DIY Christmas Gifts Under €50

Paper Lampshade

These simple paper lampshades will make a stunning gift if decor is their thing. It is as easy as glueing some decorative paper or fabric to a lampshade, and viola! Decor on demand.

Window Seat Cushion

Window seats are excellent but not all that comfortable. A handmade window seat cushion will make their spot comfy enough to sit and read a book if they like. The supplies you will need are thick foam, the fabric of your choice, large safety pins, and a tape measurer. To make them follow these simple steps:

1. Measure the window sill
2. Purchase the foam and fabric to fit 
3. Cut the foam to fit
4. Wrap the foam in the fabric and pin it in place

Teacup Candles

Teacup candles are brilliant for tea and candle lovers. You will need tea cups, candle wax, candle wicks, and essential oils. To make this candle follow these steps:

1. Using hot glue, secure the metal circle on the wick to the bottom centre of the teacup. Wrap the top of the wick around a pencil to keep it centred. 
2. Melt wax according to the instructions on the package. 
3. Remove the wax from heat, and add your scent with essential oils. 
4. Let the wax cool a little, not too much, as you don’t want it to harden, then pour it into your tea cup. 
5. Let the wax harden completely, and then trim your wick.

Tea Tree

For tea lovers, nothing is better than a good cuppa. Why not make them a tea tree with all their favourite teas showcased? You will need a styrofoam cone, individually wrapped tea bags, a glue gun and glue sticks, a small round cylinder for the stump, trinkets for embellishment, and rice. To make the tea tree follow these simple steps:

1. Place a thin layer of hot glue at the top of the tea bags and place them individually on the foam cone. Be sure to hold them in place until the glue has dried. Slightly overlap each row of bags so that you can cover the cone.
2. Attach your chosen base to the bottom of the cone using the hot glue gun. For more stability, add rice to the bottom of the stump before glueing. 
3. Attach your trinkets, and don’t forget the star on top!

Stove Top Potpourri

To help their home smell unique without worrying about an open flame, you could make them some stove-top potpourri. You will make little jars filled with items they can pour into a pot full of water on their stove and leave on simmer. All you need is a small glass jar with a lid and some ribbon to tie a bow on top. What you place in the jar is all about the scent you want to achieve. Here are a few ideas: 

• Cinnamon, pine, and peppermint
• Lemon, rosemary, and cinnamon
• Pine, cinnamon, coles, nutmeg, cranberries, anise, and orange