Homemade Birthday Gifts Today

Creating homemade Birthday Gifts does require some time.  While there are some quick projects, it does help to plan a head.  The following are some ideas that can help you with planning for and remembering Birthdays.

Pen and Paper:
I must admit, I have a list posted on my refrigerator that blends in with all the other things I have posted.  I need something that stands out a bit more.  The following are ideas that can help you out:

• Birthday Reminder List: There are many birthday reminder lists.  You can purchase them from the office store or create one on the computer.  Microsoft has free templates for creating Birthday and Anniversary Reminders.
• Planner:  If you have a planner, post reminders on your daily or weekly page one or two weeks before the actual date of the birthday.
• Birthday Card Books:  There are some books out there that have a page for each month with pockets to place greeting cards.  On the page is an area to list out all the birthdays for the month.

Technology Assisted:
Technology is wonderful and offers some added help with remembering the special people in our life.  The following are a few ideas that will help you out.

• On-Line Calendars:  If you have an email account with a company such as Yahoo, Google or MSN, you will have access to an on-line calendar.  You can add an appointment on the day of the birthday and have a reminder emailed to you.  You can designate how far in advanced you want to be reminded.  It’s best to use an email account you use daily.
• Cell Phone: Cell phones and all of the other related mobile devices have calendars on them as well.  You can set them up to remind you of the special event as well.  This is good if you use your cell phone frequently and often leave it on.
• Email Reminder Services:  There are several email reminder services available.  Some of these reminders are created especially for Birthdays.  One site is Birthday Alarm.com.  The site is free and includes e-cards as well.
• Electronic Card Service:  There is an electronic card service available that will set up reminders for birthdays when you purchase the program.  You can also
• Remember the Milk is a Free electronic service that you can use with Google, I Phones, and other mobile devices.  It helps you manage tasks and to-do lists (i.e. make a homemade birthday gift!).  Check out this service at www.rememberthemilk.com.

Explore which of the above tools suits your organizational style.  It will be much easier if you use a technique that fits into your daily routine.

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You can make some lovely stationary using food coloring.  This fun technique will make unique homemade birthday gifts for anyone who loves to write correspondence.  You can also use this technique to make book marks, greeting cards.

Here’s what you will need:

• Plain Note cards (They can be purchased at Craft stores, office supplies stores)
• Small bowls to mix up the color solution
• Straw
• Food coloring in desired colors
• Dish washing liquid
• 1/2 Cup water

Instructions

1. Mix about 1 tsp of dish washing liquid, water and ten drops or so of food coloring in a small bowl.
2. With a straw, gently blow bubbles into the bowl
3. place note card gently on bubbles
4. Carefully lift card up
5. You can repeat this process with several colors
6. Allow card to fully dry
7. Options: After card is fully dried, you can add to it.  You can draw a picture or stamp a design on it.  You can also use the same technique on the envelopes.

Technorati Tags: Birthday Gift for Her, bubble stationary, homemade birthday gifts, stationary

Believe it or not, soap can be a great homemade birthday gift for kids.  The secret is to have a special toy surprise inside!  Kids will love washing their hands hoping to get to the buried treasure!

Please be careful not to give this gift to a small child.  It contains a small toy and you want to be sure that it is not a choking hazard.  If in doubt, make a different present for the child!

What you will need:

• Clear glycerin soap
• Molds for soap or candy
• Soap dye if desired.  Make sure the dye is skin safe.  Use dye specifically for soap.
• Fragrance if desired (try grape or other fun fruit scents).  Make sure the fragrances are skin safe.  Use fragrances specifically made for soap.
• A small toy that will fit into the mold.
• A microwave safe measuring cup
• Popsicle stick or a spoon you do not mind using for the project

Instructions:

1. Cut up soap and place in a microwave safe measuring cup
2. Melt soap in the microwave according to the instructions on the package.  If no instructions are listed, try 15 – 20 seconds and then 5-10 minute intervals until the soap has melted.
3. If you want to add color and fragrance, add them to the soap according to the manufacturers instructions.
4. Carefully pour melted soap into mold until it is half way filled
5. Carefully place toy into mold on top of melted soap.
6. Carefully pour more melted soap into the mold, covering the toy.
7. Allow soap to cool completely
8. Pop soap out of mold.  If you have problems doing this, try placing it in the freezer first.

Technorati Tags: gifts for kids, homemade birthday gifts, homemade soap, soap making

If you need find a Birthday Gift for Her  and you are not sure exactly what to make, try making a beautiful book mark.  This is especially a nice gift if she enjoys reading.  Pair the book mark up with a book she has been dying to read or a gift card to her favorite book store.

Here is what you need:

• A book mark form (You can find these in the bead section of a craft store)
• Thin ribbon in colors of your choice
• Silver or gold non-elastic 2 ply thread
• Small beads (about 10 to 2o)
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Measure out 2 strands of metallic thread to the desired length.  Keep in mind they will be folded in half. (They will be tied to the book mark)

2. Tie desired beads onto thread.  Allow various amounts of space between each beads.

3. At the end of the Bookmark is a loop.   Thread two or three pieces of ribbon through the loop.

4. Pull the ribbon through to the desired length.  The center of the ribbon will be at the book mark loop.

5. You will be tying the ribbon into a knot at the loop of the book mark.  Tie the first half of the knot.

6. Take the thread with tied on beads and put the middle of each thread at the base of the ribbon knot.

7. Finish tying a knot with the ribbon.  You will be tying the metallic threads to the book  mark with the ribbon.  You may want to tie a knot in the ribbon two times.

8. Trim the ribbon and thread to the desired length.

Technorati Tags: beads, Birthday Gift for Her, Book Mark, gift for her

Gift Baskets are wonderful and can be tailored to the individuals taste.  Think about what the guy in your life likes and create a gift basket based on that theme.  It can be a Great Homemade Birthday Gift for him that will be fun to give.

• Beer Basket:  Get a basket or a galvanized bucket.  Line it with cotton handkerchiefs.  Purchase different types of individual bottles of beer.  You can find these at State Liquor Stores.  Try looking for different varieties including some he may have never had.  Throw in some beer nuts or pretzels and you have a fun gift he will surely enjoy.
• Sports Basket: Get a mini Cooler, galvanized bucket, or a basket large enough to place a variety of items.  Fill the basket with all of his favorite goodies for watching his favorite team play.  Include nuts, beef jerky, chips, salsa, candy and so on.  You can include a gift card for his favorite pizza delivery and / or a note offering to purchase a pay per view sporting event of his choice.
• Golf Basket: Get a basket or other desired container and fill it with golf balls, tees, a pair of gloves, head covers, towels and so on.  You can throw in some of his favorite goodies as well.  Maybe make some chocolates using molds that are related to golfing.  Throw in a gift certificate for the golfing range and you have one tremendous gift that a golfer would love!
• Techno Gift Basket: With all of the gadgets and technology of today, there are just as many accessories to go with them.  Fill a basket or container with ear buds, storage cases, blank DVDs and CD-Roms, and even a gift card to his favorite store or music provider such as itunes.  Add some of his favorite treats to the basket as well and you will have a techno lover’s perfect gift.

• Handy Man’s Basket: Buy a galvanized bucket, inexpensive tool box or other similar container and fill it with a variety of tools and gadgets.  You don’t have to break the bank.  Fill it with nuts, bolts, screws, nails, a screw driver, a mini-level, tape measure and so on.  You can even put a gift card for his favorite home repair store.

These are just a few ideas to consider.  Think about his interests.  Does he love music?  Is he into Art?  Is he a writer?  Think of creative ideas based on what he loves to do.  This is not only a fun gift to give but a fun one to create! This will be a tailored made Birthday Gift for Him!

Technorati Tags: Birthday Gifts for Him, Gift Baskets, homemade birthday gifts, Presents for Him

Bath salts are an easy homemade birthday gift for her.  It’s best if you allow a few weeks for the salts to absorb the oil, but you can use the bath salts immediately.

What You Need:

• Epsom Salt
• Essential Oils of your choice
• Decorative Jar
• Optional (Food Coloring)
• Plastic Bowl
• Wax Paper

Instructions:

1. Pour enough Epsom salt to fill your jar into a bowl
2. If using food coloring, mix in food coloring until evenly coated
3. Add drops of essential oils into the salt and mix well again.
4. Spread salt out on wax paper and allow to dry for a couple of hours
5. Fill jar with salts

Optional ideas:  Add jar of salt to a basket.  Include a candle, sachets, soaps or other bath related items.  You may also want to make several mini jars of salts using different scents.  Fill a basket with several of the different scented salts.

Technorati Tags: Bath Salts, Gifts for Her, homemade birthday gifts, homemade gifts

Here is a fun way of using up old crayons to create a colorful birthday gift for kids. It is easy to do and will make a nice little extra present that any kid will enjoy.

Large Multi Color Crayon Directions

What you need:

• A muffin / cupcake tin that you don’t mind using to melt crayons
• Foil muffin liners
• Crayons (you can use up any broken crayons you may have)
• A knife to cut up crayons
• Oven

Instructions:

1. Peel any paper off the crayons and cut them up into small chunks
2. Put one foil muffin liner for each large crayon you wish to create into a muffin tin.
3. Fill a muffin tin with cut up crayons so they are about an inch thick.
4. Bake in a 150 degree F oven for 10 – 15 minutes
5. Allow to completely cool before popping crayon out.

Give Crayons with a tablet of paper or other craft supplies for a Fun Birthday Gift for Kids!

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One sure fire way to give a great birthday gift for him is to create a gift bag of his favorite goodies.  Here are some yummy ideas to consider giving.

• Meal of the Month: Do you know a man who lives on his own and hates to cook?  How about cooking a meal a month for him.  Find out some of his favorites to whip up and include some sweets for dessert.  You can approach this many ways – You can make coupons for each month, or possibly give him a menu of meals to choose from.  This is a fun gift to give if you love to cook.
• Homemade Cookies: Make a batch of his favorite cookies and put them in a container that he can use over and over again.  Try a small plastic tool box.  If sports are his thing, consider putting the cookies in a plastic food storage bag and placing the bag inside a small sports sack.  Get creative and think about what he likes to do.  You are sure to find a container that will suit his interests.
• Covered Pretzels: You can dip pretzels into a variety of melted candies.  Dip Pretzel rods into melted caramel and or his favorite type of chocolate. Roll them into nuts, sprinkles, or chocolate chips.  After they dry, wrap them in cellophane.  You can place them in a new coffee mug or themed beverage glass.
• Beef or Turkey Jerky: If you want to make Jerky, you can either use an oven or dehydrator.  Your best best is to search the Internet for recipes and direction on how to making your own beef jerky. Find one that you like and follow the instructions.  Give Jerky with some nuts, cheeses and crackers.
• Seasoned Nuts: You will need unsalted nuts of your choice, butter, and a blend of seasonings of your choice.  You may want to try the following: a) garlic powder and salt, b) curry powder, onion powder and salt, or c) chili powder, cumin and red pepper.  Blend desired seasonings in a bowl. Saute 1/2 cup of nuts in a Tablespoon of butter for about 5 minutes.  Toss nuts in seasoning mix and spread out on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 Degrees F for about 10 minutes.

In addition to the above ideas, try searching the Internet, bookstores and magazines for other edible delights.  You are sure to find a delicious birthday gift for him.

Technorati Tags: Cookies, Edible gifts, Food gifts, homemade birthday gifts, Homemade gifts for him

Here is a beautiful gift that is so easy to make.  It will look like you hand painted the gift.  You can use your imagination and create picture frames, note cards and so on.  During the holidays, you can even use this technique to create ornaments.  All items can be found at a local craft store.

Here is what you need:

• A container such a wood box, paper mache container
• Decorative paper napkins, preferably with a white background.  Use one where you can cut out a part of it such as flowers.
• White acrylic paint
• Decoupage
• Varnish spray
• 2 brushes.  One to paint the container and one to apply the decoupage

Instructions:

1. Paint your container with the white acrylic paint. Let container dry
2. Take the napkin and separate the layers.  You only want one layer of the napkin with the design printed on it.
3. Cut out the part of the design that you want on the container.  If you have a white napkin, you will not have to worry about cutting out the exact shape.
4. Brush on decoupage onto the area of the container where you wish to place the cut out.
5. Very gently place cut out onto decoupage area of container.  Lightly tap into place and tap out air bubbles
6. Brush over cut out design with more decoupage.  This will also help to brush out air bubbles.
7. After applying all cut outs in desired, allow container to dry.
8. Cover container with varnish following manufacturer’s instruction.

Technorati Tags: Birthday Gift for Her, Decoupage, Napkins

A great homemade birthday gift during the chilly months is Hot Cocoa Mix.  It is a very simple gift to make.  You can give it with 2 mugs, mini-marshmallows, and possibly a tin of cookies.  Throw in a great DVD or a gift card from a movie rental store and you have a wonderful cozy gift.

What you need:

• Bell Jar, ceramic canister or other decorative container with a lid that has a great seal to hold the cocoa mix.
• Ribbon (enough to tie around the container so that you can attach a note card)
• Note card to write out instructions for hot cocoa.
• 2 1/2 C powdered milk
• 2 tsp. of cornstarch
• 1 C Cocoa Powder (try Dark chocolate or other types of specialty flavors)
• 2 C  Powdered Sugar Sugar
• Optional ingredients to try: Cinnamon, cayenne pepper or shaved semi sweet chocolate

Optional Items:

• Coffee Mugs
• Gift Cards or DVD
• Tin of Cookies

Instructions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together and put in jar / canister.
2. Write out on a note card or create a note on the computer directions for the hot cocoa.
   1. Fill cup 1/3 full of hot cocoa mix
   2. Pour in a small amount of  boiling water
   3. Stir until smooth
   4. Fill the rest of the cup with the boiling water
   5. Top off with marshmallows, whip cream or any topping desired
   6. Enjoy!
3. Punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the note card
4. Wrap ribbon around the top of the container and tie note card to the jar.
5. Other Ideas: Place jar in a basket with coffee mugs, cookies, DVD or other similar goodies.

Technorati Tags: Gift in a Jar, Hot Chocolate