1.Handmade Gifts Ideas For Family And Friends
Materials Needed:
Empty half gallon cardboard milk/juice carton - rinsed and dry; 10 in. white candle; ice cubes; crayons; candle scent-optional; 2 lbs.. wax ( you can use Gulfwax which can be purchased at the food store. It comes in 1 lb. pkgs. and each pkg. contains 4 slabs of wax).
Method:
If you buy Gulfwax you will need 7 slabs of wax. Prior to melting the wax you can prepare the mold. Place candle in the middle of the carton and fill with ice cubes. Make sure candle is centered while filling carton. Place carton in freezer until ready to use. Melt wax in coffee can placed in a pan with several inches of water over low to medium heat. Add bits of crayon/candle coloring and candle scent as desired.
Stir wax while melting-you can use a piece of wooden dowel. Do not leave melting wax unattended on stove. When the wax has melted, remove the mold from the freezer and slowly pour the melted wax into the mold. Make sure the coffee can is not too hot to handle prior to pouring the wax. Fill to the top of the mold and let sit for at least 15 minutes. The ice cubes will start to melt and you can drain water out of the candle by holding over the sink.
Let candle sit for another 15 minutes and drain again. Repeat several more times, then carefully peel away the carton from the candle. Let the candle sit for several more hours in order to ensure all of the water has drained out. You can dust the outside with glitter or attach sequins for decorations. For a nice display, place the candle on a plate covered with tin foil, put some greens around the base, light and enjoy!!!
Include your child’s, friends’or grandparents’ favourite cookies, desserts in gift baskets, trays and wrap beautifully with colured paper , ribbons, and Christmas ornaments and decorations, you can also add a tag containing the recipes in short.Thus you can make Breakfast Baskets for Christmas containing Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Homemade jam in an airtight jar, any Flavoured Popcorn, Muffin Mixes, Flavoured Tea/Coffee/Chocolate Mixes,Brownies; beautifully decorate them with ribbons. Similarly You can make Gingerbread Men Basket, or Family Snack Baskets.
Materials Needed:
: A baked clay pot; colours; paint brushes of all sizes and shapes; a colour palette; water; spray varnish and a mixture of ceramic powder and glue for the piping; a small piping bag.
Method
Mix red colour(base colour chosen) with a little water on a palette.Take a plain pot of your choice and start your painting from the base upward. When the whole pot is covered, keep it aside to dry completely.In the dry pot, lightly draw your design with a pencil( you can draw santa faces, snow flakes, bells, etc).Fill a small bag with the mixture of ceramic powder and glue roll it into a cone and snip the tip off, making a very fine small hole(alternately you could use a piping bag).Now pipe the mixture over your design for a 3-D effect.Again start at the bottom and work towards the top, making sure you are fast enough for the ceramic mixture to remain cool and wet till you finish.Once you’ve completed your design, let it dry.Once the piping is dry, take a little paint in the palette, and with a thin brush, start painting over it.Again, work upward and keep it aside to dry when you are done.After drying it off, pain the mouth of the pot in a neutral colour.Once the pot is completely dry, switch off the fan, place the pot on a high stool and spray it with varnish till it shines, making sure it is evenly sprayed all over.Let it dry for about 48 hours, after which your pot is ready to be gifted…And now for the best part-it is also water proof!
Homemade Christmas Postcards/Artcards:
A. Stamp Season's Greetings on evergreen cards with red pigment ink. Draw in cherries and leaves. Use corner punch to decorate the four corners. Punch a hole on top left corner and tie a ribbon.
B. Cut a white card in a cone. Punch blue snowflakes on card. Stamp Season's Greetings with Brilliance ink and mount onto Metallic Blue Basic Blank Card. Punch different sizes of white snowflakes and paste on both white and blue portion of card.
C.Recycled Cards: You can also make new cards from old Christmas cards.Just pick a theme, spread the old cards on a table and group the cards as per theme, snowman theme, Christmas tree theme, Santa Claus theme, snowflakes theme etc.Take blank cards and paste cut outs from these old cards as per theme, add embellishments such as gold or silver rick rack; thin gold or silver ribbon or bows; small-scale pressed flowers, leaves, herbs or vines; stickers, fancy bubble stickers; paper, card or craft fun foam stickers; scrapbooking charms; seasonal confetti; fabric scraps - think memory quilt, homespun, sheer, or any other fabric that excites the imagination and fits your theme; small photos or cut-outs from gift wrap that suit your theme; any fairly flat ornament that fits your motif - possibly an image or font text made of metal, paper, cardboard, plastic, flocked paper or any other medium that is lightweight and flat enough to fit into a card envelope.
This present is perfect for a relative or friend who lives abroad.
Materials Needed:
Assorted photos; Craft Knife; 4-ply and 2-ply rag board (sold at art supply stores); 26-inch-long piece of ribbon; coloured paper; glue stick.
Method:
Choose seven favorites from a stack of family photos. Use a craft knife to cut two 5- by 6 1/2-inch rectangles from the 4-ply rag board for the book covers. For the inner pages, cut one 5- by 39-inch rectangle from the 2-ply rag board. Lightly mark 6 1/2-inch increments along the long edges of the 2-ply rag board, and accordion-fold the sheet at those marks Use a ruler edge to press the folds into sharp creases. Lay the ribbon on a tabletop and center the folded rag board on top so that the side with three creases is on the left and lines up with the midpoint of the ribbon Apply glue to the top of the folded rag board. Then lay the left side of the ribbon over the glued page and top with one of the book covers, pressing firmly until well stuck. Flip over the book and use the same method to attach the right side of the ribbon and the back cover. Now, cut the colored paper into seven 4- by 5 1/2-inch rectangles. Glue one onto the center of each page and the front cover. Then glue the photos onto the colored paper. Finally, print the year on the front cover.
Tips:
Open the album into a full circle, tie the ribbon binding into a bow and it's ready to display on an end table or dresser.
Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas:
2.Christmas Gifts For Him:
Collection Of CDs:
Collection of best songs in a CD is a great homemade gift idea. Get blank CDs and add all Your Spouse/Dad’s favorite tunes in it. Wrap them up in bright Christmas paper and tie with ribbons.You could also add small decorations and messages for that personal touch. It will be perfect gift for Him.
Cigar Box Gifts:
You can use a wooden cigar box to create a surprise stuffed gift box, sand the cigar box if it's one of the varnished kind, paint whatever color you like. Glue felt in the bottom of the inside and decorate the outside if you like, fill with wonderful potpourri, and gift them to a friend etc. You can also paint some cute Christmas pictures from wrapping paper, fix those onto the box and fill with Christmas candies and chocolate.
Paperweights:
Materials Needed:
Small Glass Jar with Lid (cork looks nicest); Colored Sand (at least 2 different colors); Ribbon; Photo; Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun.
Method:
Pour the sand into the jar, about a tablespoon at a time, alternating colors to make a fun pattern. Fill the jar completely and then glue the lid onto the jar. Cut the photo to fit the side of the jar and 
glue it into place. Tie the ribbon around the top of the jar.
Business Card Holder:
Materials Needed
11 Popsicle sticks; Scissors; Green craft paint; School glue; Decorations (Woodsies, paint, pom-poms, etc.); Waxed paper or plastic bag (to protect work surface.
Method:
Lay out a piece of waxed paper or recycle a plastic bag to protect your work surface.
Note: Newspaper will stick to the project.
Lay three Popsicle sticks flat next to each other side to side. Glue the three sticks together. This is the front side of the card holder. For the base of the business card holder, lay two Popsicle sticks flat next to each other and glue together in the same fashion as that of the front.For the back of the business card holder, lay four Popsicle sticks flat next to each other side to side, and glue together. For the sides of the card holder, cut one and a quarter inch off of the top and bottom of two Popsicle sticks. Lay two long edges together, side to side and glue together. Repeat with other two ends for the other side of the card holder. Glue the front to the base at a right angle. Glue the back to the base also at a right angle. Now you should have a U-shaped figure. Glue the right and left sides to the base, front, and back of the card holder. Now you should have the actual card holder finished. Let dry. Add decorations such as painted Woodsies shapes, pom-poms, or anything you would like.
Tips: Felt or construction paper could be used to make the flowers as well. Attach the child's picture on the front of the holder for a decoration that any parent will love.
Favourite Christmas Yummies:
A.Bourbon Balls Cookies:
Ingredients: 3 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers (about 75); 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (about 4 ounces); 1/4 cup cocoa; 1/2 cup bourbon; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; Powdered or granulated sugar.
Method:
Mix crushed wafers, powdered sugar, pecans and cocoa. Stir in bourbon and corn syrup. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Refrigerate in tightly covered container several days before serving.
B. A box of pretzel logs dipped in melted caramel and rolled in nuts, skor bar bits, sprinkles, etc.. fudge and homemade candy are always welcome gifts, too. Wrap these all in neat decorative cellophane bags w/pretty ribbon and put them in the gift bag along with His favourite Cookies.
C.Swiss Mocha/Spiced Tea Mix/Hot Chocolate Mix: Alternatively you can purchase some canning jars with lids and fill them up with a couple of different things; in one jar you can mix up Swiss Style Mocha-
Swiss Mocha -
1 cup instant coffee; 1 cup sugar; 2 cups nonfat dry milk; 4 tsp. cocoa powder.
In another jar add a Spiced Tea Mix -
This mix makes a great gift for neighbors, the elderly, school teachers, etc.
2 26 oz. Tang; 1 3 oz. bottle Instant Tea Unsweetened; 2 8 1/2 oz Red hots; 1 6 oz. Pkg. Lemonade (Wylers); 1 cup sugar; 2 tsp. cinnamon; 2 tsp. nutmeg; 2 tsp. ground cloves; 2 tsp. allspice.
Mix all ingredients together well. Put in a sealed container until ready to assemble the gift.
To make individual gift packets: You can put into a small plastic bagS, then insert into a small muslin bag, tie with a pretty piece of Christmas fabric. With each gift make sure you add a note that states: One tablespoon + one teaspoon per cup of hot water.
And in the third jar make Hot Chocolate Mix. This mix makes a great gift for neighbors, the elderly, school teachers, etc.
Hot Chocolate Mix -
3 cups powered Sugar; 8 oz nonfat dry milk; 1 16 oz. Instant Chocolate Milk; 1 6 oz Creamora (or any nondairy creamer);
Mix ingredients well and store in air tight container until you're ready to make the individual gift packages. With each gift add a tag that says: 3 tablespoons per cup of hot water.
D.Beefy Jerky:
Plan to make different flavors of beef jerky.To cut costs, you can make beef jerky with lean hamburger. Extra hint: Make enough to share with anyone who lives with you because it smells great while baking!
Ingredients:
1 1/2-2 pounds boneless meat (can use beef, venison, white meat chicken or turkey); 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 tsp. pepper; 1/2 tsp. onion powder; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 tsp. garlic powder; 1 tsp. hickory smoked flavored salt; 1 tsp. salt.
Method:
Use lean cuts of meat, trim and discard fat. Cut 1/8-1/4" slices. Combine ingredients. Add to meat strips and thoroughly coat all surfaces. Let stand for 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain meat strips. Arrange in one layer on dehydrator racks. Dehydrate according to manufacturer's directions. Meat will turn brown and feel dry and hard to the touch. Store in airtight containers and give away as gifts on Christmas.
3.Christmas Gifts For Her:
Christmas Gift baskets:
Christmas gift baskets can be romantic as well to give your sweetheart a romantic treat on Christmas. The usual wine and cheese gift basket may also include engraved wine glasses, cheese crackers, chocolate truffles or even exotic fruits, beautiful scented candles, body lotions or, you may put in a soft toy for your sweetheart or some of her favorite chocolates. Planning to propose her? Wrap your ring so that it looks like a small gift and surprise her this Christmas!
You could also give Spa Gift Baskets containing pure fresh rosewater, massage oils(almond oil, apricot oil, nut oil, castor oil), dry skin brush or loofah, towels, simple face masks. Chocolate gift baskets are also a big favourite among the young and old alike.For those who love gardening try a Gardening gift basket.
Homemade Jewellery Kit:
Take a hand box and fill it with all the things that a girl need to make her own jewellery and accessories. Fill the hand box with items like jewelry hardware, beads, fake fur and other fabrics, small faux jewels, glitter, fabric paints, fabric glue, small mirrors, sequin, pipe cleaners, elastic strips, metal trinkets, magnetic sheet, paints, and so forth. A girl would love to do her own jewellery on her own way.
A Cookbook / 
For those who love to whip up new recipes all the time, a cookbook wrapped up beautifully accompanied by a mug or two or a set of Cutlery will do wonders.You could also present her a
.Purses/Bags: 
You can make fabulous Purses For your Spouse or Mother out of your child’s Jeans Trousers.
Materials Needed:
Old jeans or pants (Any size will work. The bigger the size, the bigger the purse!); A sewing machine (though you could do this by hand if you have the skills); Thread in the color of your choice; Ribbon; Scissors; Decorative beads or buttons(optional); Fabric Markers (optional).
Method:
Using a pair of scissors, cut the legs off of the pants right above the crotch. Turn the pants inside-out and sew across the line you just cut to make the bottom of the purse. Turn the bag right side in. Cut a piece of ribbon the length you wish the strap or handle to be. Sew each end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag at the ouside hip seam. Use some more ribbon to put through the belt loops of the pants and tie a bow. You may choose to tack the bow down with some thread. Use fabric markers, decorative beads, buttons, or anything else you can think of to decorate the bag. The possibilities are endless! Get creative!
Tips: Because this bag will likely get used, it's a good idea to sew across the bottom twice to give extra strength. If you don't have ribbon, you can use decrative rope, leather, or braided fabric scraps to make the strap.
Handmade Rosy Coasters:
Materials Needed:
Several sheets of Krazy Foam; Regular and fancy edged scissors ; Regular Elmer's Glue ; 1 inch Paper Fasteners ; Glass (to use as pattern) ; Paper for pattern, ball point pen ; Hole punch.
Method:
To make pattern: Trace around base of glass on paper. Use that circle as the center of a loopy flower. Use ruler or your eye to mark the center of the circle. Poke hole through it with pen. Draw five petals around the flower's center. (Odd numbers almost always look better.) Cut out pattern.
Use ballpoint pen to trace around pattern on two colors of foam. Use pen to mark center of flowers with a small dot. Cut out flowers, taking care to cut inside pen lines so they won't show on the cut out flowers. Fold flowers in half and use hole punch to punch holes in the centers of both flowers.Decide which color will be the top layer of the flower. Use regular or fancy scissors to cut all around the flower, making it slightly smaller than the base flower. Fold petals in half and snip small pieces out, and/or use the hole punch to create other small designs on the top flower.
Smooth a thin layer of glue on the base flower (a credit card makes a great glue "squeegee") taking care not to go to the edges which will be exposed. Lay top flower on flower base, taking care to match center holes. Press top flower firmly to base. Let dry. Repeat steps 1-5 to make three more coasters, varying the color combinations and designs as you wish.
Stack set of four coasters on top of each other, and if they are a gift, write a small gift tag, punch a hole in it, placing the hole of the tag over the holes in the centers of the flowers. Hold together by placing the paper fastener through the hole in the tag and the holes in thestack of coasters, then bending the ends to hold in place.
4.Christmas Gifts For Kids:
Personalised Stuffed Toys:
Your Kids favourite stuffed toy personalized with an Adorable outfit that says Merry Christmas / Happy Jingle-Jangle etc will sure to brighten up your child and make the gift all the more special.If you are unable to make a stuffed toy on your own, you can also buy a stuffed toy and personalize it at home.
Steps To Create One at Home:
Materials Needed:
Clothes of your choice(you will need, clothes of two contrasting colours, one for the stuffed toy and another for its dress); scissors; different colored thread and yarn ; a sewing machine if possible ; filling.
Method:
On the larger cloth draw a sketch with a light colored marker (but be sure you can see it) of the animal or person you'd like to make. Be sure to leave about a 1/4 inch of cloth that you'll sew. Cut out two figures from the sketch you've made. If you want to add anything now, go ahead. Sew the two together, leaving a hole to stuff the animal. Stuff the animal with cotton or other material. Make sure it's not too tight, and don't understuff it! (lay your head on the animal to see if you're comfortable, since many people sleep with stuffed animals, especially kids) Sew the hole closed, either by hand or with a sewing machine. Add embellishments! Take a rounded needle to make the eyes by either using a button or just stitching a circle. Add a mouth with a black yarn or draw one on! Draw ears on the same cloth (or a different one to mix it up), cut them out and sew them on. You can add pink fabric to the inside of the ear if you want to. Add anything else, like tails or whatever you want, by drawing them on a cloth and sewing them on.
How To Decorate:
Pick the other piece of cloth and according to the Stuffed animals measurements, double fold the cloth and draw out a vest or a dress for it. Cut the cloth leaving a 1 inch extra border.Sew firmly leaving the neck , hands and the bottom open.You can also sew a message like “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Holidays”, “Have Super Fun” etc.Clothe the stuffed animal.You can also buy a small cap or fix a small patch of hair on the head (avoid if the gift is meant for small children). Put it in a cardboard box, wrap it up with bright Christmas papers and tie ribbons and add a tag.
Tips:
An easy way to make the front and back of the toy identical is to fold the cloth in half, draw the design, and cut both halves out at the same time.
Try to hide messy ends of string as best you can. Sew very strongly - a sewing machine would work best. If you add a bow to your stuffed animal, sew it on tightly so that it won't fall off. If you would like a pop out nose cut three triangles and sew them all together then sew onto your animal.
Breakfast Sets:
Materials Needed:
A non-breakable breakfast set (plates, trays, mug, bowls, spoons and fork); pencil and paper: Pebeo Porcelaine 150 glaze (sold at many art supply stores); Watercolor brush or cotton swabs;
Method:
Try out a few designs on paper before decorating. When ready, lay the item to be decorated first eg mug on its side and apply the glaze, which is a little thicker than India ink, with the brush or a cotton swab. Let the painted mug air-dry for at least 24 hours. Set the glaze by baking the mug in a preheated 325 degree oven for 35 minutes. Similarly you can do the other items, namely bowls, and plates.
Tips: To keep the project cost efficient, pick up only primary colors (red, yellow and blue) and mix them to create a variety of hues.
Handmade Birthday Album: 
With so many beautiful papers and gift wrap selections available, creative album possibilities are endless.
Materials Needed:
2 mat boards, 7" square; 2 sheets of decorative paper, cut to 8" squares; 2 pieces cardstock, 6-1/2" square; 1 piece cardstock, 6-1/2" x 7"; 6 square envelopes, 6-1/2" square; 32" ribbon; Ruler; Scissors; Bone folder or scoring tool; CraftTac dry adhesive;
Method:
After cutting decorative paper to size, miter the corners for easier folding Then, coat decorative paper with dry adhesive and press over one of the mat cover boards. Fold edges of paper over and press down to secure. Repeat with remaining mat cover board. Place a piece of 6-1/2" x 7" cardstock on a flat surface and score at 1/2" intervals along the 7" side Once cardstock is scored, accordion fold to 6-1/2" x 1/2" to create the album spine. Next, glue ribbon across the center of the inside of back cover board. Then, glue one end tab of the accordion fold spine to back cover and the other end tab to inside of front cover. Use cardstock cut to 6-1/2" (square) to both inside covers to cover the tabs and ribbon tie. Next, glue six square envelopes into the accordion folds of the spine. (Note: Avoid pushing the envelope edge all the way into the slot. Leave about 1/16" from the innermost point.) When the book is opened at center, there should be three envelopes on the left and three on the right. The front of the pockets should now face the front of the book. Place glue on the righthand side of the first "mountain" fold. Align the edges of the pocket envelope with cover and press firmly into place. Attach second and third pockets in the same manner. Working backward, attach pocket 6 to the left side of the last mountain fold. Repeat with remaining two pockets, ending with pockets 3 and 4 in the same groove at center of book. Align pocket edges again and press until dry. Embellish book as desired -- stamping, decoupage, feathers, beads or mementos -- anything goes!
Creative Game Sets:
Depending on the age group of the child, you can gift him building blocks, puzzles, Money exchange games, Video games, Board games, drawing games, Mind games, word games, Team games, Guessing games, card games and plenty of other games which are available in the market. The games will be all the more fun if they are simple and easy to play reading instructions.
Handmade Piggy Banks:
Here is a fun and very messy craft to make. Gift this piggy bank to your child for storing all his loose coins/pocketmoney. Make sure to wear old clothing and cover your working area with lots of newspaper.
Materials Needed:
Homemade paste (Combine six cups of water with 3 cups of flour and heat until mixture is like thick cream. Allow mixture to cool.); Newspaper; scissors; A Balloon; Masking Tape; Cardboard or Boxboard; one cup from an egg carton; Pipe cleaner; Paint, paint brushes; varnish or Hodge Podge; .
Method:
While paste is cooling, collect your supplies. Blow up the balloon and tie a knot at end. This will be the pig's body. Cut or tear newspaper into strips. Tape the cup from the egg carton on knot end of the balloon. Cut two ears from the box board or cardboard and tape onto the balloon.
To make the legs: Cut two circles from the box board or cardboard. Cut circles in half. Take each half circle and form cones Attach the legs with tape to the underside of your piggy.
Cut and bend pipe cleaner into a curly tail and tape onto the large end of the balloon. Paste on approximately 4 layers of newspaper strips over the entire pig. Allow to dry for at least two days. Cut a rectangular coin slot in the top of your pig, then burst the balloon with a pin. Decorate with paints and allow to dry. Apply at least one coat of varnish or Hodge Podge to protect and strengthen your masterpiece.
5.Christmas Gifts For Teachers:
Velvet Journals:
Materials Needed:
Blank hardcover book or notebook; Ruler and scissors; Velvet; Fabric Stamps; Ironing board and iron; Tacky glue; Flat ribbon.
Method:
Measure the cover of your book, then cut out a piece of velvet that's just slightly smaller. Place the fabric stamp on your ironing board with the stamp side up. Put the velvet over the stamp, fuzzy side down, then spritz the back of the fabric with water. With the iron set on high, press down evenly for about 25 seconds (a parent's job). Carefully lift the iron, peel the fabric back from the stamp, and let the fabric dry. To add more patterns, repeat this process. Put glue on the back side of the velvet and attach it squarely to the front of the journal. Cover the rough edges of the velvet by gluing a strip of flat ribbon on top of them.
Tips: Although cotton and polyester velvet do work, rayon and silk velvet make the best prints. Use fabric stamps (which cost about the same as rubber stamps) because they are tested for use with high heat.
Handmade Pen/Pencil Holders:
Materials Needed:
Balloon ; Paper mache paste (3/4 parts glue & 1/4 parts water + newspaper strips) ; Strips of newspaper ; Strips of white paper (3 sheets or so of old computer paper works well) ; Red paint ; Green paper ;
Method:
Prepare your paper mache paste . Blow up the balloon until it has about a 5 inch diameter and tie it . Cover with 2 to 4 layers of newspaper paper mache and let it dry. About 24 hours to dry unless you leave it somewhere sunny and warm. Don’t cover the tied part (this will be the hole for the pens/pencils). Cover with 2 to 4 layers of white computer paper and dry. Reach through the hole with a sharp pin and pop the balloon. If you can, pull out the balloon bits. If necessary, take a fairly damp cloth and widen the hole to the desired size. The damp cloth will soften the mache so you can work with it. Crush the bottom of the holder so that it stands without help. Set the holder on a damp paper towel or damp cloth for about 15 min to soften the mache. Then push gently to make a flat surface on the bottom. Paint the holder red and let it dry. Cut two simple leaf shapes from green felt or construction paper and glue to the top of the apple.
Handmade Bookmarks: 
You can make a bookmark for your teacher. Cut a rectangular piece cardboard, the size of an ordinary bookmark. Draw on it and write a message for your teacher. You can also glue a picture of yourself and other very flat objects like a dried flower, a stamp, a sticker, etc. after that, get it laminated.
Personalised Teacher Appreciation Poems:
You can write a poem for your teacher, expressing the respect and admiration you have for your teacher, You can also draw patterns and decoarate and after that have it laminated and bound.
Handmade Paper Flowers:
Tissue paper is one of the most popular decorative paper. You can make beautiful flowers with tissue paper in no time. This economical and easy to make flowers can brighten up any room with its variety of designs and the striking range of colours. All you need is a little imagination and skill.
Materials Needed:
1 package of multicolored tissue or crepe paper; 1 package of green pipe cleaners; Scissors; Glue.
Method:
Take four to five sheets of the tissue paper and layer them (if you want multicolored flowers, use different colors). Cut into 8-inch squares. Keeping the sheets layered, take one set of squares and fold it like an accordion so it looks like a thin rectangle. At the center of the rectangle, cut a small v-shaped notch on both sides. Take the end of a pipe cleaner and twist it around the notch. With the stem pointing straight down, gently pull up one layer of tissue into the center. Pull up the remaining layers, one by one. Repeat for the other side of the flower. Once all the layers are pulled up, fluff them in place to look natural. Continue making more flowers with the remaining stacks of squares.
Tips and variations: For sturdier stems, wrap two pipe cleaners together. Cut smaller or larger squares to change the size of your flowers. Add more layers for thicker flowers or less layers for thinner ones. For a shiny effect, dip the top edges in white glue and then dip in loose glitter. Glue a pin on the back of a flower for a fluffy lapel decoration. Make smaller flowers and string them together as garland.
3.Christmas Gifts For Her(contd.):
Homemade Candles in Glass Containers:
Materials Needed:
Large Saucepan; Metal Canning jar lid rim; Coffee can; Paraffin wax; Crayons, Paint stirrer; Candle sticks(one for each jar); Thick wide mouth glass containers; Metal tongs; Plastic Beads; Tacky glue.
Method:
Set up a double boiler to melt the paraffin. Fill the bottom of the saucepan with 4 to 5 inches of water and drop in the canning jar lid rim. Then pack chunks of paraffin into the coffee can, setting it on the jar rim so that it doesn't directly touch the bottom of the pot. Melt the wax over medium-high heat, carefully adding more chunks until the can is about two-thirds filled. To color the melted wax, break half of a peeled crayon into pieces. Add them to the wax and slowly mix with a paint stirrer, then turn off the heat and let the paraffin cool for about 10 minutes (this will help minimize shrinkage when the wax hardens). Using a sharp knife, cut the candlesticks 1/2 inch shorter than the jar heights (adults only). Now, heat the jars by running warm water on the outsides but not the insides (this will help prevent cracking when you pour in the hot wax).
With metal tongs, dip the bottom of each candlestick into the melted wax and stick it to the inner jar bottom. When the candlestick ends have hardened enough to hold, carefully pour enough wax into the jars to cover the candlestick tops but not the wicks. Once the candles cool completely, your kids can glue beads to the outside of the jar, arranging them in a border around the rim, perhaps, or creating a multicolor pattern all the way around.
Painted / Decorated Flowerpots:
Materials Needed:
Terra cotta flower pots ; Terra cotta flower pot trays ; Sandpaper ; Water or oil-based ; polyurethane ; Craft paints suitable for decorating terra cotta ; Paint brushes ; Plastic cups ; Small plastic paint tray ; Stencils (optional) ; Flower pot decorating idea books (optional);
Method:
Visit your local craft store to purchase the materials necessary to decorate pots. Patio Paint is a popular brand and is ideal for use on terra cotta. Lay down newspaper in your craft area and wear something to protect your clothing from the paint. Fill a couple of plastic cups or bowls with water for brush rinsing. Sand a terra cotta pot until smooth all over. Many pots will have rough edges, particularly around the drainage hole. Remove debris and dirt from pots using a damp towel after sanding. Seal the inside of the pot with two to three coats of oil or water-based polyurethane. Oil-based will most effectively seal pots' interior and protect the decorated side from water penetration damage. Allow sealant to dry fully before you proceed to decorate it.
Tips And Warnings:
Sponge brushes work best for decorating pots as they provide smooth, even coverage and do not shed.
Seal and paint pots in a well-ventilated area to avoid exposure to potentially harmful fumes
Decorating Flower Pots:
Decide on a design. You could paint snowflakes prints, pine cones, flowers etc.Purchase stencils if you are unable to draw freehand. Paint the outside of the pot with a base color. Apply two to three coats to achieve full coverage. Allow outside of pot to dry fully before proceeding with design. Stencil your design onto the pot using a pencil. If you are an artist, disregard the templates and free-hand your design. You may want to put your design on paper first to establish your abstract ideas. Paint your design using appropriate-sized brushes. For tiny details like dots, use squeezable paints that come in a tube with a small opening. Allow the paint to dry for one to two hours, or according to the directions on your craft paint packaging. Drying time will vary based on number of paint coats and temperature and humidity of drying area. Apply two coats of water-based polyurethane sealant to the outside of the pot to protect your design and add a clear shine. Oil-based polyurethane will seal your decorated pot, but may add a yellow tint to your color.Allow your pot to dry and fill with soil and your favorite plant or flower.
Fresh Flower Arrangements/ Dry Flowers:
Though Christmas flowers encompass all the varieties of flowers including the tropical ones but still Poinsettias and Christmas Roses continue to enjoy a special place in Christmas celebration because of the beautiful legends attached to them about this particular festival.
You could make a 100 red roses arrangement for Christmas and present this arrangement to your wife, sister or to your friends. The red roses would not fail to express the deep emotions of love which you feel for the person you are gifting it to. It is one of the popular decoration items at the time of Christmas. The red roses would look beautiful if they are placed under the Christmas tree.
Favourite CD Collection/ DVD collection / IPods / Movie CDs:
Music is a part of everyday life. One cannot live without music and movie. Music adds fun in life. Add more fun into your loved one's life by gifting her their favorite music cds collection, Mp3 player, iPod or a concert ticket.
A.Potpourri:
Materials Needed (Basic Dry Pot Pourri ingredients):
For a small mix, you will need 200 ml of each of the following (all dried):rose, marigold, lavender, peony; To this, add 100ml of dried helichrysum;You will then need to add 2 teaspoons (30ml) of each of the following:ground cinnamon, dried mint, ground orris root; The essential oils needed are:4 drops bergamot oil; 4 drops lavender oil.
Method:
The amount of each ingredient you use will vary on the choice of pot-pourri you decide to make. Place the ingredients in a jar and seal the lid. This will then need to be stored for 6 to 8 weeks at room temperature, and will also need to be shaken every day to ensure that the scent and fragrance has fully combined.When done decorate with ribbons and add a tag writing the ingredients included.
B.Perfumes
You could give a small gift hamper container your spouse/Mother/Girlfriend’s favourite perfumes.
C.Scented Bath salts/ Aromatherapy Ingredients:
Materials Needed:
2 cups Epsom Salt or Dead Sea Salt - or 1 cup of each (Do not use table salts, they will dry out skin! ); 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda, if desired (Makes skin soft.); 10-12 drops of essential oil (Lavender is best for a relaxing bath, Vanilla and Eucalyptus are also fabulous!); You can also add a small amount of food coloring paste (the kind used for cake decorating) if desired, but it's not necessary;
Method:
In a large glass or metal bowl, stir together all the ingredients.After you have stirred the salt really well (do this for at least two minutes; the more you stir the more the wonderful scent begins to come through!), pour into pretty glass jars and attach lids. Use clean mason jars, baby food jars, or even spaghetti and jelly jars. Tie a pretty ribbon around the top of the jar and decorate the lid if desired. Lastly, attach a cheerful label, something like... "Spa Treatment Just for Mom!" And if you'd like to include instructions, write "Add several Tablespoonfuls of Bath Salt to warm water for a relaxing bath, enjoy!"
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