Holiday DIYs that Don't Suck
I love a hand-made gift around the holidays. They’re creative, thoughtful, and oftentimes significantly cheaper than buying a replica elsewhere! However, as I’ve ventured into adulthood, I’ve noticed that my friends and family members are getting reasonably less impressed with pony-bead keychains and canvas paintings. So, this holiday season I went on the hunt for some holiday gift ideas that still allowed me to be creative without the added humiliation of knowing that beloved present was headed right for the trash by New Year’s Eve. If you’re in the same boat, check out these three ideas below for some DIY gifts that don’t suck!
Candy Bar Bouquet
You’ll Need:
- Decorative box, tin, etc. of your choosing.
- Foam block.
- Skewers.
- Clear tape.
- Several various candies - lollipops, bars, bags, and small boxes work best!
- If needed, cut your foam block so it fits nicely inside the container. Ensure it will hold the weight of your candies.
- Tape each candy (except lollipops) upright to a skewer.
- Stick the bottom end of the skewer into your foam block. Lollipop sticks can go right in!
- Arrange as needed to ensure maximum cuteness and that the container isn’t top heavy.
Tips:
- If making multiple, hit up discount stores or buy packs of candy to save money.
- Try recycling a cool container around your house you’re unlikely to use.
- Heavier candies may need a few pieces of tape to hold properly.
- If you or your recipient are looking to stay vegan this holiday season, there are several vegan candy options! One of my go-to’s are the rice milk chocolate bars from Enjoy Life, which can be found online or at Whole Foods.
Everything But The Oven
You’ll Need:
- Cookie, cake, or brownie mix.
- A clear jar or large, open-top ornament.
- Small, decorative sweets – chocolate chips, sprinkles, peppermint pieces, etc.
- Cute label or gift tag.
- Twine or decorative ribbon.
- Ensure the inside of your jar or ornament is clean.
- Pour baking mix into the container.
- Top with sprinkles or any other small sweets that could compliment the recipe.
- Write the baking instructions on a label or gift tag and tie around the top.
Tips:
- If you’re filling an ornament, use a funnel to simplify the pour.
- Experiment with endless flavor combinations. Try mixing chocolate cake with peppermint pieces or sugar cookies with sprinkles!
- Several bagged baking mixes are also secretly vegan. My favorite is the Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix from Dollar Tree!
Dip-Dyed Mugs
You’ll Need:
- White ceramic mug.
- Non-quick dry nail polish in any color(s) of your choosing.
- Toothpicks.
- Paper towels.
- Large container that can get messy.
- (Optional) Nail polish remover.
- (Optional) Dishwasher safe mod podge.
- Fill your container with hot water.
- Pour a few drops of one color of polish into the water.
- Swirl the nail polish around with a toothpick until most of the water is colored.
- Repeat with additional colors if desired.
- Dip a portion of your mug into the water and hold for a few seconds. Stay away from the rim.
- The polish should have stuck to the ceramic and created a cool design! When ready, place upside down on a paper towel to dry.
Tips:
- Move quickly when adding the polish and dying your mug! The color will dry quickly in the water.
- When adding polish, hold the bottle close to the surface of the water. This prevents the color from dropping to the bottom rather than resting on top.
- If any mistakes are made, you can try fixing them with nail polish remover.
- If you’d like to seal your design so it lasts longer, coat the dyed portion of your mugs with dishwasher safe mod podge.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, dipping methods, or swirl patterns! This DIY can take time to perfect.