Guest Post: 10 DIY Stocking Stuffers

Jeremy from PartSelect.com emailed me and asked about doing a guest post of some DIY stocking stuffers, and I didn't see the email for like a week because it went into my spam folder and he had to email me again to see if I had gotten it, which I hadn't. So then when I finally did see his email, I said yes, because I have this thing about Christmas stockings. (The thing being that they're super fun and should contain lots of great things. I always go out of my way to find ridiculous, wonderful, useful, or totally pointless things to put in Dan and Lucas's stockings. Like one year I gave Dan a "Grump on a Stick" which was just a frowning mouth on a popsicle stick that you could hold up to your face to look like you were frowning. Because everyone needs a grump on a stick.) Anyway, Jeremy sent a great list of ideas for DIY stocking stuffers, and you still have three and a half days to make them, so there's plenty of time! (And actually, I spent all morning thinking that today was December 22, which it is not, and when I noticed that the date on my computer said 12/21, I thought my computer was malfunctioning. So you have one more day to make stocking stuffers than I thought you had. Congrats! Now get to work.)

10 DIY Stocking Stuffers

Stocking stuffers are a nice additional to the gifts that you give your loved ones. The cost of them can easily add up and help break your holiday budget. This year be creative, use those hidden DIY skills, and make some homemade gifts. To help get your mind started here are ten stocking stuffers projects for the novice, intermediate and advanced crafters that you can make at home yourself.

Image Via: SweetSugarBelle

Gingerbread Play Dough

Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 1/2 hour
Materials:

• 1 c flour
• 1/2 c salt
• 1/2 tbsp ginger
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 to 3/4 c water
• food coloring

Instructions: Mix the ingredients together until dough is formed. Package in airtight containers.

Image Via Stephanie Norton

Christmas Tree Crayons

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2 hours
Materials:

• Crayons
• Silicone molds

Instructions: Remove the paper from the crayons and place the pieces into the molds. Bake in a 275-degree oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before removing them from the mold.

Twist Ties

Image Source: OrganizeYourStuffNow

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Materials:

• Fabric
• Glue
• Floral wire

Instructions: Cut the fabric into 4" long by 2" wide strips. Cut the floral wire into 4" long strips. Place the wire in the center of the fabric. Place a thin strip of glue on one edge of the fabric and fold the other edge over. Allow to dry completely.

Bookmarks

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 1 hour

Materials:

• Cardstock
• Stickers
• Glitter pens
• Packaging tape

Instructions: Cut the cardstock to match the width of the packaging tape. Decorate with stickers and write the recipient's name on it. Attach the packaging tape to each side of the cardstock to seal.

Image Via BubbyandBean

Garden Markers

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 24 hours

Materials:

• Craft sticks
• Paint marker
• Polyurethane varnish

Instructions: Write the names of various plants on the craft sticks with the paint marker. Allow the paint to dry. Finish with a coat of polyurethane and allow to dry overnight.

Hot Cocoa Mix

Image Via ONeillGirls

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 1 hour

Materials:

• 1 1/2 c unflavored, powdered dairy creamer
• 1 c powdered sugar
• 3/4 c cocoa powder
• 3/4 c chocolate chips
• 1/8 tsp salt
• Cellophane bags
• Colored ribbon
• White gift tags
• Sharpie marker

Instructions: Combine the first five materials in a food processor and pulse until the chocolate chips are fine. Package in cellophane bags, sealing with ribbon. Attach a gift tag with the following directions: Mix 1 cup of milk with 1/3 cup of the hot cocoa mixture.

Candy Cane Ornaments

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 1/2 hour

Materials:

• Red pipe cleaners
• Red and white craft beads

Instructions: Bend the pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape, twisting one end into a ball. Rotate red and white beads until you reach the end of the pipe cleaner. Twist off that end of the pipe cleaner as well.

Peppermint Body Scrub

Image Source: TheEnchantingLife

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1/2 hour
Materials:

• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/4 c olive oil or coconut oil
• peppermint oil

Instructions: Combine the first two ingredients. Add a few drops of peppermint oil. Store in an airtight container.

Image via MommySavers

Felt Snowman Puzzle

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour
Materials:

• White, brown, orange, black, red felt
• Scissors

Instructions: Cut three different sized circles out of the white felt. Cut two twigs out of the brown felt. Cut a carrot out of the orange felt. Cut two eyes and three buttons out of the black felt. Cut a scarf out of the red felt.

Pom Pom Keychain

Image Via A Pair And A Spare

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Materials:

• Pom poms
• Beading wire
• Key ring

Instructions: Poke the beading wire through the pom poms until you have reached the desired length. Twist one end of the beading wire into a knot. Twist the other end of the beading wire around the key ring.

This is just sample of the cool ideas you can make to stick in your family members stockings. These ideas are also great as small inexpensive gifts for friends and co-workers.

DIY gifts add a nice personal touch to holiday gift giving and the folks at PartSelect enjoy sharing these types of DIY and money saving projects. 

Happy Holidays!