$ Dollar Stretchin' Holiday Gift and Decor Ideas

I was asked to find a Christmas craft to demonstrate for the ladies at a holiday luncheon.
Since everyone is so different, I decided that maybe 10 crafts would be better. 

The odds of one of them piquing someones interest are greater.

So, with help from Pinterest, here are 10 ideas

 I tried with reasonable success:

1. Dry Erase 'Notepads'

-Remove glass, spray paint frame of a Dollar Store 5x7 frame

-When dry, reassemble frame with a ‘shopping’ or ‘note’ sheet in place of a photo.

-Decorate edges as desired

-Attach a dry erase marker for a simple gift,

can be used in the kitchen for shopping list or by bedside for notes.

2. Personalized Plate or Mug

-Decorate a Dollar Store mug or plate with a Sharpie pen in desired design/pattern.

-Place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes to set the ink.

3. Decorated Journals

-Start with an economy composition book

-Using the plain side of pretty scrapbook paper, trace around cover of book, front and back.  Then on inside front and back. Cut out pattern you’ve just traced.
-Glue (stick or school) a complementing ribbon across inside cover front and back for a tie, then cover with the paper you cut. Glue cover on front and back, cut a strip to cover the binding if desired.
-Embellish as desired with lace, buttons, gems etc., using tacky glue or hot glue for best hold.
-Give with a pretty pen or pencil.

4. Button Bookmarks

-Use tacky or hot glue to attach big pretty buttons to super size paper clips

-Cut a small piece of felt or paper to press on the other side of paper clip/button to hold it in place with the glue.

5. Teacup Candles

-With super glue or E6000, adhere a teacup or tea mug to its saucer.

-Affix  a wick to bottom center (double sided foam tape is best)

-Melt and pour hot wax to fill and let set up.  Soy wax is best.
-Tie a pretty ribbon round the base or lay fresh greens and berries around.

6. Circle or Star Paper Ornaments

-Cut out stars or circles. Here are printables for circles and stars or cut your own from festive scrapbook paper.

-fold down center

-Glue or tape 3 or 5 folded stars or 4-6 folded circles

-Thread a cord through center and slide beads on either end.
-Tie a knot on bottom

-Tie a loop on top to hang.

7. Snow Scene Jars

-In any clean, dry jar arrange a bit of faux snow

-Take a small snowy tree (add a little glitter glue if you like) and place in snow

-Drop in tiny cedar cones, bells, other miniature items for your scene

-Wrap ribbon, lace or a strip of burlap to top of jar.
-Spray a little glitter or fake snow as desired.

8. Village Scene Jar

-You will need a good size wide jar with smooth sides, like from pickles

-Use ‘Township Candle Holder’ template and either

1. cut out scene using black cardtock, wrap around jar or
2. put template temporarily inside jar and carefully paint 2 coats using acrylic craft paint and a small brush.

-Allow to dry, spray a little fake snow around top of jar.

-Place a real or LED candle inside and enjoy the lovely scene.

9. Gift Tubes

-Cut scrapbook paper or cardstock into 7 x 4 inch rectangles

-Roll each into cylinders and tape seam with scotch tape then cover with washi tape

-Flatten one end of cylinder and seal with scotch then washi tape

-Fill partway with a tiny gift and candy

-Flatten open end the opposite way and tape closed with more scotch then washi tape

-Decorate with stickers if desired.

10. Scrappy Felt Keyfobs

-Cut out 2 felt circles with pinking shears

-Stitch a felt initial applique or buttons to the top piece if desired

-Cut a 2 inch piece of ribbon, fold in half and pin between the circles at the edge with a loop sticking out.

-Stitch around the circle making sure the loop get secure

-Attach a key ring.