5 Homemade Christmas Gifts

It's almost that time of year again: the Holiday Season. So many people to see, meals to prepare and enjoy, and of course, presents to give. Now, if you are strapped for cash this year, no worries. Here is a list of homemade Christmas gifts you can give to your loved ones this year:

Homemade Christmas Gift #1: Photo

You can either take a nice photo of yourself or use a photo of your loved ones. To make this gift even more special, frame it. You can either buy a fairly inexpensive frame at a craft store and leave it at that, or if you are feeling really creative, you can decorate the frame and make each photo unique for the person you are giving it to. I have had friends who gave their family members photos of themselves, and their families loved it. Now, each family member has a specially framed photo on the walls of their living rooms.

Homemade Christmas Gift #2: Painting

Get in touch with your inner artist this year, and either draw or paint a picture. You can do a pencil sketch, in which case you only need pencil and paper, or you can try any other number of mediums (oil paints, oil pastels, acrylics, watercolor, etc.) Although initially it may be a little costly to buy art supplies, these supplies will last you a long time and you can use them for future projects. For more information on using different mediums, read my articles Tips to Improve Your Drawing Skills, Working With Oil Paints, Using Oil Pastels, and Painting With Watercolor.

Homemade Christmas Gift #3: Stuffed Animal

Making a stuffed animal is not as difficult as it may sound. And in fact, it can be much cheaper than buying a giant stuffed animal (and we all know those are better for cuddling). To learn how to make a stuffed animal, read my article How To Make Your Own Stuffed Animal.

If you are feeling more ambitious and want to take on other sewing projects to present as gifts, you can also read my article Tips For Sewing.

Homemade Christmas Gift #4: Words

Words can be a beautiful thing, so this year, why not take the time to write a special poem or short story? You can even write a bunch of haikus, and tailor each haiku for a different loved one. Just remember that haikus are three lines, and the first line is five syllables, the second is seven syllables, and the third is five syllables. For tips on getting your creative juices flowing, read my article Writing Styles. And, if you want to make your poem or story even more special, you can try your hand at calligraphy and handwrite your creative writing. For more information about calligraphy, read my article Tips on the Art of Calligraphy.

Homemade Christmas Gift #5: Baked Goods

Everyone loves baked goods, and the best art about this present is that it can be shared among a large group of people. Cookies are always delicious, but if you want to something less traditional, try making baklava.