Quick Ways to Personalise Your Christmas Decorations and Gifts
From creating a winter scene to making your own gift wrap, see how to put the finishing touches to your Yuletide prep
Even if your Christmas decorations are already up, you may still be looking for a project to entertain your kids, a way to personalise your décor, or an inexpensive last-minute gift. Here are four ideas to help you wrap up your holiday preparations without spending a lot of time or money. Best of all, they’re fun for all ages.
Once the blocks are thoroughly dry, set the kids loose with white or coloured chalk to create their interpretations of the perfect houses for your Christmas village. Accent with toy cars, animals and trees.
See 11 ways to have a beautiful Christmas on a budget
See 11 ways to have a beautiful Christmas on a budget
Impromptu Christmas Canvas
A blackboard encourages family and friends to add festive greetings, inspired messages and imaginative doodles to your wall without worrying about the after-holiday clean-up.
A blackboard encourages family and friends to add festive greetings, inspired messages and imaginative doodles to your wall without worrying about the after-holiday clean-up.
I used a vintage roll-down blackboard, but you could also try a removable blackboard wall decal, a large piece of removable chalkboard contact paper or simply the back of a roll of wrapping paper.
Personalised Wrapping Paper
For a quick and dramatic way to personalise gifts, consider black wrapping paper and chalk. The paper gives you a blank canvas, and you can be as minimalistic or ornate as you like.
For a quick and dramatic way to personalise gifts, consider black wrapping paper and chalk. The paper gives you a blank canvas, and you can be as minimalistic or ornate as you like.
Start with the name of the recipient, going as large or small as you want, then add your own touches, such as wool or burlap ribbons, small ornaments or fancy designs.
See 10 inspiring ideas for a contemporary Christmas
See 10 inspiring ideas for a contemporary Christmas
Edible Snowman Kit
A simple build-your-own edible snowman kit makes a last-minute gift or party favour for friends and family to enjoy.
A simple build-your-own edible snowman kit makes a last-minute gift or party favour for friends and family to enjoy.
Materials
- Three jumbo-size marshmallows
- Reese’s mini chocolate peanut butter cup for the hat
- Mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth
- Two pretzel sticks for the arms
- Thick string for the scarf
- Orange sprinkles for the nose
- Clear plastic bag (mine is 3 x 5in and from a local craft shop)
- Label (optional)
- Canvas drawstring bag (mine is 7 x 9in; a 5 x 7in bag is fine, too)
- Pencil plus orange and black markers
Put the ingredients for the snowman in the clear plastic bag and close it to keep them fresh. A nice label, with or without instructions, is an optional touch.
On the drawstring bag, use a pencil to sketch out a snowman face. Fill in the design with the orange and black markers.
Add the recipient’s name.
Pop the plastic bag of ingredients into the canvas bag, and your gift is ready to go. Enjoy!
Do you make any festive decorations yourself or as a family? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Do you make any festive decorations yourself or as a family? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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You’ll have to do a bit of advance preparation for this project, but once you have the basics, the rest will be simple for the kids – and fairly mess-free.
Pick up a length of two by six (or more than one, depending on the number of budding artists you have) at your local timber yard or DIY store. You can have the wood cut to your desired shapes at the yard or store, or do it yourself once you get home.
Smooth the edges with fine sandpaper to eliminate all possibility of splinters. Tape off the edges with masking tape, then cover the front and back of each block with blackboard paint. Let the pieces dry according to the paint instructions.