Festive Fivers Competition: The best Xmas pressies for under £5

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

As it's getting close to Xmas again I thought I'd bump this thread to help those looking for reasonably priced presents
LOL MLSL

choccyface2006

Oh my goodness nooooooooooooo..............not even had my summer holiday yet!!!

(though I have already bought a few christmas presents myself!)

Sarah x

maria_and_the_imps

if you go to
www.FreeNameAStar.com
you can name a star and dedicate it to anyone, the star is then saved on a database and is theres forever, you can print out a certificate and pop it into a frame and hey presto a thoughtful bargain of a present
cost
ink 5p
frame £1 from wilkinsons
:money: :money: :money:

shona_2

I was just looking at the Cartoonme website, and then discovered..... befunky.com - you can do the same thing yourself for £FREE!

mary43

My cheapie pressies:

Bubble bath decanted into empty wine bottles, label stuck on printed from internet of vintage bath, filled with own brand bubble bath (donated by friend who had too much of it)..............ribbon round the neck of the bottle (also donated by friend with surplus ribbon...............total cost...........inc..ink
about 50p maximum

Name a star....................ink........max 50p

Quotes in a jar...............print of random number of quotes/facts.jokes -whichever, popped into stainless steel storage tins from charity shop
Cost of cans - £1
Ink.............- 50.................£1.50 total

door hanger - cost of hanger £1.50, paper to cover it 50p, wallpaper paste £1, ribbon(free) embellishments £1.50
Total cost....................................£4.50

Can't think of anything else.........loads of cheapy projects still on the go...............lol

champagnesupernova

Name of present? PERSONAL CALENDAR
Make it or buy it? Make it
Total Cost? Less than £5
Details (the more the better)?
Many websites will allow you to upload your photos and make a personalised calendar - but will charge you £15 plus!
- Simply arm yourself with 12 pieces of plain A4 card and any of the following: copies of photos, pens, pencils, paint etc. This is a good one to get children involved in.
- Write the month and draw out the dates on each piece of card and stick a favourite photo on the top.
- Then simply holepunch the top of each month and thread some coloured string through it so it can be hung on the wall.
(Tip: This works especially well if you have a laminator or can borrow one at work - you will find laminating pouches in most pound shops.)

*abc123*

Name of present? DIY Photo album
Do you make it or buy it? Buy materials and make it.
Total Cost? £5
Details (the more the better) I got 50 free prints of digital photos from Jessops, but if you just search in google for "free prints" you'll find loads of links.

Then I bought some reduced wrapping and translucent paper, and coloured corrugated card, all matching, from Paperchase - a total of about £5 (with a lot left over, you could probably do it cheaper but paperchase has particularly nice paper).

I cut pieces of the same size of all, hole-punched one side, and strung them together. Stuck photo on wrapping paper, translucent paper to cover each. Repeat. Cardboard forms the front and back cover. Home-made, but your mum will love it.:T

Where possible please add a link if it's an online offer

ih8stress

Name of present? 'Emergency' Photo Frame
Do you make it or buy it? Both
Total Cost? Anything from free to £5
Details: A personalised 'In An Emergency Break Glass' Framed Gift

Get a photo/picture frame (bought new, car boot etc. or already have a suitable one). I used a 8" x 10" one. Paint/decorate it as required.
Cut a piece of thin card (any colour you like) to fit inside the frame.
Mark out in pencil the part that will be visible through the glass. This will be your working area.
On the top part of the card insert the words 'In An Emergency'. This can be printed on, handwritten, stuck on using letters from a newspaper, or by using the rub-on transfer letters available from stationers (approx. £1 a pack). I used the latter.
Select your 'emergency' item based on who the present is for (a list of ideas below).
Centre this on the card and make a pencil mark of the position.
On the bottom section of the card insert the words 'Break Glass'
Stick the coloured card onto the picture frame backing (be careful not to overdo it if you use glue as this may show through the card). I stuck mine using double-sided tape on just the edges and centre - where the object is placed. (Alternatively use sellotape, folded in half, sticky side out).
Get your 'emergency' item and stick in place (using glue, double-sided tape, blu-tack etc.)
Rub out the pencil marks made earlier.
Assemble the photo frame.

TIP: It's best to roughly measure out where to place the words and item beforehand - leaving a border where you can. If printing, you may need to experiment with various fonts and sizes.
I made a rough copy on a plain sheet of paper first before doing the final version in card and placed it in the frame to see exactly how well it would look/fit.

If your emergency item is quite thick you will need to deepen the frame. This can be done by glueing a band of sturdy card or wood onto the INSIDE of the frame. Make sure the glass is in position first, then glue the SIDES (frame not glass) and press the card/wood in place - leave to dry. Complete the coloured backing as before. Glue the top edge of the card/wood then position the backing over it (face down) and stick this onto the raised bed. Holding the frame and back together,carefully turn your work over to check that the wording/item is level. If not, re-position the backing, whilst the glue is still wet.
When the glue has dried use masking tape to join/cover the top and sides of the backing board.
TIP: If you have to attach screw-in picture hooks (24p for 10 in Wilko's), remember to insert them in the frame and NOT the backing board or added depth.

IDEAS,

£2 Coin
Sachet of Shampoo
Sachet of Hot Chocolate/Coffee
Sachet of Seeds
Sachet of Sugar
A couple of Teabags
1st & 2nd Class Stamps
Alka Seltzer/Paracetamol
First Aid Plaster/Corn Plaster
A Comb
A selection of Screws/tap washer/fuses etc.
A Nail File
A Cigarette/Cigarette Patch/
A Pen
A Beermat
A Golf Tee
A Needle and Thread
A Safety Pin
Fish Hooks
A Recipe
A Dummy
A Bar of Chocolate
A Matchstick
A stick of Chewing Gum
A Spark Plug etc
A Gift Voucher

Obviously it's best to choose something that is fairly lightweight and thin if possible.
(I made one last Christmas with a £5 note). Think of things relating to the person - job, hobbies etc. It can be daft or useful - the choice is yours.

ih8stress

Name of present? Personalised Mannequin Figure
Do you make it or buy it? Buy materials and make it.
Total Cost? £2 - £3 plus scrap materials etc.
Details: Wooden, poseable figure as a completed gift or kit to be made

Buy an artist's wooden mannequin figure. I got mine for £1.99 in Home Bargains, Wilkinsonplus have them for £3 or try Ebay.

Gather together an assortment of scrap materials (some suggestions at the end) and dress the figure accordingly.

For the face scan a photograph of the person, print it out onto a sheet of plain paper (you may have to experiment to get the size right), then cut out the face and stick it onto the mannequin. (Double-sided tape is probably best as some inks can 'bleed' through). Alternatively you could paint a face on.

TIP: If the type of paint won't adhere to the shiny surface either rub the surface down to provide a 'key' for the paint or as an alternative glue small pieces of toilet roll/kitchen roll paper in place and paint when dry.

You could also source pictures of celebrities from the net, magazines etc.

Hair can be added if required using various materials or by building up layers of toilet/kitchen roll paper and painting.

Dress the figure, getting ideas from photos, fashion magazines etc. as necessary.

You could also just paint the mannequin (as above) or cover it in wrapping paper prints as an abstract form.

If you are making it in kit form assemble an assortment of clothes and accessories and prepare the figure as required (eg. just add a face, hair, painted shoes).

Scrap material ideas:

Old (washed) clothes, tights, scarves, socks, hankies, nightwear etc.
Net curtains, cleaning cloths, bedding, tablecloths, cushion covers, towels, tea towels, rubber gloves
Handbags, jewellery, toys........
Wool, string, hair (rescued from hairbrushes), netting.
Dolls clothes, accessories
Cardboard cut to shape and painted eg. sunglasses

Look round the house to see what can be utilised (eg. belt made from an elasticated hairband)
Go round car boots, pound shops etc. (it's surprising what can be found if you inspect items for this purpose). Jewellery can be great for converting into all sorts of things eg. just using part of an earring for a belt buckle. Before throwing ANYTHING away check to see if any part of it is usable.

Happy crafting!

ih8stress

Festive Fivers Competition:

Having submitted 2 entries (so far) I now find that the competition was for 2007. As some people had made recent entries I thought it was for THIS year?

Can anyone from MSE confirm what the position is exactly please as I am now confused!

Thanks