Have a think about this scenario: a member of your family's birthday is coming up and you have no idea what to buy. They don't have any requests and you could could even go so far as to say they're 'the person who has everything'. Needless to say you leave it too late and end up buying another mindless, bog standard gift just because you have to. Sound familiar? Now's the time to put an end to sub standard gift giving and go that extra mile; not by spending more but by making your gift from scratch.
Whether you're an experienced crafter or not, making a birthday present is suitable for all ages, budgets and time constraints. Paper mache bowls filled with scented pot pourri is a thoughtful present for women. Easy to make and cheap to do, paper mache is created by diluting a PVA glue mix and applying it to newspaper strips over a mould. In this case, apply the strips to a bowl of your choosing; not forgetting to wrap the 'mould' bowl in a thin layer of cling film so the mould and the paper mache can be separated when dry. After the paper mache has set, your bowl is now ready to paint with a design of your choosing; perhaps something that is in keeping with the person you're gifting to.
If it's a birthday boy you're buying for why not opt for another simple and affordable gift such as a bespoke ceramic mug? Plain white mugs can be picked up cheaply from a home store such as Ikea for next to nothing and can then be decorated with a wash-resistant enamel paint. To get your creative juices following it's a good starting place to think about what your recipient likes and try and translate this onto your mug. You could also look into applying a photograph onto the mug which is another personal touch. Kits to do this can be bought from most art stores and don't cost the earth.
Finally, if you're looking for a present that's great at any age why not opt for a hamper filled with edible goodies? Hampers come in a range of sizes and styles and allow you to get creative in selecting which items you fill them with. Birthday hampers are the perfect surprise at any age; especially if you include a bottle of alcoholic or non alcoholic fizz, a birthday cake, some sweet treats like chocolates and even a helium balloon! If your recipients birthday lands in the summer months you could even go so far as to create a birthday picnic hamper and enjoy a celebration out in the sun.
Don't get stuck in the cycle of giving boring gifts. Turn gift giving into a fun and creative experience by making your own presents from scratch; they're guaranteed to be completely unforgettable.
Source : Ezinearticles
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