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Purchase small clay pots, acrylic paints, small brushes, clear acrylic spray and a few packets of seeds (seasonal) for flowers, herbs or vegetables. Paint the pots with acrylic paints using small brushes. No artistic ability is required; simple designs work just fine. Sign your name on the side of the pot, and spray the outside with clear acrylic paint and let it dry.
Put the packets of seeds (not planted in soil) inside the pot, wrap in cellophane, tie with a ribbon and add a personal note. -
If you like to bake, choose a tea bread recipe and purchase the necessary ingredients, such as flour, baking soda or powder, salt and sugar and yeast. You'll also need colored cellophane paper, ribbon, card stock, scissors and a hole punch.
Bake a loaf of tea bread according to the chosen recipe, and wrap it in cellophane with a pretty ribbon. Print the recipe on an index card and tie it to the bread. -
Purchase a small glass jar and lid, Epsom salts, food coloring and perfume or essential oils. Measure enough Epsom salts to fill the glass jar, and empty them into a large mixing bowl; add food coloring and essential oils or perfume. Mix well with a spatula. The Epsom salts will turn into the pastel granules the color of the food coloring.
Fill the glass jar, secure the lid and let it sit for a week or two. The longer the Epsom salts sit, the better the blend and fragrance. Tie a pretty ribbon and add a thank-you note. Be sure to write "Bath Salts" on the note. -
Write a little note and attach it to your gift.
Purchase items on sale or clearance at craft or home improvement shops that can be used to create your "thank you" gifts. Keep a craft box handy to collect items to make the gifts.
Expired wallpaper sample books (free for the asking at home-decor stores) make excellent wrapping paper or covers for journals. You can even make envelopes out of them--just add peel-and-stick white labels on the front to write a name and address.
