5 Coolest DIY Christmas Gifts

On: Monday, December 17, 2012

We are now far enough into the Christmas holiday that we are all burnt out from shopping, hungover from parties and sick to death of the music, am I right? It may only be December 7, but it all starts so early these days that I feel as though it is all almost over. Even with weeks to go before the big day is really here. A point that I am constantly reminded of every time I look at the list of presents I still have to make.

I never do big gifts for most of my list. Friend, coworkers, neighbors, my kid's teachers and extended family members are usually on a separate list. One where the main point isn't to give them something so much as it is to show I am thinking of and appreciating them. This is best done (in my opinion) through things I made myself, rather than anything bought from the store.

But what to give? I try to break everyone up into two categories: edible and non-edible. People closer to me go with the former, as it takes more effort for me to make those. The latter are given edible gifts that I can make in bulk and wrap up nicely.

Our previously featured DIY hacks:
This year, myself and my kids will be working together on presents. So I thought I would find some new ideas of DIY Christmas items...here are the five I like most.

Christmas DIY Ideas: 5 Ways to Decorate Using Candles and Glass Jars

On: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I have so many glass jars! Seriously, I have an entire cupboard full of them, most of them from old food items like pasta sauce, salsa and olives. I don't know what to do with them and I never have. While I recycle, my local place doesn't take glassware and I would have to go clear into another county to get rid of them. Which isn't exactly eco friendly when you consider the driving involved to get three hours out of town to the nearly recycling facility that takes glass.

As a result, I tend to take a fair number of them to reuse as water glasses. You know, the big ones you put on the bedside table to combat the effects of winter dryness, and all that. A couple of others have been filled and used as vases, though fresh flowers aren't much of an option now that winter has arrived. My kids have even each used one for their 'rewards jar', which they take a prize from at the end of each week as an allowance for doing their chores.

I have run out of ideas on what to do with these multiplying menaces. I learned how to make my own sauce and salsa in order to avoid acquiring anymore. But what to do with the few dozen still crammed into a cupboard in my kitchen...I could use the space!

This past weekend I sat down and started to really search out things to do with them. The holidays are just around the corner, so it seems like a good time to put them to use. I was relieved to find many struggle with this question, and some pretty cool ideas have come out of upcycling needs. As you would expect, a whole lot of these people had gathered on Pinterest. Man, I love that site.

Here are five of my favorites glass jar upcycling ideas for Christmas (psst: Don't forget to check out our previous glass jar DIY projects: DIY Glass Jar Lanterns and DIY Sun Jars).

1. Table Decorations

Table Decorations

Why Haven't I Thought about That: DIY Photo and Postcard Organizer

On: Wednesday, November 28, 2012

You are most likely to have lots of photos, lots of memories. You like entering your home and being met by those memories. That's what make us feel at home!

However there's never a good way to organize them: Photo frames are boring (you can't often change photos in them) and they don't always fit. Besides, they cannot have too many photos inside...

DIY Photo and Postcard Organizer

 But how about this idea: You can use this DIY shelf  to store postcards and photos. You can re-arrange them as often as you want even daily always creating a new mood! How brilliant!

Plus with some paint and creativity you can make this shelf look cute!

DIY Photo and Postcard Organizer

Calculator Keys into DIY Fridge Magnets

On: Friday, September 7, 2012

We all had those huge ugly calculators in the old days. Now we don't need them: we have laptops, tablets and smartphone calculator apps.

But what to do with those almost vintage devices we store in the garage. Here's one cool idea: create fun DIY fridge magnets to help your kid learn math.

Looks awesome!

Calculator Keys into DIY Fridge Magnets 

Details via Thrive

Here are more ways to reuse keyboard and calculator keys:

Plastic Basket into the Ribbons Organizer

On: Friday, August 31, 2012

Some little hacks require no work at all. It's just the brilliant idea.

Here's one most of DIY craft lovers will appreciate: yet another absolutely awesome idea to organize your DIY stuff at home.

Brilliant!


Via Sustainablog

Wine Bottle + NY Times = Stylish Vase

On: Monday, July 30, 2012

If you have been inspired by our previous DIY project and created a geeky dictionary lamp, you will find this vase simply awesome.

It looks awesome and will complement any geeky interior perfectly!

Photobucket 
Via Etsy

5 Awesome Things You Can Make with Light Bulbs

On: Friday, July 27, 2012

It's amazing how creative some people may get. Imagine you have an old non-working light bulb. Most of us will simply throw it away. Some of us will probably recycle it. And only very few the best of us will turn it into something useful and amazing.

We have covered some awesome light bulb gadgets previously. Let's list them as well a few new ones here.

Recycle Used Bulbs into Light Sculptures

bulb sculptures

It's an awesome idea to turn a broken non-working light bulb into an awesome chandelier. It's like giving them the light bulbs the second chance or the second life!

Light Bulb into a Mini Green House

lightbulb plant

For those who love green houses and indoor gardening, here's a great idea to diversify your routine: cute little mini-greenhouses inside a light bulb!

Light Bulb Vertical Gardens

Light Bulb Vertical Gardens

These would make a great decoration for your garden or yard!

Light Bulb Fish Bowl Tank

Light Bulb Fish Bowl Tank

You will need really tiny fish for it bit all in all this would make an amazing gift idea!

Recycle Old Light Bulbs into Mini Vases

Recycle Old Light Bulbs into Mini Vases

Another cool gift idea, especially for a girl!