How to Make Inexpensive Christmas Gifts

Making your own Christmas gifts can be a great way to personalize Christmas and provide gifts that are meaningful and inexpensive. The key to making a gift that the recipient will enjoy lies in taking the time to consider the needs and personality of those you are making gifts for. A one-size-fits-all approach to making gifts may be fine when you are dealing with casual friends, but for family and close friends, it requires a little more work.

Things You'll Need

• Old magazines
• Old newspapers
• White glue
• Clear acrylic spray
• Recycled wine bottle
• Lamp kit

Instructions

1. Make a personalized vase or lamp for nearly anyone on your list by decoupaging images and words that represent the person or his likes onto an old wine bottle or any attractive bottle. Begin by looking in old magazines, newspapers and other promotional materials for images that represent the person or his lifestyle. Nature lovers will enjoy images of trees and mossy streams, and more outgoing personalities may enjoy sunshine and brightly colored images. These will be the base of the project and will be partially visible through the chosen words and verses.

2. Select words and verses that pertain to the person. Advertisements often contain active, descriptive words and catchy phrases. If you cannot find the phrase you are looking for, find the individual words and create it. Clip closely around the edges of any words or verses you have selected.

3. Apply white craft glue to the bottle or to the back of the clippings and press in place on the bottle. Begin by covering the entire bottle with images. Once the images are in place, it is time to begin adding words and slogans. Place them randomly, overlapping in areas, if desired. Work until you have created a collage of words, images and verses that remind you of the person.

4. Allow to dry completely and spray with a clear acrylic spray to seal and protect the collage. Vases can be presented as is. To complete the lamp, purchase a lamp kit at your local hardware or craft store. Follow the directions to install the base into the bottle. Attach the shade and present as a gift to someone special.

5. Create a wall collage by following the same procedure and gluing the images and words to heavy cardboard or poster board. Spray with clear acrylic to seal and protect the collage. Wrap with decorative paper and present as a gift.