JORDYN HOLKA
Reverb Editor
With the holidays fast approaching, the inevitable question of what gifts to get for your loved ones is undoubtedly creeping its way toward the front of your mind. For many of us, college eats most of our money, leaving us with few funds to pay for the many gifts we want to present to our friends and family. While it would be easy to just draw them a picture or give them a bag of candy you found on sale at Walmart, if you’re like me, you would rather give them something they will actually use, right? Read on to discover a few of the DIY gifts I’ve discovered that will hopefully make your holiday gift-giving experience a little less stressful on you and your wallet.
SHARPIE MUG
This is a super easy and cheap gift that is good for anyone on your list who consumes liquids … which is hopefully anyone and everyone. All you need is a cheap, plain mug — in this case, the cheaper the mug, the better, because the Sharpie actually adheres better to cheaper mug glazes — and an oil based Sharpie in the color and thickness of your choice. Make sure your mug is clean, and then draw whatever design you want onto it — be creative and use as many colors as you want! Then, let your mug dry overnight.
The next day, place your mug in the oven and heat it to 375 degrees. Leave your mug in the oven for about an hour, then turn off the oven and allow the mug to stay in it while it cools down — it is important the mug be in the oven while it is heating up and cooling down to avoid drastic temperature changes! Baking your mug really sets your design and allows the mug to be dishwasher and microwave safe. And there you have it — a completely DIY, one of a kind gift … and all for well less than $10.
PUZZLE COLLAGE
If you have an artsier person in your life, this easy DIY is for you. You will need an old jigsaw puzzle; a canvas or other blank surface; multipurpose glue — super glue would work; and spray paint, if you choose. First, if you wish to do so, spray paint the jigsaw puzzle pieces to be whatever colors you want them to be — maybe a gradient or just various shades of a color that is prominent in the house of whoever will be receiving your lovely and thoughtful gift.
Then, once the pieces are dry, arrange them on your canvas or other surface and glue them down …That’s it! This is a super simple project that can be taken in so many different directions, and it actually turns into something I would want to display in my home in, say, a game room or other playful area.
MAP OR PICTURE COASTERS
These drink coasters are perfect for the loved one on your list who loves entertaining or just kicking back with a drink in hand. You will need Mod Podge (a miracle adhesive substance sold at basically all craft stores),
some old floor tiles or blank ceramic/tile coasters and some maps or other meaningful images printed out on paper. A paint brush could also be helpful, but in the case that no paint brush is available, your good ol’ finger will do just fine!
First, cut the maps or pictures to fit the tiles or coasters you are using. Then, paint a layer of Mod Podge on the back of them and let that layer dry — this will prevent wrinkles during the next step! When the back of the maps or pictures are dry, go ahead and spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on the top of each tile, carefully place the map or picture on top of that layer and, finally, paint a top layer of Mod Podge on top of the map or picture. Leave the coaster(s) to dry, and you’re done!
For an added little bit of holiday flair, wrap the coasters in red and green ribbon — simple and festive!
TIE BLANKET
This is a classic DIY project, but I think it’s a great one — everyone can use a cozy blanket to cuddle up in, and the project is SO customizable! You can make the blanket speak to your loved one’s hobby, to his or her favorite sports team, or TV show or you can even have it match his or her home! You only need two pieces of fabric — preferably fleece, each one about 54 inches squared — and a pair of scissors.
Lay the two pieces of felt back-to-back with both of their “good sides” facing out. Next, cut four inch squares from each of the corners, and, one inch away from each square, begin cutting four-inch slits into the pieces of fabric. Make sure each slit is one inch away from the next down the length. Once you have completed this cutting all the way around the blanket, knot every other pair of flaps together, then flip the whole project over and knot the remaining pairs of flaps. And that’s it! It sounds much more complicated than it is, I promise.
So there you have it — a few cheap and easy holiday gift DIY ideas to get you started. Remember, the Internet — and especially Pinterest — can be your best friend at this time of year, so use it! And amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to take time to appreciate life’s little gifts — those gifts are the best DIY projects around.