Presents are a big part of the Christmas morning excitement. Many argue that they are not the most important part of the holiday season. No matter what you feel on that subject, it is the thought behind the gift that counts the most. Handmade Christmas gifts provide a chance to say what’s in your heart with each creative step.
When deciding on what to make, think of things that the person you’re giving to may use a lot of. For example, avid readers use plenty of bookmarks to mark their place in the books they read. Gardeners love to display their flowers and they can never have too many pots for planting. What about pillows? If your gift receiver loves to recline on the couch or in bed, they would love plenty of pillows.
All of these things make it easier to create a homemade gift for someone. Bookmarks for readers can be made out of felt or cardboard. Different decorations can be soldered to oversized paperclips to create metal bookmarks too. Ribbon, with a charm added also make great place markers for book.
Homemade pillows are easier than ever to create and inexpensive too. Craft and sewing stores carry pillow forms that only need to be covered with fabric and sewn together. You can embroider the cover or attach tassels if you want. Pillows can be as big or as small as you wish.
If you crochet, your presents could be blankets, bed spreads, sweaters, scarves, or hats. Depending on how creative you wish to get, you can create several very nice things to give away as gifts. Don’t let those special God-given talents go to waste during the holiday season. What you spend in time you make up for in money saved on gifts.
Handmade gifts work for the family pet as well. Make your own plush chew toy or noisemaker for the cat or dog. Pet lovers would appreciate a framed portrait of their favorite canine or feline. You could even have a portrait of the owner and their prized pooch screen-printed on a T-shirt or a sweater.
When it comes to homemade gifts you are only limited by your imagination. Stores sell kits to make bracelets, barrettes, hair bows, and other accessories that girls like. Beads in every color, shape, and size are available for costume jewelry making. Find out the person’s favorite stone or their birthstone and create a complete set of jewelry using that stone.
The mom or dad who has everything may lose their keys on a regular basis. Build a key rack and personalize it with their names. Add a slot for mail or a shelf for a small knick-knack.
Handmade Christmas gifts require a bit of thought which is what makes them so great. Amaze the people on your list this year with something they weren’t expecting, something that comes with a little thought, a bit of work, and tons of love and it’s sure to be a hit!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Christmas Decorations Ideas
Christmas Decorations You Can Make With Your Kids
The Christmas holidays are a wonderful time of the year, especially since the kids are home from school. Make the most of this time by making memories that will last. Creating Christmas decorations with your kids is a fun time for all. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Tree Skirt - Find some felt material and design a tree skirt. Add beads, bows, sparkles and any kind of trim available to make this a one-of-a-kind skirt. Perhaps the kids would like to add pictures of Santa along the rim of the skirt. Another tree skirt idea would be to make a quilted pattern, using different plaids and solid colors. Decorate it with a fancy trim. It could not only be used for the tree, but as the base centerpiece for a vase of poinsettias.
Centerpiece - Another idea is to have your children gather together Christmas balls in various sizes and colors. Find a large clear vase or bowl and arrange them inside. You may want to add some holly as well. This colorful display would make a lovely centerpiece for your table.
Christmas Card Holder - Here is a creative idea for storing your Holiday cards. Start with an empty Kleenex (or tissue) box, and cut out the top rectangular part of it. Wrap it in Christmas paper, and use it as a Christmas card holder. Decorate it with holly and ivy. Then, attach a ribbon to both ends and you have a beautiful homemade Christmas card basket.
Paper Chain - An old standby is to take several different colors of construction paper and cut them in strips. Then attach two ends of the strips together (with a stapler, glue or tape) to form a circle. Continue by looping another cut strip inside that one. When it’s long enough, wrap the chain around your Christmas tree.
Candy Chain - While stringing popcorn or beads around a tree is a tried and true tradition, how about using Lifesavers candy? Your kids can choose the color order or even try to make patterns. Use different color twine or ribbons to give it a Candyland touch. Add candy canes as well. Since both candies come in their own wrapping, just use a needle through the Lifesavers wrapping. After the tree is taken down, they can be fun snacks to eat.
Christmas decorations are a great way of expressing the holiday spirit in your home.The kids will love creating them, and be proud to have their art displayed. And, instead of looking like a department store, your home will become a reflection of the family that lives in it.
The Christmas holidays are a wonderful time of the year, especially since the kids are home from school. Make the most of this time by making memories that will last. Creating Christmas decorations with your kids is a fun time for all. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Tree Skirt - Find some felt material and design a tree skirt. Add beads, bows, sparkles and any kind of trim available to make this a one-of-a-kind skirt. Perhaps the kids would like to add pictures of Santa along the rim of the skirt. Another tree skirt idea would be to make a quilted pattern, using different plaids and solid colors. Decorate it with a fancy trim. It could not only be used for the tree, but as the base centerpiece for a vase of poinsettias.
Centerpiece - Another idea is to have your children gather together Christmas balls in various sizes and colors. Find a large clear vase or bowl and arrange them inside. You may want to add some holly as well. This colorful display would make a lovely centerpiece for your table.
Christmas Card Holder - Here is a creative idea for storing your Holiday cards. Start with an empty Kleenex (or tissue) box, and cut out the top rectangular part of it. Wrap it in Christmas paper, and use it as a Christmas card holder. Decorate it with holly and ivy. Then, attach a ribbon to both ends and you have a beautiful homemade Christmas card basket.
Paper Chain - An old standby is to take several different colors of construction paper and cut them in strips. Then attach two ends of the strips together (with a stapler, glue or tape) to form a circle. Continue by looping another cut strip inside that one. When it’s long enough, wrap the chain around your Christmas tree.
Candy Chain - While stringing popcorn or beads around a tree is a tried and true tradition, how about using Lifesavers candy? Your kids can choose the color order or even try to make patterns. Use different color twine or ribbons to give it a Candyland touch. Add candy canes as well. Since both candies come in their own wrapping, just use a needle through the Lifesavers wrapping. After the tree is taken down, they can be fun snacks to eat.
Christmas decorations are a great way of expressing the holiday spirit in your home.The kids will love creating them, and be proud to have their art displayed. And, instead of looking like a department store, your home will become a reflection of the family that lives in it.
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