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In the special Holiday Shopping series that ran last week, we talked about how to give even more meaningful and unique gifts by including makers, artisans, and small businesses on your shopping list. Want to take that sentiment a step further? Why not include some homemade gifts in your repertoire this year?
Whether it’s something you make just once for a special friend or Secret Santa exchange, or a simple gift you and the kids can replicate by the dozen for teachers, coworkers, or other group lists, we’ve got you covered with this list of simple but creative homemade holiday gifts. And because we know that motherhood does not come with endless time and patience (or crafting skills!) built-in, we’ve made sure all of these projects are easy – really.
DIY Holiday Yarn Trees
Adorable puffs of yarn atop cute little trees: this trend-forward gift is versatile, easy and inexpensive to make, and can be customized to suit a friends’ living-room color scheme or even their favorite sports team. Find detailed instructions and a materials list for DIY Holiday Yarn Trees at MomAdvice.com.
Hot Chocolate Spoons
Everyone loves a cup of hot cocoa. It’s even better when that chocolatey, creamy goodness starts off as an adorable craft that incorporates the chocolate and marshmallows in a perfectly melt-able square of holiday goodness. Try this super-easy Hot Chocolate Spoon project at Fork and Beans.
DIY Marble Magnets
As homemade gifts go, these adorable marble magnets check off a LOT of boxes. First of all, they’re super-functional yet not season-specific, so your giftees can use them year-round. Second, they are super-inexpensive and easy for anyone to make. And third, you can use almost any image or craft paper as the base, so the magnets can be customized to anyone on your list. Meagan made these with her kids a few years ago, and delivered them inside painted breath-mint and lozenge tins. Try making them yourself with these easy DIY Marble Magnets instructions at The Frugal Girls.
Wine Cork Snowmen
Raise your hand if you’ve got a few extra wine corks lying around….or a few dozen. (Meagan and Sarah furtively raise their hands…) Put ‘em to good use with these adorable snowman ornaments! Would make a great gift for coworkers, or just use to decorate your own tree. Find a DIY Wine Cork Snowmen tutorial at This Mom’s Confessions.
No-Sew Blanket Scarf
Looking for a substantial gift for a close friend or family member – but don’t necessarily have strong knitting or sewing skills? We’ve got you covered. This no-sew DIY blanket scarf is both a “wow” – worthy gift and an easy way to add a little holiday flair to your own wardrobe this season. All you need are fabric and sewing scissors! Check out the DIY No-Sew Blanket Scarf instructions at MomAdvice.com.
Walnut Mouse Ornaments
Is there anything cuter than a teeny mouse hanging on a Christmas tree? How about a teeny mouse nestled inside a nut hanging on a Christmas tree? Sarah’s mentioned a similar kind of mouse ornament, which were a staple of her childhood, on the podcast before. Making these ornaments requires a bit of needlework and a glue gun, so it may be a better project for older kids or Mom alone; but these adorable little rodents will make giftees of all ages squeak with delight. Find the Walnut Mouse Ornament tutorial at Clover Lane.
Whether you’re a homemade-gift veteran or are considering giving a super-simple project a try for the first time this year, we hope these projects have inspired you to use your hands and give something truly unique to someone on your list! Be sure to check out our special Holiday Shopping podcast series for even more ideas on holiday gift-giving, from how to plan your gift list, to shopping small and incorporating artisan-made products, to where to hide the gifts until the big day. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!
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