Budget crunch gift idea

I was in a serious budget crunch at Christmas time. We had some MAJOR car bills (we're talking multiple thousands) come up right before Christmas which ate into our Christmas fund. So I was on the hunt for BARGAINS. And when I say bargains, I mean...what can I make for next to nothing?

So here was one solution...a Christmas decoration for my sister. I think it turned out really cute. In these pictures, it still needs an "M" (for Meyer) as the tree trunk. I decided not to put a star on the top, but you could if you wanted. I couldn't find any that weren't cheesy.

 

 

I made this out of fence post wood slats. About $2.50 from Home Depot for a 5 or 6 foot post. I already had the three pieces as left-overs from a fireplace project, but you only need one board, cut into 12 inch strips. Here are the steps I took:

1-cut the angled edges off (and cut into 12 in. pieces if you need to)
2-stain

3-cover with painters tape to make the chevron
4-stain again with the tape on, to make the pattern
5-screw on a piece of bracket on the back to keep the pieces together

6-glue on the ornaments
7-screw in eyelets on top and insert wire

 

8-add twine bows or accents to the eyelets if you want

Now, I had most of these items at home, so I only had to buy the ornaments for $3 at Michaels. But if you had to buy everything, it would still cost you less than about $15.

I want to make another one, but with the next one, I plan to make the pieces longer, and add an arrow with the word "Permberly". There are a TON of ideas you could use. A heart for Valentines, Eggs for Easter, a simple initial, a plain arrow, an ampersand, (what is it about ampersands that are so cool?) vinyl letters,  you name it.

Thanks for reading!

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]