Artsy Fartsy Gift Ideas for the Holidays 2011

Christmas is pretty much my favorite holiday.  Before you start saying 'But Thanksgiving is first!  Lets not forget about Thanksgiving! One Holiday at a time!" ...blah blah blah.  Well, each Holiday is different, yes, but they both go hand in hand in letting us remember to always be thankful and appreciate what we have.

If you're like me, you want to be able to give your family and friends nice gifts but sometime those 'nice' gifts are super expensive.  I already have a (temporary) job in retail so the less time to spend in the mall around this time the better. (Although, I make the most of it, humming along to the Christmas music. Yay, Christmas music!)

I've come up with a few Artsy Fartsy gift ideas for this year.  I hope you enjoy!

• Knitting/Crocheting varies items i.e. hats, arm and leg warmers etc., a blanket
• Be creative.  If you knit a hat, figure out a way to add a little something to it, like a (fake) flower, or sash.  I would recommend a real flower as it might be difficult to water it.  Add your own spin to it.  If you want to learn how to knit or crochet, youtube videos work very well.  I always forget how to cast off and I believe it is The Knit Witch who has simple instructions on how to knit.

• Photos of Family and/or Friends
• If you're good with a camera or have just been on a family vacation, photos are a very easy and affordable idea.  Print out a special picture, find a reasonable frame (or mat board) and viola! 

• Paintings
• If you are an artist, maybe you have thought of this before or have done it in the past, but this is a nice idea to use your talents and give a meaningful piece of work.  If there is a subject that the gift recipient enjoys, paint it!  No matter what media.

• A Collage
• I don't mean a messy collage on a paper just thrown together.  (Well, you could do that to get ideas on how to arrange photos, clippings, movie stubs, etc.)  I'm thinking of collecting varies items that mean something to the recipient and finding a way to bring them together.  The obvious way, I'm thinking is on a board of some type as a background.  Be creative.  Frame it and have some fun.

• Baked Goods
• Ok, so this one isn't your typical Artsy gift idea, but why not make some cookies (or other baked goods ..mmm I'm hungry..) and make the packaging all fancy.  If you have a tin, or can find a nice one at Target or WalMart, one idea you could do is wrap the tin in wrapping paper (the cover and bottom seperately) and line the inside with tissue paper or a fabric of some type. Many fabric/art stores sell small pieces of fabric that were tossed away.  Top with a bow and you are good to go!

Well, those are my Artsy Fartsy gift ideas!  In another week, if I get more ideas, I will post them up.    If you try any of these ideas, feel free to comment below, send me an email (contact in the side bar) or tweet me @cindydesigns on twitter!

Get Creative and be Thankful every day of the year! (:


-Cindy

Good Luck!

This post was edited to add the Illustration at the top of the page on November 30, 2011. (: