Gift Guide 09: DIY for the whole family
Every blog on the planet has featured gift guides in the past few weeks, and so I think I won’t make another round-up of cool stuff. I’m all about gift guides but for some reason this year they stress me out a bit. Is it just me?
So, I got the idea for a DIY Gift Guide, and since that sounded kind of exciting/appealing (even if it’s a stretch to think many of my gifts this year will be handmade…16 days and counting…) I pulled one together for us. I hope some of these ideas will inspire you to get crafty, or maybe just buy from crafty people! Here are some of my favorite DIY projects of 2009, perfect for each member of your family, starting with Mom.
These DIY stitched felt glasses cases are so pretty. Make one for regular glasses and one for sunglasses!
A DIY bike bag would be so useful! Who wants to carry a bag while you’re riding a bike? If you’re super crafty, I bet you could figure out how to add some hideaway straps that can be pulled out to turn it into a purse once you hop off the bike.
You’ve got until Friday to light the first candle, and that’s plenty of time to make this easy DIY menorah. Besides, who doesn’t give a present to themselves during the holidays?
This pretty DIY knotted headband is reminiscent of those old-school friendship bracelets (see the mini version, too!).
DIY snow globes! Best idea ever! Maybe you package it as a kit and give your nieces and nephews something fun to do after all the presents are unwrapped.
Some DIY art… use lyrics from your favorite song, a passage from your favorite book, or a reading from your wedding!
These DIY flower containers would be pretty in a set of three with various fabrics and sizes.
I’m still proud of the DIY collar pocket I made for my dog from this tutorial! Just right for the house key and a baggie.
DIY houses made from cereal boxes are the perfect, brightly colored toy {via creature comforts}.
It is not easy to find a good DIY project for Dad, I’ll be honest. But if your Dad is anything like my Dad, he likes knots. Another thing my Dad likes? Ropes with bright colors. Bam. DIY knot trivet, in crazy colors. Hey, I might actually do this one… shh!
Responses to “Gift Guide 09: DIY for the whole family”
Lyndsay
December 9, 2009 at 10:02 amThis is so great, especially the collar pocket, too cute! I need to find a DIY present guide for my two graphic designer best friends… I’m totally stumped thinking of something to make for them. Good luck on the trivet!
Tricia McKellar
December 9, 2009 at 10:11 amHi Ellie! So glad to find your blog! Very cool gift guide. We’re neighbors! I lived in Durham for years, now I’m in Fuquay-Varina. :)
Rikkianne
December 9, 2009 at 10:18 amI absolutely love the DIY art! I am going to try that :) Thank you so much for the link. This is a great guide!
ethanollie
December 9, 2009 at 10:29 amfantastic ellie
been looking for a good diy snow globe project. i have been saving cool jars for months.
Amberly
December 9, 2009 at 10:47 amBeautiful ideas! I’m definitely going to create some of these!
jen jafarzadeh
December 9, 2009 at 10:52 amsheesh, this is one fantastic roundup! love love love. and it’s like you read my mind because the last couple days I’ve been thinking I want to make my own snowglobes after finding some amazing ones at anthropologie that I must not buy.
Emily
December 9, 2009 at 11:25 amEllie, these are SO pretty and just great ideas! Thank you for sharing!
Amanda Nicole
December 9, 2009 at 11:43 amDIY roundup is brilliant! Thanks for sharing all these good ideas.
SparklePaw
December 9, 2009 at 1:24 pmFantastic ideas! Love the brightly colored houses!
allyn
December 9, 2009 at 2:57 pmnew to your blog. adorable ideas! thanks for the roundup!
Rachel (heart of light)
December 9, 2009 at 2:58 pmYay! DIY gifts are my fave. So glad to see all these options rounded up.
kalanicut
December 9, 2009 at 3:28 pmYeah! I love this. Thanks for doing a gift post on things I can make! Gift guides for things to buy ARE everywhere, just as you said and along with the whole bombardment of emails and catalogs from retailers the past couple of weeks, I’m all for making something from the heart that is useful and enjoyable.
Courtney
December 9, 2009 at 3:34 pmThis is awesome ellie! what a great idea!
cali bird
December 9, 2009 at 6:36 pmThe glasses cases are so colorful!! This is a brilliant post :)
Natalie
December 9, 2009 at 9:30 pmloveee the artwork idea! i just love diy ideas in general. :) just did a post with more diy gift ideas! check it out!
Barehanded Press
December 9, 2009 at 10:51 pmWhat great tutorials! I love the snow globes.
Truly Smitten
December 10, 2009 at 2:56 amLOVE all of these adorable gift ideas! Thanks for sharing =) *heart* your blog btw.
Meghan
December 10, 2009 at 1:30 pmThanks for the link, Ellie! I’m a big fan of DIY gifts, and this is a great round-up.
Whitney
December 10, 2009 at 3:24 pmI love this. I recently lost my job and DIY is the theme of this Christmas! Thank you thank you!
simplygrove
December 10, 2009 at 7:11 pmI love the DIY snow globes!! xx
thu
December 10, 2009 at 8:12 pmthese picks are FANTASTIC! thanks for some great ideas!
Jacob I Anderson
April 25, 2010 at 3:16 pmWhat is that anyway? Sperry’s, knots and boating. My Dad too.
Abhishek Jain
October 5, 2010 at 9:14 amI think we should try it and post the results of our experiment. They would be beautiful if it would work.What a good idea, Valerie. I might do that next time I mail a gift.