Great DIY Christmas gift ideas ... Add more if you'd like!

It's that time of year again when we start pondering (struggling) about what to get our loved ones for Christmas. You think of some really great ideas and then head online or to the store and then .. it happens... sticker shock! The ginormous amount of money spent at Christmas time can be overwhelming (and so can the numerous trips to the store!).   I'm here to try and help you a little ... a few Do It Yourself project that are perfect for Christmas gifts and are inexpensive ..but will mean lots to the person getting the gift!

 Let's first talk about leg warmers. It doesn't get much easier than this one. First, visit either your closet or a nearby thrift store and find a sweater you no longer want or need. Make sure that the arm holes (where your wrist and lower arm would be) are stretchy because this will be the end that will sit up by your knee/leg. Here we go ...grab a sweater and lets do this!

 

Grab a sweater or two!

 

Next- cut the sleeves off the sweater (straight across under the arm pit!)

 Now..if you want to get all fancy and like things to look perfect , you can hem up the raw edge of the sweater (the edge that used to be near the underarm).  Don’t be scared off with the word “hem” which means “sew”.  It’s not complicated..it involves a straight stitch on a sewing machine and it takes about 60 seconds.

Voila …slip them on or wrap them up as a handmade gift!

 

Now, don’t throw the rest of the sweater away just yet!  We’re going to also make a matching cowl (given the sweater is large enough on the bottom portion of the sweater).  Here we go!

           

 

Step 1: Cut from bottom of armpit to armpit.

Step 2:  Stitch or hand sew along the edge to keep fabric from unraveling.

Step 3: Fold edge under and stitch along the edge of fold.

Step 4: You’re done! Double up around your next as an accessory / protection from the cold.

 

Next…slip it on or wrap it up in gift wrap!!

 

 

 

HAND WARMERS

The next logical DIY craft is hand warmers ….so go grab a few pair of new socks (or I guess you could grab some old ones but only if you’re NOT going to gift them!) and here we go!

 For long socks:

Cut off just the toes and then snip a small hole in the heal of the sock.

Voila!  The raw edge should fold itself down automatically.

 

For shorter socks:

                                                          Snip below the heel instead! 
Then it’s just a matter of making a thumb hole in the right spot (use your hand as a guide).

 

How about something simple but thoughtful?  How about a nice latch jar filled with crayons for the little ones in your life?  Their parents will thank you!  No more crayons being fetched from under the stove..or refrigerator…or who knows where?? Add a fancy bow to the top, add their name to the jar!

How about a baked goods jar with a cute fabric cover, tied with leather roping?

 

 

Or for the seamstress (or single man!!) in your life:

  

Another great gift for little children!! Sparkle Play Dough!

 

Homemade Sparkling Playdough Recipe

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• food coloring
• glitter

1) Add food coloring to water for easiest, even distribution. This is especially helpful if you're using a gel or paste food coloring.

 2) Place flour, salt, colored water, oil, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until it turns into playdough.

3) Turn dough out onto the counter to let sit until it's cool enough to knead. Flatten a bit on the counter, and sprinkle generously with glitter. Knead the glitter into the playdough. If you want more sparkle, repeat this step.

4) Store in an airtight container. One batch of this recipe filled four jam-jars perfectly.

 

How about some super cute treats to bring to gatherings?

                                    

Bite-sized bits of North Pole magic are just what your holiday party needs! This delectable balance of salty and sweet is a wonderful way to give everyone an irresistible taste of the Christmas spirit.

Ingredients

·         Mini Twist Pretzels

·         White Chocolate Almond Bark

·         Red Sanding Sugar

·         Mini Marshmallows

Instructions

1.      Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions on the package.

2.      Dip each mini twist pretzel halfway into the melted white chocolate almond bark.

3.      Dip each almond bark covered pretzel into the red sanding sugar until only a small amount of the almond bark is showing. Place on waxed paper.

4.      Cut the mini marshmallows in half. Use additional melted almond bark to adhere a mini marshmallow half onto the side of each pretzel. Allow time for the almond bark to set.

 

FINALLY...my favorite…for the love in your life… you CAN’T go wrong with this one.  BIG brownie points.  This would be a good one to print off and leave lying around the house as a huge HINT for your husband!

 

1. Find some playing cards! These fabulous cards from Ellusionist shown here are great as they have a pre-aged Vintage look.
2. Scuff them up with some sandpaper to give them a used feel as well as a used look
3. Create a template with one of the spare cards (for example one of the Jokers)
4. Punch two holes in each cards using the template as a guide
5. Create your reasons labels to attach to the cards - detailed information below. Use another Joker card to create the front cover.
6. Using double sided tape and/or glue - attach the inserts to the cards. Using glue will take longer to dry and will stiffen the cards up adding more dimension.
7. Create all 52 of your reasons cards and let the glue dry
8. Thread onto book rings and voila…perfect!

I hope you enjoyed and hope you make some of these creative, fun DIY project for Christmas.  I know I will!

      Be Well!!

Amy