Holiday crafts make great gifts

by Zoe Lopez & Hayley Walz, Co-Editor & Staff Writer

Can’t find that perfect gift for the last person on you list or don’t know what to get someone who already has everything? Consider making something from the heart. With Pinterest being one of the most popular websites around, there are no shortage of ideas on DIY Christmas present. And, these are usually a big hit with grandparents.

Painted lumber

Christmas decor

You can create unique, inexpensive artwork using lumber! Yes, lumber! A 10×5 inch lumber board costs around $5 at any local craft store.

Materials:

10×5 inch lumber board

White acrylic paint

Blue acrylic paint

Scissors

Small buttons

Directions:

1. For this block, paint a base coat of white acrylic paint.

2. When it dries, apply vinyl letters that you can cut out (also from the nearest craft store) with scissors to spell the word joy.

3.  Paint over the entire block (except the letters) with blue acrylic paint.

4. Using the same white paint as the base coat, you can paint a simple tree or any type of design you would like.

5. Peel off the vinyl letters and give the block a good sanding.

6. Added buttons to the tree for ornaments.

7. Voila! You now have yourself a one of a kind art piece for the Christmas season.

Snowman Treat Jars

Use 3 babyfood jars to make a snowman trat jar filled with marshmallows on top, hot cocoa in the middle, and pepermints on the bottom.

Materials:

Three small, empty baby food jars

Black permanent pen

Black construction paper

Orange permanent pen

Black fabric

Mini marshmallows

Glue

Hot chocolate mix

Ribbon

Peppermints

Directions:

1. Thoroughly clean out the jars from any left-over food.

2. Add the marshmallows to one jar, the hot chocolate mix to another and finally add the peppermints to the bottom jar.

3. seal the hot cocoa and peppermint lids tight and leave the marshmallow lid off.

4. Place a piece of black fabric or felt right under the marshmallows lid and close it tight.

5. Then, glue black construction paper or a piece of ribbon around the lid of the marshmallow jar to forrm the snowman’s hat.

6. Add your finishing touches with a colored ribbon as the snowman’s scarf and the features of its face with buttons and permanent pen.

7. give as a gift to neighbors, friends and teachers.