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!

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! 

  

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!