Whether you're a broke college kid, a poor artist or both (like me!), the holidays can be hard. Not only are there parties, ornament swaps and games of Dirty Santa to play, there are presents to give. And I need to make sure I can buy a tank of gas without overdrawing my checking account... again.
If you're also crafting some last-minute homemade presents, don't worry. You're in good company. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas, all tried and true. But not only are these quirky little crafts easy, they're also cost-effective and most are practically free!
1. Personalized Playlist
Mixtapes might technically be a thing of the past, but that's not gonna stop you. 8tracks.com allows you to create and name your own playlists, even with personalized album artwork! Spotify has access to almost any song you might need, and it's easy to share playlists or radio stations with others. Both 8tracks and Spotify are available on your laptop, as well as on the various app stores.
And don't forget, there's always the option of burning an actual mix CD. I like to take it all the way and draw special album artwork to stick inside the CD case. Inherently personal and super sentimental, the gift of music is always a slam dunk -- just make sure your laptop has a CD drive before you spend the next three hours on iTunes.
2. Hand-painted Ornaments
This is a great option for gift swaps or Dirty Santa parties. You can find glass ornaments and wooden cutouts at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or another craft store for about two dollars each. I like to use Sharpie paint pens and/or acrylic paint to decorate the ornaments, turning each one into something unique and creative. Draw inspiration from whatever captures your imagination. Art Deco, Spanish tiles, the phases of the moon, it doesn't matter, as long as you're happy with the finished product.
Not only will everyone at the party be super impressed with how creative you are, nobody else will show up with the same present as you. Win-win!
3. Photographs
Pics or it didn't happen, right? A framed photo, much like a mix CD, is a gift that's automatically sentimental. Parents and grandparents are sure to appreciate a framed picture, whether it's a recent shot of you or an old one of you and your siblings with mall Santa. Your friends will most likely love a print of that one picture from senior prom or fall formal.
The best part? 4x6 prints cost like $0.30 at Walgreens, and they can usually print in an hour. You can buy reasonably priced picture frames at Target, Stein Mart or a craft store. Bonus: unpainted wooden frames at the craft store are never expensive, and if you decorate the frame yourself, it's like a double gift.
4. Quotes/Monograms
Anything monogrammed is an ideal gift for the Southern Belle in your life. And a thoughtfully selected quote will charm basically everyone else. If you have nice handwriting or want to try your hand at typography, you can totally do the artistic part yourself. If that's not an option, don't panic -- make a print! Take yourself to Pinterest or Etsy for some inspiration, then check out a website like dafont.com and download the perfect typeface.
A small canvas or framed 4x6 printout is the right size for these little moments. If you're painting this gift yourself, I once again recommend using Sharpie paint pens; they're reliable, easy to work with, and perfect for projects that involve lettering.
5. Painting/Illustration
If you're artistically inclined, a cute illustration or an acrylic painting makes a great gift. It doesn't have to be big; anything that fits in a 5x7 frame will look impressive because it's framed. And the fact that you did a piece of art makes it that much better.
Unfortunately, this is my go-to gift idea, and it can be incredibly time-consuming. As of right now, I have no less than ten things to draw and five things to paint. I've started on exactly none of them. But that's not the point. The point is that I'm looking up pictures of stuff from Destiny so I can draw something for my boyfriend -- my dedication and impending lack of sleep are all a labor of love. The best kind there is.
6. A Story or Poem
If you're a writer, then you know how special it is when you let someone read your work. Give them the gift of the century by writing something just for them. It doesn't have to be overly sappy or formal. In fact, it's better when it isn't. For example, in high school, I wrote my friends two page short stories about themselves. Every single one was ridiculous; we would go on high-speed chases together, fight dragons and complete dangerous missions. The goofier story, the more they seemed to love it.
Print out whatever you've written, hole-punch it and then tie the pages together with some ribbon or twine. Gorgeous. Now put the finished product in a folder or a yellow envelope, stick a bow on it, and present the gift in person. I promise it's always a winner.
