Gifts from your Kitchen Social media image

Gifts from your Kitchen Social media imageCreative DIY Gifts from Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place full of love, family, and delicious food. Why not make your kitchen the go to place for DIY gifts this year? Plus there’s something special about receiving a homemade gift. Would you agree? Instead of braving the mall and the stores this year, why not make these Creative DIY Gifts From Your Kitchen to show your friends how much you care.

Gifts from your Kitchen - Lemon zest Popcorn

Popcorn doesn’t have to be seasoned with just salt and butter! Add a tangy flavor with this delicious Lemon Zest Popcorn recipe. Go ahead and fill a cute mason jar with popcorn and tuck a movie theater gift card inside.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Blackberry Jam at Satori Design for Living

Homemade Honey Rosemary Blackberry Jam by Satori Design for Living is the sweetest gift that doesn’t have to be eaten at dessert time. It can be enjoyed all day long!

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Easy Strawberry Tart Show your love with this gorgeous, mouth-watering Strawberry Tart Recipe.
It’s sure to be the hit of any pot luck too.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Peppermint Snowflake Ornaments

These Peppermint Snowflake Candy Ornaments are fun and decorative.
The kids will delight in helping with this DIY gift idea.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen

Dry weather can be brutal on our skin and lips. A homemade Lemonade Lip Balm is a sweet gift for anyone who needs a little ray of sunshine in their life.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Homemade Lemon Hand Scrub - My Uncommon Slice of Surburbia

This lemon-scented gift will surely pamper the skin (and would pair nicely with the Lemonade Lip Balm above.) Give your friend some Homemade Lemon and Peppermint Hand Scrub found at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

 

Gifts from Your Kitchen - Sugar coconut scrub - The Palette Muse

This Sugar Coconut Scrub by The Palette Muse is another luxurious spa essential that makes lovely gifts for your friends.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - White Chocolate Cookie Bars

White Chocolate Cookie Bars are a nice change from traditional brownies and chocolate chip cookies. I’m sure Santa wouldn’t mind a little variety in his diet this year. 😉

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are my go to cookies when I want to impress. They are made using a standard mix from the grocery store, but you add the gourmet factor before baking!

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Lemon Glazed Shortbread - DIY Beautify

These fresh and sweet Lemon Glazed Shortbread cookies by DIY Beautify would make a thoughtful gift any time of the year.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Coffee Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Glaze

Coffee and Chocolate Shortbread cookies are the perfect gift for that caffeine junkie in your life. Bren from Bren Did even provides the free gift tag printable to go with this gift!

 

Gifts from Your Kitchen - Peppermint Oreos

Short on time? These Peppermint Oreo Cookies are simple to make and super scrumptious.

 

If you read my article about improving indoor air quality, you know how nasty store bought air fresheners can be. These next two ideas are not only thoughtful gifts, but they are also healthy alternatives when the house needs some freshening.

Gifts from your kitchen - Simmering Pots - Two Purple Couches

Give your friends a natural way to add fresh fragrance to their home with these 3 Homemade Simmering Pot Recipes by Two Purple Couches.

 

Scented Room Spray Recipe

For those friends that like to spray their way to fresher smelling air, make your own natural room spray to help them combat stale air in the winter.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - chalkboard painted cocoa mugs.

If you aren’t the best cook, that’s okay. You can create these fun Chalkboard Painted Mugs. Then add some hot cocoa mix, because nothing warms better on a cold, winter day.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Friendship Soup in a jar - oh my creative

Cold weather brings out the desire to cook more soups. Show your love by giving friends this Friendship Soup in a Jar by Oh My! Creative. Not only is it tasty, but the colorful stripes are pretty too.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Sugar Free Hot Cocoa mix - Boxy Colonial

The holidays can be filled with so many sugary sweets. Your friend who has gone sugar-free, would appreciate this Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix by Boxy Colonial.

 

Gifts from Your Kitchen - Cocoa in a Jar

For the rest of your friends who don’t mind the real deal,  you can make them this adorable Cocoa in a Jar!

 

Gifts from your kitchen - DIY Danielle

Delicious Cake Mix Cookies like DIY Danielle’s are great gifts for anyone with a sweet tooth (even those that don’t love to bake).

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - bbq and ranch mixes - Hearth and Vine

Have a grill master in your life?  Give them these Homemade BBQ and Ranch Spice Mixes by Hearth and Vine.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Infused Oils - Craving some Creativity

These homemade Infused Oil bottles shared by Craving Some Creativity are a perfect gift for your friend who loves to cook!

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Coconut Toffee Candy - My Life Cookbook

My Life Cookbook’s Coconut Toffee Candy would be a sweet little holiday treat for your friends.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Hot Chocolate on a Stick - Persia Lou

Give your loved one Persia Lou’s Hot Chocolate on a Stick. What a decadent gift that old and young will enjoy when stirred in warm milk.

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - Chocolate Dipped Candy Apples

Craving Some Creativity’s Gourmet Chocolate Candy Apples are a fantastic and fun gift for any occasion!

 

Gifts from your Kitchen - SlowCooker peanut clusters

Make these quick and simple Peanut Clusters in your crockpot! Cupcakes and Crinoline has the details for making this candy that your friends will go nuts over.

 

Gifts from your kitchen - Warm and Cozy Chocolate Gift Basket

Take any of the above chocolate sweets and use them to fill  this warm, cozy, and useful Chocolate Gift Basket this year.

I hope you found some inspiration for amazing gifts you can make from your kitchen. If you like this collection, pin the image below to share with your friends (because friends don’t let friends go crazy at the mall during the holidays):

Gifts from your Kitchen Pinterest image
Here are a few other creative gift idea posts you may enjoy:

21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Creative Gift Wrap Ideas

 

35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

Upcycled Gift Ideas

 

Gift Ideas for the Creatives on Your Wishlist

gift ideas for creatives

Hostess gift ideas pinterest image

Hostess Gift Ideas social media image16 Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas

Holiday festivities are about to begin, and you don’t want to arrive to those parties empty-handed! Thank your hostess by bringing a thoughtful and personal gift that is sure to put a smile on his or her face. Here is a collection of Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas!

YEAR-ROUND IDEAS

Hostess Gift Ideas - Personalized Wood Slice Coasters

Give your hostess something unique like these Personalized Wood Slice Coasters.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Gift Tray Box

Add wine or a few small items to this DIY Gift Tray Box for a sweet thoughtful gift.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Gold and Marble Coasters

These Gold and Marble Coasters would make a sleek gift for your next dinner party hostess.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas Washi Tape Vase

Add some flowers to a Simple Washi Tape Vase for a beautiful gift at the next party.

 

Hostess gift ideas Drift wood Gift CrateBuild a Driftwood Gift Crate and fill it with some items as a kind gesture.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Block Print Stamped Tea TowelDoes your hostess love to work in the kitchen? Make some custom Block Print Stamped Tea Towels.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Eat Your Veggies Cloth Napkin Gift SetThis “Eat Your Veggies” cloth napkin set is sure to be the perfect gift for the hostess with a good sense of humor.

 

Hostess Gift IdeasFor a hostess who loves gold touches in her home decor, these Tissue Paper Candles would be a perfect thank you.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Cutting BoardHow about a custom DIY Cutting Board for your next hostess gift? Useful and beautifully crafted.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Faux cross stitch Tea TowelImpress your host with this adorable Faux Cross-stitch Tea Towel that is sure to make a lasting impression.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - rustic cake standDoes your hostess love to bake? Make this amazing Rustic Cake Stand!

HOLIDAY IDEAS

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Snowflake Christmas Trivets

These Snowflake Christmas Trivets would be the perfect gift to keep the table festive and protected.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Paper Bag Ornaments

A Paper Bag Ornament would be a sweet holiday gift for their tree.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Hot Cocoa Mix in a JarMake your dear friend some Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar as a thank you for their next holiday gathering.

 

Hostess Gift IdeasAdd some fun items to this Customized Gift Paint Can for a unique and fun gift! (This would also make a fabulous housewarming gift.)

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Chalkboard Paint MugsAn adorable set of Chalkboard Painted Mugs would make the perfect gift for a holiday hostess.

I hope this post gave you some great ideas for gifts that you can give to show appreciation for your hostess! We all know how much work goes into a party or gathering. Giving thoughtful gifts is a sure way to keep the invites coming!

If you like this roundup, please Pin this image:

Hostess gift ideas pinterest image

 

Here are some other posts you might like:

Holiday Decor Ideas12 Great Upcycled Ideas for Holiday Decor

 

Creative gift wrap ideas21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

 

35 upcycled gift ideas35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

8. Complete with "L" brackets on corners. Add gifts and deliver!

DIY Sheet Metal Gift TraysDIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays

The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving ideas! Gift trays are a great way deliver gifts to your friends, neighbors or teachers. The best part of a gift tray is it can be reused for anything they want and nothing goes to waste! Follow along with this tutorial to see how to make these DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials: Sheet Metal Gift Tray

  • 1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood scrap wood
  • 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000W49NPC’ text=’Sheet metal scrap’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4f103892-cbe2-11e7-a00c-3fda84932599′] (large enough to cover plywood base)
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00009OYFY’ text=’Sheet metal snips’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’56db011a-cbe2-11e7-88c9-230adf5bdb2c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000S7ZSTS’ text=’Construction adhesive’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’65c9549d-cbe2-11e7-8619-39ed35fc6585′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000DZF2Q4′ text=’Caulk gun’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6d3fe28c-cbe2-11e7-bb25-e144f3be5a89′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00125NQBC’ text=’Sandpaper’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7f0ff979-cbe2-11e7-b34f-fb2f071c5869′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001JYVDSE’ text=’Steel wool’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e654c5e-cbe2-11e7-b495-0ffc93a9294c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I7DNOYA’ text=’Gloves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b09e21ba-cbe2-11e7-91af-d908a698cd02′]
  • Drill
  • Pencil or Marker
  • 4 – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N6NID4X’ text=’L brackets’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’de9d5670-cbe2-11e7-84b2-2f143e838863′] and 1/2″ wood screws
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001PNH8D8′ text=’Brad nails ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0337c2d4-cbe3-11e7-b1d7-3dfa06c67bf1′]Nail gun

Instructions:

Cut your piece of plywood to the desired size for the tray base. Lay the plywood base on top of the sheet metal and trace with a permanent marker. Use tin snips to cut the metal to size.

1. Cut base and mark sheet metal size.

Put on your safety gloves and use the sanding block to remove some of the shine from the sheet metal. Smooth over any sharp edges.

2. Sand Sheet metal edges and base.

Rub the steel wool over the entire sheet metal piece to give it a soft polished finish.

4. Use steel wool to dull sheet metal surface.

Load a tube of construction adhesive into your caulk gun. Apply a fair amount of adhesive to the plywood. Glue the sheet metal to the top of the plywood.

5. Add Construction Adhesive to wood base

Press the sheet metal down evenly on top of the adhesive. Wipe off any excess if needed with a paper towel.

6. Press sheet metal on top of wood base.

Cut the 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding to the length of the two shorter sides. Next, measure and cut two pieces of lathe for the long ends. (Be sure to allow extra length to overlap the short pieces of lathe/moulding.  Use the construction adhesive and brads to secure the lathe to the sides of the plywood. Clamp the sides until the adhesive cures.

8. Clamp sides while glue cures.

Once the adhesive is cured, remove your clamps. Attach the L brackets on the lower half of each corner using 1/2″ wood screws. The L brackets will reinforce the sides and add an industrial look.

9. Add corner brackets for extra support and decoration.

There you have it! These DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays are easy to make, look great, and are an extra special and environmentally-friendly way to give gifts!

10. Add gifts and deliver!

I hope you love this project. Do you have other ideas for quick gift giving? Please share!

Want some more gift giving inspiration?

DIY Scrap Moulding Trays

scrap-moulding-trays

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate | Pretty Handy Girl

This teacher sign is the perfect end-of-year gift!

This wooden sign would make the perfect end-of-school-year gift for your child's teacher!

Hi everyone! It’s Vineta from The Handyman’s Daughter back with another fun project to share with you! It’s almost the end of the school year, and I’ve been racking my brain to come up with a nice gift for my son’s second grade teacher. Hopefully this little wooden sign will make its way into her classroom next year and reminds her of how much she means to her students.

I used one of my favorite stencil techniques, on this family birthdate sign I created for Mother’s Day. The reverse stencil effect appears almost like magic when stain is applied!

This family birthdate sign uses the same staining technique as the teacher sign!

We’re going to use the same technique for this DIY Teacher Sign. Here’s how it works!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

I started by digging through my wood pile for some scrap plywood and unearthed a 9″ x 12″ piece that would work perfectly. Remove any dust from the surface with a tack cloth.

You can choose from one of the many designs in the Silhouette Store (I used this one), or design your own. Apply the white stencil vinyl to the cutting mat and let the machine do the cutting.

I used a Silhouette machine to cut the stencil for my teacher sign.

Weed out the letters and shapes, then lay the transfer tape on top of the design. Use the smoothing tool to push out any air bubbles and ensure that the stencil is on securely.

Apply transfer tape to the stencil to keep all the elements in place.

Peel up the stencil and transfer tape together. Apply it to the plywood. Smooth out any air bubbles, then remove the transfer tape. The stencil should remain. Give the stencil one last rub, concentrating on the edges of the letters and shapes.

Apply the stencil to the plywood for your teacher sign.

Here’s the trick to this stenciling technique: wood glue! Have you ever discovered a big blob of wood glue preventing stain from soaking into your project? We’re going to take advantage of that instead of fighting it!

Dip your craft brush into the wood glue and carefully paint a thin layer inside the stencil. Move from the outside in, and try not to get any glue under the stencil vinyl. Allow it to dry for at least half an hour and the wood glue has turned clear.

Apply wood glue to the voids in the stencil, ensuring even coverage on all the letters of the teacher sign.

Carefully remove the stencil from the plywood. Some of the wood glue may flake off or stick to the letters. Use the fine grit sanding sponge to remove any excess. Anything with glue on it won’t take the stain, so make sure the edges are as sharp and clean as possible.

Remove any excess glue flakes from the stencil of the teacher sign.

Using a foam brush, stain the surface of the sign. Gel stain works best for this technique.

Use gel stain over the glue stencil of the teacher sign.

After a few minutes, rub off the excess. I prefer to stick my gloved hand in an old sock to wipe off the surface. Like magic the letters pop against the dark stain!

Using an old sock, I removed the excess stain from the stencil.

If you prefer more contrast, apply a second coat of stain. I found that thicker fonts and dark stain show up best. Apply a coat of poly over the surface to protect the surface and give it a glossy finish.

Use iron-on wood veneer edge banding to cover up the plywood edges and cut off the excess with a utility knife. Brittany has a great tutorial on how to apply edge banding. You could also create a simple frame using trim.

Iron on the edge banding to cover up the raw plywood edges of the teacher sign.

Your teacher sign is ready for the last day of school (although I’m not!)

This teacher sign is the perfect end-of-year gift!

This stenciling technique really makes the lettering pop against the wood stain of this teacher sign!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Don’t forget to check out all my other woodworking projects over at The Handyman’s Daughter!

Until next time!

 ~ view more of Vineta’s projects ~

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Last year I made these Easy Peppermint Star Ornaments. They were a lot of fun to watch as they melted and fuzed into a snowflake ornament. My son asked if we could make them again this year. Because the kids are officially out of school now, I thought this would be the perfect holiday activity today.

Won’t you join us as we make these Easy Peppermint Star Ornaments?

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 300ËšF.

Unwrap the candies. You’ll need 13 candies per star. Lay the peppermints onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Arrange them into a snowflake design:

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Place the baking sheet into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 8 minutes.

Remove the tray and immediately use a large needle to create a hole in the top of one of the outer points of the snowflake.

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Allow the peppermints to cool and thread a green ribbon through the hole and tie.

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Wrap up the Peppermint Star Ornaments in treat bags and give them to your friends and neighbors!

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Or hang them on your tree ;-).

Easy Peppermint Snowflakes | Pretty Handy Girl

Here’s the quick video wrap up for how to make Easy Peppermint Star Ornaments:

Be sure to plan on making more than you need. The melting process can create some not so desirable snowflakes, but they still taste good ;-).

 

Pin for later!