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Easy DIY Christmas Gifts That Are Actually Good, Plus Easy DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

By Carter Lee
Published on: 07:02 PST, Nov 25, 2016

Whether you are trying to save a little bit of money this Christmas, or you want to make something personalized for someone, there are several DIY gifts as well as great DIY Christmas decor ideas that are perfect for the holiday season. Although some take longer than others, the DIY Christmas gifts and decor schemes are easy to make.

Easy DIY Christmas Gifts

Vinyl Fruit Bowl/Gift Basket

DIY Christmas Gifts
[Image by Morningcreativity.com]

Morning Creativity provides some of the best ideas for DIY Christmas gifts; this one is perfect for your hipster boyfriend or girlfriend, or for anyone that has a passion for music. This is the perfect way to make use of damaged or scratched albums. This reporter would recommend an alternative method, however, unless you have an oven specific for arts and crafts since the vinyl will release dangerous toxins when heated in the oven.

Place a large soup or coffee can in the sink and place the record on top of it, boil a pot of water, and pour the water over the record (wear gloves). Then gently mold it into the desired shape, but make sure the vinyl record isn’t advertised as “unbreakable.”

Personalized Fridge Magnets

DIY Christmas gifts
[Image by homemade-gifts-made-easy.com]

Homemade Gifts Made Easy provides this clever DIY project. You will need scissors, photos of your family, spouse, celebrities, characters, friends, etc., that you don’t mind cutting up, and an adhesive magnet sheet which you can find at craft stores. Simply cut the faces off your loved ones and the celebrities or characters, and mix-and-match. It’s as simple as that, and it makes for some fun Christmas gifts.

Photo Blocks

DIY Christmas gifts
[Image by ThePinningMama.com]

The Pinning Mama has some great ideas for DIY Christmas gifts, and this one is perfect for a family. You will need the following supplies.

  • Acrylic Paint
  • 4×4 cut into cubes
  • 4×6 photos
  • Matte Modge Podge
  • Scissors
  • Paint Brush

The site provides the following instructions.

“I was able to make these super affordably by purchasing a 4×4 beam at Home Depot and cutting it into cubes. If you buy an 8 ft beam, you can get approx 24 blocks …”

Home Depot or any home store will cut the wood for you unless you prefer the hands-on method in your garage.

“Once your blocks are cut, use regular old acrylic craft paint to paint them whatever color or colors you want. I love to mix it up and paint the blocks a few coordinating colors. While they are drying start to cut your pictures. I print my pictures as 4×6 prints. You will want to pic photos where the subject is smaller and doesn’t take up the whole print because we will cut them down to fit on the block. The last thing you want to do is have to cut yourself out of the picture!”

You will need six photos per block, or you can get creative with some designs for some of the sides of the cube. Once the paint is dry, “apply a generous layer of Modge Podge to cover a side of the block. Then position the photo in the center of the side. Use your paint brush to apply another generous layer of Modge Podge right over the top.”

Just wipe off any drips that may be going down the side, and once it had dried, repeat these steps for the remaining sides. You can also create it where the blocks make one big picture, like this Father’s Day gift idea from Star & Sunshine.

DIY Christmas gifts
[Image by StarandSunshine.com]

Pick Me Up Jar

DIY Christmas Gifts
[Image by Jamiecooksitup.net]

We all have rough days, and this is one way you can brighten a loved one’s day when they are down; give them a jar with inspirational and positive messages! You can share specific memories or inspirational quotes. Jamie Cooks It Up provides further instructions.

For you love birds out there, this reporter suggests you put a romantic twist on this concept. Put a bunch of great memories you have of your girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse, into a jar. It could be an older photo of the two of you that the other person may have forgotten about, a specific memory you have of them that made you fall in love, or a funny memory that bonded the two of you.

Share an intimate detail with them that you have never told them before, this will go a long way. For you men or women out there that may lack a certain romantic element, your companion will find this incredibly endearing and I promise they will appreciate this personalized gesture.

You can find a plethora of DIY jar ideas by visiting Redbook.

Other DIY Christmas Gifts Ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZebDA0gJHA

DIY Christmas Decor

Rudolf Advent Calendar

Morning Creativity provides the instructions for this clever idea using toilet paper rolls — because nothing says Christmas like toilet paper.

Christmas decor DIY
[Image by MorningCreativity.com]

Christmas Tree Canvas

Young at Heart Mommy gives the directions to make this endearing DIY Christmas decor.

DIY Christmas decor
[Image by youngatheartmommy.com]

Gift Bow Wreath

Woman’s Day is responsible for this brilliant DIY Christmas decor. Simply purchase as Styrofoam wreath form from a craft store, and hot glue the bows to the sides and the front of the wreath. You can find great deals and a variety of shapes of wreath forms from Save on Crafts.

DIY Christmas decor
[Image by womansday.com]

Rudolph Wreath

The Paper Mama gives specific instructions for this endearing DIY Christmas design.

DIY Christmas Decor
[Image by ThePaperMama.com]

Other DIY Christmas Decor Ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mw_cK5Wr_s

From vinyl bowls to clever wreaths, there are plenty of DIY projects perfect for Christmas gifts and decor.

[Featured Image by Milkos/iStockPhotos]

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