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10 Easy DIY Christmas Gifts

Sarah Pentecost Student Contributor, Virginia Commonwealth University
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Sarah Thaw Student Contributor, Virginia Commonwealth University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at VCU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Christmas is just around the corner and all of the festive decorations and music are putting you in the holiday spirit. But nothing brings that spirit down more than realizing you need gifts to give – and you’re broke! Here are some easy DIY Christmas gifts that won’t empty your wallet.

DIY Tutorial Video by Cara Holley

Christmall Ball Ornament

You will need:

– Clear plastic ornament ball ($.77 at A.C. Moore)

– Paint, colors of your choosing

Instructions:

1. Carefully take off the top of the ornament so you don’t bend it.

2. Pour the paint in the opening, one color at a time, and swirl the ball around to get the desired effect.

Personalized Mug

You will need:

– A solid colored mug

– Sharpie(s) of your choosing

Instructions:

1. Draw or write whatever designs, words, phrases, quotes, or pictures your heart desires on the mug.

2. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Coffee Mug Candle

You will need:

– A coffee mug (maybe even the same one you used before)

– A candle

Instructions:

1. Pull the wick out from the bottom of the candle.

2. Place the candle in the mug and microwave it for 5 minutes, or until it melts.

3. Wait for the wax to harden enough so that you can put the wick back in and it will be held up.

Snow Globe

You will need:

– Mason jar

– Glitter

– Figurines to put inside (bears, trees, pinecones, etc.)

– Super glue

– Glycerin

Instructions:

1. Glue the figures you want to put in the globe onto the inside of the metal top and let it dry completely.

2. Fill the jar with water, a dash of glycerin (to help the glitter float), and glitter.

3. Screw the top onto the jar tightly and flip the jar over.

Record Bowl

You will need:

– Record

– Oven safe bowl

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

2. Flip the bowl upside down and place the record on top.

3. Put it in the oven and let the record conform to the bowl.

4. Take it out of the oven and then place the record inside of the bowl to further shape it.

5. Let it harden.

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Hot Chocolate Mix

You will need:

– 2 cups powdered sugar

– 1 cup cocoa

– 2 1/2 cups powdered milk

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Mix the ingredients together.

2. Pour it in a goodie bag and tie together with a cute ribbon.

Memory Jar

– Write your favorite memorie and quotes from you and your giftee on individual pieces of paper and stuff them inside a mason jar with glitter and tinsel for a sparkly effect. Tie a big bow around the top.

Personalized Picture Frame

– Decorate a picture frame to your taste and put your favorite picture of you and the giftee inside.

Bottle Top Magnets

– Decorate the inside or outside of metal bottle caps any way you want and glue a piece of magnet to the undecorated side.

 

 

Coupons

– Make coupons or vouchers for your skills and services. Some examples are a manicure, a massage, baked goods, a car wash, exclusive movie night, dinner on you, a personal musical performance, or lessons. 

 

Sarah is from Lynchburg, Virginia but has lived in Richmond since attending Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012 where she studied Mass Communications with a concentration in print journalism. She began contributing to Her Campus at VCU as a freshman and was developed to lead the chapter as Campus Correspondent for two years where she increased membership by 65% and brought the chapter ranking from bronze level to platinum level. She enjoyed attending both the mid-atlantic conferences held with the chapter at the College of William & Mary and Her Conferences held in NYC. 

Sarah currently works in the tech industry in marketing. She has a background in communications, hospitality and nonprofit consulting. She still loves attending VCU basketball games and also loves live music. In her free time, she likes going on long walks with her dog, tending to her house plants and cycling around downtown. Fun fact: she has never owned a car and is a community advocate for public transit.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.
Sarah is a Mass Communications student at VCU with a concentration in Online/Print Journalism. She is passionate about veganism, traveling, music, health and fitness. Her plans after graduation are to move to NYC and work within the journalism field.