Homemade Christmas Gifts
This Christmas, consider giving homemade gifts from the heart. The following homemade gifts will be deeply appreciated, and chances are you’ll save a great deal of money in the process. Start making Christmas gifts now, and while everyone’s still shopping, you’ll be enjoying holiday festivities instead of fighting holiday crowds.
Plaster Pins
For the women on your list, consider making beautiful pins made with plaster of Paris. All you need to make plaster of Paris pins are decorative candy molds, plaster of Paris, pin backs, acrylic latex craft paint, and clear acrylic varnish. Optionally you can further embellish pins with fine iridescent glitter, tiny faux gems, and seed beads. Use your imagination to decorate and personalize pins in a way that far exceeds similar pins sold in stores.
Mix plaster of Paris according to product label instructions, and pour the plaster into small candy molds of your choice. Gently tap the filled molds on a hard surface to remove any air bubbles. After the plaster begins to set, lay pin backs on the surface of the wet plaster, and allow the plaster to dry completely.
After the plaster of Paris pins are completely dry, carefully pop them out of the molds. Paint the pins with acrylic craft paint, and add creative touches such as small seed beads, tiny faux gems, and iridescent glitter. Personalize the pins by signing and dating the backs of the pins.
Lastly, protect the pins and give them a nice shine by applying a layer of clear acrylic varnish. The finished pins will look professionally made, and best of all they’ll be deeply appreciated because you made them.
Tylenol Candles
This in an inexpensive novel gift for anyone that’s stressed out and could benefit from a dose of Tylenol in the form of candles. Make a giant Tylenol caplet by joining the bottom of a red votive candle and a white votive candle, and wrap them in clear cellophane. Secure the ends of the cellophane with twist ties or narrow ribbon. Attach a note that says, “If you’re stressed and feeling pain, here’s a pill to keep you sane. Light this Tylenol to ease your mind, and relaxation you will find.”
Decoupage Candy Wrapper Dishes
Most people have a sweet tooth, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than with gifts of homemade candy dishes filled with mouthwatering candy? You won’t find these homemade candy dishes in stores, and they’re definitely conversation pieces that make a fantastic gift for Christmas.
To make decoupage candy wrapper dishes you’ll need dozens of small candy wrappers, small plastic dishes, and decoupage glue. Hershey’s Miniatures make fantastic decoupage wrappers, but you can use any paper wrappers of your choice.
Simply coat the outside of the dish with decoupage glue as you apply small candy wrappers. When the entire dish is covered with wrappers, apply decoupage glue to the outside of the dish. Allow the glue to dry completely before handling.
Shortly before Christmas, buy candy that matches the wrapper-covered dishes, and fill the candy bowls. Wrap them with clear cellophane, and tie the tops with gold or silver ribbon. These homemade candy dishes filled with delectable treats are sure to be a big hit. Anyone who loves candy will appreciate these homemade gifts from the heart.
