Watch The Video To See The Gift Ideas
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Vikkie, also known as The Carpenter’s Daughter, has been busy hand making over 12 Christmas gifts for the past month. Most of the gifts cost less than £5 and take only a few hours to make. Vikkie decided to share her creations with her audience in case they needed last-minute gift ideas or wanted to save money. She even offers free plans for most of the projects so that anyone can download them and get started with just some scrap wood and tools.
In this article, readers will find an overview of Vikkie’s handmade Christmas gifts. From affordable crafting to upcycling, the article covers a variety of creative gift ideas. Some of the projects include a kitchen stool made from a discarded chair, page thumb holders made from off-cut hardwood, a wine and dog lover’s gift made from scrap plywood, and personalized wooden bookmarks made with a pyrography pen. The article also includes instructions for making a Drinko Plinko game board bottle opener and an off-cut clock.
Key Takeaways
- Vikkie, The Carpenter’s Daughter, has hand made over 12 Christmas gifts that cost less than £5 and take only a few hours to make.
- The article provides an overview of affordable crafting and upcycling gift ideas, including a kitchen stool, page thumb holders, a wine and dog lover’s gift, and personalized wooden bookmarks.
- Instructions for making a Drinko Plinko game board bottle opener and an off-cut clock are also included.
Handmade Christmas Gifts Overview
Vikkie, also known as The Carpenter’s Daughter, has handcrafted over 12 unique Christmas gifts in the past month. Most of these gifts cost less than £5 and only took a few hours to make. She has shared her ideas and free plans so that others can save money and make last-minute gifts.
All of the projects use simple tools and scrap wood, making them accessible to anyone. Vikkie also reached out to her followers on Instagram for gift ideas and received suggestions such as a kitchen stool. She found a solution on a budget by repurposing a discarded chair and table. She drilled a hole on either side of the front leg and used a dowel to create a pivot step, allowing the chair to be used as a stool. Vikkie also recommends making page thumb holders, which are easy to make with a piece of hardwood and useful for those with arthritis.
Other gift ideas include a wine caddy made from scrap wood, a cat bum bottle opener, personalized wooden bookmarks, and an off-cut clock. She also created a Drinko Plinko game board bottle opener and guitar bookends, which are perfect for music lovers. Lastly, Vikkie suggests making a simple yet elegant tea light holder from sapele offcuts. All of these handmade gifts are affordable and unique, making them thoughtful presents for loved ones during the holiday season.
Affordable Crafting
Vikkie, The Carpenter’s Daughter, has handcrafted over 12 Christmas gifts in the last month, most of which cost less than £5. She has shared some of her ideas for last-minute, affordable gifts that can be made with scrap wood and basic tools.
One of her ideas is a kitchen stool made from a chair and a broom handle. She drilled a hole on either side of the front leg and threaded a dowel through it to create a pivot step. The chair can be used as a step stool, and the whole body can be painted except for the top to achieve a country farmhouse look.
Another idea is to make page thumb holders for book lovers. All that is needed is to fold a piece of paper in half, cut out a shape, draw around it on an off-cut piece of hardwood, drill a thumb hole, and cut it out. They are easy to hold and are helpful for people with arthritis in their hands.
For wine lovers, Vikkie suggests making a bottle caddy from a piece of wood with a drilled hole in the center and two holes on either side for the glasses. The caddy can be stained, varnished, and presented with a bow to pimp up a cheap bottle of wine.
Vikkie also suggests making personalized bookmarks from wood for book lovers. They are cheap to make and can be personalized with anything the recipient loves, such as flowers, nature, or fishing, using a pyrography pen.
Other ideas include a Drinko Plinko game board bottle opener, an off-cut clock, guitar bookends, and serving trays that can be used as bases for gift hampers. All of these projects can be made from scrap wood and basic tools, and most cost less than £5.
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Upcycled Kitchen Stool
Vikkie, The Carpenter’s Daughter, found a way to make a kitchen stool on a budget using a discarded chair and a broom handle. By drilling a hole on either side of the front leg, she was able to thread a dowel through, creating a pivot step. This allows the user to pull out the chair with their foot and reach high places. The stool can be painted to match the user’s kitchen or left with a natural wood finish for a country farmhouse look.
The upcycled kitchen stool is a simple and affordable project that can be completed using scrap wood and basic tools. Vikkie provides a video tutorial for this project and many others, making it easy for anyone to follow along and create their own unique gifts.
Page Thumb Holders
For book lovers who prefer physical copies over audio books, page thumb holders make for a quick and inexpensive gift idea. Instead of buying a template, one can easily fold a piece of paper in half, cut out a shape, and draw around it on an off-cut piece of hardwood. A thumb hole can then be drilled and cut out to allow for easy page turning. Page thumb holders are not only useful for those with arthritis in their hands, but can also be a handy tool for avid readers.
Wine and Dog Lover’s Gift
For those who love wine and dogs, the Carpenter’s Daughter has a unique and creative gift idea. This project involves hand-making a wine bottle caddy that features a dog design. The caddy is made from scrap plywood and can be easily customized to resemble any dog breed.
To create the caddy, the Carpenter’s Daughter began by drawing the dog design on folded paper and cutting it out with a bandsaw. The design can be easily modified to resemble a different animal, such as an alligator or crocodile. The caddy is then made by cutting a piece of wood with a drilled hole in the center, and two holes on either side for the glasses. Notches are cut out to hold the glasses securely. The caddy can be stained or varnished to give it a polished look.
This gift is perfect for wine and dog enthusiasts who appreciate handmade and unique gifts. The Carpenter’s Daughter’s video tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to create the wine bottle caddy.
DIY Cookbook Stand
The DIY Cookbook Stand is an easy and inexpensive project that can be made using scrap wood found lying around. The stand can be personalized by painting it to match the recipient’s kitchen and changing the dimensions of the lip. The stand can be made either in panels or as a solid piece.
To create the stand, one can simply place a book on it and use it as a holder. The dimensions of the stand can be altered to accommodate different sizes of cookbooks. The stand can also be used to hold tablets or smartphones while cooking.
Overall, the DIY Cookbook Stand is a practical and simple gift idea for anyone who loves to cook.
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Wine Bottle and Glass Caddy
The Wine Bottle and Glass Caddy is a simple yet elegant gift idea for wine lovers. This project is made from a piece of wood with a drilled hole in the center and two holes on either side for the glasses. Notches are cut out to hold the glasses in place. The caddy can be made from hardwood, stained, and varnished to give it a polished look. It is a great way to present a bottle of wine and two glasses and can be used to pimp up a cheap-ish bottle of wine.
This project is perfect for anyone who loves wine and wants to add a touch of sophistication to their wine presentation. It is easy to make and can be completed in a few hours using scrap wood and basic tools. The Wine Bottle and Glass Caddy can be personalized by adding a bow or by changing the dimensions of the notches to fit different sized glasses. It is a great gift idea for any occasion and is sure to impress wine lovers.
Cat Bum Bottle Opener
The Cat Bum Bottle Opener is a unique and fun gift idea that is both easy and cheap to make. The project requires MDF, magnets, and a bottle opener. The shape of a cat’s bum is drawn on the MDF and then cut out. Holes are then drilled in the paws for magnets and a bottle opener is attached. The finished product can be screwed onto a wall or any other surface. The Cat Bum Bottle Opener is not only functional but also a conversation starter that can be personalized with different animal shapes or colors. It is a perfect gift for cat lovers or anyone who appreciates a quirky and fun addition to their kitchen or bar area.
Personalized Food Trays
One of the unique and personalized gift ideas suggested by The Carpenter’s Daughter is to create food trays that can be used as bases for gift hampers. These trays can be made from scrap wood and can be personalized using a vinyl cutter. The bottom of the tray can be personalized with any design, such as a Santa tray or any other design. This idea can save a lot of money as wicker baskets can cost around £6 to £10, and these trays can be made for a fraction of that cost. The handles on the sides also make it easy to carry the gift hamper. Overall, this is a simple and cost-effective way to create a personalized gift for any foodie lover in your life.
Custom Wooden Bookmarks
For those who love physical books, custom wooden bookmarks can be a thoughtful and inexpensive gift. The bookmarks can be personalized with designs that cater to the recipient’s hobbies or interests, such as gardening, bird watching, or fishing. The bookmarks are made by folding a piece of paper in half, cutting out a shape, and tracing it onto an off-cut piece of hardwood. A thumb hole is then drilled, and the bookmark is cut out. The bookmarks are not only easy to make, but they are also practical, especially for those with arthritis in their hands.
To add a personal touch, designs can be drawn on the bookmarks using a pyrography pen. Fancy ribbons can also be added for decoration. The bookmarks are an excellent option for those on a tight budget, as they can be made using scrap wood and materials. Overall, custom wooden bookmarks are a simple yet thoughtful gift that any book lover would appreciate.
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Drinko Plinko Game Board
The Drinko Plinko game board bottle opener is a fun and unique gift idea for anyone who enjoys a cold beer. This project took some tinkering to get right, but it is by far one of the most enjoyable to make. The beer template can be downloaded and cut out, and then a series of nails are hammered in a certain sequence, zigzagged and one and a quarter inch apart to ensure the beer doesn’t get stuck. The board is made from offcuts and when a beer is opened, it staggers its way down the board, making a clinking noise. At the bottom of the board, there is a scoring system and some magnets. This project is perfect for a man cave, woman cave, or anyone who loves a good game and a cold beer.
Off-Cut Clock
The Off-Cut Clock is a unique and inexpensive gift idea that can be easily made using scrap wood. To create the clock, one can cut up an old fence post into slices and then clad a piece of wood at the back. A hole can then be routered for the clock to go through. Personalization can be added by adding numbers or using different shapes such as slices from a tree trunk. The clock can be painted or left natural depending on the recipient’s preferences. This gift idea is perfect for someone who loves DIY projects or has a workshop or craft room.
Guitar Bookends
The guitar bookends are a great gift for anyone who loves to play guitar or listen to rock and roll. The project is inspired by a Fender guitar and can be made quickly and easily using a downloadable template. The body of the guitar is cut out and pickguards are created using the same template. The guitar bookends are then glued and nailed together, with self-tapping screws used to attach the strap button. The finished product is a cool and unique addition to any bookshelf or music room.
Sapele Wood Coasters
One of the gifts that The Carpenter’s Daughter has been hand-making for Christmas are sapele wood coasters. These coasters are made from scrap wood and are a cheap and easy gift to make. The sapele wood gives the coasters a natural and rustic look, perfect for a country farmhouse aesthetic.
The sapele wood coasters are made by cutting the wood into small circles and sanding them down to a smooth finish. The coasters can be personalized by painting or staining them to match the recipient’s home decor. They are a practical gift that can be used daily to protect furniture from water rings and spills.
The Carpenter’s Daughter has not provided any specific instructions for making the sapele wood coasters, but they can be easily created by cutting and sanding sapele wood into circular shapes. This project is a great way to use up scrap wood and create a unique and personalized gift.
