Do-It-Yourself Gifts

Creative and Inexpensive Gift Ideas for the Holidays

Nov 13, 2009 Michaelene Gerster Trocola

This holiday season, if extra gifts for the office grab bag or a distant relative is enough to cause a headache, consider making inexpensive, do-it-yourself gifts.

Do-it-yourself gifts are often the easiest on the budget. If done right, they're also the most inexpensive! The creativity and presentation that goes into a gift makes all the difference.

Always remember that dollar stores carry a lot of little treasures. What might seem like just another little decoration of pine and holly berries can actually be broken up to decorate multiple gifts or baskets. For large projects, items can be purchased in bulk online for ultimate savings.

Here are a couple of inexpensive, crafty gift ideas that are certain to bring tidings of comfort and joy over the holidays.

Easy Homemade Gifts, Easy on the Budget

Lighted Potpourri Holder: A gift for the senses that will light up any room with cheer!

Ingredients:

• 6-inch decorative glass jar
• 1 bag of scented potpourri
• 1 strand of 25 white holiday lights
• White netting
• Rubber bands
• Decorative ribbons, acorns, berries, garlands, etc.

Directions:

1. Unravel the lights and coil a couple of rows at the bottom. Add a layer of scented potpourri. Continue this process until the jar is filled to the top, and the lights are arranged according to preference. When finished, the cord comes out of the top of the jar. Be sure it's the end that plugs into the wall.
2. Place a circle of white netting over the top of the jar. Put a rubber band around the lip of the jar to hold everything in place. If the jar came with a lid, there’s no need to put it back on.
3. Tie a decorative ribbon over the lip to hide the rubber band and dress up the display. Use a hot glue gun to attach small decorations on the ribbon. Consider fake holly berries and pine needles, or even a little angel. Many of these things can be taken off of decorative garlands or flowers from the store.
4. Plug in the jar. The heat from the lights will trigger scents from the potpourri and dress up any surface with holiday cheer!

Creative Cookies: A wintry holiday display in a jar that turns into tasty treats.

Ingredients:

• Glass jar with lid (usually sold for canning preserves)
• A small recipe card
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup red and green M&M's candies
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup Rice Krispies
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Clean the jar. Layer the ingredients according to preference (consider doing so in the order listed above). The more colorful, the better. Make sure the jar is large enough to hold everything and to close!
2. Print a recipe card with the ingredients that are inside of the jar, and the steps for making the cookies. With this particular recipe, the steps to print on the recipe card are as follows: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet. Empty entire contents of the jar into a medium bowl. Add 1 large egg and 1/2 cup of melted butter; mix well. Form dough into 1-inch balls and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.
3. Punch a small hole in the recipe card. Thread a holiday ribbon through it and tie it around the lip of the jar.

Basket of Chocolatey Goodness: Anyone will love to cozy up with this comforting gift basket over the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 1 small gift basket
• 1 package of tinsel or fake snow flakes
• 2 mugs
• Packets of hot cocoa
• 2 candy canes
• Decorative ornaments, ribbons, acorns, berries, garlands, etc.

Directions:

1. Place an ample amount of tinsel or snowflakes in the basket to line the bottom and decorate.
2. Place the two mugs inside the basket. Add the packets of hot cocoa and one candy cane per mug (they can be drink stirrers).
3. Strategically decorate basket as room allows. Two ornaments inside the basket are a nice touch. Ribbons or garlands can decorate the outside of the basket depending desired effect.

Creative Gifts

When taking on do-it-yourself gifts for the holidays, don’t forget the creativity. Adapt the above ideas to suit each individual, and get inspired for new ideas by browsing displays in catalogs and stores. It’s surprising how inexpensive creative reproductions can be when shopping at dollar stores or online for bulk discounts. Happy Holidays!

The copyright of the article Do-It-Yourself Gifts in Crafts is owned by Michaelene Gerster Trocola. Permission to republish Do-It-Yourself Gifts in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

holiday cookies make great gifts

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