Last-Minute Handmade Gifts

By Tammy Jones, HGTV.com
Whether you're simply tired of shopping or the stores have already closed--or someone showed up with a gift that you weren't expecting to reciprocate, chances are you'll find yourself in need of one more little something this season. There's something for everyone in this list; make a few ahead to have on hand when you need them.
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Handmade Entertaining: Napkin Rings, Topiaries & Hors D'oeuvres Picks
These projects make great hostess gifts to take to parties as well as thoughtful gifts for people who like to entertain. They are simple, quick, and can be modified to match any holiday or color scheme.
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Painted or Jeweled Glassware
What an easy way to turn a plain gift into thoughtful and unique works of art! The sky is the limit on these designs, and the materials are inexpensive and readily available.
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Homemade Aromatherapy Candle
Aromatherapy is one of those 'contemporary' ideas that is quickly becoming a classic. It's a safe gift for almost anyone, and making your own is a kind, inexpensive alternative to the usuals found in stores.
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Cool Clay Coasters
While these may not be quite so last minute, they are fine gifts to rival any you'd find in an art or home store. The technique is simple and the design is limitless--but the impact is guaranteed to be great.
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Snowman Crafts
Who doesn't love snowmen? These guys make great gifts for the holidays and beyond because, thankfully, winter doesn't end when the holidays are over!
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Beaded Desk Accessories
This project is great for kids--but modify the designs a bit and you'll have beautiful gifts for adults as well as children.
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Beaded Coasters
These are often terribly expensive to buy; make your own for a fraction of the cost, with the added value of handmade quality!
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Pine Cone Kindlers
If you don't have all these supplies and don't want to shop for them, substitute leftover candle bits for the paraffin chips, twine for wicks, and paper cups instead of muffin tins. Voila! A quick and useful recycled gift with no shopping involved!
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Paper-Wrapped Votive Luminarias
Use these instructions to make the votive from the show, or modify the papers and embellishments to make your own designs.
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Sea Glass Jewelry
Wire, sea glass and wire cutters/pliers is all it takes for this project--and you end up with a beautiful piece of art jewelry similar to those found for up to hundreds of dollars in art and jewelry stores.
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Cigar Box Purse
These purses are hugely popular--and hugely expensive! Make your own with little or no cost.
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Patriotic (or not) Stocking
These simple instructions produce a handmade stocking in any style or color to fit any décor--and you can make one in less than two hours!
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Nightlight Lampshade
For kids or by kids--or just those young at heart, this versatile project is a quick, cute way to reuse small pieces of fabric and ribbon.
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Wire Desk Accessories: Frames & Various Holders
Made from just hardware cloth, wire and simple wire pliers and snips--plus a special ingredient: your imagination.
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Rhinestone Accessories
With twinkling lights and shimmering snowflakes, it's a sparkly time of year! Little girls and big girls too love a little bit of glitz. Stuff their stocking with some sparkly accessories to add a big of magic to the holidays.
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Fridge Frame Magnets
These are a great gift for a grandmother, new mother--or anyone with a refrigerator!
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Handmade Cookies
Baked goods are almost always sure-fire people pleasers, and what a great way to show someone you care. Here's more than 20 recipes collected from the HGTV.com editors, as well as special ways to package them for giving.
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After you've made your gift, don't just stick a skinny little store-bought gift tag on it; go the extra mile and make a special tag for it...or, buy the gift and make the tag! The thoughtfulness is still there.

Handmade Gift Tags