Not all of us are cut out for making our own Christmas gifts.  But some of us could make a few if they were simple and special, right? A vintage teacup candle is a heartfelt gift for a special friend or family member.  Candlemaking kits are available at stores like Michaels, or you could just drop a votive in a cute tea cup.  Or, cheat a little and buy these ready-made at Anthropologie!

Just a spritz of spray mount and a roll in a tray of colored glitter from Martha Stewart Crafts (available at Michaels) makes regular taper or pillar candles extra-special.

For the geneology buff, download a free or inexpensive family tree and complete it by hand.  A simple mat and frame make this an elegant and thoughtful heirloom.

Use decals to spruce up and personalize pillar candles.

Make homemade-flavored popcorn and pack in tin buckets available at any home store.  Use a piece of cardboard to separate flavors.  I have an awesome Sundried Tomato Popcorn recipe I will leave for you at the end of this post!

Use a map of a special vacation to create drink coasters that bring back good memories.  Adhere map to cork circles and make sure you brush on a glue sealant on top.

Use wide ribbon and a special photograph to make a handmade bookmark.  Use a simple stitch in the corners to attach.

Buy a few small tassels and attach these hooks to make a lovely pair of earrings.   Earring hooks are available at Michaels.

Handgathered “kits” will be appreciated by any man.  The important thing is choosing the right container to hold relevant items.  Below are examples of a travel kit, shoeshine kit, and car wash kit.

Pull memoribilia and souvenirs out of hidden boxes and create a collage of a special trip to present to your loved one.  Now that I think about it, resurrected honeymoon souvenirs mounted on paper board and framed would be an excellent anniversary gift!

Do you have ideas for handmade Christmas presents?  I’d love to hear about any you have created for friends or family.  Below is the recipe for the Sundried Tomato Popcorn I promised earlier.  This recipe came from my friend, Jennifer Driver.

Sundried Tomato Popcorn

2 tbs corn oil

2 tbs olive oil

2 split garlic cloves

3/4 cup popcorn, unpopped

1/4 cup Provolone cheese, grated

6 sun-dried tomatoes, oil-cured and finely chopped

1 tbs oil from the tomatoes

12 basil leaves, fresh and finely chopped

salt and cayenne pepper to taste

In large pot heat both oils over high heat until smoking.  Add 1 kernel of popping corn and heat until it pops.  Add split garlic cloves and rest of popping corn, cover pot, and shake gently until corn starts to pop.  Shake vigorously until popping subsides.  Remove from heat.  Remove garlic.  Toss popcorn with provolone, tomatoes, oil, salt, and chopped basil.  Serves 6.

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