Homemade Holiday Gifts: #1

Did you know there are 40 shopping days until Christmas?
If you’re like me, you’re trying to figure out the perfect gift for each person on your list, while not breaking your budget at the same time.  Fortunately, there are lots of fantastic handmade gifts you can create that are meaningful, personal, and affordable too!  This week, I thought I’d share with you:
 One Artsy Mama’s Top 5 Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas
Each day, I’ll share a new idea that your friends and family will love {I hope!}.  Here’s today’s:
1. Handmade Ornaments
There are a ton of ways you can make fun, personal ornaments.  I made this one using sheet music, glitter, and mod podge on a basic clear plastic ornament.  You could also substitute dictionary pages, the Christmas story, or any other text for the music.  See a full tutorial here.
Using the same kind of ornament, some sand, and a few tiny seashells, I made this momento of our favorite vacation spot, Myrtle Beach.  Tutorial here.
I also saw some cute ideas on Pinterest…of course!  I like these and apparently it’s one more way to use Mod Podge!
Pinned Image
And take a look at these two awesome ideas; the first one uses a wedding invitation cut into strips, and the second turns a child’s handprint into cute little snowmen! 
Pinned Image   Pinned Image
Speaking of children, there are lots of ways to get little hands involved in ornament making too.  Last year, Little Crafter painted wooden snowflake ornaments that were also photo holders for almost everyone on our list.  This year, we’re going with foam…close your eyes, family…and salt dough!  I’ll be posting a salt dough tutorial next Monday the 21st, so stay tuned!
Little Crafter also had fun making a button tree ornament.  Check out my guest post today at Seven Alive to see how he did it!
Ornaments make great gifts, either by themselves, or as a cute tie-on to decorate a package.  What are your favorite ways to make them?
And speaking of ornaments, I have something exciting to announce! 
One month from today is…my birthday! 
I’ll be turning 29 for the third time!
And to celebrate, I’m going to be giving away some presents to YOU! 
In keeping with the holidays, I’m going to be hosting a massive giveaway of handmade ornaments, created by some of my wonderful and talented friends {many of whom you know} and of course, made by myself and Little Crafter too.  So far I’ve got 15 ornaments being donated, which means 15 of you will be lucky winners!  Want to contribute and help me celebrate?  It’s not too late!  Email me at dancers4life{at}gmail{dot}com if you’re interested in donating an ornament for the celebration!
Stay tuned for more of my Top 5 all week long!  And don’t forget to add your own projects and ideas to the ongoing {Our} Home for the Holidays party!  See you there!
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29 comments on Homemade Holiday Gifts: #1

  1. I am LOVD
    November 14, 2011 at 1:56 PM (3 years ago)

    Swooning over those ornaments. My heart stopped, BTW, when you mentioned how many days are left until Christmas. I’m shutting my eyes, shutting my eyes…not ready…not even close…aaawwwwwwwkkk…I feel better now.

    Reply
  2. Leslie
    November 14, 2011 at 2:27 PM (3 years ago)

    I LOVE your ornaments…I have made some in the past too by rolling up scrapbook paper so they look like spirals and used rubons on the outside!
    LOVE YOURS!
    yikes on the not so many days to Christmas!

    Reply
  3. Events DEE-signed
    November 14, 2011 at 4:49 PM (3 years ago)

    These are all some really great ideas for DIY ornaments. I had never seen the snowman handprint one before, making it my fave!!

    Reply
  5. MiMi
    November 14, 2011 at 9:55 PM (3 years ago)

    Another great idea for a handmade ornament is one of those clear balls like you put the sand in? And put sand or rice in it and teeny objects…like minis of things…and then have an “I Spy” type ornament for the kiddos. :)

    Reply
  6. Jenn @ The Former Miss
    November 15, 2011 at 1:26 PM (3 years ago)

    Love these!! I was looking for a use for all the sand and shells I brought home from our last beach vacation :) Thanks for the tips! Looking forward to the giveaway, too :)

    Reply
  9. Terry
    November 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM (3 years ago)

    Nothing better than homemade gifts for me.

    Reply
  10. Stacey
    November 17, 2011 at 1:03 PM (3 years ago)

    So many great Christmas ornaments. I’m having a terrible time deciding what we should make this year. You’ve just made it that much harder.

    Reply
  12. D @ The Shady Porch
    November 17, 2011 at 8:27 PM (3 years ago)

    I loved all your ornaments…especially the polka dots! I haven’t had an opportunity to work on Christmas projects yet and I can hardly wait after seeing all your goodies! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  13. Laura @Art For Little Hands
    November 19, 2011 at 2:59 AM (3 years ago)

    I love your homemade ornaments! I especially liked the ones that were see through and that you put memories from the year in. What an awesome idea! I need to think ahead and do some of these ideas next year. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Madness.

    Reply
  14. Brooke @ Let Kids Create
    November 19, 2011 at 6:54 AM (3 years ago)

    These are all fantastic. My favorites are the mod podged sheet music and the beachy keepsake ornament. Oh, and the handprint snowmen was too cute. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness.

    Reply
  15. Carrie
    November 19, 2011 at 8:29 PM (3 years ago)

    I love all of them and am definitely going to be trying some with Hazel. Thank you for sharing them at Crafty Moms Share!

    Reply
  16. Trisha @ clarionwren.com
    November 19, 2011 at 10:21 PM (3 years ago)

    The sand in the ornament is such a neat idea! I saw your project at TT&J. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  17. Jayma Malme
    November 20, 2011 at 1:10 AM (3 years ago)

    Great ideas! Found you through My Girlish Whims…I’m totally going to do that invitation ornament…I saw it floating around Pinterest and am glad you reminded me of it :)

    Reply
  18. Lori @ La-La's Home Daycare
    November 20, 2011 at 1:32 AM (3 years ago)

    We made the tree ornament a few years ago! Super fun and cute craft.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Lori

    Reply
  20. ivalex
    November 21, 2011 at 6:00 AM (3 years ago)

    Many sweets. I especially liked the clear ball with snow men. Thank you for your comment you left on my website. I’ll be glad to follow you. I’ve enjoyed a visit to you. Greetings from me.

    Reply
  21. Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
    November 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM (3 years ago)

    Love this list! Those little button trees are so cute – my kids would love to make them! Thanks for sharing at our Seasonal Inspiration party!

    Reply
  22. Rachel Sue
    December 2, 2011 at 8:02 PM (3 years ago)

    I would love to feature your music ornament on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

    Reply
  24. Anonymous
    December 14, 2011 at 6:13 PM (3 years ago)

    I’m so happy to be done with all my shopping early this year. My friends and I decided not to exchange gifts because everyone is broke so I only had to shop for my family. I was able to pick out gifts for my Dad and brothers from Sportsman’s Guide’s gift guide 2011, and I picked my Mom up a scarf and hat from Eileen Fisher’s holiday specials page. I ended up spending more than I wanted to, but I was really happy to be able to buy everyone something I know they’ll really love.

    Reply
  25. The Blickenstaff Family
    March 16, 2012 at 10:41 PM (3 years ago)

    Where did you get the clear ornaments you used? I can only seem to find glass ones with the pretty metal tops. The plastic ones I’ve found have less than appealing plastic hoops at the top. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Amy
      March 17, 2012 at 8:29 PM (3 years ago)

      They’re from Michaels. I’m not sure if they carry them year round or just at Christmas time.

      Reply
  27. Hassan Ashraf
    August 28, 2012 at 8:20 AM (3 years ago)

    What a nice idea. As a teacher I have never gotten such a thing and I know your child’s

    teacher will be very touched. Teachers usually get most supplies needed or will buy them or

    have specific things in mind that may be hard to know. If there are elem. age kids then

    crayons, coloured pencils, erasers, pencils, little sharpeners, prizes for the kids such as

    stickers or other little things are always needed and used
    christmas gifts

    Reply

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