Get Crafty This Christmas

Christmas doesn't need to wear out those credit cards! There is a way to fly in the face of consumerism, be green and keep your loved ones happy! Make your own... presents, cards and wrapping. And all for pennies!

Cards

Cut up all the nice pictures from last year's Christmas cards, and collect ribbons and paper throughout the year. These can then be used for making next year's card toppers.

Wrapping Ideas

Take a brightly coloured pillow case, stitch with the name of the recipient, and thread a cord through the top (cut slits and weave in). This can be used every year.

Christmas stockings: using fabric segments (or old pillow cases), make personalised stockings for hanging around the fireplace.

Newspaper bags with string as handles make a nice alternative to wrapping paper. Paint in Christmassy colours, and add glitter.

Jute shopping bags make good gift bags and can also double up as a helping hand to encourage people to not use plastic bags.

Hamper baskets: search in local boot sales for picnic baskets or wicker baskets which can be dressed up with straw or tissue paper.

Gift Ideas

Personalise board games such as Guess Who?, Cluedo or Monopoly for your friends, using their photos and names. Find the boards at local charity shops and adapt by replacing the pictures on the boards with photos of their friends, pets, favourite personalities etc.

Hardy Herb Planters - If you grow your own herbs, take cuttings of the hardy varieties (rosemary, thyme and bay), and plant into pretty matching chic mugs. These can then be placed on a saucer and look lovely on a keen cook's window sill.

Bath salts - Buy a batch of bath salts, mix with dried lavender, and use to fill clean glass jars.

Scented fabrics - Padded hangers, pin cushions and scented drawer sachets can be made from fabric segments (curtain shops are a good source). Stitch them into the desired shape, and fill with dried lavender or similar dried flowers.

Candles - Melt down old, nearly used-up candles, top up with candle base and pour into moulds to make personalised candles. If you pour them into glasses or jars you can then decorate with seasonal vegetation.

Cleaned baked bean tins are a good idea for making garden candles that will gradually rust (use citronella essential oil to keep away the bugs).

Wreathes and garlands - Collect willow branches, twist and fasten into a circle using garden wire. Decorate with ivy, holly, conifers and rose hips. Ribbons and old Christmas decorations can also be added.

Pot pourri - Dry out apple, orange and lemon slices and collect local nut cases (beech nut, for example). Scent with cinnamon oil and fresh cinnamon sticks and put in paper bags. Alternatively, stitch together to make scented Christmas decorations.

Wine Glass Charms - Make personalised wine glass charm sets using wire and beads (search boot sales and charity shops for the beads).

Advent Calendars - Make fabric hanging advent calendars and fill each pocket with tokens. This is good for a loved one as the tokens could be things like ‘one foot rub', ‘a meal of your choice', ‘a night of war movies with no complaining'.

Karen Hurley

Photos © Karen Hurley 2008