Handmade Present Ideas

Handmade mosaic is an easy, artsy project.mosaic image by Ruta Saulyte from Fotolia.com

Giving family and friends homemade presents is a wonderful way to show them you care, as your gift involves time and thought---and is not something you can pick up on sale at the mall. It also presents an opportunity for members of a family to spend some time together building memories as you make your gifts. And these projects give you a wonderful present in return.

Recipe Cards with a Sweet Treat Sampler

To get started with this gift idea, browse your recipes to select several that you prepare along with a homemade booklet that details their respective recipes. Some recipe ideas include cookies, candies, jellies, jams, muffins and breads. You can make your recipe booklet by covering the exterior of a blank greeting card (larger than 3 inches by 5 inches) with a glue stick and plain paper that you have decorated, according to the Martha Stewart website. You can also use wrapping paper for a festive theme. Next, remove the flap of an envelope that can hold 3-inch-by-5-inch recipe cards and glue it to the right inside cover of the card. Write your recipes on the recipe cards and stuff them in the envelope. Lastly, be sure to decorate your handmade treats with shrink wrap or a plain cardboard box and some colorful ribbon.

If you have some old, mismatched china pieces tucked away in the back of a cabinet, you can use them to make a mosaic flower pot gift. Get started by spreading a heavy layer of ceramic tile grout on a terra cotta pot. Add broken pieces of china, pottery or tiles in a random yet interesting design. You can also use beads, marbles, seashells or charms. Be sure that the grout is thick enough so that you can press down each piece to ensure it adheres to the pot. Once the grout is dry, use a moist sponge to wipe off any excess grout.

Flavored popcorn is a delicious treat that nearly everyone enjoys. You can either make sweet or savory flavors---or some of both that you include in the same popcorn tin with a divider. Purchase your popcorn tins at a local home or discount store along with some heavyweight card stock that you will use to make your dividers. When filling your container, hold the divider in place and alternate adding the flavored popcorn to each side so that the divider does not slip.

If you cannot find plain containers, purchase a can of white spray paint so that you start with a blank canvas upon which to decorate. Some ideas include using permanent marker to write a special message, making a collage using some photos or other images and words, or using decorative stamps. When you have completed your decorations, consider adding a clear coat of spray varnish to protect your design. After your recipients eat the popcorn, they can wash and use the tins for decorative storage.