Holiday Gifting Pt. 3

We’re coming down to the wire. If you haven’t started your holiday shopping, take a look through your closets, junk drawers or craft area for supplies. You might have everything you need for a personalized DIY holiday present right at your fingertips! I’ve got some simple last minute holiday gift ideas that make a thoughtful gesture toward a co-worker, friend or party host.

Cuz Maureen’s felt ornaments:

My cousin texted me a photo of these funky felt ornaments that she’s making for some friends this year, and I had to share. Each ornament is personalized with an image that means something to the recipient. For one of the gifts, she modeled the ornaments after her friend’s cats and the other is an old school boom box. For this project, you’ll need to pick up some different color pieces of felt and a thicker yarn for sewing. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of sewing; the stitch is so easy. Cuz Maureen also decided to add decorative stitches to make the ornament pop. Use a little poly-fill and stuff the ornament to make it more cuddly. This is a great stand-alone gift and something you could throw over the neck of a wine bottle or tie to a package. Thanks cuz!

Personalized wine bottles

My mom has been making personalized wine bottle labels for her friends’ birthdays and anniversaries this year. She buys adhesive paper from Office Max and then designs the label in iPhoto. You can use Word or InDesign depending on how fancy you want to get. You can have fun with the text and play with wine tasting notes lingo. “Spicy Holiday blend: Aged 25 years with sweet notes of kindness and joy.” So, for your next holiday party, make your bottle of wine stand out!

Recycled gift wrapping 

Use whatever you have lying around for gift wrapping — telephone book pages, paper grocery bags, pages from an old music book, fabric scraps, etc. If you have any cardboard lying around, you can cut out holiday shapes, glue fabric to one side and then write your message on the blank cardboard side. To make my gift tags, I cut out holiday shapes from an empty New Glarus six-pack. I fed the shape through a typewriter to add my prepositions, punched a hole and threaded a piece of brightly colored ribbon to tie onto my package.

To wrap my packages, I found an old art book for the smaller boxes and cut open a used paper grocery bag for my larger gift. You can keep an earthy feel by adding raffia or you can add a pop of color with holiday ribbon for a good time.

_

_

Personalized Stationery

Use colorful paper or fabric and cut out geometric shapes and letters to glue onto cards, stationary and envelopes. Pick up plain, inexpensive card stock to decorate. Make packs of five or ten and give as a gift. Or, use these as your own holiday cards! This is such a simple project and one that will be appreciated.

Sweater stockings 

Make mini stockings packed with sweet treats for your friends and co-workers. Go to Goodwill and pick up a couple 100 percent wool sweaters, throw them in the dryer and get a felted effect that will be easier to work with. You can also just use felt. Cut out two pieces in the shape of a stocking. Use  a thick thread or yarn to stitch around the outside of the stocking. These should be fun and bold stitches. Embellish with ribbon, buttons and any other random items you have lying around. Add the recipient’s initial for a finishing touch.

What are you making for the holidays this year? Share your ideas in the comments section. Happy gifting!