I can't believe how quickly this month is passing by. I started off totally ahead of the game, I had tons of holiday shopping completed before Thanksgiving, but now I'm somehow running behind again. This always happens. I end up with those last five people on my list, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what to buy for them.
If you relate with my situation, maybe the answer isn't buying? Maybe the answer is making your last few gifts? Here are three last-minute gift ideas easy enough to complete in an evening! You'll notice all three of these ideas need some sort of printed photo, so it was another great fit for our Canon USA collaboration. All the photos used here were actually printed out on our PRO-100 on Canon's semi-gloss photo paper.
First up, a custom wine label! Wine is my favorite foodie gift because it's the one I like to receive. Plus with all the cookies and candy everywhere during the holidays it's nice to give a gift that can be saved and enjoyed until the holidays are over. This gift can be inexpensive or a splurge, and it's a great gift to make multiples of, like if you wanted to give something to all of your friends at work.
This is SUPER simple to make! Step 1. Use photoshop to create a new canvas 5 inches tall x 10 inches wide and 300 dpi. Next, crop 10 photos from your year into squares (2×2 inches, also 300 dpi). Copy and paste all of the little squares into a collage filling the top of your rectangle. You could actually pull something like this off in PowerPoint or Word too, if you don't have Photoshop. Type a personalized message at the bottom. I like to sign our names with ink after it's printed. 2. Print and cut out your label. You'll also need some scotch tape. 3. Wrap the label around the bottle and tape it together in the back. 4. Done! Now add a pretty ribbon and it's ready to gift.
Next up, silhouette mugs! These are a great gift for a newlywed couple or a family! Think outside the box, because you can do pet silhouettes too.
Print a small profile photo of someone special. The print size should be 3×4 inches or smaller, depending on your mug size. Trace the outline of the silhouette with a thin marker. Cut the silhouette out with scissors, creating a stencil. Use a piece of tape to tape your silhouette onto the mug and use an ink pen to trace around the photo. Trace over your pen outline with your porcelain marker and follow the instructions listed on the package to set the ink (some pens require baking while others air dry). When it's completed your design will be permanent!
Last but not least, cookie and brownie mixes! These are great gifts! You'll need a 38 ounce jar for each mix.
Here are the recipes, in case you're curious. 😉
Mint Brownies
After you have your photos, use Photoshop (or like program) to add the name of the recipe to each one and print them out leaving space on the left side of the photo so that it can be folded in half (see below). Use scrapbook paper to line the inside of the card and provide them with baking instructions. Fold the card in half so the recipe is enclosed and only the photo is showing on the front. Last, use some string to tie your card to your jar!
Which gift idea is your favorite? Do you still have a long list of gifts to buy or make? xo. Elsie (Emma + Laura too!)
Credits // Authors and Photography: Elsie Larson, Emma Chapman, Laura Gummerman
I really love the mix-in-a-jar, but I am still puzzled about the way you keep the ingredients seperate from one another, especially the ones that are added at the very beginning or end. What is your special trick?
Wonderful little ideas, I may be making up some very last minute brownie jars
Lauren
livinginaboxx
The mugs are great! I love the personalized silhouettes!!
You saved the day! We had a small Xmas party last night for some friends & last minute one friend asked if she could bring her sister. Which was fine, the more the merrier, but I felt bad because I had gifts for everybody else. So, in my party dress, I made one of your cookie mix jars for her. Perfect! She was very touched & I looked like the best host ever. Thanks ladies!
what a cute idea!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
These look great – especially loving the silhouette mugs!
http://goldendreamland.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-complete-gift-guide.html
Love the custom wine label. What a great idea, and so easy!
Claire xx
http://somewhereyonder.blogspot.co.uk/
Couldnt agree more Carina!!, thinking i might have to “borrow” some of these ideas!
Mary | Strikeapose
This is so great. Love all of them. Also, you guys are so lucky to have different Canon printers, I asked Santa for one. Fingers crossed I get it. HA!
What great ideas! I’m totally doing the silhouette mugs!
You are so creative, I am not sure I can do all this. i love the ideas though, maybe next year with time I will try 😉
silhouette mugs are my favourite
I love these ideas! I do a few more gifts to do (honestly, where does the time go??) and I really wanted to do handmade gifts because they’re so much more special. I might try these ideas out!
xoxo
Taylor
www.welcomehometaylor.com
lovely, lovely gifts! i’m pretty much done with my holiday shopping, all though i would’ve loved making some homemade gifts..but i’m a bit late for that though, seeing as i still have a million other things to do before christmas! but definitely keeping these in mind for next time 🙂
xo, cheyenne
Those are all super thoughtful gifts.
Vintagehoneybee@gmail.com
photos as labels is beyond brilliant!
xx
OMG, so lovely!
http://thatsiberiangirl.blogspot.ru
I love these ideas & I’m sill missing gifts for a couple people, so I may “borrow” one of these from you!
Thanks for sharing!
~ M
Lovely ideas, not only for christmas 🙂
xx from Germany
Anna
https://annaesquelifestlye.blogpost.com
I love this! I wanted to make personalized wine labels for different people, but having it as a greeting card is a much easier way to go and so cute! I have been posting a craft a day from December 1-24 for homemade gift ideas! If anyone needs anymore last minute suggestions check it out. Some are even inspired by a Beautiful mess!