Fun & Inexpensive Gifts for the Holidays!

With the economy in the toilet these days it doesn't mean we still can't give gifts to family and friends.  However, the gifts we give may not be as extravagant but that doesn't mean they're still not fantastic.  Here's a fun idea to perk up those incredible treats you plan to share with everyone this holiday season.  All for just under $5.

Have you ever Mod Podged before?  I've been doing it since I was about 8 years old and well, that's a lot of years.  It's the perfect way to preserve something or design a unique gift to give or keep for yourself.

This particular project adds a nice addition to those treats that you plan to make for family, friends and co-workers.  Instead of placing your cookies, etc. on a plastic or paper plate wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon why not make a lovely or festive plate to place your treats on.  A plate that you give as a gift with your holiday treats!

I've found that WalMart has great prices on all materials required for this project.  Of course, you can get as fancy as you like by going to specialty fabric stores.  Here's what you'll need.

• Paper to place under your project to keep your work surface clean.
• glass plates, chargers or bowls, etc. (WalMart has great prices)
• Mod Podge ($6.47 at WalMart)
• paint brush or paint sponge
• fabric (lots of fun inexpensive prints at WalMart)

Instructions:

Place paper down on counter top and set clean dish on paper bottom up.

Cut your selected piece of fabric out to cover the bottom of your plate extending about 1-2 inches all the way around and set aside.

Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire bottom side of the plate.

Don't forget my Virtual Cookie Swap!

Lie your fabric over the Mod Podge covered plate being sure to smooth out the fabric onto the plate. Be sure to press out any air bubbles or creased fabric. Let rest a few minutes to adhere.

With a sharp scissors cut off the fabric which extends over the plate being sure to cut next to the edge of the plate to insure a tight even fit.

Cover fabric with another thin layer of Mod Podge. Lift plate up from paper and place on the bottom of a pot or something elevated for the plate to dry completely.  Drying could take up to 30 minutes depending on the thickness of the Mod Podge.

Once dried you have a lovely plate to set cookies on for your own celebration or to give as a gift with cookies or treats.

Remember there are a variety of glass plate shapes to choose from and bowls, so be creative.

Giving a gift to a teacher?  Find fabric with apples, numbers for a math teacher, etc. For Halloween there are tons of fun fabrics. You get the point.

In fact, if you really want to be creative, find designs with flowers or other shapes, cut them out, and paste onto the plate. Once dried lay a colored fabric on top, following the Mod Podge directions.

This fabulous and creative gift can be made for under $5. Hard to believe something this pretty can be so inexpensive.

Note: The plate is not dishwasher safe. When cleaning simply clean the top, without submerging or getting the bottom side, with fabric, wet.

Enjoy!!