With the semester home-stretch right around the corner, things can get hectic. It’s hard enough to make a schedule to study, let alone wrap your head around holiday shopping! We all understand the toll that the holidays can take on our wallets. Yikes! Don’t worry, though, collegiettes; these D.I.Y. gifts under $10 are sure to bring family and friends into holiday spirit!
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1. Tea light candle holder
Reinvent a regular dollar store tea light votive and transform it with some holiday sparkle. It’s a simple and quick craft project. All you have to do is paint a graphic on the glass votive, sprinkle some glitter, and wait until it dries. Then, get creative and customize it! Bringing a sweet-smelling scent for the holidays is sure to warm up the house!
Materials: Â Glass jar ($1), glitter ($1), glue ($1), paint brush ($1), rocks ($1), tea light pack ($4). This totals to $9!
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2. Travel kit
If your giftee loves to travel, these travel-sized essentials are going to come in handy. And no crafts needed (though you can surely doodle designs if that suits you)! All you have to do is pick out a travel sized bag that your friends and family are going to swoon over and then fill it up with travel-sized necessities like body wash, shampoo, lotion, etc.
Materials: Bag ($3), shampoo ($1), conditioner ($1), toothpaste ($1), lotion ($1), facewash ($1), body wash ($1). A total of $9!
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3. Memory jar
What’s a memory jar? Well, it’s a fun activity for your giftee to keep personal and private. Envision a funky design and work your magic with glue and gift wrapping or tissue paper. Your giftee will write down her memories throughout the year, and right before the new year hits, she can dump the notes out and walk down memory lane!
Materials: Paintbrush ($1), glue ($1), gift wrapping/tissue paper ($1), memo paper ($1), glass jar ($1). This sentimental craft costs $5!
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4. Jewelry holder
Turn a dollar store wine glass into a funky and glitzy jewelry holder. Envision a design, and with some glue and a little bit of glitter, you’ll have yourself an inventive gift to give out for the holidays. Hang dangling earrings on the rim and place bracelets in the middle!
Materials: Wine glass ($1), glitter ($1), glue ($1), paintbrush ($1). This easy D.I.Y. gift will reflect the sparkle in any jewelry set, and it only costs $4 to make!
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5. Sharpie mug
Turn a plain old mug into a decorative addition to the pantry. If they’re coffee lovers, put a few packets of instant coffee in the middle to create a goody bag of their favorite things. The same goes for tea lovers! Make a “goody mug” of all of their favorite things; it will be sure to put a smile on their face. All you have to do to make the mug, itself, is draw a design on the mug and bake it in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes to let the glaze and the sharpie bond together. As a safety percaution check on it every now and then. When the 30 minutes are all up, let it cool down in the oven to avoid any cracking! Then fill it with goodies (we recommend instant Hot Cocoa packets with marshmallows!) and give it to your giftee!
Materials: Mug ($1), sharpie marker ($1). Is is too good to be true to only cost two? Two dollars, that is!
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For the Santa Claus on a budget, these D.I.Y. gifts are going to spread the holiday cheer without breaking the bank. Merry Christmas, collegiettes, and happy gifting!