It's just not possible to make everyone on my list a handmade gift. We give a several gift cards each year, because it takes out some of the guess work. I don't believe in spending money on something that may be returned or, worse, sit in someone's attic. I'd rather give a card to a favorite local coffee shop or bookstore. I know how happy they make me when I receive them! To make it more exciting, I try to come up with a new holder each year. 2009 will feature my ever favorite: T. paper tube. 
These are fast, fun and open to endless possibilities for embellishing. My family makes love coupons* for one another as stocking stuffers... I think we'll make these into coupon holders, too!
They're pretty self explanatory, but here's a quick step by step:
-snip open tube with plain or fancy edged scissors
-flatten, keeping a little rim on top for folding over
-sew, staple, or hole punch and tie closed the sides
-paint, collage, etc.
-tie with a ribbon or twine
-give!
*Love coupons are such great gifts for children to make for their parents and siblings.
This is a great idea! I love how you recycle the material.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea - so cute! Will definitely be making a few of these. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeletewhat a clever little idea! happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteSo simple and adorable! And who doesn't have extra tp rolls laying around waiting to be recycled...this is way more fun then dropping them in the bin.
ReplyDeleteResourceful! That's you! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteJody
Love these! Thanks for another great idea!!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas and cute outcomes. I will do this with the grand kids.
ReplyDeleteThey can put cards they make into them for parents and great uncle and grandpa (and grandma too).
Thanks again.
Your ideas are fabulous Maya!
ReplyDeleteso resourceful...love it!
ReplyDeleteThese are great! I also love using toilet paper rolls for my crafts, but you...you have some wonderful, wonderful ideas. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI say that in your comments section a lot, I think.
As usual Maya, everything looks lovely and so useful too! Gorgeous photos btw, I keep wishing we'd get some snow here, but so far it's just really cold. Oh, and the mitten in the last photo, where did it come from?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!Isn't it so fun to make something out of nothing!?
ReplyDeleteLynn- you always keep your grandchildren so busy making... I love that!
mrs. boo radley- I appreciate it each time... frankly, you're too good to me!
Cinnamon- we're getting a big snow and I wish I could send some your way. That mitten is a felted pair from my mom... she gets things from so many different sources, I'd have to say garage sale. I've had them for years... the other side has beautiful embroidery. I have very small hands and their huge on me, but very warm!
What a great idea. Green, inexpensive and fun.
ReplyDeleteKoodos to you!
Blessings,
Jo
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing again!
ReplyDeletethese are so great. I love the cork and spool stamping.
ReplyDeleteHow creative is this!!! Love the idea!
ReplyDeleteHi I'm Monica to Milan Italy
ReplyDeleteDecember 13 will do an article on my blog where I talk about your idea
bye
Monica
Maya these are so gorgeous! And the love coupons are such a wonderful wonderful idea. I will definitely be giving some around here!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great idea. You always have something new for us.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Laura from Italy! I have a blog and I'd wrote a post where is cited also your blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://chebirba.blogspot.com/2009/12/blog-by-blogspot.html
I'd like to invite you to visite my italian blog, bye bye Laura
Thank you! I have some left over from advent calendar, so just made them for all the brothers-in-law, who I am hopeless at buying for, so they get gift cards. At least they look awesome now!
ReplyDeleteCute and easy. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea! the result is very suggestive and charming! congrats!
ReplyDeletePerfect idea!! I can't wait to make a few! I am filing this at thecraftersfilebox.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing!
Your gift card holders are so cute. Please submit them to Gift Card Girlfriend (www.giftcardgirlfriend.com).
ReplyDeleteAlthough my site is based on the notion that any gift card can be turned into a thoughtful gift, presentation is certainly a factor.
I'm working on a new "reader tribute" page where crafty people like you can send me your best gift card work. If selected, I'll showcase your suggestion on my site and create a link to your blog.
No pressure. Just thought I'd let you know.
Thanks!
Shelley
What a fantastic idea! I just did this with my preschool-aged daughters, and they had a ball! I'm sure their cousins will be so excited to receive gift cards wrapped in such unique holders this year instead of the standard envelopes! THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteThis is just the cutest idea! Thank you. I was needing something to hold some money for our son's gifts. This will work!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda
Prairie Flower
Merry CHRISTmas!
What a fantastic idea.Inexpensive and fun.
ReplyDeleteGifts to Pakistan
The red dotted ribbon is rare, I tried finding that on Walmart but they said its out of stock. Where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what kind of paper did you use for the cards? its very elegant
I like the hand gift card holder.
ReplyDeleteScratch Cards