Crafts for Christmas

Crafts are a fun and inexpensive way to make presents for everyone in the family. Here is a list of some ideas or websites that are full of creative and low cost craft projects.

FaveCrafts “Our Christmas Crafts section http://www.favecrafts.com/Christmas-Crafts has thousands of craft projects that people can make for Christmas. I’ve always loved the idea of making ornaments for holiday gifts. For those on a budget, ornament crafts can use recycled materials. These are also great activities for kids.
Old CDs: http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Beaded-CD-Ornaments
Old Fabric (Old sweater would work beautifully): http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Fabric-Stocking-Ornament
Even old sheet music: http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Music-Notes-Star-Ornament “ -
Caley Walsh, Editor, www.FaveCrafts.com, www.FaveCraftsBlog.com



You Can Make This has free ebook downloads for crafts you can make, plus they sell completed crafts at low prices.


Hillbilly Housewife - I love ingredients in a jar for making cookies, cakes and more. Hillbilly Housewife has recipes for making numerous kinds of beverages and baked goods that can be stored in a container and given as a gift. Here is an example:

1/2 cup instant coffee
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup store bought instant butterscotch or vanilla flavored pudding mix (optional)
Measure all of the ingredients into a clean, dry bowl. Use a fork to combine everything evenly. If you are ambitious, you can powder everything in a blender. I don’t always do this because I am lazy. You do get really impressive results from it though, and it is easier to do than one would expect. Transfer the mixture to a resealable container, or a pretty jar. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
To Prepare: Place 2 tablespoons of dry Cafe Vienna into a coffee cup. Add hot water to fill up the cup (about 3/4 cup hot water). Stir and serve.

Looking for Gluten or Casein free recipes to make yummy sweets as a gift for someone on a special diet? Check out One Frugal Foodie She also has a cookbook called Go Dairy Free that you can find on Amazon.








Craftbits.com has crafts you can do at home and give as Christmas gifts. Here are a few examples:

Natural Rock Bracelet - http://www.craftbits.com/project/natural-rock-bracelet
Aromatherapy Candles - http://www.craftbits.com/project/aromatherapy-candles
Polymer Clay Teapot - http://www.craftbits.com/project/polymer-clay-teapot


“It's a great time of year and getting kids involved in the passion of giving is important for them. Creating gift baskets at home is an inexpensive way to give wonderful, memorable gifts. If you look around your home, you probably already have the supplies you need to creating some great gifts.

Gather any extra baskets or containers that you have around the house that would make a great holder of homemade baked goods. Have a baking day and work with the kids to bake cookies, brownies, fudge and holiday delights that they can put into cellophane bags and tie up with ribbon. You can pick up some inexpensive labels at an office supply store and let the kids create their own labels.

It's a fun, easy way to send holiday cheer to your friends and family.” - Debbie Quintana, President & CEO, Gourmet Gifts


Have you thought of giving the gift of an in home spa treatment? With Epsom Salt, you can pour some in a glass container and attach one of the following recipes to it.

“· To exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.
· Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.
· For a relaxing soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.
· For a simple hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of warm, deep conditioner and Epsom Salt. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.
· For a foot scrub: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub the heels and dry, rough patches on the feet. Repeat every few days.” - Peter Smolowitz | Senior Account Supervisor, Eric Mower and Associates www.mower.com