Categories: Do It Yourself

10 Easy DIY Projects You Can Make As Last Minute Christmas Presents

During the holidays we are running off in so many different directions it seems like nothing is getting done. With all the confusion it is bound to happen that you forget a few people on your Christmas list. So when you are short for time this holiday season here are ten easy DIY projects you can get done in a snap.

1. Popsicle Stick Sleds

This easy DIY project is fantastic because it can have multiple uses. They can be an ornament, a simple table decoration, or it can even be used to deliver a tasty treat. All you need is a bag of popsicle sticks, bells, fake pine needles, super glue, brown paint and the color paint you want for the sleighs. Paint two of the sticks brown and five your sleigh color. The wood will probably absorb the paint so you will need to apply a few coats. Glue four of the sleigh sticks together like in the photo below. Remember that when gluing less is more. No one will want a present that has globs of glue all over. Once those pieces are dry glue on the brown legs and top bar piece and then the decorations after that. If you are using the sleigh to go along with a chocolate or desert gift simply place the tasty treat on your sleigh and tie it on with some ribbon.

2. Wine Cork Reindeer

This cute little reindeer is perfect for your friends who are devoted wine drinkers. You’ll have to have your own stash of wine corks on hand to complete this easy DIY project, but it will all be worth it in the end. You will also need ribbon, glue, black and red bulbs for the nose and eyes. Sticks from your yard or pipe cleaners can be used for the antlers. To cut the corks to size boil them first so that they are easier to slice. Use a small knife to poke holes in the head to make it easier to get the antlers into place. Your friends will gush when they get this adorable seasonal gift.

3. Felt Christmas Trees

For this DIY project you will need a bit of sewing skills. You will need fabric, string, and cotton. This is probably the easiest DIY project on this list. All you need to do it cut out your fabric into the shapes of Christmas trees. Remember you will need two sides to the tree to sew it together, but before you do sew in any detailing into the trees you want. Once that is done sew together the two parts all the way to the bottom of the tree. Stuff in the cotton into the tree until they are nice and plump, once it is go ahead and sew it off. If you have friends that have cats this be the perfect ornament to hang at the bottom of their Christmas tree to keep the mischievous little cuties from breaking all the ornaments.

4. Birdseed Ornament

For the friends that love nothing more than the beauty of nature than this DIY project would be the perfect gift for them. You will need birdseed (obviously), peanut butter, string, straws, and cookie cutters. Start off by mixing the peanut butter into a bowl of birdseed into small amounts. Too much peanut butter will make the ornament too crumbly making it fall apart. You’ll know if you have the right amount when the birdseed will be easy to shape in your hands. Once you have the right mixture press the seeds into the cookie cutters of your choosing. Place the straw wherever you want the string to hold up the ornament to be. Freeze the cutters for a bit to make sure that they are nice and solid. Once they are done will them out and string them up. Your friends will love the thoughtful gift.

5. Reindeer Rice Crispy Treats

One of my favorite part of the holidays is all the baking and if you love it too, than this DIY project is right for you. You will need popsicle sticks, red m&ms, melted chocolate, candy eyes, six table spoons of butter, six cups of mini marshmallows, and of course, a box of rice crispy treats. It does without saying that you make the rice crispy treats first. Melt your butter in a sauce pan then gradually add the six cups of the mini marshmallows. This is where it is very important that you are using mini marshmallows because using regular sized ones will take forever to melt. Once the marshmallows are completely melted removed the pan from the heat. Let the melted concoction cool for a bit before adding about six cups of the rice crispy cereal. As soon as that is mixed you can start putting the mushy mess into a pan in order to shape it. Really let it cool so that there is no heat before you start cutting the treats. From there you stick the popsicle sticks into your delicious crispy squares and do the detail work on your reindeer’s faces. If your rice crispies are the right level of sticky the eyes and nose should be able to be gently pushed on. You will need a piping bag to properly do the antlers. All your friends will appreciate this yummy treat in the rush of their holiday season.

6. Christmas Crayons

For your friends that are more on the artistic side they will love these holiday crayons. Make a few clicks to Amazon and order a silicone mold in the holiday shape of your choosing. Then pick up a box or two of crayons. They don’t even have to be a fancy box of crayola crayons, a cheep box from the dollar store can be melted down just as easily. When you are ready to make your crayons preheat the over to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating peel the paper off the crayons you’ll be using cause paper and ovens do not mix. Break the crayons into small pieces that can fit into the shape of your mold. The crayons can be multicolored or just one beautiful shade it is all up to you. Just put your shards of crayon into the mold and them stick it into the oven to melt. Once that melted crayons look nice and smooth you can go ahead and pull them out of the oven until they are cooled. Do not try to pop out the crayons right away. I would let them set over night to make sure they are completely dry all the way through. The next morning you will be able to easily get them out of the mold and voila! Adorable Christmas Crayons your friends will adore.

7. Oreo Christmas Cookies

If you want to show off a little more culinary skills with your Christmas treats than these Oreo cookies will be perfect for you. Get yourself a box of Oreo cookies, a bag of white candy melts, mini Reese’s, and any kind of red and green cookie decorations. Put the candy melts over medium heat, when all the chunks are smoothed out stick a fork into the middle of your cookies. Give them a nice dip on either side to make sure the cookie is completely covered. Place the cookie on the wax paper to dry. Stick the mini Reese’s on the side and then do whatever you like for the decorations on the side. If the candy melt on the cookie dries before you get your candy decoration on, don’t panic. You just need to dip it in the still melted candy before sticking it on your cookie. These treats will perfectly show off your holiday spirit and put a smile on your friends faces.

See Also

8. Kids Footprint Characters Cards

When you have kids, getting everyone on your list a little something can be pretty difficult. So to help check off everyone off your list include your kids in this easy DIY project. Get together an assortment of colored paint as well as markers, googlie eyes and red pom poms. From there you can paint your babies’ feet brown and make a Rudolph. The kids can even make ornaments in his horns with their finger tips. Use the google eyes and red pom pom to make his face. If reindeer and Rudolph are not your speed than you can make some “mistle toes.” Paint the kids feet green and make a ribbon on the top. All your friends will love the funny holiday pun. We don’t always have the time to get presents for everyone, these cards will be a thoughtful project that will show everyone you care about that you are thinking of them through the holiday season.

9. Vintage Yard Sticks & Scrabble Tile Ornaments

Now I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of friends that are teachers. They have plenty of best teacher mugs and decorative apples, which is why these teacher themed ornaments are the perfect easy DIY gift for them this season. You will need to get glue, mini rulers, scrabble tiles, string, and decorative pine cones or holly. Figure out what words you want to glue onto the ruler before you start gluing. Nothing sucks more than when your half way through spelling something and suddenly you realize that you can’t fit the last two letters. All you need to do though is glue everything on wrap it up. This gift will be perfect to show you put a lot of through in this gift for your friend that isn’t going to take up hours of your time.

10. Snowmen Donuts

Even though we all like to be crafty when we can, not all of us have the time for all the cutting and gluing that comes with a DIY project. For those of you that are really crunched for time this easy DIY project will be perfect for you. Simply go out to your grocery store and pick up a box of mini donuts that you would find in a kids lunch box. Get some colorful ribbons as well as am orange and black marker. From there you just tie the ribbon around the neck area of your donut snowman, then draw on his adorable face and buttons. This gift will scream “I had no time to shop for you” or “I am on a tight budget” but it is better than having nothing to hand someone at all.

While Christmas time is hectic that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun. All the items on this list can be found at the grocery store, Amazon, or Michael’s. Hopefully these easy DIY projects will help bring cheer to you and your loved ones this holiday season.
Feature Image Source: https://makeanddocrew.com/easy-dollar-store-gift-wrap-ideas-free-gift-tags/diy-gift-wrap-ideas-dollar-store-3/
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Jessica Wood

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