Talents like blowing glass and sculpting clay aside, many ornaments and other craft ideas can be made at home with few materials, little to no skill and are generally well-received by even the pickiest person on the shopping list.
Decorated Pine Cones
One of the easiest types of ornaments to make pair naturally with holiday trees and wreaths: decorated pine cones. Take a trip down to the craft store and buy a bag of scented pine cones, a bottle of glue, a jar of silver glitter and some natural twine.
Tie some twine onto the top of a hand-sized pine cone, making sure it hangs vertically. On the tip of each pine cone, dab a bit of glue and sprinkle the glitter over it, shaking off the excess onto a sheet of paper. Continue until a dozen are made, allowing each to dry separated, so as not to let any two become fused together. Neatly place the ornaments in a shoe box with tissue paper, covering the box completely in gift wrap, in order to mask its previous use.
Pillar Candles
Candle making is a time-honored tradition, and what better way to light up the darkest time of the year than to light up a batch of home made candles. These require a large coffee can, a ladle, duct tape, Tall Boy beverage containers, along with wax and wicks, which can be purchased at many craft and hobby shops.
Using a double boiler method, slowly melt the wax in the coffee can at a low and consistent heat. DO NOT allow the wax to smoke! While melting, carefully cut off the tops of each can and slit the side, saving the tabs. Tape the can firmly back together. Tie the wick to the tab and drop it into the can. Slowly spoon in the wax with one hand while holding the wick as vertical as possible while maintaining the tab lies flat on the bottom, filling to almost the top. Trim off the excess wick and allow to cool in the freezer, preferably overnight. Remove the can to reveal the candle inside, then gift wrap accordingly.
Dyes, fragrances and outside decorations can also be made, depending on what is desired. Fragrances can be added by stirring in extracts and essential oils; soaking the wicks in these give the candles an added kick. Wax dyes can be purchased, though melting crayons into the wax is just as effective. Stirring in or lining the inside of the cans with items like sprigs of holly also create festive accents.
Pillar Candle Wreaths
Another fairly universal gift idea to give is a beautiful wreath, wrapped around tall pillar candles. For these, evergreen branches and thin wire and clippers are all that is needed.
Cut small braches of live evergreen and soak them in water for a solid hour, patting dry just before use. Then, carefully yet firmly twist the wire around them to hold into place, leaving room enough to insert the candle. Gift wrap accordingly, using tissue paper inside the box to cradle the delicate branches from becoming prematurely bare.
Accents can be twined into the wreaths, again like bows or those sprigs of holly, especially if they are to compliment the home made candles described above. Larger, door-sized wreaths can be created simply by using larger evergreen branches and more wire.
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