12 Last-Minute Holiday DIY Ideas

Did the Holidays Sneak Up on You This Year?

The holidays have a way of seeming ages away only
to pop up on the calendar the following week. While you may have had big plans
to go all out decorating your home with festive decor, baking enough cookies to feed a
small army, and finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list,
time can slip away from even the most-prepared among us. Have no fear, though,
as there is nothing some last-minute DIYing can’t fix.

To help inspire some
last minute crafting, we’ve put together 12 inexpensive and easy DIY projects you can
make with items already in your home:

Create the
Perfect Gift

There’s no better
gift to receive than one that is handmade from someone you care about. Here are
a few simple gift ideas for those you have left on your list:

●   Write a Letter – The holiday season is the
perfect time to demonstrate how much you care for someone. Instead of buying a
gift, take the time to write the person a letter that documents a special
memory you share or communicate how much they mean to you.

●   Make Someone Their Favorite Treat – If you’re
handy in the kitchen, consider making someone their
favorite holiday treat. You can also make a handmade coupon offering to cook
the person their favorite meal at a time of their choosing.

●   Make a No-Sew Flannel Blanket Scarf – Repurpose
a much-loved flannel shirt or make a quick run to the fabric store and pick up
a yard of flannel. Cut your material into a square and use a seam ripper to
fray all four edges. Stylish, cozy and sure to be much appreciated by its
recipient during the winter months!

Pretty Up Your
Gifts

Perhaps your gifts
are purchased or made but have yet to be wrapped or placed under the tree. Here are some fun ideas for recycling
materials you may already have at home to make your gift wrapping more
affordable and memorable:

●   Repurpose Your Old Newspapers– Instead of
purchasing what can be costly holiday gift wrap, why not recycle your already-read newspapers into
wrapping paper? This look will be especially popular with your well-read family
members and friends.

●   Use a Paper Bag or Blank Wrapping Paper – There
is nothing like a blank slate! This leaves room for creativity and is
especially fun for kids. Use stamps, markers and crayons to
create one-of-a-kind wrapping paper.

●   Add Yarn Bows – “Brown paper packages tied up
with string…” –  you know how the rest
goes! Wrap gifts a few times with old yarn and tie it up with a bow. This is perfect for those gifts that
come in small packages.

Trim the Tree

You’ve brought the
tree home from the tree farm (or
dug it out of the attic) but have yet to adorn it with festive decorations. If
you’re just starting out on your own (Christmas ornaments aren’t typically on
the new-home registry) or are looking to add some
fun new elements to your usual evergreen display, check out these simple ideas:

●   Spray Paint Toys – Small toys like figurines
or dinosaurs make fun tree decorations! Add a coat of silver or
gold spray paint and hang them on the tree for a long-lasting memory.

●   String a Cotton Ball Garland – All you need is
thread, a needle and cotton balls. Thread the needle through cotton balls and
create a snow-like garland for your tree in minutes. Depending on your style,
you can also use glue and glitter to add a little bling!

●   Make Pinecone Ornaments – Pine cones also make
great last-minute ornaments for your tree. Just like the toys, you can spray
paint them to make your tree pop! Have fun gathering them out of the backyard and ask kids to join in for a fun holiday memory.

DIY Some Home Décor

●   Make Tin Can Candle Holders – Another eco-friendly décor idea is using old tin cans
as candle holders. Add some ribbon around the
outside and simply place a real or artificial candle on the inside.

●   Hang Paper Snowflakes – A classic activity for
those of all ages is making paper snowflakes. Hang up your creations around
your home and create an indoor winter wonderland.

●   Create a Frosted Wine Bottle Centerpiece – Using
white spray paint you can create a frosted effect on any recycled wine bottle.
Add some flowers and create a festive winter centerpiece!

Planning to put up
some lights as part of your last-minute decorating? Be sure to check out our
tips for safe holiday lighting by clicking the button below.