How about a banner? Heres one using paper and Christmas stamps...
Easy, inexpensive - if you have some stamps in a drawer somewhere - and sharing time with the kids
http://chantalvincentart.blogspot.com/2010/11/easy-paper-christmas-bunting-tutorial.html
Do you BAKE? My Mother and I tried to make a gingerbread house many years ago -- it was okay, but way back in the '60s there was not the kind of tutorial and hints and tips to make such a thing -- well, I don't remember that there was anything other than a picture and a recipe. At Not Martha, she creates individual gingerbread houses for everyone to put on on their mug of hot chocolate! Using her method and her very clearly written tips to create perfect shapes, how could you fail??
Take a look at http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/12/18/a-gingerbread-house-that-perches-on-the-rim-of-your-mug/
Are you on Facebook? There is a Green Grocery Bag Challenge page -- the idea is to make and give grocery bags to either wrap your gifts in, or to just give the bags for repeated use when carrying your groceries or other items home. The Challenge Page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Grocery-Bag-Challenge/107692562629944 but if you are not on Facebook, here is a few links to tutorials to make grocery totes -- choose one or two to make for yourself, or to give as gifts that will help save our planet.... Yes, it is easier to buy those 99 cent ones from the grocery store, BUT did you know that some of those bags (made in China) actually have been tested and have LEAD in the compiled material used to make those bags? read: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/nyregion/15bags.html
Grocery Bag tutorials:
for a roll up shopping bag http://needleandspatula.blogspot.com/2010/11/roll-up-shopping-bag-sewing-tutorial.html
a you-tube video tutorial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7nN36oIBqY
(only thing I wonder about this is Where is the IRON?)
a reversable bag - use and double use! http://ourgreenexperiments.blogspot.com/2010/11/reversible-reusable-tote-bags.html
I even did a bag making tutorial a few years back when I was writing Miss Snips Notebook and put it on Flickr -- but there you need to log in and that is a nuisance - but just in case you want to look -- here it is (you probably have to log in to Flickr) http://www.flickr.com/photos/86029575@N00/918291309/in/set-72157601043057359/ once you are at the tutorial you need to click on each photo for the written instructions, which includes measurements for cutting the fabric -- but you can make this type of bag in any size you desire -- I am actually making some christmasy ones using the method described in my tutorial, that are quite tiny ( 7" wide x 7 " deep) to put in the Abbotsford Christmas Craft Fair this weekend at the Ag-Rec Building --- check out Ellen's Booth as my bags are only a small part of the wonderful Christmasy things that you will see at the craft fair next weekend!
Here's wishing you a great start to the season and Happy Christmas!
