Easy to Craft Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Sometimes coming up with ideas for stocking stuffers can be almost as hard as selecting the Christmas gifts themselves. Sure, we like to add our baked goods and of course Christmas candy but it's also a lot of fun adding little surprise gifts to the Christmas stocking. Learn how to make these easy to craft, stocking stuffers.

Customized Bar Soap

These soap bars can be decorated with flowers, photos or Christmas designs (cut outs from Christmas cards). They would make a unique and adorable stocking stuffer.

Materials:

White bars of soap
knife
copies of photographs or cut outs from Christmas cards ( sized to fit the tops of the soap)
hot glue gun and glue sticks
paraffin wax
double boiler
water
tongs
waxed paper
plastic wrap
satin ribbon

Directions:

Unwrap the bars of soap and carefully carve the name off of the tops with the knife. Now add a few dabs of hot glue to the back of the photos or cut outs and press them to the centers of the bar soap.

If you have a double boiler, that's great. For those of you who do not have one, you can create one with two different size pots. Begin with the larger pot on the bottom and place the smaller pot inside. Pour enough water between the two pots to cover the bottom of the small pot. Now place 2 chunks of the paraffin wax into the small pot. Place the pots on a burner, turned to low. As soon as the paraffin wax has melted, remove it from the heat. DO Not leave the melting wax unattended!

Next, using the tongs hold the soap by the sides and carefully dip the soap (face down into the hot wax) approximately a 1/4". Repeat the process two more times to give the soap a nice smooth surface. Lay the soap, face up on waxed paper and allow the soap to cool completely.

Once the bars of soap are completely cool and firm to the touch, wrap them with the plastic wrap and tie them with a satin ribbon.

Miniature Snow Globes

Snow globes have been around for a very long time. They have proved to be a favorite winter decoration for all ages. There is just something so magical about these winter wonderlands inside of a dome. These miniature snow globes are just the right size for stocking stuffers.

Materials:

A small jar with a lid (small baby food jars are great)
glue gun/glue
a miniature Christmas decoration
crushed egg shells ( You can make your own from boiled eggs)
glitter
water or mineral oil
silicone sealant
craft paints (optional)

Tips: Most craft stores carry miniature Christmas decorations. Look in the craft section as well as the ornament section. Make sure the decoration will fit inside of your jar.

Directions:

Using the hot glue gun, glue the miniature decoration to the inside of the jar lid. Make sure your miniature is firmly attached. Now fill the jar with water or mineral oil (mineral oil will cause the snow and glitter to fall more slowly) within a 1/2 " from the top . Add crushed egg shell for the snow (make sure that no skin remains on the shells or they will float too!). If you really want your snow globe to shimmer add a little silver glitter.

Now squeeze a line of the silicone sealant around the threads of the lid and screw the lid tightly to the jar. Let the sealant dry thoroughly. You can use craft paint to paint the lid for a nice finished look.

Now shake and enjoy your miniature snow globe.

Both of these craft projects will make excellent stocking stuffers this holiday!