DIY Christmas Gifts & Crafts

This year, we're spreading holiday cheer far and near! From decorations to outdoor light shows to DIY Christmas gifts, we want to give you tips on having the happiest holiday experience. With today's piece on going homemade, you'll find eight ideas that will help you save money while crafting a gift with special meaning. Read on, enjoy, and have a very happy holiday season!

Go Homemade with 8 DIY Christmas Gifts & Crafts

1. Snow Globes

Even if it's not a White Christmas outside, you'll always have a winter wonderland inside a snow globe. As far as DIY Christmas gifts go, snow globes are straightforward. You can use recycled jars as the globe, and small Christmas or winter figurines for setting the scene. To add the signature snow, you'll fill the jar with water, glycerin, and tinsel glitter. Voila! You have a snowy scene encapsulated forever.

Check out this tutorial for detailed instructions on making snow globes.

2. Reindeer Gift Card Holder

Gift cards are traditionally thought of as "the boring gift." But presenting the card in a unique holiday-themed holder will certainly brighten it up. This Rudolph gift card holder turns basic craft materials into a cheery, red-nosed wrapping for gift cards. Create a few to have on hand for giving gifts every Christmas!

3. Stovetop Potpourri Jar

Some claim that caroling is the best way to spread Christmas cheer. But it could be argued that the scent of potpourri is just as effective. Aromatic spices are easy to blend into DIY Christmas gifts. Simply combine the desired ingredients in a mason jar and add some holiday ribbon on the outside for a festive gift. Recipients can empty their potpourri jars into a saucepan with water for hours of simmering stovetop scents.

Here are six recipes for holiday potpourri jars.

4. Filled Glass Ornaments

Give a gift that'll resurface every year during the holidays. Filled glass ornaments are an easy way to ensure that your gift will appear on the tree annually. They're also quite easy to make. Just make sure your fillings will fit in the glass bulb. It'll also save your sanity to keep a pair of tweezers handy for placing delicate objects in the bulbs.

5. DIY Dog Bed

For the animal lover in your life, consider giving a gift that both they and their four-legged friend will appreciate. It's not difficult to make a dog bed from scratch, and it has the most utility of any of these DIY Christmas gifts. Pups will use a bed every day for a cozy place to relax.

HGTV has a great walk-through for building your own DIY dog bed. As a pro tip, make sure the fabric you use is sturdy. Dogs can easily tear lightweight fabrics with their claws.

6. Peppermint Bark

Looking to give an edible gift? Consider peppermint bark. While decadently delicious, peppermint bark is surprisingly simple. It requires just two types of chocolate, peppermint extract and candy canes. Check out the recipe below:

Recipe borrowed from Delish.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 8 candy canes, crushed

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fill a large pot with three inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and place a large heatproof bowl on top. Add semi-sweet chocolate and stir occasionally until chocolate has melted. Stir in the peppermint extract. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.
3. Over the same pot of lightly simmering water, place another large heatproof bowl. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Pour over the set semi-sweet chocolate then top immediately with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate about 20 minutes until completely set.

7. DIY Pine Candles

Candles are great choices for DIY Christmas gifts. They're not too difficult to make and they last a long time. To give someone the scent of a winter forest, try making DIY pine candles. These are made with soy wax, which burns cleaner, lasts longer, and has no scent of its own. You can purchase candle making materials at most craft stores or at local candle shops.

8. Holiday Bird Seed Wreath

Bird watchers are big fans of bird feeders. To add some holiday flair, you can create a wreath made of bird seed and cranberries. Seed wreaths last for a long time and attract numerous types of birds, giving birdwatchers plenty to watch throughout the winter months.

This tutorial from Kaytee will guide you through how to create one of these festive holiday bird seed wreaths.  

As you can see, there's no need to hit the big chain stores. It's so easy to create DIY Christmas gifts for people from all walks of life. In the process, you'll save money, flex your creativity, and create a meaningful gift for someone special in your life.

If you love these ideas, don't forget to share this post!  

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