Cheap Holiday Gift Ideas For Newtown’s Crafty Students

By Emily Ashbolt

Ah, the holidays. A time of family, good cheer, and gifts. While receiving a present is wonderful, it can sometimes be tough to know how to reciprocate, especially if money is tight, or nonexistent. Here are some ideas for quick, simple gifts that can be made by or given to all ages. These crafts are easy to make, great to receive, and should not take too big a bite out of one’s wallet.

For students, some of these crafts can be made under the watchful eye of an adult and others may require sneaking into household craft storage nook, drawer, or closet.

Some of the craftiest people in Newtown chimed in for this list, and others shared some of their favorite past holiday presents.

Big Grin Pin

One thing that seems universal to all grandparents and parents is they love to show off photos of their loved ones. And what better way to do this than by giving them a photo of their precious ones that they can actually wear? Vice-versa, Bee reporter Nancy K. Crevier wears a black and white photo of her grandparents, taken at Kamaji Girls Camp Lodge in Minnesota, circa 1960, or thereabout, each year. Nancy’s sister, Mary Larson, made the pin for her as a Christmas present in 2004.

“It’s held up well under wear and tear,” Nancy said.

To make a cute, fashionable keepsake pin for the ones you love, you will need a photo or old holiday card, black mat board, tacky crafts glue and Delta Waterproof Jewelry glaze, an old credit card or decoupage roller, a paper cutter, embellishments such as glitter, 6mm brass or silver jump rings (2–3 per pin), eye pins and head pins, flat nose jewelry pliers (or just plain old pliers work too), beads/charms, five-minute epoxy, and pin backs.

Cut an image no larger than one inch by two inches; trim as desired. Trim the black mat a bit larger than the chosen photo. Spread tacky glue on back of picture and place photo on the mat board. Use a roller or old credit card to spread glue evenly. Let glue dry for about three hours.

When the glue is dry, trim the edges of the photo; apply jewelry glaze with paintbrush to photo image; let the glaze dry overnight. When the glaze is dry, embellishments can be added if desired (for example, sprinkle on glitter and apply a second coat of glaze). After that is dry, apply another coat of glaze over the entire surface. Up to four coats of glaze can be applied. Let the pin dry for 24 hours after applying the final coat. Also apply one coat of glaze to back of the pin.

Use an awl and hammer to make holes on the bottom edge to hang items. Open jump rings and slide a ring into each hole. String the beads onto eye or head pins. Twist to secure and bend the eye back into place. Cut off excess wire, leaving 3/8 - inch above the last bead. Grip wire with pliers and roll to make loop; center loop by rocking it into place to hold beads on photo. Slide and secure the jump rings. Attach pin back to back of mat board with epoxy glue. Sign and date if desired.

The only thing left to do, Ms Larson said, is enjoy the finished product.

Vouchers

“Coupons are by far the best,” said Newtown High School art teacher Carol Skolas. “They can be made for anyone just out of some paper and pencils.”

Personal coupons can range from anything to a week without whining to a promise to clean the garage, to doing the dishes, or making dinner.

Any age group can find chores and projects to put on small scraps of paper, then put these vouchers into books and gift them to parents or siblings. These gift tokens could also be seasonal, such as a promise to shovel snow or help put away the Christmas tree.

“It’s the gift of yourself,” enthused Ms Skolas. “What could be better than that?”

No-Sew Snow Day Scarf

Scarves make great gifts, and the color schemes can be changed to fit anyone on your gift-giving list. To make a quick, no-sew scarf, get some assorted yarn in the color and style of your choosing. Resident Carolyn Reines said she loves wearing the no-sew scarf made for her by her sister, and shared her sister’s trick to make it.

Cut 10 to12 strands to approximately fit your gift-receiver, probably about four feet long each. When all strands are cut, they do not need to be exact, lay them out on top of one another so they form a big line.

Knot one end, and then, moving down the scarf, make other knots about every eight inches or so. At the end of your shortest strand, do one last knot, and trim the ends, if desired. Some beads or trinkets can also be added for decoration.

When finished the scarf can be given to a teacher, friend, or anyone else who walks around outside.

“Its very cute,” Ms Reines said, holding it out for inspection. “Very stylish. So attractive for something so simple.”

Original Origami

Giving someone a handmade piece of Japanese origami is a great way to show how much you care. Origami models, folded paper in a variety of shapes and styles, make wonderful decorations and sculptures for display. There are hundreds of different forms to make, from pianos to puppies, so there is sure to be one to fit the interests of anyone you know.

“One of my favorite websites [for origami] is origami-instructions.com,” said Newtown Middle School art teacher Arlene Spoonfeather. “The instructions are clear and they offer many holiday things to make.”

And best of all, origami comes in a variety of skill levels, so everyone can get in on the fun.

‘Blank’ In A Bottle

For a unique present for a teacher or mentor, consider a themed bottle, recommended Newtown High School student Dani Villa.

First, chose a theme. These can be anything: the seasons, the ocean, even a color. Then gather three to five items that fit this theme. For Winter in a Bottle, for example, combine fake snow, a pinecone, and some paper holly in a jar with a holiday poem.

These bottles can make a great decoration and is great as a nondenominational holiday gift. For a more escapist feel, one could put some craft sand, a paper umbrella, mini sunscreen, and a small inflatable ball together for a vacation in a jar.

Enchanting Edibles

Food is always a crowd pleaser, and even the most inexperienced chef can whip up something sweet or savory that will delight just about anyone. Newtown High School art teacher Carol Skolas suggested making a personal trail mix out of cereals, nuts, dried fruit, and small candies that the gift recipient particularly enjoys.

Combine this with a coupon for a hike, and you have a great gift for an outdoors adventurer. You could even throw in a hand painted “walking stick.” Rice crispy treats are another favorite, as they involve no cooking and can even be shaped to fit certain interests. They can also be dipped in melted chocolate for a fancier feel. Or collect some powdered hot chocolate mix and add some mini marshmallows and a cinnamon stick. Put these or any other homemade cookies and treats, such as chocolate-dipped pretzels decorated with festive sprinkles, into decorative cellophane bags and you have an easy and delicious present.

To give a heartfelt gift, one does not have to spend a large amount of money. With a little creativity and time, anyone can create these or other items that can be gifted to just about anyone. And if your project does not come out as well as you hoped? Just remember that it is the thought that counts. A handmade gift filled with time and love is sure to last in your recipient’s mind long after the holidays have faded.