Candles
Learning how to make candles will definitely help in the future when you are looking around for Christmas presents. These are easy to make, and you don't need a lot of equipment either.
You can choose between beeswax, soy or paraffin. If you want give your candles a nice scent and a pretty color, then skip the beeswax. Paraffin is also known not to be that good for the environment, so that is why soy is more popular these days.
Get a double boiler going and start to melt the wax. Put the wick in the container and attach it with a little tape at the bottom, along with a skewer at the top. When the wax has melted down, you can add the scent as well as the color. Pour this in your containers or moulds.
Wall Art
Everyone has different tastes, but most people enjoy wall art. If they know it was from you, and you took the trouble to make something special for them, then it will really put a smile on their face. Only you know what your friends and family enjoy, and they will surely find a space in their home to display your work of art.
You may be artistic, in which case you can reveal your hidden talents. However, you don't have to be Pablo Picasso to come up with something extrodinary. Think of different textures, like nails and string creating a nice pattern. You can use typography in an interesting way on a canvas. The use of scrabble pieces on a board have also become popular.
A Clock with a Theme
If you know that someone is really crazy about a certain band or even some sort of hobby, then you could dedicate this gift to that. Making a clock out of an old record is not difficult to do. Get yourself an image and put that on the front of the record.
Get hold of a cheap clock, and take the mechanism. Now insert the shaft into the hole of the record and tape it down. Put the hands back on the shaft. This is great for any occasion, but it particularly stands out as a good choice should you be looking for DIY birthday gifts to choose from.
Picture Frames
There are so many different types of picture frames that you can make that special someone. Of course, it depends on who you are making it for, and the place where it is going. If you know that your brother has a beach house, you may want to make him a rustic wooden frame, painted in white. Something fun could be made out of a variety of mosaic tiles, and darker woods could be reserved for a more formal setting.
Personalized Coffee Mug
This is something that is dead easy to make, and is really great because you can customize it. It's a nice project for kids to do and give their grandparents. All you need are a couple of sharpie markers. Once you have finished designing your creation, pop your mug into the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of 350 degrees F. For this, it is best that you hand wash your mug so that it does not fade.
Soap Making
This is something that takes time to learn and you may be put off by the chemicals used, but there is an easy way of doing this. Simply use soap that you buy at a craft shop, melt this down and add coloring and scents. It still looks great anywhere in the home.