Homemade Christmas Gifts for Grandmothers

Suprise your grandmother with a Christmas gift you made yourself.

Delight your grandmother this Christmas with a handmade gift. Make her a Victorian-style shadow box to reflect her personality and her favorite things. Take some time before assembling your craft to gather items to display. If your grandmother collects tea pots, for example, include a miniature version in your shadow box. Gardening grandmothers might like a mini shovel and a packet of seeds included in the box. Photographs and handwritten notes are personal touches that will make your homemade gift more special.

Things You'll Need

• Shadow box
• Foam core
• Pencil
• Sharp knife or scissors
• Felt
• Newspaper
• Photographs
• Letters
• Miniature items

Instructions

1. Set the shadow box frame on top of the foam core. Trace around the foam core with a pencil. Cut the foam out with a sharp knife or scissors. Set the shadow box aside.

2. Remove the back from the shadow box. Place the foam core on the backing to compare sizes. The foam core needs to be slightly smaller than the backing.

3. Place newspaper on your workspace. Place the foam core cut out on top of the newspaper.

4. Cover your foam core with colored felt. Attach the felt by spraying the foam with adhesive glue.

5. Position your items on the foam core. Arrange the largest ones in the back and the smaller ones toward the front. For example, a map from your grandmother's recent trip would make a good background. Alternatively, a copy of a favorite photograph or artwork would, too.

6. Remove the items except the felt from the foam core. Spray the foam with spray adhesive. Place the largest piece on the board. Return the layers of items back to the board using foam spray, attaching them one at a time.

7. Set a small tea cup or some other item on the bottom of the shadow box frame. Attach the item with hot glue to keep it in place.

8. Insert the covered foam core into the shadow box frame. Replace the backing. Wrap and present your gift.

Tips & Warnings

• Use one of your grandmother's hobbies as a shadow box theme, like crocheting or card playing.

• Surround the foam core with bits of lace or ribbon for a pretty decoration.

• Use a Christmas theme for your shadow box using a mini Christmas tree, ornaments and cards.

• Never glue irreplaceable photographs into a shadow box. Make copies to use instead.

• Spray your adhesive in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Home Museum: Shadow Boxes