CityView Magazine

living Made to Give H Add a personal touch to your gift-giving with these easy DIY projects ostess gifts, teacher gifts, neighbor gifts���who doesn���t need a stash of $10 to $20 presents at the ready for last minute events and people you inadvertently forgot? Cranberry (or any other fruit) Infused Vodka Cinnamon Stick Candles What you need: 1 pound of fresh cranberries (or any other fruit) 1 (750 ml) bottle of vodka. You don���t have to spring for top shelf brands, but it will taste much better if you pick something decent. Glass bottles Just chop the cranberries in a food processor and combine them with the vodka in a large container. Cover and let the mixture sit for about two weeks. Then, using a fine mesh sieve, strain the vodka and discard the solids. Pour into pretty bottles with corks or lids and add a festive ribbon and a gift tag. Keep refrigerated. If you���re on a tight budget, or just feeling kind of crafty, you can save money by making great presents yourself. All of these projects are easy-peasy and guaranteed to make you look clever, and not just, um, cheap. What you���ll need: Cinnamon Sticks Votive Candle Holders Votive Candles Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks Decorative Ribbon Wishing all your Christmas dreams come true Baker���s Delight What you���ll need: Oven Mitt Utensils Ribbon This is a great DIY gift for an uncrafty person to make for a crafty one. Simply insert the utensils into the oven mitt and tie a bow around it. Tip: This looks best when you pick items that have a common color and match them to the mitt. Simply hot glue cinnamon sticks to the outside of a votive candle holder, tie a pretty ribbon around the outside, slip in a votive candle and you���re done. Give your recipient several of these for maximum impact. Chalkboard Signs What you���ll need: Inexpensive Picture Frames Chalkboard Paint Chalk Ribbon Even though most teachers don���t use chalkboards anymore, they���ll still find these signs charming, as will anyone who needs to remember to buy milk. And this project couldn���t be easier. Simply remove the glass from the frame, paint the frame a cute color and let dry and paint the glass with chalkboard paint. Add a few pieces of chalk tied together with a co-ordinating ribbon and you���re done. CV CityViewNC.com | 19

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