A Do-It-Yourself Holiday Gift Guide by Jessica Perrault, Social Media Vista

The holiday season is swiftly approaching! With only a couple of days until Christmas, many of us may still be scrambling for some last-minute holiday gift ideas for our family and friends. Add in the fact that we’re also often looking for that special or “one-of-a-kind gift” amid a hectic holiday season, and you have all the makings for a unpleasant experience.

Instead of battling the often-pesky shoppers at your local department store, why not create a homemade holiday gift, with everyday items you already have at home, for that special someone in your life? When you create a do-it-yourself gift with reusable materials, you have the unique opportunity to give an inexpensive, yet innovative holiday gift which also helps preserve the environment.

To make your last-minute gift-giving woes even simpler, The ReUse District, New Orleans’ own reuse minded organization, and other do-it-yourself websites have compiled a list of unique and creative ways to transform your everyday items into the perfect holiday gifts!

1. For the Hostess with the Mostess—This holiday season, why not transform your old doorknobs into decorative wine stoppers for an eye-catching, yet economical gift? Before you begin constructing this unique accessory for your wine bottle, gather the following materials: a decorative cork and doorknob, drill, pencil, pliers, and clear-drying all weather glue.

Using a few simple tools and supplies, you will attach the knob to the cork by carefully using a drill to create a small starter hole. Next, fill the hole with the all weather glue, and then swiftly and carefully place the knob into the cork. After you let the glue dry for about 15-30 minutes, your one-of-a-kind wine stopper will be ready to be wrapped up and placed under the Christmas tree! To learn more on how to create a decorative wine cork, visit http://www.abigslice.com/winestoppers.html.

2. That Special Someone Who Has Everything—Would you ever think that a tin can would come in handy for a holiday gift? Before you discard your tin cans into your recycling bin, try and create an eye-catching tin can lantern for a distinctive, yet charming present for the holidays!

Using an empty tin can, water, a freezer, nails, hammer, decorative materials (such as spray paint and permanent markers), metal wire, tea lights, and safety goggles, you can create a decorative, yet purposeful piece for a holiday gift.

Step 1: Remove any labels or sticky residue from the tin cans by soaking them in water. Using the permanent marker, draw dots in the shape you desire to create a distinctive design.

Step 2: Fill the cans with water and place in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.

Step 3: Remove the tin can from the freezer. Using a hammer and nail, start carefully punching holes where you placed your dots. Then, punch two holes on opposite sides of the tin can, specifically a half-inch below the rim.

Step 4: Use a 10-inch length of wire and insert an end into each of the two holes on the top of the can. Carefully twist the ends of the wire until they’re placed securely into the can. Then, position a tea light into the can and hang it up to make certain the lantern is properly secured.

To learn more about an innovative, yet cost-efficient homemade lantern, go to: http://thereusedistrict.org/ and http://www.ehow.com/how_2202926_tin-can-lantern-luminary.html.

3. A Trendy Pick for the Fashionista in Your Family—By using an old cassette tape to construct a personalized wallet or coin purse, you might finally be able to satisfy the fashionista in your family without breaking the bank! Using a cassette tape, a scarp of fabric, scissors, chalk, hot glue gun, and sewing kit (needle and thread), you can design a trendy accessory for the ultimate holiday gift. To learn more about how to design your own cassette tape wallet or coin purse, visit http://thereusedistrict.org/how-to/ and http://www.chezlin.com/2008/04/cassette-tape-tutorial/.

Looking for more reusable and easy on your pocket holiday gift ideas? The ReUse District has more unique and creative ways to transform your household items into decorative holiday gifts. Visit http://thereusedistrict.org/how-to/ and try them out!

Happy Holidays from Rebuilding Together New Orleans!