Make a DIY gift this year

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:40 am

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Not all gifts have to be bought at a retail store. You can always make a gift for a friend or loved one. These are something personal and sentimental. They are also a great option if you are on a budget.

Add a personal touch

Handmade gifts are always something special. You can personalize them to fit the person’s style or taste. You can also add your own touch of flare to them.

Not all handmade gifts have to break the bank either. You can find a few items to create your gift at the Dollar Tree or even upcycle an item you already have.

paint a glass

This is a good example of something you can do quickly and on a budget.

What you’ll need:

• a glass (you can pick the style/type)
• acrylic paint
• paint brushes or foam brushes
• a dish
• clear sealer such as mod podge or triple thick

Optional items, a rag or paper towel, stencils, painters, or masking tape.

You can protect your surface with some plastic or even a trash bag.

If you are looking for good budget acrylic paints I suggest Mondo Llama paints from Target.

You can use stencils to add a pattern or initials. You can also free-hand your design as well.

You can also add a bit more embellishment to the glass as well.

add glitter

If you’d like to make a glitter seemed wine glass it’s pretty easy. You’ll need a few things.

• acrylic paints
• brushes
• glitter (fine glitter works best)
• a plate or dish to tap off excess glitter
• mod podge or watered-down glue
• a spoon

You will want to protect your work surface with plastic for easier cleanup.

You want to brush on the mod podge and add a layer of glitter. You repeat the process until you reach your desired look.

You can also tape off the lower portion of the glass so you stay on the stem only.

Here’s an example of a glass I made a few years ago.

how to seal the glass

Depending on the sealer you use you will need to apply at least 2 to 3 coats to make sure it is fully sealed. You can leave the glass to dry before applying any additional coats. For the glass I made I applied 3 coats of Triple Thick.

Create art for them

If you have a friend or family member who is an art lover you can create something for them. It doesn’t matter if it’s abstract art, paint pouring, or other types of crafting ideas.

You can create a mixed-media art piece or even a photo collage for them.

I made this a few years ago. It’s not hard to do. You can find items you have at home or buy stencils to add the design you’d like.

What you’d need:

• acrylic paints
• a canvas (any size you like)
• stencils
• anything else you’d like to add as an embellishment

Paint pouring art

What you’ll need:

• canvas (any size)
• acrylic paints
• gloves
• cups
• paint pouring medium
• pan to pour excess paint into

You will need to protect your work surface with plastic as well.

If you’d like to skip a step buy pre-mixed pouring paints.

You can also find an all-in-one kit as well.

You can embellish the art once it’s dry any way you like.

Painted pots

If you have a gardener in your family you can create some DIY painted pots. Or you can paint pour them as well.

What you’ll need:

• a pot (clay works best)
• acrylic paints
• sealer

You can decorate it any way you like. Once the paint has dried you will need to seal the pot.

I use the Rustoleum clear gloss sealer.

I let it dry between coats and usually seal it at least 2 to 3 times.

make a sun catcher or wind chime

Suncatcher

This is a fun garden decor. You can make the sun catcher out of anything you like. Or even buy one in a kit.

You can also make one using monofilament thread, or craft wire and beads.

What you’ll need:

• beads (glass or plastic or a pre-strung chain.)
• craft wire (20 gauge may work)
• monofilament thread
• a pair of pliers

wind chime

Wind chimes are pretty easy to make they are similar to sun catches. You can buy a kit or make one yourself.

I made one for a friend recently.

what you’ll need:

• beads (any kind you like from wood, acrylic or glass)
• chime of your choice ( I used a bell)
• craft wire (20 gauge or 18 gauge)
• pliers
• monofilament thread.

As with the sun catcher you can purchase a kit.

When using glass beads always try to find the largest ones as mentioned above.

I used a 12 gauge wire for the outer design and a 20 gauge for the smaller areas.

I used various beads as well. I found 8 or 10 mm beads work best. if you can find larger ones that’s even better.

I used teardrops and stars from this brand in other projects.

I also bought a set of various beads as well. I believe these were 6 to 8 mm.

as far as the chime goes you can use anything you like. I bought a box of bells. These aren’t too loud or noisy so it was perfect.

There are lots of other gift ideas you can make as a gift. Best of all they will be unique for the person you are making them for.