Christmas is a week from today! Are you ready? I have a few little projects left to finish before the shipping deadline on Thursday. I know – right under the wire! I was determined to be totally prepared for the holiday season this year, but it snuck up on me again. If you’re scrambling for some last minute gift ideas that have a little personality, here are some easy (and usually inexpensive) DIY ideas from LGN days of yore.
1. Channel your inner artist and color a canvas notebook (or have your kids make them for grandparents).
2. Cover a lampshade in pretty fabric to top off a thrift store lamp. Your little sister will be in heaven.
3. Spray paint plastic animals to make custom bookends for your best girlfriend.
4. Make dozen of these leather tassel keychains in an hour for your favorite co-workers. The tassels are so easy to do and they look like a million bucks!
5. Find a vintage bench on craigslist and cover it in a fun new fabric. A super simple project that requires only a few hours and not a ton of money, but comes with a big pay-off. (I’d probably go with something a little on the smaller side, and then you can go really crazy with the fabric!)
6. Make a little match cup with the strike paper glued to the bottom.
7. Spend $4 blowing up the image of your choice in black and white (maybe your parent’s wedding photo? Or a portrait of a special relative?). I mounted my print on foam core board and painted the sides bright orange.
8. I call these my ten-minute pillows. If you know how to sew a straight line, you can make a pair of pillows for your friend.
9. Decoupage a dollar-store trash bin with a pretty marbleized paper. It’s too late to order the paper online now, but stationary stores carry these a lot of times (I know Paper Source has tons). If you’re in a pinch, look for scrapbook or wrapping paper in a special pattern.
10. Paint an ombre effect on a pretty basket and fill it with a new throw for your mother-in-law.
11. Whip up a couple of these quick, easy-sew dolls for your kids. My girls are still sleeping with theirs and they’ve held up really well after all these years.
12. Monogram a coin purse using freezer paper and add a tassel (from above) while you’re at it.
13. I inherited a bunch of buttons from my grandmothers so I sewed them onto a piece of linen and framed the fabric. Something like this would be great to give to moms. If you only have a few buttons, try something like this look.
Here’s hoping we all get done in time! :)
Love the canvas journals! Thanks for sharing these ideas. :)
If you ever want someone to take that bench off your hands, I will gladly do it!! Love it beyond words!
I've loved all these projects…and remember them all so well! (Long time LGN fan obviously!) Thanks for including my little bookends in your round up, Jenny!! xo
A good source of inspiration and ideas. Thanks for sharing.
masonry danville ca
These are great! I love that you compiled them all into one post!
I also did some DIY christmas presents on my blog… would love if you checked them out!
Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget
Love the paper covered trash bin. Inspires me to cover a few boxes with gorgeous wrapping paper in the same manner.
I love these ideas! My family never asks for anything for Christmas but any of these gifts would be perfect, especially b/c it's DIY.
I love the elephant sculpture, but if I ever tried to sneak that into our industrial chic aesthetic my partner would have a new doorstop.
(Maybe it doubles as a doorstop?)
I love Brissac sapphire . Looking to redo my bathroom and have 2 windows to cover.
I can't believe this stuff is DIY! Just discovered your blog! LOVE!
I would love to know if you have any suggestions on where to find a bench like the one in your post! I have been scouring craigslist but don't know what keywords to use! Thanks!