1
christmas tree cross stitch
Becky Luigert Stayner
Sew these simple patterns together to make gift toppers, or turn them over with festive fabric and tie with ribbon to create Christmas ornaments. Either way, the recipient will love that you took the time to create something just for them.
Get your free pattern.
2
sheet music tree
This simple yet impressive tree will be on display every year. Make your gift even more meaningful by choosing your favorite song.
How to make a music score tree.
3
gift bags for teachers
I know teachers appreciate gift cards, but sometimes they feel a little impersonal. Have your kids help make these special gift bags and include a personal note to take it up a notch.
Directions: Use a ruler to draw blue lines on the left and right sides of the white paper gift bag. Draw a red line perpendicular to the red line. Use a standard size hole punch to punch three holes to the left of the red line. Pack the gift and then fill it with tissue paper.
Related: Teacher Gifts
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Four
caroling book
If you have friends or family members who love music, create a custom book of all their favorite songs.
How to make a caroling book.
Five
thread decoration
Use these DIY yarn ornaments as a bonus gift to decorate wrapped presents, or make several and pack them together in a gift bag.
Directions: Wrap the yarn around a clear plastic Christmas ornament and secure the beginning of the yarn with a bit of hot glue until the ornament is completely covered. Thread a bamboo cocktail pick through the thread to imitate a knitting needle. Hang if necessary.
6
christmas tree cupcake
Chocolate cupcake icing tower causes feelings of joy in the person who receives this sweet treat.
Get the recipe.
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7
reindeer butterfly
8
yarn star ornament
These lovely ornaments require only two materials (plus a little glue) and can be assembled in minutes. This is a perfect DIY for beginners.
Directions: Use an X-acto knife to cut a star shape from the cardboard. Wrap the star in the thread and use a small amount of hot glue to secure the thread in position near the tip of the star until the star is completely covered. Glue the end of the thread to one point in the back to create a loop for hanging.
buy thread
9
Sugar cookie mix mason jar gift
Assemble a DIY kit for the baker in your life. Mix together the dry ingredients to make your favorite cookies (I love a good sugar cookie!) Attach cookie cutters, light shapes filled with cookie decorations, and baking instructions.
Buy light-shaped ornaments
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Ten
grinch cookies
For the fussy sweetheart in your life, treat them to a sugar-covered green sparkling cookie. Maybe their hearts will soften a little!
Get the recipe.
buy heart candy
11
santa's mason jar gift
Once you've made this Santa Mason jar, fill it with your recipient's favorite candy, cookies, or snack mix.
Directions: Paint the inside of a mason jar with red craft paint. Cut a cone of red felt and glue it to the metal ring. Make it into a hat shape. Cut a thin strip of white felt and hot glue it to the bottom of the hat. Hot glue a small white pom pom or marble to the tip of the hat. Wrap a black ribbon around the bottom of the bottle to create a belt. Place the yellow felt in the shape of a buckle on top with hot glue. Hot glue the two white buttons.
buy felt
12
snowman cupcake
No one is sad when presented with a sweet treat, and these sweet-faced snowman cupcakes are devoured in no time.
Get the recipe.
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13
baseball mason jar
DIY baseball mason jars for major (or minor) league fans and you're sure to be a hit.
Directions: Paint the outside of the mason jar with flat white craft paint. Once dry, use fine sandpaper to gently scrape off the paint. Use a fine-tipped paintbrush and red craft paint to paint the stitches on the baseball. Use brown spray paint to paint the metal lid and band of the jar. Allow to dry completely. Cut a baseball bat from brown craft paper and use markers to add details such as wood grain. Cut a small hole in one end of the bat and attach it to the jar with bread string. Fill the jar with cracker jacks and attach the lid.
buy mason jars
14
hot chocolate mug
A great DIY for kids to build for Santa or give as gifts to a bunch of sweethearts.
Directions: Pour the hot cocoa mix into the bottom of a small mug mason jar. Top with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed Starlight mint. Attach the lid.Tag with red bread string
15
fabric peppermint
Give the gift of an oversized cloth “mint” to a friend or family member who loves seasonal decorations. Looks great grouped together in a silver bowl or scattered over holiday table centerpieces.
Directions: Cut the red and white ticking stripe fabric into a 6.5″ x 4″ rectangle. Use pinking scissors to cut the decorative edges on the short ends. Hot glue two 2.2-inch wooden craft rings (you can also cut cardboard circles and glue them together). Wrap the fabric around the ring and securely tie the ends with red rickrack.
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16
Craft a snowman from beads and buttons.
These little cuties are quick to assemble with a few simple craft supplies, so make more than one and give them to all your friends and family.
How to make: Draw a snowman's face on the wooden craft beads with a marker. Thread the pan string through the brown button. Thread each end of the string through the two plain buttons, then through the front button. Make a hat by threading twine through 5 to 6 black buttons. Tie the twine near the top button to bring it all together, then tie again about 2 inches up to create a loop for hanging. Make a scarf by cutting thin strips of red felt and tying them between the top and buttons.
17
apple mason jar
Create an “apple of your eye” mason jar pencil holder for the teacher who makes your child's life fun every day.
Directions: Paint the inside of a mason jar with red craft paint. Cut an apple leaf from green craft paper and make a small hole in one end. Write a note for the teacher on the leaf and attach it to the jar with twine. Fill the jar with pencils, colored pencils, or pens.
buy a pencil
18
reindeer brownie
Baked in a muffin tin and topped with icing and candy, brownies turn an ordinary treat into something super cute.
Get the recipe.
buy muffin pan
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19
spice rub mix
Mix up a bunch of famous spice rubs (or use our recipes) to gift to the grill master or the cook in your life.
Directions: Fill a small mason jar with the famous spice rub. Attach a small wooden spoon and a gift tag (you can write instructions on how to use the rub on the back of the tag) with colorful twine.
buy a small wooden spoon
20
vintage bingo card tree
The ultimate gift for a friend who loves decorating the halls and all things vintage.
Instructions: Cut 3-5 half-tree-shaped pieces from the corresponding bingo card (one edge is flat, the other edge is jagged). Hot glue the flat end to a 3/8 inch dowel and fan out to create a 3D tree shape. Finish with a bingo tile topper using hot glue. Place the dowels in tall wooden spools for easy display.
buy bingo cards
Charlyne Mattox is the Food and Crafts Director at Country Living.
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