Last-Minute Holiday: Quick Ways to Personalize Your Decor and Gifts
See how to put on a finishing flourish with a simple stick of chalk and how to put together a kit for an adorable edible snowman
Even if the stocking is hung and the tree trimmed, you may still be looking for a project to entertain your kids, a way personalize your decor or an inexpensive last-minute gift. Here are four ideas to help you wrap up your holiday preparations without spending a lot of time or money. Best of all, they’re fun for all ages.
Once the blocks are thoroughly dry, set the kids loose with white or colored chalk to create their interpretations of the perfect houses for your Christmas village. Accent with toy cars and trees.
Impromptu Holiday Art Canvas
A chalkboard surface encourages family and friends to add holiday greetings, inspired messages and imaginative doodles to your wall without worrying about after-holiday cleanup.
A chalkboard surface encourages family and friends to add holiday greetings, inspired messages and imaginative doodles to your wall without worrying about after-holiday cleanup.
I used a vintage roll-down chalkboard, but you could also use a removable chalkboard wall decal, a large piece of removable contact paper or the back of a roll of wrapping paper.
Personalized Gift Wrap
For a quick and dramatic way to personalize gifts, consider black wrapping paper and chalk. The paper gives you a blank canvas, and you can be as minimalistic or ornate as you like.
For a quick and dramatic way to personalize gifts, consider black wrapping paper and chalk. The paper gives you a blank canvas, and you can be as minimalistic or ornate as you like.
Start with the name of the recipient, going as large or small as you want, then add your own touches, such as modern wool or rustic burlap ribbons, small ornaments, or fancy designs.
Edible Snowman Kit
A simple build-your-own edible snowman kit makes a last-minute gift or party favor for friends and family to enjoy.
A simple build-your-own edible snowman kit makes a last-minute gift or party favor for friends and family to enjoy.
Supplies
- Three jumbo-size marshmallows
- Chocolate peanut butter cup for the hat
- Mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth
- Two pretzel sticks for the arms
- Thick string for the scarf
- Orange sprinkles for the nose
- Clear plastic bag (mine is 3 by 5 inches and from the local craft store)
- Label (optional)
- Canvas drawstring bag (mine is 7 by 9 inches; a 5-by-7-inch bag is fine too)
- Pencil and orange and black markers
Put the ingredients for the snowman in the clear plastic bag and close the bag to keep them fresh. A nice label, with or without instructions, is an optional touch.
On the drawstring bag, use a pencil to sketch out a snowman face. Fill in the design with the orange and black markers.
Add the recipient’s name.
Pop the plastic bag of ingredients into the canvas bag, and your gift is ready to go. Enjoy!
Tell us: What DIY touches are you putting on your holiday gifts this year? Share a photo in the Comments below.
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Tell us: What DIY touches are you putting on your holiday gifts this year? Share a photo in the Comments below.
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You’ll have to do a bit of advance preparation for this project, but once you have the basics, the rest is simple for the kids — and fairly mess-free.
Pick up a two-by-six (or more than one, depending on the number of budding artists) at your local lumberyard or home improvement store. You can have the wood cut to your desired shapes at the store or do it yourself once you get home.
Sand the edges with a fine-grit sanding block to eliminate all possibility of splinters. Tape off the edges with painter’s tape, then cover the front and back of the blocks with chalk paint. Let the pieces dry according to paint instructions.