This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northeastern chapter.
The gift–giving season is coming up faster than you can say “finals week,” leaving many
collegiettes™ stressed about finding the perfect presents for everyone on their list. Shopping for your whole group of friends can be difficult on a limited budget, so what better way to show how much you care than to give everyone gifts that were made by hand with love? I’m a big fan of homemade cards and presents, as they’re easy on the wallet, but also super thoughtful, and can be custom crafted to fit whoever you’re giving them to perfectly! Here are a few gift ideas I’ve made in the past that are sure to be a big hit.
Painted Ornaments
Whether your friends are headed home for the holidays or sticking around Boston for Christmas, chances are they’ll probably be decorating a tree. Ornaments are great gifts because they’re fun and festive, yet also special and sentimental, especially when handmade. As stocking-stuffers for my roommates, I painted ornaments for each girl that were customized to her tastes and interests. If your friend’s a sports fanatic, try painting the logo of her favorite team; if she loves animals, try making one leopard print. You can go as simple (polka dots) or as elaborate (a landscape scene) as you’d like; the possibilities are endless!
Estimated cost: $10 for a dozen plain ornaments
Estimated cost: $10 for a dozen plain ornaments
Handmade Jewelry
Every girl loves some bling around the holidays, so what better than to give the gift of handmade jewelry? Stores like Boston Bead Company in Cambridge sell individual beading materials like wire, beads, clasps, earring hooks, and charms that you can take home or assemble in the shop. Depending on your friend’s taste, try making something simple like a one–bead dangle earring, or go more flashy like a sparkly, multi–strand necklace! It’s a great chance to get your creative juices flowing and create a one–of–a–kind piece that your friend will love!
Estimated Cost: $10 and up, varying based on material choices
Estimated Cost: $10 and up, varying based on material choices
Customized Drinkware
As college students, wine glasses, beer mugs and shot glasses are regular staples in everyone’s kitchen cabinets. For a fun and creative holiday gift, give your friend something that’ll make them smile at every one of their upcoming parties. Like decorating ornaments, giving custom–painted drinkware like wine glasses or shot glasses can be a cute and fun present that’s also simple and affordable. Picking a design that your friend will love, like a monogram or fun print, will show off your crafty side, as well as the thought you put into their gift. I made this shot glass for a friend with her initial and a giraffe print, since that’s her favorite animal! You can buy glass paint and other embellishments at any craft store and make that plain glass into something fabulous!
Estimated cost: $5 for a plain shot glass
Estimated cost: $5 for a plain shot glass
Decorative Picture Frames
Does your friend always have a camera attached to her hand? A customized picture frame (with or without a photo included) is a great gift to help her display all those memories in a one–of–a–kind way. I decorated a frame for a friend with memories we have from summer camp together, like campfires and roasting marshmallows. You can choose whatever theme fits your friend best: try painting different shoes if they’re a shopaholic, or snowflakes if they love to ski. Gifts like these are great because they’re so easy to make and the possibilities for designs are limitless!
Estimated Cost: $5 for a plain picture frame
Estimated Cost: $5 for a plain picture frame
For supplies, try these craft stores around Boston:
Blick Art Materials
Landmark Center
401 Park Drive, Boston
Utrecht
333 Mass. Ave, Boston
Paper Source
338 Boylston St, Boston