Tri-County news • Serving Chilton, Kiel & New Holstein • Thursday, December 13, 2018
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La s t M i n u t e
Gift Guide Tri-County News Supplement • Thursday, December 13, 2018
Easy DIY gifts for everyone on list You want to find unique gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season. Rather than search endlessly, have you considered making your own presents? DIY gifting is a growing trend, providing people the opportunity to create the ideal present with loved ones’ personalities in mind. Because it is homemade, it is customizable and one of a kind, with deeper meaning than anything that can be purchased at a store. Whether you are an amateur DIYer, an avid crafter or do not consider yourself creative at all, you can make the perfect holiday gift guaranteed to impress everyone on your list. Here are five easy holiday DIY projects for inspiration: Canvas handprint art Handprint art is great if you want to involve kids in DIY gifting. This is a present that can be proudly given from the entire family and has loads of meaning for recipients like grandparents or aunts and uncles. First, get white canvases and acrylic paint from your local craft store. Then gather the kids and cover up clothing (acrylic paint is not washable) and decide what you want to create with their tiny handprints. From green wreaths and holiday trees to thumbprint snowmen and snowflakes, options are endless to make a unique gift that perfectly freezes a moment in time through their hand impressions. Family ornaments DIY ornaments become cherished holiday decorations that are loved year after year. Stylish, classic and sentimental, ornaments featuring the silhouettes of your family are guaranteed to become keepsakes. Using the ultimate smart cutting machine, Cricut Maker, you can upload
images of your children and family in Cricut Design Space, quickly create a design and then the machine seamlessly cuts the design from your choice of materials. A timeless black vinyl silhouette adhered to a natural wood round, both cut on Cricut Maker, is an elegant ornament. Or, get creative with a standalone silhouette design cut from black leather brushed with glitter. You can even use images of pets if you want to include fur-family members, too. Hot chocolate in a jar Tasty treats are plentiful during the holidays, but instead of going with the standard cookies, gift a beautiful mason jar filled with all the ingredients for decadent hot chocolate. Start with a glass mason jar and fill about two-thirds full of hot chocolate mix. Then add in a few small layers of dry extras to customize the flavor, such as chocolate chips, crushed candy canes or peanut-butter chips. Finish with a layer of mini marshmallows and screw on the top. Add a bow and directions for making the hot chocolate and you have an adorable gift for anyone on your list. Custom T-shirts Does your mom have a fun nickname? Does your brother have a trademark greeting? Does your best friend adore the ‘80s? Pick up any type of plain shirt and get ready to make it spectacular with a few fun catch phrases or designs. Ironon projects are an easy and fun way to make your gifts truly personal this holiday season. To make custom T-shirts, use the Cricut Maker to cut out your designs and the Cricut EasyPress 2 to get perfect iron-on results in 60 seconds or less. Not feeling a T-shirt? Consider customizing a canvas bag, hat, a special blanket or the sides of socks or a special blanket, if you want to try something different.
Homemade ornaments include cut-outs of family members can make for a great do-it-yourself Christmas gift.
All-in-one movie night in Give the gift of a wonderful night in by creating a movie gift basket customized to your loved one’s personality. First, start with a big container that can hold all the goodies, such as a themed plastic popcorn bowl. Then choose a movie of special meaning, such as a beloved childhood film or one you watched together on a special occasion, like a first date.
Include the movie and every treat you can imagine to complete movie night, from popcorn and classic theater boxed candy to comfy extras like a blanket or throw for staying cozy. With a little DIY ingenuity, some crafting materials, and smart tools, you can make the ideal present for everyone on your list. Let your imagination soar and get creative during the most festive time of year.
Don’t toy around when it comes to safety Seeing the excitement on a child’s face when they open holiday gifts is one of the joys of the season. But picking that perfect present goes beyond choosing what is popular, cute, or exciting—the safety of the children in the home needs to be a significant consideration as well. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection asks toy shoppers to review the safety of each potential gift before hitting the register this holiday season. “There are a number of safety factors to consider when shopping for gifts for children,” said Michelle Reinen, director
of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “A good starting point for assessing a toy is by closely reviewing the safety labels and age grading information on the toy packaging and any additional warnings about small parts, magnets, chemicals and other risks.” When shopping for toys, look for these labels on packaging or warnings on product webpages: n General warning labels listing small parts, magnets, suffocation hazards, etc. n Age grading: use the manufacturer’s suggested age range as a foundation for whether a toy is appropriate for the physi-
cal development of a child. n All toys: “ASTM F963”—this label indicates that a toy meets the latest toy safety standards. All toys sold in the U.S. must meet this standard. ASTM F963 includes guidelines and test methods to prevent injuries from choking, sharp edges, and other potential hazards. n Art materials: “ASTM D4236”— this label indicates that art materials have been reviewed by a toxicologist and are labeled with cautionary information, if necessary. n Toys with fabrics: “Flame resistant”—this label means that a material
will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from an ignition source. Some additional things to consider when shopping for gifts for children: Pick up any safety items that go along with a toy such as a helmet for a bike or scooter. For homes with younger children, avoid toys with small parts, magnets, cords or strings. Choose gifts that are both age and skill appropriate for the child. Turn to SAFETY/page 14B