Buy the Wreath Workshop, $86, here.
It’s almost time to deck the halls! Now that colder weather is upon us, it’s also the perfect time of year to get cozy and work on some craft projects. Looking for inspiration? We’ve compiled ten DIY darlings in the spirit of the season to help jump start your holiday preparations. Each of these can be completed in one sitting, don’t require a ton of materials, and are easy to do.
PUMPKIN VASE
Pick up a fake pumpkin in the post-Halloween clearance (or use a real one!) and make a special centerpiece for Thanksgiving. It’s super easy and looks fantastic. Here’s a tutorial. Need help figuring out what to put in your finished vase? Learn the basics on flower arranging with this kit from The Floral Society on New York Makers’ Marketplace. You’ll be bringing your A-game to the holiday table this year!
Photo: Country Living via Pinterest
PINE CONE CHRISTMAS TREE
Pine cones are plentiful this time of year. Take advantage of the abundance, gather some up and get to work making them into adorable Christmas trees. This one is pretty self-explanatory: Paint the pine cones (or leave them au natural), stick them in mini-planters, and embellish as you see fit! Looking for more pine cone decorating ideas? Check out this round up of cone crafts from around the web.
Photo: forcreativejuice.com via Pinterest
TURKEY PLACE CARDS
All you need to make hand-traced turkey place cards is construction paper of different colors, scissors, crayons and/or markers, and maybe glue, if you want to add different colored feathers or features using other pieces of construction paper, plus a hand to trace with and one to trace and cut out. This is a great project for your young ones, entertaining and fun for them and helpful for you to have place cards ready for each plate for your holiday meal. The instructions are straightforward, but just the beginning. Each can be personalized with names and other decoration.
Photo: via Pinterest
NORDIC GNOMES
Cute, bearded Scandanavian-inspired gnomes are popping up everywhere. Turns out they are easy to make, too. There are plenty of resources online for crafting these fellas and this tutorial in particular does an excellent job of breaking down the steps. Soon you’ll be filling up your home with gnomes of your own.
Photo: followtheyellowbrickhome.com via Pinterest
HOLIDAY WREATH
Dress up a store-bought wreath with some succulents or make one from scratch in this tutorial from Real Simple. Inspired to do more? Buy yourself The Floral Society’s Wreath Workshop, available on the New York Makers’ Marketplace. This workshop-in-a-box provides everything you need to express your creativity while making your own, again and again. Use the tools to design unique pieces to adorn your home in every season.
Photo: The Floral Society
FELTED CHARMS OR GARLANDS
Create your own holiday decor or Christmas gifts with a fun, beginner-friendly felting project. These mini-pumpkins are perfect fall place-setters. Not sure how to get started? Order a Holiday Felted Acorn Kit through New York Makers’ Marketplace. It comes with everything you need to create your own set of holiday acorns (at least a dozen of them), and includes a full-color, step-by-step instructional booklet with an introduction to the art of felting. Or for your tree, make a felted star garland that will add homespun sparkle for now and for many years to come.
Buy the Holiday Star Felting KIt, $30, here. Photo: Grey Fox Felting
POP-UP CARD
Make this cute, snowy wonderland card, courtesy of Sweet Paul. Only paper, scissors, and glue required! Or shop holiday cards from Saratoga-based Harlem Hill on the New York Makers’ Marketplace.
Photo: Sweet Paul
MODERN MENORAH
Pigmented concrete make for an elegant and modern menorah, in this tutorial from Better Homes & Garden. Use the provided template to make the molds and then pour, pour away. You’ll love it so much, you’ll want to make more for friends. Shop beeswax candles to go with it. Or, if time just doesn’t allow making your own menorah this year, check out New York Makers’ five different versions you can assemble yourself.
Photo: Better Homes & Gardens
CORN HUSK DOLLS
No craft compilation would be complete without one from Martha Stewart. Get the kids in on the fun with these corn husk dolls, simple to make and with endless variations. Perfect adornment for the kids’ table at Thanksgiving.
Photo: Martha Steward via Pinterest
PAPER SNOWFLAKES
Easy. So beautiful. They can be large, small, in between. Plain or glittery. Use them as doilies for serving holiday treats, for door, package, or card decorations, or as ornaments on your tree. White as snow paper (thin rather than thick so the cutting will be easier) -- or different colors if you like! -- and scissors are all you need. Here are instructions to make six-pointed snowflakes.
Photo: Apartment Therapy via Pinterest
Share the crafting love by giving a DIY kit to a loved one this holiday season. Click here to browse our full DIY kit collection.
Leave a comment