Five gifts to go
Holiday presents you can make in a hurry
By Microsoft Home Magazine
The season of giving is stressful enough: traffic jams in parking lots, crowds of zealous shoppers, a lengthy list of people to buy for. Crossing off all those names on your gift list is easier said than done. And even worse, what if you forget someone?
Instead of braving the masses at the mall, why not whip up a quick gift on your computer? All you have to do is gather a few craft supplies and specialty paper, download some Microsoft templates and fire up your colour printer to create these festive presents. Make more than one and set them aside to give as seasonal stocking stuffers or as small gifts for teachers, co-workers and that aunt who has everything.
Quick gift number 1: Votive candle wraps
Quick gift number 2: Holiday coasters
Quick gift number 3: Labels for your preserves
Quick gift number 4: Gift bags
Quick gift number 5: Note cards
Quick gift number 1: Votive candle wraps
Illuminate your house with the soft glow of candles dressed up in votive holder wrappers you design on your computer. These candles can be customized to suit any décor.
- Download our holiday votive designs and open them in Word.
- Adjust colours to your liking by going to Picture Tools > Format and then by selecting Recolor, Brightness or Contrast.
- Print the final design in colour on transparency paper, which can be bought at your local office supply store.
- Cut out each strip; then cut along the white lines.
- Insert one side into the other and affix with clear tape.
- Slide wraps over small, glass votive holders.
You can also attach these wrappers to your pillar candles by adjusting the template size and sliding the wrap right over the candle.
Quick gift number 2: Holiday coasters
Prevent those unsightly rings on your host’s good furniture by bringing handmade holiday coasters.
- Download our coaster template, save it to your desktop and open in Word. Add seasonal Clip Art images such as snowflakes, a star or a poinsettia. Microsoft Office Online has some great images.
- Print the images in colour on high-quality paper. Trim around the image since lamination will add a few millimetres. Office supply stores generally provide this quick and inexpensive lamination service. Or, do it yourself by purchasing laminating sheets or adhesive vinyl — make sure to cover both sides if you’re not going to glue anything underneath. Trim a few millimetres from the edge of the photo.
- Glue your finished coasters to pieces of cork, measured to the same size, with craft glue.
- Make a set, place them in a little box, tie with a ribbon, and you’re ready to wrap.
Quick gift number 3: Labels for your preserves
Edible gifts are always a hit. Jazz up the jars of your pickled preserves, your home-made wine or your secret-recipe strawberry jam by downloading our label templates in Word .
- Replace the images with festive Clip Art. Play with fonts and colours to make your text stand out.
- Print the labels in colour and affix to the jars.
- Add decorative touches such as coloured raffia or gold ribbon around the lid, and affix a personalized gift tag.
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Quick gift number 4: Gift bags
Hide a box of chocolates, bottle of wine or holiday ornament inside a cloth gift bag with a favourite digital photo screened right onto the fabric.
- Scan a photo of the recipient’s child, or snap one of the outside of her house. You can also use Clip Art images in seasonal patterns and colours.
- Make any adjustments to the digital photo you’ve chosen in a photo-editing program such as Windows Live Photo Gallery, and print it onto photo transfer paper.
- Measure out and cut two pieces of cotton, flannel or linen.
- Iron the image onto one of the pieces.
- Pin the fabric with the good side facing in. Sew the edges together, leaving the top open.
- Hem the edges of the opening, leaving a space to thread a piece of ribbon through to create a drawstring bag.
Quick gift number 5: Note cards
Create a personalized stack of stationery or note cards with your computer. This instant gift will come in handy for hostesses during the holidays.
- Choose a favourite image or photo. Add some different effects by changing the colour to a sepia tone or by adding a border or frame.
- Print the image onto special note card paper. There are many specialty papers on the market in a wide range of colours and paper styles.
- Tie your stack of cards or stationery together with decorative ribbon, or wrap them in a nice box with a tag. Make sure to include envelopes.
All styling and craft photography by Julie Stoyka of Zariel Creative
