Gift Guide #2 – DIY Gift Guide

Homemade gifts are always the best gifts in my opinion- or at least they have the most heart. If your short on time or cash this year, here are a few DIY gift ideas that are quick, chic and very affordable.

1. The Airplant Terrarium
The ariplant terrarium pictured above from the toHOLD shop on Etsy is a beautiful gift for men or women.  Fishbowls are cheap and easy to find– from ebay to your local thrift shop.  Airplants (Tillansia) once kinda hard to find, are now even available at the Home Depot and cost around $5 depending on the size. While you’re at Home Depot (or your local Nursery) pick up some sand or rocks for the bottom of the Terrarium, put it all together and…Voila!

2.  Clock Hands Earrings
I spotted these clock hands earrings on Pinterest made by the talented Dorkas. Clock hands can be quite inexpensive, too. On Ebay, a lot of 10 hands goes for around $7.00. Get some earring hooks and a jump ring to put them all together and you’ve got a very inexpensive gift that is ornate, quirky and chic.

3. Sugar Mold Planter
This Sugar mold planter that I put together was really easy and fun– and I love how it looks on a window sill or on my coffee table, would make a great centerpiece on a long dining table too (if only I had a long dining table, but maybe you do?) The vintage sugar molds can be found on ebay in all different sizes. They are priced at a reasonable $8 for a three-hole mold. Get some dirt and a few small succulents (the little ones are usually priced around $1.50) and go to town!

4. Infused Vodka
I made infused vodkas for the Compai Soiree a few weeks ago. It was my first time making it, and it was quite a hit at the party. At the time I thought that it would make a great holiday gift. There are endless flavors that you can infuse vodka with– but some of the party faves were vanilla bean/ lavender, earl gray, and clove/pear. For instructions on how to infuse vodka, check out this helpful post. I got the glass bottles at Ikea for $2.99.

5.  Typset Display
If you have been following the Compai blog for a bit, than you saw this typeset tray that I painted. I have been getting so many compliments on it from friends and neighbors, that it occurred to me that this, too was a cool gift. Old typset trays are not difficult to find.  I paid $20 for mine, and that seems to be a pretty average price. Once you’ve got it, clean it off than pick a color palate and get to painting.