We all know it’s better to give than to receive, but sometimes it’s also more fun to make than to buy!
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite DIY crafts–everything from customized ornaments to cherished gifts to beautiful, holiday-inspired decorations.
New Year’s is just around the corner so now is the perfect time to pull out your X-acto knives and start making memories you can relive year after year or give away to your nearest and dearest.
1. Woodland Deer Pillow
(via StoneGable Blog)
How sweet is this simple pillow from StoneGable?
Perfect for newbie DIY’ers, this no-sew (!), highly customizable project (print and trace any holiday-themed silhouette) is a quick and easy way to add holiday charm to your couch or guest room this December.
2. Rustic Mason Jar Candles
(via Better Homes and Gardens)
Ah, the humble Mason jar–quietly revolutionizing the crafting scene since the inception of Pinterest.
All this jar needs is some greenery from your yard, tossed with a handful of cranberries, top it off with water and a floating candle, and you’ve got an instant, elegant table decoration.
3. Popsicle Sled Ornament
(via The Craft Patch)
These tiny sled ornaments are made from the original craft medium–popsicle sticks!
It’s the perfect project for little helpers and gives you a blank canvas to decorate on. The Craft Patch used strips of washi tape to decorate theirs, but you could paint with acrylics, top with candies, or even leave natural if you love that rustic vibe!
4. Gift Toppers
(via Country Living)
We are obsessed with kraft paper wrapping (brown paper packages tied up with string, anyone?) and love these present topper ideas from Country Living!
The only thing more fun than picking out a present is wrapping it and with ideas like yarn pom bows and paper straw trees, your friends and family will have a tough time wanting to tear through the packaging to see what’s inside.
5. Arm-knit Chunky Blanket
(via Simply Maggie)
If you’re looking to go the extra mile and give a handmade gift this year, a chunky arm-knit blanket is a quick (45-minute) and easy gift that not only looks beautiful, but is practical, too.
Watch a tutorial to get you started, then pop The Holiday in your DVD player and you’ll have whipped up a snuggly gift in no time!
6. Coffee Cozies
(via HGTV.com)
Winter and cocoa were made for each other and there are few things better at warming you up from the inside out in the cold than cocoa’s creamy, velvety, chocolatey goodness.
So give the gift of cocoa this year by making these adorable cup/mug cozies. Made with felt (and love!), they are just as effective as the cardboard guards, but way cuter and better for the environment!
7. Twine Ball Ornaments
(via The Thinking Closet)
This project is another great one if you want to put little ones to work with decoration duty.
All you need are balloons, mod podge (admit it, you know you have gallons of it in your craft box), and twine. These look great hung as ornaments on your tree or garlands, but can also be used to decorate a bowl or vase. The Thinking Closet used glitter mod podge on theirs to give this simple craft a bit of magic and sparkle.
8. Let It Snow Woodland Sign
(via Live Laugh Rowe)
Hand-painted, reclaimed wood signs are flooding the craft fair markets as of late so here’s a great starter project to give you that rustic, vintage look, at a fraction of the price.
A quick Google search can help you find snowflake silhouettes for your template and the possibilities are limitless for fun, script fonts. And why stop at just one sign? Grab a few extra feet of wood and create a series of holiday-inspired signs with your favorite sayings and designs–we love “Merry and Bright” or “Joy To The World”.
9. Clear Glass Ornaments
(via Country Living)
Tiny little winter scapes captured in a glass ornament on the tree? Yes, please!
We love the idea of creating your own ornaments to fill in a way that perfectly matches the rest of your holiday decor! From fake snow and tiny trees, to encapsulating your child’s christmas list, get creative with these unique and personalized keepsakes.
10. Paper Star Lantern
(via A Piece of Rainbow)
If you’re feeling adventurous, channel your inner Anthropologie-designer and piece together this stunning paper lantern.
This beautiful work of art will surely be a talking point, whether you display it as a centerpiece at a dinner party or hang it among the stockings on your mantle.