Burlap DIY Holiday Gift Ideas

Hi friends! Things are busy over here as I'm sewing a few burlap pillow backups as we get close to the start of holiday shopping season. Despite all of the beautiful decorations, delicious family dinners, and glittery dresses, the holidays can be a pretty stressful time as we try to find the perfect gift, make a dish everyone will enjoy, and balance everything on our to-do lists. I find myself particularly struggling with finding the right gift. You know what I mean, the absolutely perfect gift.  When you think you have something in mind, and then you talk yourself out of it, and then you have another idea and then you find five new reasons why that is not the right present. Yep, that's me. Am I alone here? Maybe, but I'm pretty sure there are some of you who go through these same dilemmas each year as we try to find something that feels thoughtful yet practical.

One thing that I always come back to is making a gift for someone. Spending the time to craft something by hand is incredibly thoughtful and really speaks to the care and time that the person put into it.  I've heard all of the reasons why we talk ourselves out of it time and time again - not enough time, too many other obligations, not crafty (what does that even mean?!), and so on.

Well I'm here today to share a few DIY ideas as you start thinking about those upcoming holiday gift ideas. Remember that handmade is more than just the gift, it's the time and effort spent to make that which is so invaluable.

So for all of you 'non-crafters' out there, give one of the projects below a try! They range from simple to intermediate and don't require a lot of supplies or time. Swap the burlap for another fabric and add your own touch. That's exactly what makes handmade so special - every item is unique. And if you're looking for something that you don't think you can make yourself, visit Etsy and support those who are creating handmade goods. You'll feel great knowing that you supported the handmade community and your gift will stand out from the crowd.

Enjoy!

1. Monogrammed burlap flag - great as a hostess gift or new homeowner!

2.  Faux sherpa dog blanket - can't forget those furry friends this Christmas!

3. Stenciled burlap accent pillow - customize it with a city or state or add Mr. & Mrs. for those newlyweds celebrating their first Christmas together!

4. Tea towel - an incredibly easy way to handmade something for the cook in your family!