A Homemade Christmas
Written By : Grace Weidenhamer
Okay, I know it’s not even Thanksgiving, but if you are a crafty Christmas girlie, or aspiring to be, you know we need to start thinking about our holiday gifts - like - yesterday! A crafty Christmas is all the rage this year, and rightfully so. I’ve been making homemade gifts for my friends and family for years (along with very un-homemade gifts too). It’s basically a win-win situation: you save money and they receive a thoughtful, personalized, and unique gift they couldn’t have bought themselves. So here are a few ideas if you want to go homemade this year. Happy crafting!
Gingerbread Gift Tags
I know I’m getting ahead of myself considering I haven’t gotten to the actual gifts yet, but a fun way to add a personal touch to any present is to make your own gift tags! Save up your cardboard boxes and Amazon packaging to make some fun and festive gingerbread gift tags. Simply cut out your gingerbread shape (tip: cookie cutters are not just for dough!), use a white paint marker to draw on the “frosting”, attach a bow or string, and you’re good to go! Reduce, reuse, and recycle your trash into a festive addition.
Cocktail Kits
Cocktail kits are an awesome gift, especially for the holidays. Crafting the perfect cocktail can be a lot of work and expensive gathering all the fresh ingredients. Make it simple by infusing your own spirits. The best part is, you really don’t have to make anything! Simply add your flavor ingredients (fruits, vegetables, spices, or herbs) to a Mason jar, spruce it up with some ribbon or (wink, wink) a gingerbread gift tag, and viola! If your budget allows, pair it with a bottle of their favorite spirit and a thrifted cocktail glass. *If you are following a recipe, make sure to include a recipe card with your gift so they know how long to infuse the spirit, how to strain, etc.
Create your own candle
Store-bought candles can be expensive, unoriginal, and even toxic. Create your own (safe) candle with a personal twist. The fun part about this is that you can really pour a candle into anything! I’ve made candles out of beer cans, old jars, or even air-dry clay! You’ll need soy wax flakes, candle wicks, essential oils, and a thrifted container. Try out a few scent combinations
until you have created your own unique blend. You can melt your wax in a variety of ways. Research which one will work best for you!
Clay trinkets
Craft like a kid again with air-dry clay trinkets! Some clay sculptures can be tricky unless you are a pro, but I found success in making magnets with white clay and painting them when dry. Create the shape of your choosing, then let dry for 24-48 hours. Once dry, you can sand them down to prevent any rough edges, paint, then seal with a clear varnish (I used Mod Podge). You can really create anything you want out of clay. Make them a self portrait, a catch-all tray, fridge magnets, etc.
Custom tote bag
Everyone loves (and needs) a tote bag, so why not make it personal! Instead of dropping an arm and a leg on a basic bag everyone has, buy some iron on patches at your local craft store and make something that they won’t only use, but love!
Hand painted frame
Who doesn’t love a memory keepsake? Frame a special moment with a special touch. Thrift an old picture frame or use one laying around your house and customize something that they will be proud to put on their wall - artist or not.
Bookmarks, keychains, purse charms galore!
Charm bracelets, necklaces, and keychains have been all the rave. Grab a bundle of beads, charms, and string and craft custom accessories that anyone will appreciate! Get scrapbook-y and make your own book marks with magazine cutouts, stickers, and personality. You really can customize anything - so get creative and have fun!
Photo from: Domestically Blissful | Giustina Miller on Pinterest / Susannah // Feast + West on Pinterest / My Life From Home on Pinterest / Joyce B Burke on Pinterest / StitchandPressHTX on Etsy / CatDearlove on Etsy / Alana Kasindorf on Pinterest