(mostly) Handmade Holiday

Keep the Handmade Going

2009-12-27T08:11:00.001-05:00

Even though this blog is done, you can keep up with the homemade spirit with the projects at these websites. I would also like to thank them for providing ideas that kept this blog going throughout the year:

Craftzine
Evil Mad Scientist
Ikat Bag
Instructables
Knitty
Martha Stewart
One Pretty Thing
Sunset Magazine
Woodworkers Workshop

I'd also like to thank a couple people for their help and encouragement.

Mark F: Who brainstormed and sent links and was curious to see if there were 365 gift ideas that didn't repeat themselves.

The subscribers and folks who left comments about the various project ideas over the year. Thank you for your interest and participation!

My Mom: Who is far more talented than she thinks she is and who got me interested in making stuff in the first place.

My Mom-In-Law: Who lent me a beautiful sewing machine when mine choked and died.

And last but never least my Husband and little Buttercup who were patient, encouraging and provided both ideas and inspiration for gifts.

To see the continuing adventures in my world of handmade stuff, check out my ongoing blog Wife Soup.

Thank you for reading, and I hope that the posts here continue to inspire you to feats of handmade glory.

Photo used without permission from What-ever's Blog.

My personal Homemade Holiday Roundup

2009-12-26T08:56:00.008-05:00

So after a year of planning what to make for people on my holiday list, this is what I settled on.

The Stocking Stuffers:

Everyone got a goodie basket which included mint meringues, peanut butter buckeyes, peppermint bark (made by Husband), and pretzel pops.

I also made Christmas Crackers for everyone.

All of our gifts were put into homemade grocery bags.

My mother-in-law, Kronk- Got a photo book filled with pictures of my little Buttercup throughout the year. Husband made her a chalkboard pot.

My brother-in-law - Got handmade pajamas in black fleece.

My aunt-in-law - Also got a chalkboard pot.

The dogs - I made dog cookies for The Pack. Bacon flavored. Mmmm.

My mother - Got a photo book of her and Buttercup throughout the year and a chalkboard pot.

My father - Got homemade pajamas in blue fleece and a board game.

My sister - Got a knit sweater with bookend mock sleeves and the newest Bloody Jack book.

My niece - I made her a doll for her birthday and so for Christmas I made a colonial boy outfit. There is quite a story behind the doll and the outfits and maybe one day, you'll be able to read the whole story. She also got a pair of fingerless mitts in Gryffindor colors.

My Aunt & Cousins in the south - Got a boardgame with a homemade instructional DVD on how to play the game.

Husband - Got pajamas in green and a new mini wallet.

My little Buttercup - There were so many cool projects that I wanted to make for Buttercup. I settled on this very fun stuffed toy.

How did you do with your handmade projects?

365: A Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T10:29:00.002-05:00

Here we are back at the beginning!

This is definitely one of the odder gifts on the list and it's something that you'll give to people you don't even know. It's inspired by my sister's boyfriend, affectionately named The Man-Bot. He works in the service industry and can't join us for Christmas because he has to work. There are a lot of people out there that can't be with their families tonight for just this reason.

Gift idea 365 is to stay at home and enjoy time with your family. It's shocking how many businesses - restaurants, movie theaters, ski resorts - are open on Christmas. Of course they are open because people willing to pay to be entertained. Someone has to man concession stands and cook food and such and you know it's not the president of the company.

So, stay home. Play a boardgame with the family. Eat some leftovers. Pop some corn and watch a movie. If enough folks just stay home during the holidays, maybe some day it won't be worth it for business to be open on certain days and then the folks who are working to make sure your family has a good time can be off entertaining their own family instead.

Merry Christmas everyone and for those of you who celebrate something else, Happy Holidays to you as well.

364: Forgiveness

2009-12-24T07:47:00.004-05:00

Joking aside, the holidays are a good time to forgive and forget. Whether it's a family member you've cut out of your life or simply a friend that you're mad at, forgiveness can be a great gift not only for the giftee, but for you as well.

Photo used without permission from CartoonStock.

363: Push & Pull Toys

2009-12-23T07:46:00.004-05:00

Toys that are pushed or pulled have always been a favorite with kids and there are dozens of plans out there on the web. Some of my favorites are projects like the runner duck. I had one of these when I was younger and I loved the flapping feet. Check out the penguin variation.

This pull-along dog has joints to make it bend and wiggle and this push seal has a ball on its nose that bounces up and down.

Perhaps the coolest of the push and pull toys is the lawnmower. It makes a clacking sound and looks like a lot of fun to play with.

Photo used without permission from Canadian Home Workshop.

362: Time

2009-12-22T07:45:00.005-05:00

The gift of time. For many folks, there is no better present. Drive someone who doesn't drive. Teach someone a skill they've always wanted to have. Gather 'round the table for a boardgame. Help someone stack their wood. Or weed. Or shovel their snow. Get together and cook some meals for the week. Sit and visit.

You get the idea and it doesn't have to cost you anything but your time.

Photo used without permission from Kenyon Review.

361: Rocking Horse

2009-12-21T07:45:00.005-05:00

Alright, the Giddyup N' Go Pony from Little Tykes is pretty cool. It's also $200 and although the reviews give it credit for being well built, there are some challenges with the breaking system. And it needs batteries. Is it worth the hassle?

Handmade horses on the other hand don't need any batteries. They can be customized to the taste of your little giftee. They can have hair for brushing and felt carrots and apples for pretend feeding. Yes, a handmade horse can be just as good as the fancy manufactured kind.

I had a rocking horse with springs when I was little. This was a good time because the springs give a range of movement for little riders. The more classic rocking horse is also an option and is sure to be passed down as an heirloom. Check out these handmade rocking horses for inspiration.

Lacking the time and tools to make a rocking horse? Try making a hobby horse instead. Sure, it's a head on a stick, but it isn't stationary and encourage imaginative play.

Photo used without permission from Mother Earth News.

360: Skateboard Ramp

2009-12-20T07:45:00.004-05:00

Skaters have limited places to play. Give your favorite skate-rat their own ramp, complete with grind rail. Nope, I've got no idea what a grind rail is, but it's a feature of this ramp.

For your serious skater, check out some of these massive plans for more skating surfaces than you can ollie at. Consider turning this into a family project. Not only will your giftee get a fun playground, but you'll both get to spend time together.

Photo used without permission from Better Homes and Gardens.

359: Bird Toys

2009-12-19T07:44:00.004-05:00

Only 2 days left until Yule, 5 days left until Christmas and 6 days until Kwanzaa! Is there a bird owner (or bird) on your list? Whip up a bird toy out of wood or or cardboardrope or all three.

Remember, if you're making toys for birds, you need to do some research on what sorts of materials are safe. Birds are fairly delicate critters.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

358: Window Box

2009-12-18T07:44:00.004-05:00

Time is ticking on my own holiday projects, so I'm going to keep the rest of the ideas for a (mostly) Handmade Holiday short and sweet.

Window boxes are a lovely addition to any home and can add color and interest to a window or railing all year long - even during the winter months.

Cooks and gardeners will also appreciate this model that turns any window into a miniature greenhouse.

Photo used without permission from DIY Network.

357: Wine Rack

2009-12-17T07:43:00.003-05:00

Wine aficionados on your gift list might appreciate proper storage for their investments. This rack holds 172 bottles and is the same style that are used at winerys.

Your giftee may not need that much storage space, and this smaller rack is designed to hold 18 bottles. Folks living in very tight quarters might not have the floorspace to spare for any sort of rack. You could build a interesting wall mount model or build a shelf with wine storage on top and stemwear storage on the bottom.

Photo used without permission from Dempsey Woodworking.

356: Peg Toy

2009-12-16T07:42:00.006-05:00

More kid toys today. Mallet and peg toys aren't anything new, but kids still love whacking things with a mallet. Just make sure they're old enough to know not to whack the dog or their siblings. Mallets can be tricky things when you're young. Husband has a great story about a rubber mallet, a tire and his head, but I digress.

Remember that kids like color, so decorate away.

For a slightly less dangerous toy with the same premise, try this Box of Shapes toy. Your favorite kidlet can learn about matching and shapes and, if you paint it up right, colors too.

Photo used without permission from Lumberjocks.

355: Sandbox

2009-12-15T07:42:00.003-05:00

What kid doesn't like playing in the sand? A simple sandbox (with cat-proof cover) will provide hours of entertainment for your favorite little person.

Of course, why make a simple box when you could make a sailboat sandbox with a shade umbrella? Whatever kind of box you build, remember that kids love bright colors, so decorate your box accordingly. You can also pick up old colanders and spoons and things at your local thrift store for hours of digging and sifting fun.

Photo used without permission from Canadian Home Workshop.

354: Rustle Bag

2009-12-14T07:41:00.003-05:00

My one-year-old loves things that crinkle. She love bags. She loves putting things into bags that crinkle. This Rustle Bag project would be perfect for her.

Sure there are lots of parts, but they're all soft so they won't hurt when you step on them. You could embroider stuff on the outsides to make them pretty and you could fill them with different things to make a variety of sounds. This would keep my little one busy for hours.

Photo used without permission from Reese Dixon.

353: Paper Snowflake Blizzard

2009-12-13T07:41:00.004-05:00

Part of what makes the holiday season feel festive (at least here in Maine) is snow. Maybe someone on your gift list is wistfully dreaming of the white stuff. Perhaps your odds of getting snow are the same as your odds of winning the lottery. Break out the scissors and set aside time to make paper snowflakes, because with time, lights, and a hundred snowflakes, you can make your own winter wonderland.

This is one of those gift ideas that can be made by someone with very little money but who has the time to make something lovely. It's not at all practical but for the right person, it can be terribly sentimental.

Photo used without permission from Hope Studios.

352: Padded Hangers

2009-12-12T07:40:00.003-05:00

Padded hangers help clothing keep its shape and provide a non-slip surface to help keep clothing in place in the closet.

They are fairly easy to make and can be further enhanced by adding some dried lavender or rose to gently scent clothes.

For the person on your list who loves the flowery and romantic, you can further embellish your hangers with flowers and ribbons.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

351: Chalkboard Tablecloth

2009-12-11T07:40:00.003-05:00

Anyone who looks at the craft blogs over the last year will note how popular oilcloth has been. Oilcloth is cotton fabric, originally coated with linseed oil, now covered in plastic. It is waterproof and durable and makes great bags and table covers.

Someone had the brilliant idea of coating oilcloth with chalkboard material to create and with chalk cloth, you can make chalk clotha way-fun table cover.

This is a great gift for anyone artistic or for a home with kids (and the young at heart). Include some colorful chalk and everyone can have a good time drawing on the table during your Christmahannakwanzaa Soltice Dinner.

Photo used without permission from Oilcloth Addict.

350: Bath Apron

2009-12-10T07:39:00.005-05:00

As a mom with a child that loves to splash (and what kid doesn't love to splash), this bath apron is a fantastic idea.

Elegant in it's simplicity, it's made from a towel and two pieces of twill tape. If you're feeling bold, you could further tailor the towel to more of an apron shape with a pocket at the chest to hold a comb, lotion or stray bath toys.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

349: Donation

2009-12-09T07:38:00.004-05:00

Everyone has that person on their list who is just impossible to shop for. Is it so hard because they already have everything they want? May we all be so lucky.

Should you find yourself struggling with the perfect gift for someone, consider making a donation in their name to a worthwhile charity of their choice. National and Global charities may get a lot of press, but don't forget the charities right in your backyard. Check out JustGive.org for listings of all kinds of causes that could use your (and your giftee's) support. Be sure to do your homework once you've found an organization you'd like to donate to. While there are many selfless groups out there, there are individuals who would take advantage of generosity.

Photo used without permission from Pink Ribbon.

348: Spoon Pendants

2009-12-08T07:37:00.004-05:00

Back at Thanksgiving, I was looking over my service cutlery and noticed that the slotted serving spoons have kind of a nice pattern cut into them. If I didn't need them to dish up dinner, they would so be turned into something else.

Then, along came this project for Spoon Pendants. You get to make your own decoration in any spoon! With a Dremel! I'm so doing this when the new year comes around.

This is something I just thought up, so there is no tutorial. Put on your experiment gloves and give it a try. Take your spoon and create your pattern and then grab a set of metal letter stamps and write a message along the handle of the spoon or in the bowl of the spoon around your cut out. If you don't bend the piece around to create a pendant, you could keep it as a spoon and make it part of a beverage gift.

Photo used without permission from Craftster.

347: Dog Dishes

2009-12-07T07:32:00.006-05:00

Pets need presents too. Ok, so they won't be disappointed if there's nothing under the tree with their name on it, but dishes for pets are a great gift idea for pet owners if not their fuzzy friends.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that taller dogs digest better when their food is raised so build that Great Dane his own raised food and water dish. Of course, the dog (and owner) in question might like the style of this rustic dog feeder or maybe their style is more in line with this fancier feeder.

Embellish a ceramic or enameled bowl with your pet's name written in food-safe ceramic or porcelain paint dots. If the dot pattern doesn't inspire your creative juices, there's no reason the same materials can't be used to create a design of your choosing.

For the dog on the go, sew together a collapsible dog bowl out of oilcloth. If your giftee is more of a cat person, these gifts can be scaled for smaller companions.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

346: Baby Shoes

2009-12-06T07:31:00.006-05:00

I realize I've already sort of covered baby shoes with Idea 130: LED Firefly Booties but not everyone is inclined to wire up shoes for their baby. Fortunately, there are a ton of super cute patterns that don't require batteries. Sewers should check out this pattern for kimono shoes or Martha's felt baby shoes. There is even a pattern for Robeez-style shoes. (For those unfamiliar with Robeez, they are a soft suede shoe with an elastic back and very cute graphics. They are also around $30 a pair.)

Knit baby shoes are another option. Whatever kind of shoe you make, consider putting some non-skid fabric on the bottoms to make it easier to walk.

Photo used without permission from ElfenKnits.

345: Car Travel Kit

2009-12-05T07:31:00.004-05:00

When I bought my first car, Dad put together a bag of car essentials. New drivers, new car owners and even experienced drivers who haven't put together a travel kit can get the benefits of this gift.

A sturdy box filled with road-trip basics is a good place to start. If you happen to live in one of the states that gets a lot snow, check out the expanded suggestions for winter travel.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

344: Workshop

2009-12-04T07:30:00.007-05:00

Know someone who's feverishly working on holiday gifts from a sub-par workspace? Build them a proper workspace.

Naturally, the projects will determine what sort of workspace to build but take a look at a wide variety of spaces. You never know when the organization in a sewing room is the perfect solution for a woodshop.

Build a well-ordered workbench for the garage or basement. Turn a closet into a sewing station. Under-utilized nooks can become useful home office space. For folks with very limited space, take inspiration from crafters and build a workspace in an armoire or a cabinet.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.com

343: Guess Who Game

2009-12-03T06:55:00.007-05:00

This is really a modification of a gift that you might otherwise buy for someone on your list. The game Guess Who? is the perfect opportunity to customize pieces and make the game all about you, your family and your friends.

Finding a second hand copy of this game would be ideal, but if that's not possible, the game is still in print, so check out your local toy store for a copy.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

342: Root Cellar

2009-12-02T06:41:00.006-05:00

With the increase in home gardens, what to do with produce becomes a concern. For the avid gardener on your wish list, you could give them a root cellar.

Now, you could build a beautiful fancy root cellar like the one in the picture but, for most folks, a simple basement system will do just fine.

Section off the coldest and dampest portion of the basement and add venting and shelves to make convenient basement storage. If money is an object but you feel this is still a good idea, you can put in the labor to make a garbage can root cellar.

There's an art to storing food, so be sure to include a book on root cellars. At the very least, check out some of the resources online that talk about proper temperatures and humidity and how to store each kind of vegetable and don't get turned off by the survivalist stuff that frequently accompanies plans. Root cellars have a long and noble heritage and help keep all that hard summer work edible throughout the winter.

Photo used without permission from eHow.

341: The Etsy Cheat

2009-12-01T09:24:00.006-05:00

With only 10 days to go before Hanukkah, 24 days until Christmas, and 25 days until Kwanzaa you may be feeling the pinch on time for handmade gifts.

The website Etsy.com features all kinds of goodies that are made by hand. It's not exactly the same as taking the time to craft a gift yourself, but hey- let's be real here - when folks have to take a second job to make ends meet, time is at a premium.

Etsy has gift guides to help you find the perfect thing and if nothing is quite right, you can submit a request for etsy crafters to make a custom item to your specifications.

If you want to keep it local, you can shop by location. This also works if you want to find something interesting from away.

Put a little extra cash into the pocket of some handcrafter this season and give a gift that wasn't mass produced.

340: Story Dice

2009-11-30T08:05:00.007-05:00

Telling stories isn't just entertaining, it is also good for the imagination and for vocabulary. Story dice is a fun way to get your whole family together to share a story and a laugh. You can either print out this sheet of pre-generated pictures and glue them to wooden dice blanks or you can come up with your own designs and paint them by hand.

Photo used without permission from Scribbit.

339: Sled

2009-11-29T07:24:00.005-05:00

An idea for people who live where it snows, the sled is a classic holiday gift.

I love the styling of this oak sled but there are dozens of free plans online for everything from recycled material sleds to vintage-style toboggans to sleds that can be pulled by dogs.

A handmade wooden sled is a gift that will be passed down to generations of children to enjoy.

Photo used without permission from Popular Mechanics.

338: Trailer

2009-11-28T07:23:00.003-05:00

Hauling stuff around can be a real chore. Help make life a little easier for someone on your gift list with a trailer.

Trailers can be made for all kinds of vehicles for all kinds of price ranges. At the low end, you can build a trailer for a bicycle for about $30 in parts. If you don't have access to welding equipment, check out this trailer made with plywood and electrical conduit or this trailer made from a big Rubbermaid container.

Trailers designed to be pulled behind cars have to meet certain standards for safety, especially if they are going to be pulled after dark. Poking around the Interweb reveals lots of people willing to sell plans for car utility trailers but there are very few free plans with clear instructions. You might be able to cobble something cool together from these various scans.

The pinnacle of the handmade trailer world isn't designed to haul stuff as much as it is to sleep two comfortably. Teardrop trailers are the homemade answer to the RV. Since you're building it yourself, you can customize like crazy to fit the needs of your giftee.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

337: Weather Station

2009-11-27T07:23:00.004-05:00

This is a great gift for gardeners, outdoorsy folk, curious kids and anyone who just can't stop talking about the weather. It's a personal weather station which can be made with any combination of measuring tools.

You should include a journal to keep track of observations, an accurate thermometer (probably best to purchase one) and a barometer (either a dry or wet model). Expand on these basic tools with a hygrometer to measure moisture in the air, a rain gauge, a compass for keeping accurate notes and a combination weather vane and anemometer for wind direction and speed. Package them all together with a book on clouds and directions for how to use all the new instruments.

Photo used without permission from eHow.

336: Water Rocket

2009-11-26T06:22:00.004-05:00

Water rockets have all the fun of launching things high into the air with none of the dangerous explosives or fire. They use water and pressure to great effect and a water rocket could be just the perfect gift for your budding aviator or older giftee that just like to watch rockets take off.

Fortunately, rockets can be made from soda bottles, so you could make a whole bunch of different rockets for an afternoon of science fun.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

335: Website

2009-11-25T06:22:00.006-05:00

The day before T-day is super busy here. 15 people for dinner and so many things to chop/bake/brine! Therefore, today's idea is super short with only a couple of helpful links.

If you happen to be able to design beautiful websites and someone on your gift list has a business or has always wanted to blog or whatever, give them the gift of a website design. Or a domain name and a website. Or buy them their own server. Well, the last one may be going overboard, but you get the idea. Websites can be tricky things if you've never done one before. Someone just getting into online stuff might really appreciate your technical know-how to make their site more than just a picture and centered text.

Of course, there are a zillion places to host websites and register domain names and some of them are cheaper and better than others. Shop around. Do some research. Chances are, if this idea seems do-able to you, you probably already know where to go to register and host a website. Get crackin'!

Happy Turkey Eve!

334: Shake Flash Light

2009-11-24T06:21:00.003-05:00

Ok, this is probably outside of my skill set to make, especially since I don't understand about 1/4 of the words in the directions, but how completely cool is this? It's a flashlight that you shake to charge. Oh yeah, and it's made out of electrical bits and an old Tic-Tac box.

Did someone say MacGyver?

I'm going to have to have to get Dad to teach me what those words mean so I can make one or a dozen.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

333: Clothing

2009-11-23T06:21:00.004-05:00

To give handmade clothing as a gift, you need more than just sewing skills. You need a sense of your giftee's style. No one wants parachute pants for Christmahanakwanza. Take a close look at what your giftee wears and what colors and fabrics they like. If you feel confident that you can make something they would wear and enjoy, clothing becomes a great gift idea.

The big pattern companies have their catalogs online, so you can browse styles from the comfort of your own home. I tend to stick with Simplicity and New Look, but McCall's, Butterick and Vogue are also easily found in the US. Don't discount patterns from some of the smaller or foreign manufacturers. Making something from a pattern gives you a tested and (hopefully) clear framework and pre-determined pieces to create your garment. It is very important that you get measurements for your giftee though. Many patterns run on the smaller side and it would be a shame to make a medium when what fits is a large.

If you can't find a pattern you like, you're trying to save money or you just want to be a little more adventurous with your sewing, there are tons of talented people online who run blogs with directions on how to create your own clothes. Check out Burda Style, Modern Sewing, Love To Sew, My Mama Made It, Little Blue Boo, and Sew, Mama, Sew for projects.

Photo used without permission from Burda Style.

332: Crayon Rings

2009-11-22T06:21:00.005-05:00

There is not tutorial for making crayon rings, but Timothy Lilies has created a fun fashion accessory using (and I'm guessing here) classic resin casting techniques.

I would imagine that melted crayons would mold nicely in a cast made for resin. Having done some resin casting for miniature buildings, I can tell you that it's not all that hard. Check out Micro Mark for supplies and a basic tutorial on making a rubber mold. The process from there is pretty simple. You'll need a ring to use as a template. See how Mr. Lilies has chosen a very streamlined shape? That's the kind of thing you want to look for. Stay away from rings with lots of detail and thin sections. You could try sculpting a ring template from wax or soap if you are really industrious.

Once you have your template, it's an easy thing to make your mold. I think for these rings I'd make a two part mold that splits in the middle. The directions on the Micro Mark website (or that come with your kit, should you get a full resin casting kit, will tell you how to do this. When the mold is set up, spray it with mold release and instead of using resin, use melted crayon. You'll need to clean up any casting lines or sprue, but wax trims nicely with a craft knife.

Voila! Do a set in all the colors of the rainbow!

Photo used without permission from Future Perfect.

331: Bowling Pins

2009-11-21T06:20:00.003-05:00

I had a bowling set when I was little and I remember my Mom letting me bowl in the front hallway. I suppose she figured there were fewer things there that I could break.

This bowling pin set could be a dangerous gift (especially if your kids and the concept of "gentle" are mutually exclusive) but how adorable are the pins? It's such a simple project and way fun activity for those cold winter days. So, come on Mom! Find a spot in the house where there are few windows and even fewer knick knacks and get in the fun.

Consider starting a holiday bowling league and get the whole family involved. I suggest using the rules for Candlepin Bowling, a New England bowling variation, because the ball and pins look very similar to these fun elf guys. You can always modify the rules based on the age of your players.

If you want to have a less seasonal bowling set, consider painting your pins to look like animals, or members of your family or - for the cynical - people your giftee doesn't like. Maybe paint them in the colors of an unpopular sports team or paint each pin with garden pests (for the giftee that gardens, of course) or paint them with pictures of your child's least favorite things. Get creative and don't forget to decorate the balls too! If this is a gift for a group, make a bunch of balls so that everyone has one of their own.

Photo used without permission from The Long Thread.

330: Rainbows

2009-11-20T06:49:00.000-05:00

One of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts came from a cousin who lives on a mountaintop in North Carolina. It was back in the day when it was all the rage to give your gifts sealed in tin cans. I got this little can and it blew my mind that something could be in it other than soup but lo and behold, the tin can revealed a prism crystal.

This crystal has hung in every home I have lived in since. That's a lot of mileage for a holiday gift.

So this gift falls under the category of "mostly" handmade. I have no idea how crystals are made. I'm pretty sure it's magic. Or robots. What I can tell you is that a trip through your local salvage shop or "gift" store should uncover crystals, either reclaimed from someone's old chandelier or new ones under bright lights so that they catch your eye. You might even be able to find some on eBay or Etsy.

Once you have your crystal, add your mono-filament thread, and wrap it up. Perhaps in a cool box you made yourself. Or, go wild and get a bunch of prisms to make a rainbow curtain. While there isn't much that's homemade about this gift, it's a small, potentially recycled thing that has the power to bring a lot of joy during those long winter days to come.

Photo used without permission from A Storybook Life.

329: Pencil Holder

2009-11-19T11:07:00.005-05:00

Tell someone you're giving them a pencil holder and their response will probably be politely enthusiastic. After all, there's not much that is sexy about a pencil holder right? Not necessarily. A quick dig around the web shows that recycled cans can be made quite lovely.

Take these tiled tins for example. The author of the tutorial used a hot wire and some foam, but check out the notes at the bottom of the first page. Folks have had pretty good success with the "fun foam" that is available in packs at the craft store.

There are lots of other objects that can be recycled into pen/pencil/marker caddies like these CD cases or these old floppy disks (great for retro geeks) or even old chip or oatmeal cans. Get really recyclable crazy and turn an old phone book into a pencil holder - only we'll take ours decorated please. Little paint. Maybe some rubber stamps or other scrapbooking embellishments. Yeah. That could look great. Woodworkers can even get into the act and use scrap lumber to make fancy pencil holders.

This makes a great gift project for kids and could be combined with Idea #241: Decorated Pens. Handmade holidays are about putting in the time, and with a little time, this seemingly simple idea can be appreciated for years to come.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

328: Kitchen Towels

2009-11-18T10:57:00.000-05:00

Anyone who loves to cook will tell you that you can never have too many kitchen towels. Create your own customized kitchen towels and give them as gifts or as the wrapping for a gift.

You can purchase towels and add appliques or loops for hanging to spice them up. You can go all out and make your own towels from soft and heavy cotton, linen, waffle weave or terrycloth.

Photo used without permission from Kojo Designs.

327: Butterfly Finger Prints and other gifts from small hands

2009-11-17T06:09:00.001-05:00

The first gift that I remember creating was way back in preschool. Each of the kids in the class got to stick their hand in paint and place it on a piece of paper that contained a "poem". Some my hands are small and one day all the little fingerprints in the house will be gone, but here's one for the road kind of thing. Very sweet and sentimental and the kind of thing that makes moms and grandmoms get all misty. I'm looking forward to my first "hand print poem".

So there's the premise. If there is a little somebody in your world who wants to make gifts, let them use their hands. With a little help, little hands can make plaster imprints of their palms, or even 3-D casts of hands (or feet).

Little hands can also be dipped in paint and put on paper to make cards or pictures. With a little more help, you can get very artistic with your hand art. Use handprints to create critters or nature scenes. My favorite is the butterfly collage with fingerprint spots. Imagine blue and black butterflies with iridescent spots.

Photo used without permission from Mintage Home.

326: Packaging

2009-11-16T08:38:00.004-05:00

It's a sad fact that most gift packaging gets thrown away. That's a crazy amount of wasted paper when you think about it. Trouble is, even though it is terribly wasteful, I love all those wrapped presents beneath the tree. The paper... the ribbon... the smell of tape...

Ahem. Sorry.

So, the environment aside, what if the box your gift comes in is as cool as the gift itself?

Take this lump of coal gift box idea. It's a fun way to package a small gift and can either be a keepsake or get saved to give again next year.

Package your gift in a fabric bag or tote bag. Thin fabric bags can be reused for future gifts or can be turned into produce bags for use all year. Tote bags are dead useful all year long.

For the sewer on your list, wrap your gifts in a colorful bit of fabric. Try using this method of wrapping without tape to keep your gift properly packaged. Use pieces of fabric ribbon to decorate the package. Both of these items can end up as gifts to you next year.

While I'm on the subject of packaging, you should consider making gift tags for your items. Not just tags that indicate who the present is for, I'm taking about a tag attached to your gift that not only points out the homemade-ness, but that also mentions what it is, how it works, what's in it and how to take care of it. I have a neighbor with a wheat allergy, so I make sure to include a tag with the treat basket I send that shows which goodies are safe for him to eat. If I were to make a Hogwarts House Scarf for someone, I'd want to point out that it was specifically a Hogwarts House Scarf and include washing instructions. Never assume that your gift is obvious. In the sleep-deprived, sugar-enhanced glow of Christmahanakwanza morning, your giftee can overlook the subtle elements of their present.

I will, of course, have a ton of wrapping paper left scattered about when the holidays are done. While this isn't exactly a gift idea either, it can help save you some cash next year. No, I'm not ironing paper to reuse (although you could). I sort all the paper by color, clean out the paper shredder and create my packing material for next year. It's worth the hassle to separate the colors so that your packing material is all blue or all red. When you mix the colors, the packing material comes out looking rather... well, brown. Chuck it in a trash bag and store it in a corner of the garage or basement until the holidays roll around again.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

325: Recycling Center

2009-11-15T12:55:00.002-05:00

Recycling bins don't have to be an eyesore. Give someone the gift of a handsome recycling center to keep their backyard looking tidy.

If your giftee doesn't have a backyard, but recycling is still a part of their routine, try your hand at a kitchen recycling center - great for basements and garages too!

Photo used without permission from Sunset.

324: Velco Catch Game

2009-11-14T09:03:00.003-05:00

Velcro Catch sets are kind of pricey, especially when you consider that it is just a circle of fuzzy material and a ball with scratchy-side Velcro on it. DIY to the rescue!

Velcro Catch sets can be made with a Wiffle Ball and a pair of knit gloves. If you didn't want to use gloves (or found some festive fabric), you could make mitts with a fuzzy material that sticks to the scratchy-side Velcro.

Make up a bunch of mitts and have a family game of Velco Catch Football or invent a system of points that can be scored for different kinds of fancy catches. For example 1 point for a regular catch, 3 points if you catch the ball with the back of your hand, 5 points if you catch the ball behind your back, 7 points if you catch the ball under your leg. Write the rules of the game down so that everyone knows how to play and package them all together in a set. Remember, it's the little details that turn a handmade gift into an extraordinary handmade gift.

Photo used without permission from Craftzine.

323: Multi-Purpose Staff

2009-11-13T12:09:00.005-05:00

This staff is more than just an aide to your walking. It's also a seat with upcoming directions for a light and a compartment for storage.

At 6 feet tall, it's probably a gift idea for your larger friends and family but I say experiment with the height of your stool and make one for the younger/shorter crowd as well.

Photos used without permission from Instructables.

322: Porch Swing

2009-11-12T08:19:00.004-05:00

Is there anything more relaxing than sitting on a porch swing watching the world roll by? OK. You probably don't want to do that in December in Maine, but for at least 6 months of the year, porch swings can be enjoyed here. Your giftee's swinging mileage may vary.

There are a few different style online that I think are worth pointing out. There is the classic-look swing of course, which can be found with slight variations if you poke around woodworking websites. I also found this Gothic-looking swing. Even if your giftee doesn't own a porch, you can still try your hand at making a swing that rests on a frame instead of attaching to the house.

Don't forget to include some weather-friendly pillows or a seat cushion.

Photo used without permission from Lowes.

321: Salt Crystal Trees

2009-11-11T19:41:00.004-05:00

Science kits always found their way into my Christmas stocking. Oh what wonderful geeky fun can be found in an ant farm or a magic crystal tree set! While these gifts are neat, did you know that with a few parts and ingredients, you can make your own magic crystal tree kit? That's right! Give the gift of science right from your own kitchen and craft room. Your favorite little geek will thank you.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

320: Cargo Scarf

2009-11-10T09:23:00.002-05:00

I've written about knit scarves and fashion scarves, but this scarf is just so cool and different that I think it deserves it's own feature. This is a Cargo Scarf and there is a certain brother-in-law that is getting one of these from me this year.

It has pockets for pens, keys, cash, cards and more. I think I'll include a Velcro closure to make sure valuables stay in their pockets and I'll also put pockets on both sides so that one end of the scarf isn't heavier than the other end. Really clever!

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

319: Doghouse

2009-11-09T12:09:00.004-05:00

My own beloved Muttley is welcome in the house. And on the sofa, for that matter but the invitation to come inside isn't universal with all dog owners. Outside dogs need a place to escape the elements too, so why not build your favorite pooch (and his owner) a doghouse?

There are lots of plans online from simple lean-to's to your "classic" house, from houses with porches to the elaborate Chateau de Fido.

Once you have the house built, pimp it out to make it the coolest doggy pad. I adore what they've done with the dog house on Sweet Cottage Dreams. It's embellished on the outside with old dog tags and bones. It has a nifty brass hook for hanging collars and leashes. It has a planter with succulents just below the ventilation window. On the inside, the walls are whitewashed and decorated with pictures and shelves with biscuit tins. Of course, the floor is carpeted and cushy pillows abound. Where can I get one of these for me?

Photo used without permission from Sweet Cottage Dreams.

318: Custom Mailbox

2009-11-08T10:24:00.005-05:00

Many folks have mailboxes and for the most part, they are simply a box on a post. If you live in Maine, it's a box on a post that the plowtruck takes out each winter. Why have a boring mailbox though? By customizing a mailbox, you give it character.

The post office has some specific ideas about mailboxes, so you'll need to work with those guidelines. Building a flowerbox around the base of the box is an easy way to decorate without making mail carriers cranky. You could also paint the box to further customize it. Fill the box with perrennials or plant annuals and change them with the seasons.

317: Calligraphy

2009-11-07T11:01:00.004-05:00

Calligraphy requires patience, time and a steady hand. If you have these qualities, a gift of calligraphy might be the perfect thing for someone on your list.

I encourage you to click on the picture to get a better look at the stunning beauty of the letters and the colors used in this piece. Then, spend a little time browsing through digitized copies of early manuscripts. You don't need to know book names or authors or locations. Pick a language or a country that interests you and see what's available. Once your head is swimming with the fabulous images, it's time to begin.

Choose a subject to illuminate; something that your giftee has an interest in. It could be elaborate, like a passage from Tolkien or the Gettysburg Address or your giftee's wedding vows. It could be simple, like a favorite proverb, or a holiday greeting, or even just the alphabet. If you're familiar with calligraphy, you'll probably have alphabets that you enjoy. Do a sketch for your finished piece and get started.

If you're new to calligraphy, start by finding an alphabet that you like and doing some practice letters to get comfortable with writing in a particular style. I've always loved the book Medieval Calligraphy, but there are online sources for lettering as well. Once you're feeling comfortable with the letters, give some thought (and sketch time) to decoration. Perhaps you like the foliate found in medieval European or animals in Arabic and Indian manuscripts. Maybe Asian styling is more to your giftee's taste. Even black-and-white flourishes can enhance your design. Or, you could forget about the ancient stuff and try your hand at a more contemporary piece.

Use smooth, heavy, quality paper. Ink is typically used for lettering, but watercolors or gouache are sometimes used for decoration. Metallic paints can also add lovely touches to your piece. It's always a good idea to have a couple pieces of paper just in case you have a mistake that can't be fixed. Spelling, grammar and punctuation count.

When your piece is done, protect your work with a frame or a sturdy folder or envelope or even scroll case. As with many things, calligraphy only gets better with practice, so practice lots to create a lovely and treasured gift.

Photo used without permission from Artisans of the Valley.

316: Bed Warmer

2009-11-06T07:28:00.001-05:00

Cold winter nights mean cold beds and cold feet. I know my husband would appreciate it if I had some way to warm what he lovingly calls my "trout feet" that did not involve his legs. This might do the trick.

Bed warmers aren't anything new. Once upon a time, hot coals from the fire were used to warm the sheets and blankets before bedtime. Today, your gift bed warmer can be made with rice or corn and heated in the microwave. Add some dried lavender or mint for aromatherapy action.

Photo used without permission from Make It Do.

315: Mini Travel Games

2009-11-05T09:28:00.003-05:00

Tired of your family spending more time texting rather than actually talking? Whip up a batch of these pocket-sized travel games and play a game of backgammon or tick-tac-toe on your next outing.

The pieces are all magnetic and the tin closes up to keep everything together.

Photo used without permission from Instructables.

314: Soup Wreath

2009-11-04T09:14:00.004-05:00

A soup wreath is a fun way to add flavor to soups and stews. This is essentially a bouquet garni built in the shape of a circle. Whatever herbs you'd put into your bouquet garni can be used to make your soup wreath. I like this tutorial from The Herb Companion which not only includes multiple wreath combinations but soup recipes as well.

This is another gift idea where packaging plays an important role. Give a couple of wreaths stored in an airtight container and include recipes so that your giftee knows what to do with them.

Photo used without permission from Herb Companion.

313: Tree Skirt

2009-11-03T17:38:00.006-05:00

This idea won't really help if you don't have a tree in your house for the holidays, but a tree skirt can be an excellent present for someone on your list who likes a bit of indoor greenery. Really nice tree skirts are prohibitively expensive. I know. I drool over them every year when the holiday catalogs start filling the mailbox.

For a fraction of the cost, you can make a beautiful, custom skirt. This quilted tree skirt is much more hip than anything you could buy in a store. Consider embroidering names on various parts of the skirt to make it unique. Felt, stars and trim can be quickly turned into a lovely starry tree skirt.

This list has a bunch of patterns for tree skirts - everything from old-fashioned crocheted skirts to elegant velvet skirts with appliques around the edge.

UPDATE 11-19-09: This tree skirt design also comes with instructions for a sweet table runner.

Photo used without permission from Sew, Mama, Sew.

312: Rubix Cube

2009-11-02T09:02:00.004-05:00

Ah, the ubiquitous Rubix Cube. They make great stocking stuffers but why give a boring cube? Why not customize it?

You can always cover the colors with custom artwork or photos. My favorite hack might just be this Blind Man's Cube. Math puzzle fans might enjoy this SudoKube which is a really clever twist (no pun intended).

Photo used without permission from Away To Me.

311: Sideboard

2009-11-01T07:55:00.004-05:00

This clever sideboard project bodges together stock cabinets, feet, knobs and molding into a lovely and useful piece of furniture. This is a great gift for anyone who loves to entertain and needs a place to store linens, serving platters and silverware.

My dining room is rather narrow, but I have a corner that could use a piece like this. If your giftee is in a similar situation, perhaps you can use cabinet pieces designed for corners to create a useful, customized sideboard.

Photo used without permission from This Old House.

310: Frozen Food

2009-10-31T08:58:00.002-04:00

Busy families, older folks and kids who are newly on their own all appreciate a homemade meal that they didn't have to make. Cook up some meals, freeze them and give them as gifts.

There are tons of recipes out there that freeze well. Casseroles are particularly easy. Check out these freezable comfort foods from Martha or these lower fat recipes from Cooking Light. You could also make up parts of food to get combined with sauces later like a batch of ravioli or pirogi. Since New Year's Eve is right around the corner, you could also whip up a selection of hors d'oeuvres - use this article about commercial hors d'oeuvres as inspiration for the kinds of things you can make.

Finally, packaging becomes very important when giving frozen foods. Freeze things like hors d'oeuvres or ravioli seperately so that your giftee can grab what they need without taking the whole bunch. Be sure to protect your foods from freezer burn by wrapping them tightly with freezer paper or freezer bags and don't forget to label your foods with what the dish is, how long and what temperature to cook it, and if there is anything special that needs to happen, like removing foil to let cheese brown. Either create your own labels or use these.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

309: Sweater

2009-10-30T10:04:00.006-04:00

No time for exposition today. Have Halloween costumes to finish. You still have time to knit someone a sweater. Check out sites like Knitty or Knitting Pattern Central. Crochet a sweater at Crochet Pattern Central.

Ok. Now get going!

Photo used without permission from Knitty.

308: Watchband

2009-10-29T09:13:00.004-04:00

If you're going to bother to wear a watch and keep track of time, do it with style. Keep your giftees from having boring watchbands by making something more interesting.

Beaded watchbands are as easy to make as a beaded bracelet and the elastic band makes it a snap to get on and off.

Ribbon can be used to create not one but two-in-one watchbands. With the variety of ribbon out there, you could do a watchband for each month of the year.

Of course, leather is the classic watchband material but you can experiment with other materials like safety pins or paracord.

Photo used without permission from LoveToKnow.

307: Pomander

2009-10-28T08:19:00.004-04:00

Pomanders are a gift from the middle ages, when people would wear them to deflect rank odors. Originally, they were made of metal and filled with things like ambergris and musk. More recently, they have been made with citrus and cloves.

The process is really simple and could be a gift project for kids. You'll need an orange or lemon, cloves and some other assorted spices to aide the drying process. The scent of a finished pomander is heavenly.

Your pomander can be completely covered in cloves, like the ones in the project link or you can try out some geometric designs like these wide stripes or spirals and zig-zags (#7 on the slideshow).

Photo used without permission from Frogwosh.

306: Room Screen

2009-10-27T08:40:00.000-04:00

Room screens can help hide ugly features in a room, break a huge room up into two smaller rooms, or add a decorative element that can change with the seasons.

In a couple of hours, you can whip up a screen from salvaged hinges and shutters. Use this same technique to create panels with frames and fill them with seasonal pictures or photos of friends and family. If you're feeling a little more daring, give this fabric and wood divider a try. There is a mini tutorial for it in the comments section.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

305: Tesla Radio

2009-10-26T08:28:00.002-04:00

This is a gift of supreme geekiness, but perfect for anyone who loves science, experiments and strange sound effects. It's labeled as the Spooky Tesla Spirit Radio (it is almost Halloween, after all). You could give this as a plug-and-play gift or as a kit that your favorite sci-geek can assemble.

Check out the video and see all the different things this crystal radio circuit in a jam jar will pick up - even AM radio signals!

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

304: Cold frame

2009-10-25T08:46:00.004-04:00

One of the most useful handmade gifts I have ever recieved is a cold frame. For the non-gardeners out there, a cold frame is a box with a glass lid that you put over vegetables in the late fall or early spring to help protect them from the cold wind and temperatures. With a cold frame in the garden, you can extend your growing season to year round.

There are lots of plans online, such as these plans for this simple and small hoop house, but to do it up right, I recommend you go visit these plans by Mr. Four-Season-Gardening himself, Eliot Coleman.

Photo used without permission from Vegetable Gardener.

303: Candle Holders

2009-10-24T08:40:00.003-04:00

Candle holders are an easy and inexpensive gift that will be loved by everyone on your list.

Wrap plain candle holders in papyrus or paper and colorful twine. Spraypaint unfinished wood candle holders. Use a paint pen to create designs on glass. Stack kitchen tins with a little hot glue and ribbon. Combine snazzy accents with a painted 4x4. Add paper shades to wine glasses. Grab your plyiers and twist a piece of wire into artful shapes. Smear Snow-tex on a glass globe and make a glowing snowball. Knit a candle cozy. Turn mason jars into hanging lanterns.

The only thing to remember when creating your candle holder is that whatever materials you use, they should be kept far enough away from the flame that they won't catch fire. There are some "flameless" candles out there that could be a safe alternative.

Photo used without permission from Better Homes and Gardens.

302: Knitted Throw

2009-10-23T09:21:00.004-04:00

Knitted throws are the perfect thing to snuggle with on cold winter nights. Why not create one for someone on your list? Your patterns can be plain or something with texture. There's a full list of knitted throw ideas on Knitting Pattern Central.

Crochet throws are another option. There are a bunch of patterns at Crochet Pattern Central. I like this granny square afgan quite a bit. It reminds me of stained glass.

But what if time has become short and you still want to give a throw? No problem! Head over to your local thrift store and pick up 6 or 8 interesting sweaters and sew up a cozy throw. Easy peasie!

Photo used without permission from Woman's Day.

301: Dressing Vanity

2009-10-22T07:21:00.000-04:00

Architectural salvage can be re-purposed into so many new things, it's a shame that anything is ever thrown away.

This Dressing Vanity is made from an old door. Keep your eyes open for an interesting piece, with or without the glass intact. With a little elbow grease, doors can be stripped of old paint and refinished. A mirror can be bought to replace the glass in the window. Hooks can be bought in most hardware stores or online at places like Lee Valley or Pottery Barn. In no time, what was once a piece of trash can be turned into a beautiful piece of furniture.

Photo used without permission from This Old House.

300: Fashion Plate Rubber Gloves

2009-10-21T07:37:00.001-04:00

We've reached post 300! Only 65 more ideas to go and just when I think there can't possibly be any new ideas out there, I stumble upon something else.

These gloves crack me up and maybe you know someone who would appreciate the humor (and excellent fashion sense) that they provide. The title of the post is "Not Your Mama's Rubber Gloves". I think these are the perfect stocking stuffer for my stylish and whimsical Mom-In-Law.

Photo used without permission from Little Birdie Secrets.

299: Bug Box

2009-10-20T11:50:00.005-04:00

It seems that kids either love bugs or are terrified of them. I think this gift idea could be delightful for either camp.

This Bug Box is made with plastic canvas. This one is made with a recycled milk carton. And this one (perhaps my favorite) turns caught bugs into living, wearable jewelry. Kids who love bugs can make a home for their favorite creepy crawlies and kids that are scared of bugs have a chance to observe them close up while maintaining their distance.

Pair this idea with Idea 79: The Spider Rifle and make bug catching a sport!

Photo used without permission from Family Fun.

298: Tin Can Phone

2009-10-19T09:34:00.003-04:00

Can non-electronic toys still be fun to kids in a world where everything seems to have an ON button? I'd like to think so. Take the Tin Can Phone for example. With two cans and a string, you can get both entertainment and education.

If I were going to give this as a gift, I'd put it together as a kit for kids to assemble themselves. Wash out two cans, make sure there are no sharp edges and punch a small hole in the bottom of both cans. Include a 12 foot length of fishing line and some stickers to decorate the cans. OH! Or perhaps some large, blank labels and markers. Or glitter and glue! Don't forget to include a how-to sheet so you giftee knows how to put them together.

To enhance the education qualities, you could include a sheet talking about how the phones work. Planet Science also has some interesting insight on the Tin Can Phone. Package the whole business up nicely and let the conversations begin!

Photo used without permission from RealSimple.

297: "Firefly" Jar

2009-10-18T08:57:00.002-04:00

Is there someone on your list that spends the winter pining for long summer days and warm summer nights? Give them a little piece of their favorite season all year long with this jar of LED "Fireflies".

This project is similar to the sunlight jars and makes a great nightlight for someone who might be scared of the dark and want some company.

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

296: Notepad

2009-10-17T08:43:00.004-04:00

As a compulsive list maker, I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't like a fun notepad in their stocking or stocking equivalent.

Skip To My Lou has a fabulous tutorial for making a magnetic notepad. Silicone sealant to make tearaway sheets is brilliant! The same technique can be used to make a photo notepad.

These matchbook-sized notepads are simple to make and fit easily into even the smallest of purses.

If time is truly short, pick up plain note cubes and decorate the edges. This is a great gift project for the kids.

Photo used without permission from Skip To My Lou.

295: Magnetic Paper Dolls

2009-10-16T07:37:00.001-04:00

Remember paper dolls? I don't even know if they make them anymore but this project is a fantastically clever twist on that old classic: a paper-doll-meets-Colorforms.

These are magnetic paper dolls and everything about them is customizable. You'll need a head-to-toe picture of your giftee in a bathing suit and for optimal customization, they shouldn't be holding anything.

Not only does LiEr give you her tips for making this fun personalized toy, but she also made bags to contain all the pieces. I think I want one for me.

Photo used with permission from Ikat Bag.

294: Concrete Garden Decorations

2009-10-15T09:16:00.002-04:00

Concrete elements can add a sense of weight and elegance to even a small garden. Your giftee gardener can tell you that concrete sculptures are not cheap - but with a little DIY action, they can be.

A cheap glass lighting cover and concrete can be turned into very cool decorative elements for the garden.

More practical but no less pretty in the garden, are concrete planters. They can be made to look like stone or more polished like these concrete paver planters.

Add a final touch by creating a "moss shake" and applying it to your new concrete piece and watch the moss age it gracefully.

Photo used without permission from Design Sponge.

293: Welcome Mat

2009-10-14T06:57:00.002-04:00

Welcome mats are a welcome addition to any home, especially since ice, snow and mud are on their way. Crochet a mat from leftover and recycled twine.

Use acrylic paints, spray varnish and a plain mat to create your own custom design welcome mat. Make your design seasonal or pick something that is usable all year.

While there is no tutorial for it, put your clever hat on and build one of these message mats. It looks to me like equal-sized squares are cut out of a plain mat. These squares are then stenciled with letters so that custom messages can be spelled out to welcome (or repel) visitors. The pattern looks like 7 squares across and 3 squares down with a 1-inch border between the letters. It also looks like the mat was backed by a layer of plastic or rubber to create a base for the stenciled letters to rest on.

Photo used without permission from CraftStylish.

292: Cardboard Furniture

2009-10-13T09:40:00.004-04:00

Want to give a lovely piece of furniture? Don't have a lot of money to put toward it? Never fear! Cardboard is here! That's right. Cardboard, glue and paint can become sturdy and unique furniture. Check out this end table. Yup. Cardboard.

This Instructible for designing cardboard furniture has a stunning circle bookshelf. Unfortunately, there are no instructions for how to make it but cardboard is cheap. Experimenting is definitely an option.

Make has some interesting tutorials and ideas for chairs. Even toy furniture can be made using cardboard, like this play kitchen set.

For some inspiration, check out the Cartonnistes, a French group that takes cardboard furniture to new heights. There is even a book (in French) for building cardboard furniture.

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

291: Adopted Pet

2009-10-12T09:25:00.004-04:00

While you can't make a dog or cat (or other animal of your choice), you can make room in your home for a pet. Now, giving animals as gifts is never a good idea unless you've given it a lot of thought. Pets require time, space and money and if your giftee doesn't have these to spare, you need to move on to the next m(HH) idea. Never ever ever give someone a pet as a gift unless you've discussed it with them first.

That warning said, pets can be a wonderful addition to your house and there are lots of animals at your local shelter that need good homes. There are usually puppies and kittens, but consider an older animal. They are often already housebroken, a little more settled but still full of energy and fun. They are frequently less expensive to bring home since many overcrowded shelters will waive fees for older pets.

One last thought: rather than bring a strange animal into your home right before a crazy busy time, give biscuits or a toy as a representation of the future pet and make plans to pick someone out after the holidays are done. This way, your giftee can get to know their new friend in a more settled, quieter environment.

Photo used without permission from Franklin County Animal Control.

290: Headboards

2009-10-11T09:32:00.003-04:00

I have been seeking a headboard for the last 15 or so years. In the early days of my search, I couldn't afford one (or so I thought). These days, there are so many options for handmade headboards out there, that I'm having trouble making a final choice.

If you're giftee is more decisive than I am, you might be able to build a headboard for them. Some styles include padded headboards with tufts or without. Architectural salvage, like mantles and doors. Get wild and do a painting on a canvas headboard.

Even if they don't skate, kids will love this headboard made from skateboard decks. In a dark room, this lighted headboard would be great.

Even something as simple as an interesting piece of fabric or more complicated, like a quilt, can be turned into a great headboard.

Traditional wood headboards are a possibility if you have the tools and headboards with storage are great for folks who need a little extra room. See why I have trouble picking out just one?

Photo used without permission from Tchochkes.

289: Jewelry Box

2009-10-10T08:21:00.003-04:00

Useful jewelry storage is crucial to finding the proper accessory for any outfit. This Vertical Jewelry Box lets necklaces hang instead of tangling together in a box. It was based on this jewelry box made from a silverware tray.

Recover an old box with pretty papers to make a jewelry box worth giving (if you can bear to part with it). This velvet covered box has a great woodland theme that would look lovely on any dresser.

I really love this unusual wooden jewelry box. There also directions for a more traditional style box if that suits your tastes.

Photo used without permission from The Crafty Clique.

288: Box o' Hug

2009-10-09T11:47:00.005-04:00

This is one of those ideas that hit me at first as cheesy, but the more I think about it, the more applications I can see which might make this a great gift idea after all. You see, it's a Hug in a Box. It goes like this: You wrap a box and attach this poem:

"This is a very special gift
That you can never see
The reason it's so special is
It's just for you from me.
Whenever you are lonely
Or are ever feeling blue
You only have to hold this gift
And know I'm hugging you.
You never can unwrap it
Please leave the ribbon tied
Just hold the box close to your heart
It's filled with hugs inside."

Kinda cheesy, right? Some of the photos that people sent in of their version of this project show what looks like really small packages. These must be those people who give you a shoulder hug. You know the ones. They grasp your shoulders lightly and lean in or when they hug you, they pull in their elbows and scrunch their shoulders together so that you can't really get close. I'm not that kind of hugger.

If I were going to give a hug in a box, that would have to be a big box that you could really wrap your arms around. And since I intend the box to really be squeezed, there would have to be something inside the box that was squishable, so that it doesn't feel like you're just crushing a box. And if I were going to go to the trouble of finding something that was squishable to go into the box, I might think about making a stuffed gift box (with some modifications from a cube tutorial) from festive fabric. AND since when I give a hug there is usually some swinging and humming, I might take inspiration from this tutorial and really make my hug in a box something more than just an empty box.

You see what I mean? With a little extra thought and effort, some of those gifts that could come off as cheesy might actually turn out to be kinda cool.

Photo used without permission from Jennifer B.

287: Monthly Floral Arrangement

2009-10-08T09:29:00.004-04:00

Monthly flower arrangements make a wonderful gift, but they are ridiculously expensive, even for a 3 month plan. However, if you have a flower garden, you can create your own arrangements each month to give as gifts.

Start by swinging by your local dollar store or thrift shop and pick up an assortment of jars and vases. You'll be shocked at some of the bargains you can get. Then take a trip into your local craft store and pick up a roll of floral tape, some floral Styrofoam blocks and perhaps some of those glass beads. These supplies will make it easy to put together your arrangements over the year.

There are some good tutorials for creating arrangements like these from Save-on-crafts, Lowes, and, of course, Martha. If you've already got the know-how, Martha also has billions of great ideas for all kinds of arrangements.

Don't have a yard with flowers? Think you can't give an arrangement each month? Guess again! You can get really beautiful silk flowers and if you keep an eye out for weekly sales, they won't cost a fortune.

Photo used without permission from Martha Stewart.

286: Pass The Pigs Game

2009-10-07T07:34:00.001-04:00

Pass the Pigs is a crazy little game where players take turns tossing model pigs and scoring points based on how they land. You can print up the rules from this Pass The Pigs site and the tutorial for these super cute crochet pigs comes with instructions for making the carrying case and a printout of the scoring.

If you didn't want to crochet pigs, you could find little plastic pigs and package them up nicely with a copy of the rules.

Photo used without permission from Roman Sock.

285: Lightsaber

2009-10-06T07:36:00.003-04:00

All these years later and it still amazes me how many kids are totally into Star Wars. The kids at our store love to have mock battles with foam lightsabers like these.

If I were going to make a lightsaber for a Star Wars fan, I think I'd make one that lit up. Who wouldn't want a lightsaber that actually lit up?

Finally, for a realistic looking prop that could be used by your favorite geek to make movies, check out these plans which are used in this video.

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

284: LED Concert Lighter

2009-10-05T08:24:00.004-04:00

It is a new era in concert going. With the decline of smokers and an increase in security restrictions, music lovers have had to find new, technologically advanced ways to show their love of the band. In case your giftee doesn't have an app for that, you can give them a bit of old school lighter action with a modern tech twist.

This LED Concert Lighter removes all the flamable bits and adds a bright LED that can be used during Free Bird or to help find the car when the concert is over.

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

283: Indoor Boomerang

2009-10-04T08:45:00.004-04:00

This is an indoor boomerang. Now, whether or not you want to have boomerangs flying about your home on your chosen holiday is your call.

Foam is a little tricky to paint on but fortunately, it comes in blue, pink, and green. Weight and balance are critical to getting the boomerang to return, so you may need to experiment with your decorations. Spray paint will dissolve PolyStyrene and acrylic paint takes forever to dry. There are lots of colors of tape though, so you could get clever when adding the tape.

Photo used without permission from Instructibles.

282: Adirondack Chair

2009-10-03T10:49:00.004-04:00

Adirondack Chairs are not only stylish, but they are surprisingly comfortable. Make them from scratch in the traditional sealed wood style or buy one unfinished from your local unfinished furniture store or online at places like Harbor Freight or JoAnn's. Decorate them with wild colors and patterns. This one was done by my sister for a charity auction. She used tiles for the arms and the back accents. The pictures were painted with acrylics and then sealed with polyurethane.

Photo used without permission from my sister.

281: Backyard Bar-Becue

2009-10-02T12:51:00.003-04:00

I would lovelovelove to have a barbecue bar out by the pool. This project is way out of my price range if I had someone else do it. Ok, it's probably still out of my price range to do it myself but if you omit the cost of a swanky new grill, use tile instead of granite for the top, tile instead of stone vaneer for the sides, and can find second hand or leftover cabinet doors, it's not as expensive as it looks. Cinderblocks, morter, and cement are all pretty cheap.

Definitely keeping this in mind for next summer.

Photo used without permission from Sunset.

280: Money Tree

2009-10-01T09:28:00.003-04:00

There are some folks out there (many of them teenagers) for whom a trip to the mall with cash in their pocket is the perfect gift. Rather than just shove some cash in an envelope, present it in this clever Money Tree Topiary.

Photo used without permission from Poppies at Play.

279: Cinder block planter wall

2009-09-30T09:05:00.005-04:00

Cinderblocks certainly have their uses - walls, bookshelves and now elegant and stylish planters.

How much easier can it get? Cinderblocks, stacked to form a wall with some blocks turned so that they form little planters for various succulents. This might even make an interesting fence in the right setting.

Photo used without permission from Apartment Therapy.

278: Pavilion

2009-09-29T07:43:00.005-04:00

In Mexico, we spent many pleasant days hiding from the sun in little pavilions like this one. Of course the ones there were covered in a thatch of palm fronds, but a fabric roof, like the one shown here, makes a fine shade too. Imagine some bug netting next to those canvas or cotton walls and this would make a great guest room.

Photo used without permission from DIY Ideas.

277: Picnic Table

2009-09-28T08:28:00.003-04:00

Picnic season may have slipped by (at least here in the northeast), but the gift of a picnic table brings promises of warm summer days and tasty barbecues to come.

Photo used without permission from This Old House.

276: Cord Cover

2009-09-27T08:22:00.002-04:00

I have two problems with electrical cords. First, they look messy, especially all those cords around the computer and the TV. Second, whenever George the Cat is bored, he takes it out on all the electrical cords in the house. I've lost more irons to that fuzzy menace...

Anyway, cord covers not only hide the mess, but they make it a little more fancy. This is a great stocking stuffer for anyone who wants to bring some order and style to their home.

Photo used without permission from Let It Shine.

275: PVC Bracelet

2009-09-26T08:01:00.006-04:00

This bracelet is made with PVC pipe, shoe polish, StazOn ink and a metal button. No seriously. A single piece of PVC pipe will make enough bracelets for everyone on your list.

Photo used without permission from Can't Stop Making Things.

274: Bed Caddy

2009-09-25T07:28:00.004-04:00

My nightstand (aka a TV Tray) is piled high with stuff and it makes it hard to get at the book/pencil/remote. I have great plans for rearranging this area and this Bed Caddy is going to be a part of that.

This pretty and durable project is customized to the most common items on your nightstand and slips between your mattress and box spring to provide a convenient home for all your most used stuff. I recommend sneaking a peak at the things on your giftee's nightstand and take some measurements - you know, as long as you won't get in trouble for checking out someone's nightstand.

Photo used without permission from Sew4Home.

273: Decorative Flags

2009-09-24T08:06:00.003-04:00

My neighbors have a flag for every possible occasion. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Easter, of course, but also New Year, Valentine's, St Patrick's Day, Arbor Day, Back -To-School, the middle of summer... you get the idea. These flags are an easy way to add seasonal decorations to the house. Make a flag (or 12!) for someone on your list.

Flags can be made from cottons for indoor use or try designs in nylon for outdoor use. Check out these applique designs for inspiration. If sewing isn't your thing, pick up a piece of light-colored fabric and some fabric paints or markers and draw your design. Don't forget to leave space in your design to sew a channel for the flagpole.

Photo used without permission from Toland Home Garden.

272: Rubber Band Ball

2009-09-23T10:02:00.005-04:00

This would seem like a rather dumb gift idea if I hadn't already recieved a rubber band ball kit once upon a time. I had a good time adding rubber bands to the ball and watching it get bigger and bigger.

You really don't need any tutorial for this gift other than to get yourself one of those little Superballs and a bag of colorful rubberbands. Wrap these up and give them as a fun stocking stuffer. You'd be surprised how long adding rubber bands to a ball keeps both little kids and big kids (aka The Adults) entertained.

Photo used without permission from Puffins.

271: Local Guide

2009-09-22T08:00:00.004-04:00

This unusual gift idea was thought up by Husband and I think it's pretty cool. It's a Local Guide and makes a great gift not only for neighbors or college students who may be new to the area, but it can help old timers find brand new things to do. This is also a great gift idea for someone who may be traveling to a city that you know well.

Start with a map of your city or a blank notebook or one of Moleskines City Notebooks. Next, make notes of all of the interesting places to visit, best places to eat, clever shortcuts to avoid traffic and any other bits of useful information that can help someone see your city or town in a new light. Maybe you can even include gift certificates for some of your favorite shops or restaurants.

Photo used without permission from Polyvore.

270: Belts

2009-09-21T08:00:00.008-04:00

I am ever in need of belts to keep my pants up. Trouble is, most of the belts you can buy are just boring. If someone were going to give me a belt, I'd want it to be cool and hip and creative, wouldn't you?

The ultimate in both fashion and recycling is this way cool idea that uses interesting food bags to create a fused plastic bag belt. I think I need to make myself a Doritos bag belt so that people know where my waistline came from.

This Obi Style Belt combines quilting with waist cinching style and leather! Not good for holding up one's pants but excellent for embellishing a dress or oversize shirt.

Ribbon belts are all the rage and so easy to make with just some cool ribbon, a buckle and some thread. You can even add to the coolness by embroidering over it.

Remember macrame? Dust off those old skills and bring a little of the 70's back into the fashion spotlight with this great tutorial. Knitting yields a similar effect and there are plenty of patterns online. A quick search will turn up designs for crocheters too.

Some of the most elegant belts come from the beading community. Glass beads and interesting finds can be combined to make gorgeous jewelry for your hips.

What post about belts would be complete without mentioning the classic leather belt? You can even pick up tools to get all fancified with the cow hide. Now the folks on your gift list can exclaim with glee (and a funny accent) "My Pants! They stay up!"

Photo used without permission from Lil Blue Boo.

269: Magazine Holders

2009-09-20T10:31:00.004-04:00

Husband is very fond of reading in the bathroom. Unfortunately, the books and magazines he brings with him end up on the floor or in the sink. Messy messy.

We have yet to find a magazine rack that we like that fits the bathroom and doesn't break the bank ($79, Pottery Barn? Really?) If we could use a handmade option, maybe you could too.

Woodworkers can break out their routers and make this sleek rack that attaches to the side of a cabinet. I don't have the tools or skill set to do this, but I could make a rack out of cardboard and decorative paper and attach it to the wall next to the toilet.

There's always a sewing option and although I can't find a good tutorial, perhaps you can take inspiration from this vertical hanger or this horizontal hanger. Happy reading!

Update 10-29-09: Long or short, this hanging bookshelf is not only convenient and easy to make, but the fabric can be changed with the seasons.

Photos used without permission from Binky's Woodworking.

268: Step stool

2009-09-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

My little Buttercup loves to climb on things and has been seen taking her larger toys and maneuvering them for use as step stools. She's still a little young, but the day is coming when she'll need a boost to reach areas like the sink and the cookie jar.

Know someone that needs a few more inches? With just three pieces and some paint, you can make this easy step stool. Bring a bit of whimsy to your stool and turn it into a fun duck.

Less colorful, but just as practical, this wood stool is a little more complicated to build but has a lovely, sophisticated look. Finally, should your giftee need a few steps to get where they need to go, check out this multi-step stool complete with non-slip treads and built in handles for easy moving.

Photo used without permission from This Old House.