Quick Last-Minute Gifts

We are the queens of last minute. As in, finishing getting ready in the car on the way to somewhere late or putting the finishing touches on a project before gifting it. I swear, we are always sweating and in a hurry. Clearly, we’re also known for being irresistible. Another wonderful “flaw” of ours is that we think everyone should be equal in gifts. The uneven gift count usually makes its appearance on Christmas Eve long after the window of putting deep thought into what that gift should be has passed.

Christmas is less than a week away. So, for those who are similar to us (and equally as amazing), here are some quick, extremely inexpensive and simple DIY projects you can whip together for everyone on your list. Don’t be intimidated if you aren’t the creative type, you don’t need experience or special tools for the following ideas. We’ll even list the supplies so you can easily determine whether or not it’s right for you.

Please comment on this post with any ideas we may  have missed.

Source: Modern Parents Messy Kids

Supplies:

• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Cream of Tartar
• Cooking Oil
• Jell-O

Click HERE for the entire post and instructions by Modern Parents Messy Kids

Source: The 36th Avenue

Supplies:

• Notebook
• Wooden Spoon
• Ribbon or Bakers Twine
• Tape
• Paint (and brush)
• Punch holder
• Craft paper
• Paperclips

Click HERE for instructions and the complete post by The 36th Avenue.

Source: Finley and Oliver

Supplies:

• Box with clamp (or lunch box)
• Paint and brush
• Lego sheet
• Strong Glue

For the full blog post, instructions and alternative ideas, click HERE to visit Finley and Oliver.

Source: Lowe’s Creative Ideas

Supplies:

• Plywood (cut to size at hardware store – they will do it for free)
• Camera (regular or on your phone)
• Computer & printer
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Paint
• Paintbrush

This project is so easy peasy. The how-to both detailed and simple are on the Lowe’s website HERE.

Source: Wedding Preview Event

Supplies:

• Old jar candles with little bits of candle left
• Candle wick
• Pen, pencil or chopstick
• Wax paper
• Hot pads
• Pan

You’re literally repurposing everything you already  have. The only thing you technically have to buy are candle wicks. The tutorial is HERE.

Source: Martha Stewart

Supplies:

• Sea Salt or Kosher Salt
• Essential Oil
• Dried fragrant plants (mint, rosemary, etc)

Martha Stewart finally gave us a tutorial we non-Marthas can accomplish and have it look great. This is so stinking simple. Click HERE for mixture/instructions.

Source: Joy’s Hope

This is one of the most brilliant ideas, like, ever. It’s a huge print for less than $9 tops. You get a photo printed as an engineer print at Staples, pick it up, hand them a $10 and actually get change. No, seriously, brilliant. Side note: How great is this lady’s wall color?

Supplies:

• Photo or image (high resolution)
• Computer (to upload photo to Staples.com)
• $10

Alternative Supplies:

• Wood from the hardware store
• Duct tape

To find out how to create this brilliance, click HERE.

Source: Organized Chaos

Supplies:

• Ceramic or porcelain plate, platter, mug, whatevs.
• Sharpie (can use black, metallic, colors, whatevs again)
• Painters tape (just to create a design – or not)
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton ball
• Oven
• Oven mitt

Clean off your plate, platter, mug, whatever it is with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Color like crazy. Place in oven preheated at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Take out with oven mitt and let cool. That sucker will be hot! That’s it. Totally easy.

Source: Real Simple

Supplies:

• Vodka
• Flavors (pineapple, vanilla beans, jalapeno, whatever you want)
• Glass bottles that seal
• Cute tags & ribbons and/or twine

I didn’t realize how easy these were. Grab a box of glasses to gift along with it and, boom, you’ve got yourself a really cool gift! The how-to is on Real Simple HERE.

Source: Stampin Libby

Supplies:

• Tulle
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

Buying these tutus are so freaking expensive. Making them: not expensive. The end. The simple tutorial is HERE.

Source: The Sweetest Occasion

Supplies:

• Ceramic/Porcelain Tiles
• Chalkboard paint
• Chalk
• Felt or cork contact paper
• Glue
• Xacto knife or scissors

What a cute idea for a cocktail party or a fun coffeetable addition. The tutorial/instructions are HERE.

Source: Havoc to Heaven

Supplies:

• Flower Pots
• Paint
• Chalkboard paint
• Paintbrush
• Painters tape or masking tape
• Herbs, flowers, seed packets (whatever you’d like to put in the center)
• Chalk

There are a ton of ideas and resources HERE.

Source: Inspired Ideas Mag

Supplies:

• Photos
• Printer
• Glass Votive Candle Holder
• Transparent Contact Paper
• Scissors
• Popsicle stick

The how-to seemed a little difficult at first (to me) but then I read it a second time and wondered why my brain couldn’t comprehend the easy instructions. Do it and you’ll find it’s simple. HERE is the info.

Source: Ask Anna Moseley

Supplies:

• 2″ blocks
• Mod Podge
• 6 pictures (4×6)
• Xacto Knife
• Foam Brush
• Hair dryer

I am totally doing this for the parents. What a cute idea! The instructions are explained in perfect detail and, again, a simple craft. Check it out HERE.

Source: By Wilma

Supplies:

• Pliers
• Ten 10mm washers
• Twelve 10mm jump rings (jewelry aisle at Michaels)
• Chain (also at Michaels)
• Nail polish in the color you’d like your necklace

This is an awesome (read: industrial) version of the famous bubble necklace. Super-cute! The how-to can be found HERE.

Source: Country Living

Supplies:

• Pillow (IKEA will do just dandy)
• Upholstery spray paint
• Stencil

This project and even a few more easy peasies can be found HERE.

Source: I Heart Naptime

Supplies (per package):

• 1 orange
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Grated Nutmeg
• Cute bag to package it in
• Ribbon, bakers twine, whatever you want to seal the bag with

Here’s more on how to do this and the instructions to simmer.

Source: Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Supplies:

• 1 1/4 cups (about 10 graham crackers) graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Marshmallows

More ideas can be found if you click the image. The instructions for these specific S’mores brownies are HERE.

Okay, now, HURRY UP! You don’t have much time. You can whip these out after work!