The Holidays are here! Goodness, that was quick. That means now is the time to get presents for the ones you love. Not all presents have to be bought at the mall though; they can be made in the comfort of your own home. And while some might think homemade gifts aren’t as nice as store bought ones, they just haven’t gotten creative enough. Here are a few gift ideas to spark your holiday creativity.
Snowman Pops
No one can say no to a sugary sweet during the Holidays, especially a homemade one!
Supplies:
- Marshmallows
- Popsicles sticks
- Gum drops
- Mini chocolate chips
- Cookie icing
Instructions:
- Preheat oven (or if you have one, a toaster oven) to 225.
- Stick the popsicle sticks in the side of the marshmallow, not the flat end but the round side.
- Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes or until the side touching the cookie sheet has flattened out. Don’t melt the whole thing, just enough to flatten them a little.
- Using the popsicle stick turn the marshmallows upside down. There is the snowman’s face.
- Place two mini chocolate chips for eyes, a gumdrop for a nose and use cookie icing to draw on a mouth.
- Let them cool completely and there you go: snowman pops! Place them in plastic baggies with ribbon to give as gifts.
Sugary Sweet SnowmenCourtesy of cutefoodforkids.com
Paper Stars
If stars help us find our way in the dark, then what a better gift than a whole bunch of them. These string, paper stars are simple yet delightful and anyone that recieves one as a gift will love it!
Supplies:
- Thin cardboard (cereal box works fine)
- Scissors or exacto knife
- Hole Puncher
- Yarn, string or twine
Instructions:
- Draw a 12-point star. Easy right? Not really, but to make it easy, draw a triangle. On top of that triangle draw an inverted triangle (like the Star of David). Cut this shape out and trace it. Now turn it slightly to create twelve points and there you go. If you like you can also use the 6-point star or even the classic 5-point.
- Using whichever star design you’ve chosen trace and cut the star out of the cardboard.
- Punch holes in each corner of the star shape.
- If you like, paint the cardboard any color that you like. Don’t forget glitter and let it dry completely.
- Thread the string through a hole and pull it across the star to the hole opposite it. Once you’ve threaded the string through the second hole then pull it back across the back of the star and thread the string through the hole next to the first hole and pull it to the hole opposite that one. Repeat. If this sounds confusing it’s not. Just work the string so it creates a criss-cross pattern across your star.
- On the final hole create a loop to hang the star, tie it off and hang it!
Stars in their EyesCourtesy of poindextr.wordpress.com
Snowglobes
Maybe a friend or realtive needs a wintery wonderland all year long. If so, here is the perfect gift for them!
Supplies:
- Empty clear glass jars
- Distilled water
- Super glue
- Glitter
- Paint
- Plastic figures or figures that can be wet (no paper or food)
- Glycerin (you can find this at most drug stores- just ask where it is)
Instructions:
- Clean your jars and lids. Remove all labels by letting them soak in hot soapy water.
- Paint the lids to your liking. If the lid already has a Holiday feel then no need to paint it. Let the paint dry.
- Glue the trinkets to the lid of the jar. Create a little scene if the pieces are small enough. Let the glue dry.
- Fill the clean jars almost to the top with distilled water.
- Add glitter and few drops of glycerin.
- If there’s still space, fill the rest of the jar with more water.
- Screw the lids of the jars on tightly and turn your snow globe over. It should be snowing in there!
Homemade Wintery WonderlandCourtesy of mysocalledcraftylife.com
Have Your Say
Do you like getting homemade gifts? If so, why? Tell us about it in the comment’s section below.
