Making Christmas decorations as a family lends a special touch to the occasion – decorations have sentimental value rather than just being something plastic and purchased. Crafting your own decorations is also a way to extend the Christmas joy beyond a single day, especially if your children are old enough to be involved in the crafting.

While it’s tempting to create ‘the perfect Christmas’ with all the bells and whistles, I’ve decided that we can start small with sparse decorations and craft more each year.

When it comes to finding inspiration, websites like Pinterest and Craftgawker are definitely great places to waste a few hours find inspiration. Below are just some of the wonderful things I found on these sites as wells as around the internet.

While looking for decorations, I came across the ancient Japanese tradition of Temari: making balls out of thread in gorgeous patterns (pictured above). This is not a casual craft but involves a lot of skill and dedication. The results though, are absolutely stunning! For information about this craft you can find some interesting Youtube videos here and here as well as tips, directions and patterns here, here, here and here.

Paper tree @ Milo Made	Button wreath @ Martha Stewart	Felt Houses @ Poopscape Projects
Yarn wreath @ Better Homes and Gardens	Felt ball garlands @ According to Kelly	Scalloped paper ball @ Laura Wears
Paper snowflakes @ Ellinee	Soft drink can star @ Milo Made	Monogrammed ornaments @ MADE
Tree ornaments @ Marvels and Jambalaya	Yarn balls @ Sew Wrong	Outdoor light decoration @ eHow
Paper ornament tutorials @ Etsy	Button decorations @ Childhood 101	String balls @ Simple Mom
Mini fabric Xmas trees @ Lemon Tree Creations	Wine bottle display @ Cleverly Inspired	Jersey and wool felt stocking @ Prudent Baby
Christmas card wreath @ Michaels	Felt snow balls @ Purl Bee	Paper garland @ Hambly Screen Prints
Paper wreath @ Pure Green Designs	Paper snowflake wreath @ How About Orange	Paper ornaments @ Design Sponge
Christmas ornament @ Little Blue House	Toilet roll ornament @ Michele Made Me	Felt covered balls @ Better Homes and Gardens
5 Toilet roll decoration ideas @ Paper Crafts	Felt ornaments @ Domestic Fluff	Felt star ornaments @ Purl Bee

Have you read these articles?:

1. handmade Christmas decoration roundup
2. 54 Handmade Christmas Decoration Projects
3. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup

While teenagers may be hard to craft for, the men in our lives can be even more difficult (to craft for, that is). To the male readers of Frugal and Thriving, it would be great to hear what gifts you like receiving and whether you like handmade gifts of not.

Below are some ideas for gifts for men from around the net.

Magnetic Fridge Clock @ Dollar Store Crafts	iPad sleeve @ Sew 4 Home	Leather Wallet @ Art of Manliness
Personalised tie @ Martha Stewart	Tool tub @ Sew 4 Home	Custom cap patch @ Just Something I Made
Beer coasters @ Handmade Mommy	Pegboard organiser @ Martha Stewart	T-Shirt quilt @ Craft Stylish
Felt notebook pouch @ Instructibles	Pocket knife wallet @ Only Knives	Leather glasses case @ Design Sponge
Nuts and bolts @ Martha Stewart	Pistachio brittle @ The Kitchn	Roasted spiced almonds @ Better Homes & Gardens
Men’s hoodie @ Craft Stylish	Knitted jumper @ Pickles	Men’s scarf @ Cotton and Cloud
Key ring @ Instructibles	Gadget case from tie @ Luvin the Mommyhood	Cuff Links @ Martha Stewart

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. handmade Christmas decoration roundup

Teenagers can be difficult to buy for and even more difficult to craft for (especially boys) and I have to admit that collecting ideas especially for teenagers was somewhat difficult.

If your teenage recipient is tech-oriented, there are plenty of accessories below that you can craft for their gadgets.

Leather journal cover @ Craft Stylish	iPod arm band for running @ Roubidou	Notepad cover @ Lark Crafts
Bead bracelet @ Morgan Made It	Jewellery pendants @ Mich L. in L.A.	Bi-fold wallet @ All Wrapped Up
Ribbon hair band @ Bugs and Fishes	ID wallet @ All Wrapped Up	Laptop sleeve @ Amelia and Atticus
Laptop sleeve @ Design Sponge	Journal cover @ Smashed Peas and Carrots	Leather CD case @ ECAB
Kindle Case @ Crafting a Greener World	Fabric covered notebook @ The Thrillz of Hillz	Suede iPod case @ Martha Stewart
Messenger bag @ Punkin Patterns	Make-up bag @ Sew Like My Mom	iPod cover @ Handmade by Heidi
iPad case @ Fresh Lemons	CD visor @ Instructibles	Ribbon lanyard @ A Spoonful of Sugar
Leather wallet @ Skip to My Lou	Tri-fold wallet @ Zipper Teeth	Pineapple quilt @ Instructibles

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup
3. for the home–12 days of christmas crafting round up

I realise now that many of the links I used in the keeping young kids amused round up were meant for this post. Oh well. Double the links.

Some of these websites have many more ideas than just the ones I linked to, so have a browse if you’re inspired to. The Twelve Days of Christmas site has a whole host of matching craft stuff for dolls as well as the bassinet for instance.

Stuffed Turtle @ Make it – Love it	Football Softie @ Living with Punks	Play silks @ Make it Perfect
Tree blocks @ Twig and Toadstool	Kid’s wallet @ Ameroonie Designs	Critter blanket @ Flamingo Toes
DIY baby blocks @ Creative Jewish Mom	Dinosaur softie @ Little Black Teapot	Felt gnomes @ Wee Folk Art
Memory game @ Chez Beeper Bebe	Crayon roll @ All Things Heart and Home	Play mail @ Lu Bird Baby
Mail box @ Ucreate	Handmade doll @ Martha Stewart	Waldolf doll @ Dollar Store Crafts
Doll’s bassinet @ Twelve crafts till Christmas	Tool belt @ Paper and Cake	Roll-up kitchen play mat @ Balancing Everything

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. for the home–12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup

Welcome to the first instalment of the 12 Days of Christmas Crafting Round up. I know, October is a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but if you’re going to be crafting any gifts, it’s much easier and less stressful to start early.

Below are some tutorials, ideas and inspiration for home decor type handmade gifts.

Etched glass votive @ At Second Street	Ribbon trimmed tea towels @ Sew 4 Home	Scrap pot holders @ My Girl Thursday
Modern tea light holder @ The Polkadot Chair	BBQ hanging towels @ The Silly Pearl	Tile shell art @ C. W Frosting
Tile message board @ Tater Tots and Jello	Fridge pocket @ The Ideas Room	Resin coffee storage jar @ Dollar Store Crafts
Tissue box holder @ Design Sponge	Sofa caddy @ Sew 4 Home	Mug Rug @ In Color Order
Cereal box coaster and trivet @ Green is Universal	Wipe-able place mats @ Little Bean Workshop	Kitchen aid cover @ Heart of Mary
Reverse applique placemats @ The Purl Bee	Coffee plunger cosy @ Bugs and Fishes	Casserole dish carrier @ Little Birdie Secrets
Cloth napkins @ Prudent Baby	Scrap paper memo box @ Homework	Wine barrel lazy susan @ Lil Blue Boo
Slate serving tray @ Pizzazzerie	Stash basket @ Purl Bee	Sewing caddy @ How Joyful
Recycled hanging organiser @ Small Fry & Co	Denim foot stool @ Michelle Made Me	Toy animal planter @ The Thrillz of Hillz

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. kitchen towel tutorial round up

This tip comes from Julie in the US. Thanks Julie, for sending in your great frugal tips.

Cruising a thrift shop, I picked up 2 nice dinner plates (each different).  One of the ideas I just came up with I want to share because it is FRUGAL AND THRIFY TOO!

I am buying a somewhat large scented candle to place in the centre of the plate, and surrounding it with homemade cookies (biscuits?) to bring as a hostess gift to a party, and the other to have around to use in the same way for a BIRTHDAY gift.

Picking up plates and/or bowls is super at thrift store/jumble sales.  How often do you have to retrieve a plate or bowl after bringing over food to an occasion! Now you can just tell the hostess or group of keep the plate and pass it on to the next person, when they need a plate for goodies.  WIN-WIN!

Another thrifty idea is a tea towel as the wrapping over cookies or breads instead of the regular cling wrap – a nice little hostess goodie for her to keep. I do this when I cover stiff cardboard with aluminium foil, then ‘gift wrap’ that with the tea towel.

This is a great tip. Having the plate to pass on at the next get-together is a great idea. You can also collect mis-matched plates as serving plates. What I really love about the way the Japanese set their table is that no plate matches! They select crockery for its individual beauty and the table is an eclectic array of crockery.

“Wabi Sabi is a theory of Japanese aesthetics in which imperfection and transience are considered the touchstone of beauty…it embodies the spirit of perfectly imperfect” [source]

Have you read these articles?:

1. tip tuesday–family gift wrap
2. tip tuesday – free ribbons
3. tip tuesday–clean your drains chemical free

It surprised me that there are a LOT of Easter craft tutorials on the web. Here is a small selection of ideas that would make nice gifts (and one or two quirky ideas that just appealed to me). The focus on gift ideas means that I haven’t included Easter garlands, wreaths, bunnies, chickens, eggs and other house decorations for the holiday. Do you decorate your home for Easter? Or is decorating for holidays an American thing? Just curious.

My favourite are the surprise eggs by Not Martha (they are gorgeous) but they would take a whole lot of time and patience to make. I also love the idea of having an Easter tradition with the children of growing grass in egg shells (from Rosy Posy). What a great idea! And you’re never going to believe how Sew Tara made her cake / treat stand.

I am one of the few people who love that they have hot cross buns in the store straight after Christmas, I love them so much (too much). I also love Cadbury Creme eggs and it’s a shame they only sell them for a couple of months in the year. Now I can make my own buns and creme eggs anytime!

Marshmallow bunnies @ Cute for Kids	Silk dyed eggs @ Magic Onions	Creme filled eggs @ I really like food
Door hanger treat pouch @ Sunny Stampin	Egg grass @ Rosy Posy	‘Cadbury’ creme eggs @ From Glitter to Gumdrops
Edible Easter flowers @ The Happy Creator	Easter treat stand @ Sew Tara	Surprise eggs @ Sun Scholars
Surprise Eggs @ Not Martha	Hot cross buns @ Gourmet Traveller	Edible easter basket @ Wants and Wishes
Hot cross bun truffles @ Inspired by chocolate	Creme filled egg @ Very Vegan Holiday	Peanut butter Easter eggs @ Sugar Teachers
No mould bunny suckers @ From an Igloo	Easter basket @ Moda Bake Shop	Bunny basket @ Disdressed

Have you read these articles?:

1. happy easter 2011
2. easter basket inspiration
3. happy Easter

We aren’t getting into a whole heap of Christmas decorating this year, the little fella is too young to notice and the budget is too tight for frippery. However, I did make the little fella his very own special, striped, Santa stocking.

After visiting the annual craft fair in Brisbane, I picked up some very cute and inexpensive, Christmas themed fat quarters from which I have made this Santa stocking and plan to make a Christmas tablecloth and matching napkins (ok, so maybe a little frippery). Anyway, once made, these things last for years and set the scene for a little Christmas festivity.

It’s been a while since I posted a tutorial, but I’m trying a new format as this tut is picture heavy and it’s nice to be able to download a tutorial and work offline. Hope you enjoy.

Have you read these articles?:

1. finding time to craft part three–organising your projects–a project bag tutorial
2. kitchen towel tutorial round up
3. Tutorial: Making Hand Embroidered Placemats

The shops are decked out with beautiful Christmas decorations and it is tempting, very tempting to bring them all home. Below is a collection of ideas to make your own decorations instead. Some of them are extremely inexpensive and recycle junk or use use scraps like the twig and button snowflake or the coke bottle ornament. Other’s need a little more imagination to make them inexpensive.

For even more Christmas decoration inspiration, here is a link to last year’s Christmas decoration round up. Hope you enjoy.

Paper ornament @ Remodelaholic	Yarn ball wreath @ Life through a lens	Christmas tea towels @ Flamingo Toes
Christmas bunting @ Chantal Vincent Art	Felt garland @ Craft Ideas Direct	Twig & button snowflake @ Dollar Store Crafts
Ornament tree @ Full of Great Ideas	Paper pinecone @ The Hybrid Chic	Recycled plastic house ornament @ Michele Made Me
Red felt bird @ Better Homes and Gardens	Christmas ornament @ 7 Layer Studio	Coke bottle top ornament @ Punk Projects
Wooden ornament @ 7 Layer Studio	Paper wreath @ Under the Table and Dreaming	Advent envelopes @ Running with Scissors
Silhouette ornament @ The Magic Bean	Sweater stocking @ Remodelaholic	Easy Garland @ The Monster and Me
Felt trees @ Jolly Allsorts	Baby jar advent calendar @ Naptime Crafters	Yarn wrapped trees @ One Pearl Button
Poinsettia wreath @ Miss Fancy Pants	Ho ho ho gift bag @ The Pickled Herring	Ribbon wreath @ These Days

Have you read these articles?:

1. handmade Christmas decoration roundup
2. 54 Handmade Christmas Decoration Projects
3. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup

Just a few craft ideas especially for kids to make for mother’s day that go beyond the usual macaroni necklace. Websites like Frugal Family Fun Blog, Kaboose and Family Fun have a whole range of craft ideas for kids both specifically for mother’s day and other crafting ideas. The Crafty Monkey has some other special mother’s day gift ideas.

Flip Book @ Family Fun	Smelly Sachet @ The Crafty Crow	Trivet @ Frugal Family Fun Blog
Flower Pot Pens @ Mommy’s Kitchen	Easy Cream @ 1 Talented Family	Pasta Plate @ Kaboose
Interview Card @ Let’s Explore	Painted Peat Pots @ That Artist Woman	Lamb Pin @ Family Fun
Paper Flowers @ Toddler Craft	Kid’s Art Placemats @ The Joy of My Life	Mother’s Day Coupon Book @ Kaboose

Have you read these articles?:

1. 18 frugal mother’s day gift ideas
2. tip tuesday – starting a craft box for the kids
3. recycled paper craft roundup