24 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

November 14, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

Sometimes I look at Christmas as a competition. Who can come up with the absolute best Christmas gift idea? Each year, I want to give gifts to my family and friends that are different, unique, and handmade. Personally, I feel that DIY Christmas gift ideas are great because they’re unexpected. They’re off the beaten path. Anyone can go out and buy that hot new video game or movie release for a friend. It’s easy. That friend can probably even buy said gift for him or herself, too. Homemade Christmas gifts, however, are one of a kind. No two are alike, and giving the gift of something homemade is a feeling akin to sharing a moment together.

The amount of time, energy, and thought put into a gift makes it special. These factors make that DIY Christmas gift idea come alive. Your friends and family members know this, and it makes that moment when they open that unexpected homemade gift amazing. What could have been a simple movie purchase from the store is a sensation that’s much greater. It’s a heartwarming connection shared between two people, and it bears the warmth and spirit that all of those classic holiday tunes remind us of year after year. The hard part is, when you make a habit of crafting Christmas gifts and decorations on an annual basis, what happens when you run out of ideas?

Lists happen. In my last Christmas article, 10 Jar Gifts to Get You Through the Holidays, I focused on quick, thoughtful, and fun gifts for all of those cousins, second cousins, and third cousins that make up your extended family. Today’s list is a little more personal. These homemade gifts are for the men, women, and children you see everyday. These crafts are cute, clever, beautiful, and exciting, and I’ve broken them down into three categories.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Her

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

If you’re looking for even more fantastic gift ideas, check out this Homemade Christmas Gift Guide eBook.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

What DIY Christmas Gift Ideas have you crafted for family and friends?

10 Jar Gifts to Get You Through the Holidays

November 9, 2016 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

Whenever the holidays come around, I sometimes feel a sense of dread washing over me when I think about the many Christmas gifts I’ll need to get. People with big families know what I’m talking about. The thought of buying so many gifts can be slightly unnerving. That’s why I’m a big proponent of jar gifts. Gifts in a jar are the best strategy when you want to give something creative and special to everyone in your family (extended family included). Jar gifts are beautiful, easy to make, and very inexpensive. You can dress up each jar pretty easily, too. Add a ribbon here. Glue on some holly there. When you’re deep into decorating Christmas jar gifts, the task becomes mechanical at some point, and you can crank out a whole crate full of jar gifts in no time. I often turn on a favorite holiday movie in the background, too.

If I’m being honest, the hardest and most time-consuming part in coming up with the perfect jar gift is the idea. Great homemade gifts require thinking, and as Christmas gets closer and closer, time to think becomes less and less available. We all have so much to do! Whether we’re baking cookies or putting up Christmas decorations, there is never a dull moment in holiday preparation. This is why I LOVE lists. Did I make Christmas Cookie Gifts in a Jar last year? If so, then I’ll just gladly mosey on down to another item on the list. Making a list is quick. It’s convenient, and it lets you jump right in and tackle all of those gifts you still need to make.

10 Jar Gift Ideas Your Family Will Love

If you’re looking for EVEN MORE jar gifts to use this holiday, you really need to check out this 34 Holiday Ideas for Gifts in a Jar free eBook.

I’ve told you my secret. How do you prepare for the holidays?

28 Snowman Crafts You Absolutely Need This Winter

October 3, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

Sometimes the endless snow of winter can really dampen a person’s spirit. Whether the stress of the holidays is getting to you or you’ve got the infamous post-Christmas blues, these cheery snowman crafts will add some much-needed crafting therapy to your life. You may want to create snowman ornaments to brighten your tree, or unwind from that visit from the in-laws with a crochet snowman pattern. Whatever your wish, you’ll find an answer here with these spectacular and adorable snowmen.

When you’re all done with your designing ornaments or crocheting up a snowstorm, check out the lovely snowman cards and snowman DIY Christmas gifts to give your friends and family something special during the holiday season. There’s something here for everyone on your list, whether it’s the hot chocolate fanatic or the earring enthusiast in your life.

Snowman Ornaments

Knit and Crochet Snowman Patterns

Mr. and Mrs. Snowman – shown!
Crochet Frosty the Snowman
Winter Snowman Dishcloth
Knit Snowman Family
Frostie the Snowman Beanie Pattern
Smiling Snowman Jar Cozy – I totally want to make this!
Frozen Olaf Doll

Snowman Cards

Geo Snowman Card
Pop-Up Snowman Card – my favorite!
Post It Note Snowman Craft – shown!
Smiling Snowman Card
You Melt My Heart Snowman Shaker Card – this one is as precious as it sounds.
Snowman DIY Christmas Stationery
Holiday Greeting Card

Snowman DIY Christmas Gifts

If you need more snowman fun, then check out this festive and fabulous list of 32 Snowman Christmas Crafts.

What’s your favorite Christmas memory?

12 Christmas in July Crafts that You Need to See

July 21, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

July is here which means that Christmas is less than 6 months away. Whether you’re ready to start crafting for December now or just want to check out your options for the next few months, the Christmas craft ideas below are charming holiday ideas that you absolutely did not make last year. All new to FaveCrafts.com, these brand new Christmas crafts are special, stunning, and sure to impress. From tropical hues to more traditional printables, we are so excited for the following DIY Christmas ideas that we did not want to wait until September, October, or November to share them. Make sure to pin or bookmark these cuties if you’re not up for making Yuletide cheer just yet. They’ll be here when you get back.

12 Christmas in July Crafts

Cheery Pinecone DIY Firestarters – Give the gift of somewhere to roast chestnuts with these fire starters.
DIY Pinata Christmas Trees (shown) – Add some charming textures to your Christmas home with this Anthro-inspired idea.
Folded Flower Ball Ornament – This DIY ornament allows you to add summery touches to your winter tree.

Merry Reindeer Art Board (shown) – Make your own DIY wall art and keep Christmas crafts on the wall all winter long.
Modern Merry Christmas Printables – Lazy? That’s alright. All you have to do is print these out and hang them up.
Felt Sweater Christmas Trees – These cuddly little trees are perfect for small spaces.

Jolly Dotted DIY Plates – I love this insanely fast update for plain and boring plates.
Dollar Store DIY Ornaments (shown) – Created in the crafting Christmas palette, these insanely easy ornaments are great for kids.
Papier Mache Christmas Trees – Unusual Christmas trees are a fab way to stand out while crafting for Christmas.

9 Tips for Planning Your DIY Gifts

If you are a responsible crafter who loves creating your gifts early (or just really want to try to be), check out our tips on how to plan your DIY Christmas gift!

Reindeer DIY Wall Hanging – Rudolph would hang this in his apartment, for sure!
Washi DIY Christmas Tags (shown) – A crazy cheap way to wrap your Christmas gifts up in a unique and new way.
Funky DIY Christmas Tree – Add trendy ideas to your Christmas crafts to-do list this year with these charming, faux evergreens.

What Christmas craft did you never get a chance to make next year?

Modern Stripes Handmade Card for Christmas

November 19, 2015 by Lisa Fulmer 1 Comment

Who says Christmas cards have to be red and green? Give your holiday greetings a modern spin with paper strip Christmas handmade cards. These striped triangle trees look stylish and are quick to make, plus they’re a great way to use up your pretty scrapbook paper scraps. Have fun mixing and matching all kinds of different colors and patterns – craft your stash, baby!

Supplies:

Selection of coordinating scrapbook papers
Cardstock
Glue stick
Paper trimmer
Adhesive foam pads
Non-stick scissors
Square adhesive rhinestones
Chisel-tip marker

Cut 7″ long strips in random widths of each paper. Glue each strip on a 4.5 x 7″ panel of cardstock and allow time for the adhesive to dry.

Trim the panel into four sections at 1.75 x 4.25″ each. Then cut each section at a diagonal into triangles as shown – two angled left and two angled right.

Arrange the left and right triangles into pairs to make trees. You can match the strips exactly on both sides or pair them so each side is different (as shown in the finished card at the top of the post). Ink the edges with a colored chisel-tip marker for a more finished look.

Adhere the trees to the front of a blank card (4.25 x 5.5″ folded) with adhesive foam pads for a little dimension. Add a square rhinestone accent for the tree trunk.

Comment below and let us know, what’s your favorite DIY gift idea?

7 Must-Have Quilt Patterns for the Holiday Season

October 29, 2015 by FaveQuilts 1 Comment

If you love free quilt patterns, then there’s nothing like putting them to use for the upcoming holiday season. Why? Well, they simply make the best DIY gifts! Who wouldn’t want to receive one of these personal and beautiful quilt designs for Christmas? We want nothing more than to hide under a soft, warm quilt during the winter months enjoying some hot cocoa by the fire. They’re undeniably amazing and an absolute necessity in the winter!

Not only do these quilt ideas make great handmade gifts, but they’re also the perfect DIY home decor project for the holidays. Hanging up a quilt pattern like this Polar Bear Wall Hanging will instantly make a room look festive. Plus, you get say you made these unique pieces! These free quilt patterns are great for a blank wall in your home. If you feel like the walls are looking bare and need some festive flair, then these quilt patterns are the answer to your dilemma. They are so full of details and creativity — they’re surely the most unique DIY home decor item anyone could make.

If you’re learning how to make a quilt, then try your hand at a seasonal quilt will last you for years to come. These designs range in difficulty level, so they’re great for both experienced and beginner quilters. Feel free to use up fabric scraps with any of these quilt patterns because they’re sure to turn out special and unique no matter what. There’s no other craft project idea like a quilt: they’re one-of-a-kind pieces that will be treasured for years.

7 Must-Have Quilt Patterns for the Holiday Season

Christmas Stars Quilt

Christmas Ribbons Throw

Spinning and Spiraling Christmas Quilt

A Dotty Christmas Quilt Pattern

Christmas Tree Farm Wall Hanging

Polar Bear Wall Hanging

Patchwork Evergreen Quilt

BONUS!

Have fabric scraps? Love making DIY ornaments? These quilt Christmas ornaments are super fun and will compliment any Christmas tree in your home. They also make great DIY gifts or stocking stuffers!

Quilt Christmas Ornaments! 17 Projects to Hang on Your Tree

Comment below and let us know, which one of these festive quilt patterns is your favorite?

Iris Paper Folded Christmas Tree Handmade Card

October 21, 2015 by Vicki O'Dell 3 Comments

I love Iris Paper Folding! It is fun and relaxing, plus it’s a great way to use up leftover scrapbooking paper. This Christmas tree pattern is easy if you have not tried Iris Paper Folding before. You can create a couple of styles with all of the same pattern/color of paper in one area or alternate them to create another look for your handmade card. If you’re looking for fun paper crafts for the holidays, then a beautiful handmade card is a great option!

Iris Paper Folded Christmas Tree Handmade Card

Supplies:

Cutting mat
Craft knife
Tape
Double sided tape
Ruler
Cardstock for face of card
Iris pattern printed out on lightweight cardstock
Blank card
3 Coordinating scrapbook papers
Bone Folder

Directions:

Print the iris pattern on lightweight cardstock or copy paper and cut it out as shown with scissors or craft knife. A ruler helps with the straight edges.

Tape the cut out pattern onto the back of the colored piece of cardstock. Using the craft knife, cut the center out of the cardstock as shown.

Tape the pattern to the cutting mat.

Tape the cut colored cardstock , face down, to the mat with the pattern in the center of the cutout as shown.

Cut 2 or 3 strips of each pattern of scrapbooking paper into 1 1/2 inch strips and fold in half lengthwise. Use a bone folder to get a sharp crease.

Begin at the #1 position and cover that portion of the pattern with paper.

Tape along the outside of the pattern where the paper will overlap to adhere the folded paper to the back side of the colored cardstock.

NOTE: The folded side of the scrapbook paper always faces the center of the pattern.

NOTE: You can cut or tear the strips of paper to the correct length. Whichever works best for you.

Cover the #2 position with the next color of scrapbook paper.

Continue until all of the numbers are covered by taping the strips of paper to one another and to the outside edge of the pattern.

Fill in the center with scrapbook paper or a bit of the cardstock.

Tape around the edge of the cardstock and center it in the middle of a blank card face. Press well to adhere.

What’s your favorite Christmas tree decoration?

18 Recycled Crafts for Christmas

October 8, 2015 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

What’s not to love about recycled crafts? They’re budget-friendly and the materials are easy to find because a lot of the crafts feature daily household items. For example, toilet paper roll crafts put those toilet tubes to work and stashbusting crafts can often help you get rid of some of that leftover fabric or paper you have stored away. We can go on and on about our love for recycled crafts, but instead, we’ve put together a list of our favorite recycled crafts for Christmas.

Some of our most-loved recycled crafts for Christmas are crafts with toilet paper rolls. This Toilet Tube Christmas Wreath and these Easy Toilet Tube Star Ornaments are great toilet paper roll crafts for kids. Adults can enjoy crafts with toilet paper rolls too! You’ll never believe this Adorable Christmas Tree Décor uses this easy, budget savvy material.

You can also decorate your home with some DIY Christmas decorations made with recycled materials. The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating for Christmas, but homemade Christmas decorations are simply the best! You can make handmade ornaments to decorate your tree or you can decorate your front door with a Watercolored Coffee Filter Wreath. Proudly show off all your holiday cards with a DIY Christmas Card Display or craft some Stunning DIY Lanterns from tin cans. All of these DIY Christmas decorations are so beautiful and extra special because they’re recycled crafts!

18 Recycled Crafts for Christmas

Kids Christmas Crafts

Paint Chip Christmas Trees

Toilet Tube Christmas Wreath

Precious Paper Cup Angels

Easy Toilet Tube Star Ornaments

Rustic Cardboard Christmas Ornaments

Egg Carton Candy Cane

Recycled Handmade Ornaments

Recycled Lightbulb Christmas Ornament

Simple Rhinestone Recycled Ornament

Upcycled Fabric Ornament

Scrap Paper Christmas Ornaments

Thrifty Light Fixture Ornaments

Mason Jar Lid Wreath Ornaments

Beautiful Rolled Paper Christmas Ornaments

More Recycled Christmas Craft Ideas

Darling Wrapping Paper Wreath

T-Shirt Stockings for the Holidays

Adorable Christmas Tree Décor

Stunning DIY Lanterns

Sheet Music Christmas Trees

DIY Christmas Card Display

Watercolored Coffee Filter Wreath

Plus, for more recycled craft fun, check out these awesome Mason Jar Christmas Crafts here!

What materials do you use for recycled crafts?

11 DIY Christmas Wreaths to be Jolly About

September 7, 2015 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

It’s time to get down to some serious crafting folks. With the kids back in school, the summer winding down, and the fall holidays looming over us closer and closer, we really need to prep for…Christmas! Christmas?! You’re probably thinking I’m out of my mind, but those homemade mantle crafts and DIY garlands aren’t going to make themselves! I started sewing for Christmas about a month ago because I’m still a beginner and I wanted a head start on my homemade tree skirt. Plus, I wanted plenty of crafting time and an organized craft room for all the DIY Christmas decorations I have planned.

The best part of crafting — free sewing patterns, crochet patterns, and knitting — is that you can take a tutorial or a pattern and still be able to make the craft or pattern with your own personal touch. I normally change colors or patterns, but if you’re super creative, you can imagine an entirely other use. Take wreaths, for example and an adorable deco mesh wreath tutorial. That tutorial may be for spring with bright blues and greens, but you could easily adjust it for a red and green DIY Christmas wreath. Everything can be tailored to suit your needs and tastes.

Those cute deco mesh DIY wreaths are really trendy right now. Not sure what they are? They’re the homemade wreaths that look ruffled like an unraveled roll of ribbon. These were all over my sorority hallways with the names of the sisters in each room. They had these cute wreaths with their letters at the bottom and their names in sparkly letters. A DIY wreath would be a really cute dorm room decor to give as a graduation gift!

Excited for the holidays, I’m checking my supply list twice and heading straight off to the craft store to gather supplies for a few different DIY Christmas wreath ideas. I need to make at least two to cover the whole season. I can’t wait to learn how to make a wreath for every single one of my doors!

11 DIY Christmas Wreaths to be Jolly About

Ho Ho Ho Wreath

Ornament Wreath Video

Walnut Wreath

Fancy Feathers Wreath

Yarn Snowball Wreath

Red Green and White Christmas Berry Wreath

Joyful Ornament Wreath and Sign

Candy Cane Wreath

Light Up Frosted Glass Ball Wreath

Winter Willow Wreath

What do you use for outdoor decorations?

Get A Head Start with Christmas in July Crafts

July 16, 2015 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

I love Christmas as much as the next person, but it seems like every year, craft stores put out the holiday materials earlier and earlier. Just the other day I was at Michael’s and they had an aisle dedicated to Christmas ornaments already! It is absolutely crazy, but if you’re like me and have a strict budget, and just like to glitter everything on a daily basis, then you have to get started. I make hand-painted, homemade Christmas cards, so I have to get started early. I’m not quite sure when “Christmas in July” became such a trend, but it once it started, it has taken hold of July as a pre-season preparation. Christmas crafts have so many themes between a “White Winter Wonderland” to just the traditional colors of red and green. Since rustic crafting is still going strong, I wanted to focus on some rustic Christmas crafts.

Rustic Christmas in July Crafts

Crafting is the easy and cheap way to change your decor more often. With holidays, they tend to stick to typical themes. Fourth of July is obviously themed red, white, and blue; Halloween is black and orange with pumpkins everywhere and scary stuff, and Easter typically sticks with pastels. Christmas? Christmas is such a big holiday that you can do anything to your taste. I always like a lot of color in my apartment. On a typical day, it has neutral colors with an accent color to make items pop. So when Christmas rolls around, it is easy to decorate because I just switch out the accent color for some cute DIY pillows and homemade centerpieces.

All of these crafts would look fabulous together. What I love about rustic themes is that they use “natural” materials to make beautiful and classic decor. I use that lightly, only because you can make anything rustic-looking. You always find burlap crafts and rustic weddings, but we need a rustic Christmas. If you’re already rocking the country home decor, then these will fit right into your home. They are super easy Christmas crafts that can easily be put up and put away.

5 Fabulous Rustic Christmas Crafts

Woodland Winter Centerpiece

Winter Wonderland Candle Jars

All Is Calm Winter Wreath

Jaw Dropping Scrabble Tile Ornament

Sparkling Christmas Joy

My personal taste for Christmas decor? I grew up with the lights that had all the colors: red, green, yellow, some blue, and white. I feel those colors make my small space decorating just a little cozier, as long as I don’t go overboard on the decorations. Whatever is on my tree (usually those string of lights with the colors above) along with the general consensus of colors from my ornaments (my collection doesn’t have a theme—I’ve gotten a LOT since I was small), is the theme and color scheme that I choose.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Her

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

If you’re looking for even more fantastic gift ideas, check out this Homemade Christmas Gift Guide eBook.

8 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids

What DIY Christmas Gift Ideas have you crafted for family and friends?

10 Jar Gift Ideas Your Family Will Love

If you’re looking for EVEN MORE jar gifts to use this holiday, you really need to check out this 34 Holiday Ideas for Gifts in a Jar free eBook.

I’ve told you my secret. How do you prepare for the holidays?

Snowman Ornaments

Knit and Crochet Snowman Patterns

Snowman Cards

Snowman DIY Christmas Gifts

If you need more snowman fun, then check out this festive and fabulous list of 32 Snowman Christmas Crafts.

What’s your favorite Christmas memory?

12 Christmas in July Crafts

What Christmas craft did you never get a chance to make next year?

7 Must-Have Quilt Patterns for the Holiday Season

Comment below and let us know, which one of these festive quilt patterns is your favorite?

Iris Paper Folded Christmas Tree Handmade Card

What’s your favorite Christmas tree decoration?

18 Recycled Crafts for Christmas

Kids Christmas Crafts

Recycled Handmade Ornaments

More Recycled Christmas Craft Ideas

What materials do you use for recycled crafts?

11 DIY Christmas Wreaths to be Jolly About

What do you use for outdoor decorations?

Rustic Christmas in July Crafts

5 Fabulous Rustic Christmas Crafts

What is your typical theme for Christmas? What is a staple item that you center it around?

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Knitting

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