Have some favourite recipes? Write them up on index cards and package together.

Tissue paper flowers (the bigger the more eye-catching they will be)


Decorate old picture frames (or buy cheap ones) with puzzle pieces, artificial flowers, legos, folded paper etc.


Glue casurina berries together in a circle to make a little wreath. Try making a Christmas tree. Spray with glue glitter.


Bird Houses (an all time favourite – I have precut kits for you to put together and decorate – yours free.)


Remember those crocheted belts that were popular in the 70’s? Use your old scraps of yarn to make colourful ones. Very easy and quick. It’s time for them to make a comeback.


Paint old children’s chairs in bright colours. Use sponges dipped in paint or stencils to decorate.


Have a computer? Print up a collection of Christmas or All Occasion cards and buy the plain envelopes (Stationery Store sells them at a reasonable price). Tie decorative ribbon around them. Don’t use expensive card, use 90lb paper instead.


Save those old broken crayons. Melt them on low or place them in an old pot and put the pot in a larger one with water. Don’t mix too many colours together at once. Pour the melted wax into candy molds or lay cookie cutters on waxed paper and pour melted wax in the cutters. You may have to press the cutters down to avoid the wax from leaking. Let dry a few hours or overnight Put a variety of different coloured ones in a little basket, or a cut-up paper cup, and wrap with cellophane paper.


I have some very nice jewelry kits. Most require only tying a knot or two. Make some up and pin them to black felt covered styrofoam for presentation.

I also have a small box of new yo-yo's that are ready for painting or decorating. One idea is to get some pretty stickers and decorate them. Now that's easy!!

Decorate the white paper lunch bags and fill them with small toys for a goodie bag. Tie up with curling ribbon.

Knit up small drawstring bags in multi colours.
This is a great idea. Take a gift box and cover the top lid in fabric. Make it into a tuxedo shirt by gluing two strips of lace down the centre. Make a bow tie out of wide ribbon and glue to one end of the box. Glue buttons down the centre, between the two lace strips. Good way to recycle gift boxes.