5 super-easy DIY gifts I’m excited to make (even though I’m no crafting whiz)
The same dilemma every Christmas: I’d love to delight friends, relatives, and the kids’ teachers with something more personal than a box of supermarket chocolates, but my mind goes blank. Managing editor Johanna Sjöholm rounded up irresistibly easy ideas for crafting Christmas gifts.
1. The cutest knit in the world (and easier to make than you might think at first glance)
My knitting enthusiasm comes in bursts, and they don’t always last very long. These little Christmas candies are just right for my fickle mood. Even if it doesn’t look like it, they’re truly simple to make: knit a rectangle using knit stitches—it becomes the candy wrapper. Add a bit of fiberfill, roll up the “wrapper,” and cinch the ends with pieces of thread. If you’ve ever wrapped a gift in a candy shape, you’ll nail this, too! And honestly, you’ll nail it anyway, because our producer Annette Saksman’s tutorial has clear step-by-step photos.
2. What a perfect little gift: a decorated matchbox...
What gift can you bring for a child’s teacher or caregiver you don’t know very well? I fell for these customized matchboxes that our art director Elina Henttonen came up with and created the instructions for. Matches are always useful and fit the dark, candle-filled season.
The best part is you can use leftover papers you already have at home—cardstock, gift wrap, and leftover wallpaper. Bring out the sticker stash and glitter glue, too. Maybe the kids will get excited about this creative yet straightforward activity?
3. …and customized candles to match the matches
To make polka-dot candles, you only need candles in different colors, parchment paper to protect the table, and a few minutes. Drip melted wax from a burning candle onto another candle to make the polka-dots—and just like that, the drops harden into a decorative surface. Choose colors that stand out from the base color. The creator of the tutorial Hanna Sandström decorated white candles with red and green.
4. Can you guess what these tree ornaments are made of?
Our craft producer Annette Saksman designs new and easy ornaments every holiday season, from paper stars to tree decorations. Every now and then I’ve been in the right place at the right time and received test decorations she made—like the dainty cupcake liner balls. They made me so happy I could see myself making a few as gifts for friends.
You simply glue cupcake liners together to make the balls—the step-by-step photos and video in the tutorial make it easy. You can use small or large liners, or really any paper (liners give the balls those cute ruffled edges). Of course you can choose the color and style to suit the recipient.
2. A cuter package for an edible gift
Chances are that, in my elf duties, I’ll end up at the supermarket candy aisle no matter how hard I try to avoid it. Luckily, even a store-bought treat can be personalized. Our producer Natalia Rehbinder, who constantly comes up with fun craft ideas, painted the jar lid and cookie cutter with green acrylic paint and glued them together with hot glue. And ta-da: you have a pretty jar for green marmalade treats!
