DIY Christmas Gifts
Growing up as a pastor's kid I didn't have a whole lot of expendable cash to buy Christmas gifts, but I quickly learned from my brilliant mother that making innovative, creative gifts on a small budget actually create more lasting memories and unique gifts you can't find anywhere else. Here are some of my own DIY gifts and others from a few of my favorite bloggers. Enjoy!
1. Peppermint Foot Soak
Materials Needed:
Powdered Milk (makes your feet soft and smooth)
Epsom Salt
Loose Peppermint Tea and/or Peppermint Essential Oil
1/2 Pint Size Jar
Directions:
Stir all ingredients together in a bowl. You can open 1-2 peppermint tea bags to create loose leaf tea.Transfer to an air tight container.To use, place 1/2 cup of peppermint foot soak in hot water, insert feet and enjoy!
(Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers - Suburban Simplicity)
2. A Whisk of Kisses
Materials Needed:
New whisk
Hershey's kisses (preferably red, green, silver or gold)
Festive ribbon
White note card
Permanent marker
Hole Punch
Directions:
First, start by purchasing a whisk that your "foodie" gift receiver would like and carefully stuff about ten Hershey's kisses into the whisk. Then, cut cut your white note card so it's the size of a gift tag (roughly 3" x 2") and punch a single hole at one end of the note card. Cut your ribbon and string it through the punched hole of the note card and around the handle of the whisk tying it into a pretty bow. (You're welcome to curl the ends with a straight edges on a pair of scissors.) Lastly, write a nice note on the gift tag and give to a person who is definitely a foodies or cook.
(Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers - Frugal Girls)
3. Instagram Coasters
Materials Needed:
Instagram pictures
4x6 paper
Square tiles
Miniature felt pads
Mod Podge glue (found at most craft stores)
Small Sponge applicator
Spray Seal Finish (found at most craft stores)
Directions:
First, pick out the Instagram pictures you want to print. Pictures should be printed on 4x6 paper. Cut the picture to fit on the tile. You can cut as much or as little as you’d like.
Secondly, put the circular felt pads on the bottom of the tile. Four for each tile (one in each corner). By putting the felt pads on first you will ensure that the mod podge does not drip onto the surface you are working on, making the tile stick to it.
Paint a layer of the Mod Podge on your tile. Keep it thin. You don’t want the Mod Podge dripping off the side. Press a photo firmly onto the tile and let sit for a few minutes.
Paint a layer of Mod Podge over the photo and let dry for about 20 minutes – the mod podge will go on white, but will dry clear. Make sure you cover the edges of the tile with Mod Podge. This will ensure that the tile is soft and not rigid.
Apply 2-5 layers of Mod Podge (letting them dry in between each layer) – dry for at least an hour after the last layer. Repeat these steps for all photos. Let the tiles sit overnight. Spray a thin layer of finish over the tiles. Make sure the tiles are completely dry before adding the finish. Let sit for 4 hours and you're done!
4. Tea Towels
Materials Needed:
Piece of unbleached cotton (or any other fabric that you like)
Pen and paper
Fabric markers
Iron
Directions:
Cut the pieces of fabric in your desired size. And hem around the entire piece of fabric. Draw or print out the shape that you want. ( silhouettes, will work best) Cut them out of the paper. Place your stencil onto the fabric and trace the shapes. Remove the stencil and color the shape in. Iron over the painted fabric to secure the fabric paint.
(Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers - Lana Red Studio)
5. Gifts in a Jar
Materials Needed:
Glass candy jar (usually found at craft store or Walmart)
Candy, notecards or any other small items you would like to include
Ribbon
Colored confetti
Instructions:
Find a glass jar that is large enough to hold your gift items. Carefully place each of your small items into the jar so that it looks nice and their labels are facing outward to be seen. Liberally fill the jar with colored confetti or tinsel. Tie a ribbon around the top with a name card for your gift receiver.
(Inspired by one of my favorite bloggers - One Good Thing by Jillee)
6. Chalkboard Tray
Materials Needed:
Wooden serving tray (or large cutting board)
Chalkboard paint (can be found at your local hardware store)
Sponge brush
Newspaper
Chalk
Directions:
Make sure your wooden surface you will be painting is clean and dry. Lie it on top of a newspaper to prevent a mess. Using your sponge brush, apply the chalkboard paint in even strokes. The first coat should be dry within 30 minutes and you will probably need another to completely cover your wood. Once you have an evenly covered surface, allow to dry for 2 days. After that, the paint will be safe to rinse. Use to display or serve bites and drinks at your next celebration - complete with chalk written notes, too!
7. Lace Covered Throw Pillows
Materials Needed:
Plain colored throw pillow
1 yard of lace (any size you prefer/found at craft stores)
Fabric glue
Small paint brush
Sharp fabric scissors
Directions:
Place your pillow on a newspaper that is spread out on a stable surface. Spread out your lace and using your small paint brush carefully spread the fabric glue on the "down side" of the lace so that when it's pressed onto the pillow there will be one edge unglued. After you have pressed the lace on the pillow exactly where you want it or all the way around, then cut the extra lace with the sharp scissors and apply another layer of fabric glue to the ends to make sure it sticks. Let the glue set for at least 10 hours. (Make sure you're careful with the fabric glue because it can get quite messy.)
And now you have a beautiful, vintage-style pillow that can accent your own home or be a wonderful gift for someone this Christmas.
(Inspired by my own mother)
