad
This is cheap and adorable! With some cork and fabric you can make a creatively shaped, double sided mouse pad. After you cut your shape, you only need to attach your fabric to the cork with an iron and “Ultra heat and bond.” For step-by-step directions and more photos, go to http://moderndaymoms.com/make-it-yourself-monday-cork-mousepad/.
Make A Snow Globe
These are easy to make with a mason jar. With only a few materials, you can make your own Christmas snow globe or make them with your kids as gifts. All you need is distilled water, glitter, glycerin, clear drying epoxy, and a Christmas figurine. For tutorials and more pictures of homemade snow globes, you can go to either http://www.marthastewart.com/276346/how-to-make-a-snow-globe/@center/307034/christmas-workshop#/185992 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQpwEHm6E8. I especially like the idea of tying a ribbon with bells around the jar for that magical jingle that is normally built in to snow globes.
If you’re looking to make some delicious treats as gifts this year, visit http://texascottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-christmas-gifts-in-jar.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TexasCottage+%28Texas+Cottage%29 for “10 Christmas gifts in a jar.”
For even more DIY gift ideas, go to http://danimariedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/2011-ultimate-diy-gift-guide.html.
NCLAC is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency.
Sources:
http://myblackbook.free.fr/?attachment_id=3817
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQpwEHm6E8
http://danimariedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/2011-ultimate-diy-gift-guide.html
http://moderndaymoms.com/make-it-yourself-monday-cork-mousepad/
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