simple gifts around the home.

December 14, 2020

Looking around my kitchen this morning, it struck me how many of the simple DIY gift ideas that Rose Pearlman and I have been sharing are in regular use around my own home. In no particular order, I thought I’d share some of them here as proof positive that these simple crafts are hard-wearing, much-loved, and useful as all get out. Just in case anyone else out there is feeling a wave of gift-buying panic, I hope these ideas might be a comfort.

Keys, wrangled in a small clay vessel on the new (very old) locker by the door. | Make your own clay vessel, and give one.

Scarves, hung inside a wardrobe door are accessible to even the very tiniest among us (for better or for worse). | Make your own corded clothes hanger, and give one.

Granola, taken out of the oven with the help of a well-worn potholder. | Make your own cotton potholder, and give one.

Aprons and a broom, hung from an inherited pot rack that would otherwise be just a smidge out of reach. | Make your own corded hanger, and give one.

A kettle resting on a jute trivet. | Make your own trivet, and give one.

A kiddo’s nightlight, turned lantern. | Make your own string bag, and give one.

A roll of paper on our office door. | Make your own paper roll holder, and give one.

A wintry swag, in the kitchen window. | Make your own seasonal swag, and give one.

NOTES:

+ The brass hooks and hangers come from Fog Linen.

+ If you’re interested in making the square cord used in the swag above, I shared a few videos in my Instagram stories, which might be helpful.

+ If you make any of the crafts above, we’d love to see! Tag @readtealeaves and @rosepearlman on Instagram to share!

This post includes affiliate links for some of the products mentioned. Reading My Tea Leaves might earn a small commission on the goods purchased through those links.

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4 Comments

  • Reply Liz December 14, 2020 at 11:25 pm

    Beautiful! I love that corded hanger! So smart. And I love making potholders as gifts! I wish I had an extra week this year. Beautiful and useful always make the best gifts.

    2
  • Reply Laura December 14, 2020 at 11:49 pm

    This is awesome (and such beautiful photos too)! I definitely have shied away from giving homemade gifts in the past out of fear that people won’t use or appreciate them. It’s so nice to see these getting some use!

    1
  • Reply Helen December 16, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    Thank you for this list and for all of your homemade gift ideas, Erin. Over the past few years, my family has made and given beeswax candles, little clay vessels, salt dough ornaments, and trivets (all from your blog) in addition to this year’s rice and lavender heating pads (which are super easy). Thank you for guiding me toward beautiful, simple, and easy (really!) gift ideas.

    3
  • Reply Emily December 17, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Thank you for this lovely list. I picked up that same kettle at Whisk and I make coffee each morning mainly because using the kettle makes me so happy.

    1
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