Why buy gifts when you can make your own? How better to surprise a loved one with a present straight from the heart?!

Here are just a few of my ideas...

1. CD mobile (see article)
2. Pom-Pom for baby (see article)
3. Tin for string - simple but so so useful; simply make a hole in the top of the tin - cover/decorate tin - place string inside and pull it through the hole. Great for the garage/garden shed!
4. A promise - simply write a promise on a piece of paper e.g. "I promise to take you to the park" - then sign it. Place in a decorated box/envelope.
5. A 16th birthday coming up? Decorate a box and place a lottery card inside. They are now legal to win!...and they just might!
6. A new baby?? Buy several newspapers on his/her date of birth - decorate box (perhaps include a CD of the No. 1 song when he/she was born) you are handing him/her a piece of his/her history - A present to keep forever!
7. Decorate combs/brushes with glitter (mix into diluted PVC glue). Instant jazz-a-ma-taz!
8. Make a trendy glasses case - either cover an old plastic one or make your own - decorate - paper - include photos, messages etc. - cover with sticky back plastic (guess where you can get this?...Playworks!!)
9. Buy a cheap bar of soap - make hole at the top - thread ribbon through it. Add beads/hearts to ribbon. A very trendy bar of soap on a rope!
10. Baby Wellington vases (see article)
11. Bread jewellery (see article)
12. A box of a love (see article)
13. Photo frame (see article)
14. Carrier bag dispenser - cover a large cardboard tube with wrapping paper or a drawing/painting - cover with sticky back paper - make two holes at the top and add ribbon - insert carrier bags - they should dispense out of the bottom.
15. Clay 'ring' holder - make shapes in the clay with your fingers - decorate and varnish.
16. Don't throw away your childrens old clothes! Be creative and give someone a real reminder of someone he/she loves - sew up the bottom of a little girls' skirt - attach to a hanger or add a hook - decorate wooden pegs + varnish, voila! A peg bag grand parents would love! Also, trousers fantastic draught excluders, and  baby shoes on strings/ribbon make lovely car decorations!
17. Keyrings are so easy and useful. Simply decorate an appropriately sized piece of card or add a photo of a child etc. Cover with sticky back plastic. Hole punch and add ribbons/beads etc. Attach to key ring.
18. Buy a cheap calendar. Add family photos relevant to each month e.g. for July add a photo of a beach picture (great for Christmas presents!)
19. Empty paint cans (attained from Playworks!) Make sturdy hanging baskets. Decorate and cover with sticky back plastic or cover in strong glue and roll in peat (gives it an 'earthy' effect) - add flowers - a gift which keeps on giving. *Plant pots can be decorated in the same way.
20. Mobile phone sock - simply decorate a lonely unwanted odd sock (cut down to size of phone first) you won't dare lose your phone now!