By Gabby Sahm
Staff Writer
@gabbysahm
With Christmas comes presents, and with presents comes having to plan out what to buy every special person in your life. In order to save some money, and to get just the right gift for that one stubborn person in your life who seems to already have everything, here is a do-it-yourself (DIY) Christmas gift guide to help you navigate through this winter season.
Ceramic Tile Photo Coasters: Since Instagram has become such a prominent social media platform within the past couple of years, creative ways of showing off your favorite pictures is something everyone would love. With these ceramic tile coasters, it is easy to capture memories, making them last forever.
Materials
- Ceramic coasters (available at Michaels)
- Pictures
- Mod podge
- Clear sealant spray
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Felt pads (optional)
Instructions
- Gathers photos you want to use. Cut to the size of the coasters.
- Lay out ceramic coasters and paint a thin coat of mod podge on photos before placing it on the coaster.
- Once all photos are secured to coaster, let them dry for 30 minutes.
- Once they have dried, spread another two or three coats of mod podge over the pictures and coaster. Let dry for 30 minutes after each coat.
- Spray the clear sealant over each coaster and let dry for at least 24 hours.
- Once dry, add felt pads to the bottom, or just wrap coasters and gift them as is.
Hot Chocolate Starter Kit: With the Christmas season comes cold weather and what better way to warm up then with a nice mug of hot chocolate? With this hot chocolate starter kit, you will be sure to warm the hearts of anyone you give it too.
Materials
- Ceramic mug (available at Michaels)
- Sharpies (colors of your choice)
- Favorite hot chocolate mix
- Tiny marshmallows
- Candy canes (optional)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350° F.
- Write or draw whatever you choose on the mug with the Sharpies (i.e. person’s name, favorite quote or Christmas decorations).
- Place the mug in oven for 30 minutes. This makes the Sharpie stay permanently on the mug.
- Let mug cool for at least 10 minutes before stuffing it with hot chocolate mix, marshmallows and any other hot chocolate necessity.
- You can wrap mug in clear packaging wrap with a festive bow on top or just leave it as is.
Recipe Ring: This is an easy and fun gift for someone who loves cooking and is always looking for cool, new recipes to try. It is also a great gift for anyone who has been pestering you for holiday recipes, or for colleges students who are going to have to start cooking for themselves.
Materials
- Card stock or index cards
- Printer (if you choose to type the recipes)
- Markers or pens
- Hole punch
- Laminator (if you have one)
- Key ring
- Spatula or any other cooking utensil (make sure it has a hole in the handle)
Instructions
- Buy index cards or cut down cardstock to be the size of an index card.
- Use markers or pens to write down your recipes on the cards
- Once you have written down the recipes, you can laminate them, or just leave them as is.
- Use the hole puncher to punch a hole in the top lefthand corner of each card.
- Put all the cards on key ring. Attach recipe ring to whichever cooking utensil you choose.
For even more gift ideas, check out this YouTube video here.
