Gifts often have more meaning behind them when you spend time making them yourself. Get creative over the holidays and try your hand at making these festive crafts. Once you’re done you can give them to your friends and family members to show how much they mean to you.
Peppermint Mason Jar Candle
Supplies:
- All Natural Soy Candle Wax
- Peppermint Oil
- Mason Jar
- Natural Candle Wick
- Tea Light Cups (If you prefer not to use a Mason jar)
Instructions:
- Glue candlewick in the center of your Mason jar or tea light cup.
- Melt soy candle flakes over a double boiler or in microwave according to package directions. Consider using a measuring cup (4-cup size) for easy pouring.
- Once the wax is melted, stir in peppermint oil (about 15-20 drops). Pour into Mason jar or tea light cups. Use a pencil to wrap the candlewick and hold in place while the candle wax hardens. Leave candle to harden for several hours or overnight. Trim candlewick before lighting.
Snowflake Coasters
Supplies:
- Hot Glue Gun
- Scissors
- White Pipe Cleaners
Instructions:
- Cut three 3-inch even pieces of pipe cleaner for the base of the snowflake.
- Cut six 1-inch even pieces of pipe cleaner for the design in the center of the snowflake.
- Cut six 3/4-inch even pieces of pipe cleaner for the tips of the snowflake.
- Using a hot glue gun, glue the 3-inch pipe cleaners together in a star shape for the base of the snowflake.
- Bend the smaller pieces into a “V” shape.
- Glue the smaller pieces onto each end to create a unique design for each snowflake.
- Change up the size and shape of the pieces to make whatever type of snowflake you want.
No-Knit Monogrammed Mittens
Supplies:
- knitted or crocheted mittens
- 12-ply bakers twine
- coordinating all-purpose thread
- scissors
- all-purpose sewing needle
Instructions:
- Place mittens palm-side down on work surface. Take the end of the bakers twine and form the desired letter for monogram. It’s best to stick with a simple, scrolling letter style, so it’s easy to shape and stitch in place. Leave excess twine uncut to prevent fraying.
- Thread needle and double knot at the end. Slide the needle under the bakers twine, through the mitten and pull thread through, loop around and repeat to stitch the twine to the mitten. Repeat this stitch, securing the twine to the mitten to form the letter’s shape. If using colored thread, try to position stitches on the same color on the mitten to hide them. Make sure the stitches aren’t too deep, so both sides of the mitten aren’t sewn together.
- Where the twine needs to loop, allow it to overlap and stitch both sections of twine together to the mitten. At the end of the letter, trim excess twine and secure the end with several stitches to prevent fraying. Repeat process with second mitten. This technique works great on hats and scarves as well.
Fabric-Mounted Family Photo
Supplies:
- a family picture
- a brightly colored frame (use an 8×10-inch frame for a 5×7-inch photo, or a 5×7-inch frame for a 4×6-inch photo)
- textured but thin fabric (a remnant from a sewing store is perfect, as long as it is a couple of inches bigger than the frame)
- scissors
- fabric glue
- archival photo tape
Instructions:
- Get high-quality print copies of a few family photos you are particularly fond of. Not only does this ensure the gift will look nice, but it lets you hold on to the original photo. Adorama.com is a good choice.
- To make the mounting, cut the fabric slightly larger than the cardboard backing of the frame.
- Apply glue to the edges of the backing and wrap the fabric tautly around each side. Press firmly. Let dry under a heavy book for about 10 minutes.
- Using a ruler, center the photo, then secure it with photo tape. Carefully slip the mounted picture into the frame.
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