Last-Minute Christmas: 3 Easy DIY Gift and Wrapping Ideas
http://www.decor-ideas.org 12/21/2014 07:13 Decor Ideas
If you find yourself out of wrapping paper, need an activity for your kids, are looking for a last-minute gift for your neighbor or simply want to add a few handmade items to the gifts under your tree, here are three simple and cost-friendly ideas.
DIY Watercolor Gift Tags
These simple watercolor tags are perfect if you want to add a more personal touch or color to your gifts this year … or you’ve found yourself out of wrapping supplies and dread a return trip to the store.
You can use this technique to easily make several to/from tags for yourself or to use as gifts or to decorate blank postcards or notecards.
Materials and tools:
Watercolor paints
Card stock or watercolor paper (60-pound or heavier)2- by 3-inch business cardScissorsPencil or permanent marker
1. To create the tags, trace a 2- by 3-inch business card onto your paper in rows using a pencil or permanent marker. Add watercolor paint (I used light aqua), to cover about a third of each tag, making the shape freeform and letting the edges fade.
Add a second color if you want.
2. Carefully cut inside the lines to create the tags.
DIY Potato Stamp Gift Wrap
Many of us have done this DIY project as a school or youth-group activity. But there’s no reason it can’t also be a fabulous activity to do with family members or even by yourself.
Materials and tools:PotatoBlank wrapping paperKnifePaint (tempera or acrylic)
1. Split the potato in two with a knife and carefully carve out a shape. Create your own or use cookie cutters to form your shape, then carve away the background. (Adults should help children with carving.) Make the cut deep enough to keep the edges of the potato base from picking up extra paint.
Tip: Dry all the cut edges of the potato with a napkin prior to adding paint. This will help keep the paint from getting too thin from any added moisture and will also help prevent the potato from slipping.
2. Add paint to the potato design and stamp a pattern of your choice. Reapply paint after every two stamps.
Try this technique on cloth napkins, table runners, stockings, throw pillows, burlap or, if you’re brave, an accent wall in your home.
DIY Rope Napkin Ring and Bracelet
Use a simple weaving technique with string or rope to quickly create custom napkin rings or bracelets.
Materials and tools:
Thick string (I used parachute rope)Split ringsRibbon clampsLobster clasps
Cut two pieces of string that are 27 inches long (13½ inches doubled, as shown). The string’s length will vary depending on the object’s dimensions, but this size is good for both napkin rings and bracelets. You can adjust the finished size later if needed.
1. Lay the first string flat and form a loose loop at the doubled end.
2. Lay the second string under the first loop with the doubled end of that string to the left.
3. Weave the doubled end of the second string over the doubled end of the first string, then bring it under the tail of the first string.
4. Bring the doubled end of the second string back over the bottom edge of the loop, under the tail of the second string and over the top edge of the loop. Adjust so the lengths of the doubled ends are even.
5. When finished, gently tighten the rope by pulling on all four ends.
Prior to clamping the ends together, measure the folded napkin (or wrist) and adjust the length accordingly.
Tip: Lightly burn any frayed string or rope ends with a match to keep them from unraveling. If you’re doing this activity with young ones, make sure an adult handles this step.
Then add the ribbon clamps, split rings and clasp.
As a napkin ring, it is a quick way to update your table and can be used year-round.
It can also be turned into a bracelet. Either way, it’s an easy last-minute gift idea for the fans of handmade items on your list.
More:
3 Recipes for Foraged Holiday Table Decor
DIY: Make a Sweet Gift of Future Blooms
20 DIY Ornaments to Give or Keep
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