DIY Gifts for the Holidays

Lightbulb Terrarium

The holidays can be a stressful time, especially if you are a student trying to shop for family and friends on a budget. While it’s easy to get carried away during the holiday season, we’re betting that come January, you will severely regret it if you max out your credit card.

Instead, why not simply spend a bit of your time and a little of your creativity to craft the perfect holiday gifts? Here are just a few cheap, but meaningful gifts that you can create for friends and family on your list this year.

Art or photography – Are you taking an art or photography class this semester? Why not use the skills you’ve learned to craft a gift for your loved ones? Take photos of your favorite architectural elements or scenes from campus, frame it and you have a perfect (and affordable) holiday gift. Maybe pottery is more your forte, make a vase or planter, add plant life and your gift is complete.

Terrarium – Creating a living landscape for an indoor space has never been so popular, or so easy. Find a glass globe in a garden store and pick out a few striking succulents, some soil and a few minutes later, you’ll have the perfect gift. For an extra touch of whimsy add miniature items meaningful to your gift recipient.

Homemade Dog Treats – It’s inevitable that at least a couple of the people on your gift list are dog lovers. Nothings says I care about you this Christmas like giving them a gift for their best friend. The good news is making healthy dog treats is a breeze. All you will need is an oven, a few baking staples and a dog bone-shaped cookie cutter.

Personalized Mugs – If you have a blank porcelain mug and a sharpie, you have the beginnings of a great personalized gift. Simply draw your favorite design, monogram letter or personalized message, put the mug in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and voilà, you have a truly one-of-a-kind gift. Just be sure to let it cool completely before using or washing.

Not crafty – If you are just not a crafty person, that’s okay, you can use your bargain hunting skills to find the perfect gifts without breaking the bank. Try hitting up thrift shops for retro or vintage items or shop craigslist for items your loved ones want at steeply discounted prices.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennerosity/

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