Crafty Gifts Part II

Make your own craft items to give as gifts this Christmas

71. Wreaths and Swags made of dried fruits like lemons, apples etc. or Pomander balls made of dried grapefruit covered with cloves will also make gifts apt for Christmas.

72. Make your own Potpourri and wrap it in cellophane. Place the cellophane packets in fabric bags. Mix your favorite Christmassy spices like cinnamon, mint, allspice and dried fruits and fruit peel and mix them with a few drops of essential oil. Store in airtight containers away from direct sunlight till used.

73. Gift a box of Pinecone Fireplace Starters. Tie strings around the pine cones and dip them first in melted wax and then in some fireplace sparkler stuff. Place in a decorative box using potpourri as a filler.

74. Gift personalized Christmas stockings by making stockings from leftover felt or other material from your home. Sew or glue felt cutouts in Christmas shapes and embroider the recipient’s name on the stocking. Don’t forget to stuff the stocking with goodies before gifting.

75. Decorate simple and inexpensive photo frames with sea shells, beads etc.

76. Make wine charms by stringing beads and charms on wine charm rings. Wine charms will make a nice hostess gift.

77. Make ‘Coin Holders’ by decorating various jars and containers to gift to recipients who use coin-operated facilities.

78. If you are good at quilting, fleece blankets will be a cozy gift for any gift recipient at this time of the year.

79. Gift a close relative or friend a scrapbook complete with pictures, quotes and sweet memories from the past.

80. For a cooking enthusiast, make a personalized recipe book comprising of your best and ‘most requested recipes.

81. Make and gift your own Christmas place mats. These place mats are easy to wipe clean and can last for more that just one holiday season. Use poster board or some other stiff paper to begin this craft. Use your old Christmas cards or even worn decorations to cut out your desired images and arrange them on the stiff paper. If the stiff paper shows through and you would like a more festive background, you can ‘wrap’ the stiff paper in Christmas wrap or tissue before placing on your images. Cover your paper and images with clear contact paper.

82. Beaded Jewelry can be made using the vast variety of beads and tones available at craft stores and makes a great gift for girls and women.

83. Life’s Little Emergencies - Don’t know what to do with those old baby food jars? Take a humorous twist; place silly objects inside the jar with a note saying break jar in case of emergency.