How To Make Homemade Christmas Gifts With Buttons and Heavyweight Paper (and a Few Other Things)

Christmas is almost here, which means that one of three things: 1) you've already gotten, and wound up all his gifts, and they were placed under a tree, 2) if you have already gotten some .. their gifts, and they are still waiting to be wrapped, or 3) you have not done any shopping at all and start to panic (or should be ).

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First of all, if you have not gotten any presents, because you're lazy, go on and get over with. You'll feel much better after you do not have to worry about, plus the more you wait, the longer the lines will be higher shipping fees.

Now, if you have not gotten any presents yet because you're a bit cash-strapped this year, worry not. You can just as easily make some great gifts for your family and friends. Check out some ideas below:

Tote bags with your own design

This is super easy and very inexpensive - you can get a carry bag for just a couple bucks each at any craft store, and you can buy a couple of fabric pens to draw your design on them. You can also buy some pre-made iron-ons.

button necklace

This is also incredibly easy. All you need is 40 "from the pull string, a lot of the same button (mother of pearl or abalone work especially well), crimp bead, necklace closure and need-nose pliers. Fold string in half, and tie two slipknots 2" below the fold. Slip button on a string. Tie another Slipknot 1 "compared to the previous node. Repeat until you have 12 keys on the wire. Make as many or as much as you want. Trim ends (not looped end) 2" from the last node. Gather all the ends together and crimp the crimp bead. Fasten the closure of the necklace using a pair of needle-forceps.

Stationery

Give somebody accessories for your very own design! You will need the ruler, pencil, heavy paper and color envelope (you can make your own colored envelopes heavyweight paper). Choose paper with beautiful colors with decorative trim (you can draw on your own if you wish). To make the envelope: Start with 8 1 / 2 "x 11" piece of paper-heavyweight. Fold 1 / 2 stitches on each 11 "side panels. Measure 4" from bottom of paper (one of the 8 1 / 2 "side) and fold on that line. Glue to the bottom of the lid for 1 / 2" seam you folded. Use a glue stick, like a liquid glue or glue can leak through the paper. Fold the paper down on top of 2 ". Taper sides of the lid to form a triangle, if you prefer the square edges.

Bookplates

If you know a book lover, to him or her a set of original bookplates may be within his book. (Bookplates are places for book owners to write their names without writing directly to the book. Make a few projects in Photoshop or Illustrator and used for printing paper labels. You can get sticker paper that is removable and will not tear on the inside cover of the book, if the owner wants it removed . you can also draw directly on the label paper, if you wish.

These are all great, just a can give your loved ones without breaking the bank!