ShareOther than having the best cookies and milk (and a super-chic cookie plate), what’s the best way to make sure Santa stops by tonight? It’s today’s final handmade holiday idea: a candle-lit runway.
To make, set votive candles atop rock salt “snow” in glass jars or hurricanes. Then line them up on your steps alongside some greenery and wait for the man in red. (While you wait, why not take a virtual tour of our favorite decked-out holiday homes?) Happy Christmas!
ShareHey, you’ve worked hard these past few days: crafting homemade gifts, decking out your holiday table, baking cookies and wrapping presents. Reward yourself with today’s handmade idea: homemade eggnog. (Not into eggnog? Check out all 15 of our holiday cocktails.)
This Ecuadorian-style version, rumpope (pronounced “rom-poe-pay”), uses eggs, condensed milk, peaches, vanilla extract and cinnamon to create a sweet, silky beverage that’s perfect for cool winter nights by the fire. Add rum for an adults-only gathering, or serve it on the side so guests of all ages can enjoy this holiday treat. Enjoy!
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareFess up: Do you leave the gifts untouched until Christmas morning, or do you peek inside your gift bags when no one’s looking? I’m not saying I’ve never peeled back wrapping paper or shaken a box, but I love the surprise of opening something totally unexpected. That’s why I love today’s handmade project: this playful gift box centerpiece.
To make this stack of gifts, alternate boxes covered in floral moss (available at craft stores) and brown Kraft paper, then tie it up with a bright red bow. Don’t worry…even prying eyes won’t want to peel back this pretty wrapping.
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareLiving in Tennessee, there’s a pretty slim chance that I’ll have a white Christmas. But I can take matters out of the weatherman’s (or woman’s) hands and make sure I’ll have some snowflakes on the table with today’s handmade project: a snowflake-embellished table runner.
Remember those folded cutout snowflakes you perfected in third grade? Now is the time to revive those masterful cutting skills, or if the memory is a bit fuzzy, use a paper snowflake template. Cut several types of snowflakes out of white felt, then affix it to a burlap table runner. It’ll look great on your table (or across the mantel) all winter long, no matter how much (or how little) snow piles up outside.
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareTomorrow marks the first night of Hanukkah (Did you see Kayla’s table setting and recipe ideas?). Before the latkes and sufganiyot hit the table, jazz up each guest’s seat with these sparkling Star of David place cards.
To make, combine two Star of David cutouts to form a three-dimensional place card. Fold the bottom of each side out to make the card stand up. Outline the star with glue and glitter and write each guest’s name in the center using a metallic gold paint pen. Happy Hanukkah, everyone!
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareMmm…s’mores. Gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate nestled between two crisp cookies, eaten by the glow of the campfire. (Craving one yet?) Introduce summer’s favorite sweet to the holiday season with our DIY s’more kit.
The perfect gift for coworkers, neighbors, kids or kids at heart, this delicious gift screams fun. Combine chocolate chunks, homemade marshmallows and crisp icebox cookies in a (reusable!) chalkboard-painted tin.
And don’t forget the roasting sticks! Just add a campfire for an instant good time. See how our handmade gift expert packages it up:
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareWine is the ultimate hostess gift: You can get it months ahead of time or on the way to the party, plus most folks can always use another one more bottle. Make the gift just a little more personal with this easy handmade addition: A wine stopper topped off with a found object.
Turn quirky finds into functional wine stoppers.
To make, you’ll need wine corks and automotive expansion plugs to keep the air out, along with a dowel to affix the topper. What to put on top? The sky’s the limit! Try old game pieces, vintage door knobs or monogrammed stamps, but any smallish object will do. Watch how easy it is to make this gift:
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareIf there’s one thing that grandparents and parents everywhere can agree on, it’s that you can never have too many adorable photos of babies (human, canine or feline). Delight the hard-to-buy-for person on your list with a professional-quality canvas photo print that you can make at home.
No kids in the family? Make a cool canvas art print.
To make your own, print your favorite photo on canvas printer paper (available at office supply stores) or enlist the help of a copy shop. Then stretch it across a wooden frame and affix the photo via a staple gun. Embellish with paint or jewels, if you like. Get the full canvas photo art how-to here >>
Get even more handmade ideas from our 12 Days of Handmade series and our Handmade Holidays feature. Check back tomorrow for another great DIY project!
ShareStill pondering what to do about holiday cards? Me too! Here’s my plan: Tackle them this weekend with a pair of scissors in one hand and a glass of eggnog in the other. Instead of the typical store-bought greeting, I’m thinking I’ll go all-out with easy homemade ones. (Psst…Did you see Kim’s amazing modern tree and ornament cutouts?) For the third installment of 12 Days of Handmade, I give you this adorable bird-and-branch greeting.
For the bird, find a printable design online or reuse Christmas cards from years past. Then, create the textured branches with pine cone scales, and deck it out with glittery glue. Impressive and easy. Done and done. Get the full how-to here >>
More Handmade Cards:
ShareHi, my name is Liz, and I’m a sweater hoarder. Valuable real estate in my closet is devoted to a container filled to the brim with sweaters dating back as far back as my junior high days. Try as I might, I can’t bring myself to ditch them, so why not transform them? For day two of our 12 Days of Handmade, you can declutter and cross names off your gift list with this no-knit scarf made from old sweaters. If you’re one of those uber-organized types, you can also pick up scarf-worthy sweaters at your favorite thrift store.
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