Crafts

Counting down the days to Christmas--or looking for a simple Advent craft? Try this Advent Calendar made from an altered clipboard, from blogger (and friend!) Jackfrosty.

Using simple tools and supplies, you'll create a pretty focus that counts down each day to Christmas. Craft more than one, for holiday giving!

Altered Clipboard: Advent Calendar

Looking to cut back spending on holiday gifts? Celebrate like Santa (but spend like Scrooge) with this fabulous line-up of 34 great gifts you can make yourself.

Compiled from reader suggestions at finance blog Get Rich Slowly, the list focuses on easy-to-make gifts for all ages. Even if you're all thumbs at crafting, you'll find inspiration with this roundup of handmade holiday ideas.

And we loved, loved, LOVED the nice link to our site! Thanks, J.D.!

Do It Yourself Christmas: 34 Great Gifts You Can Make Yourself

Goblin alert: the big day is near! Still looking for cute craft ideas or easy Halloween gifts? Try these easy-to-make Halloween crafts for classroom treats, Halloween BOO baskets or Halloween party favors:

Halloween S'Mores In A Jar	Witches Brew Halloween Gift Mix
Halloween Jiffy Pop Topper	Pumpkin Poop

Counting down the days to Christmas? Check out this clever Advent calendar created from a cookie sheet!

Blogger Scrap 'n Stamp used a cookie-sheet base, scrapbooking paper, mini-ornaments and magnets to create this holiday craft.

Put one on your gifts-to-make list today, to count down to Christmas!

Christmas is Coming: Cookie-Sheet Advent Calendar

For the crafty: a stunning 3-D snowflake made from paper! Not kid-friendly (with all that cutting) but a nice holiday decoration for the papercrafters among us.

Includes photos and step-by-step instructions:

Make A 3-D Paper Snowflake

Count down to Christmas with an easy-to-make "Santa's Beard" advent calendar from KidsDomain.com.

Print the free printable pattern, decorate it, then hang it up on December 1.

Each day, add one more cotton ball to Santa's beard to count the days until Christmas:

Printable Advent Calendar for Kids

.Halloween night is on the horizon, and small spooks are getting antsy. Keep them busy--and full of holiday spirit--with these printable Halloween crafts for kids, from DLTK.com.

With coloring pages and craft projects, Halloween costumes, songs and poems, you'll find a wealth of inexpensive activities for kids to make and do. Check 'em out:

Halloween Crafts for Kids

Brighten the holiday table--or spark up a wrapped package--with these easy-to-make felt poinsettia napkin rings. From Domino.com, instructions include a printable template:

Poinsettia Napkin Rings

Favorite photos take on new meaning as Christmas ornaments with this easy holiday craft. Simple enough for kids to make, photo ornaments bring color and life to holiday decor:

DIY Photo Ornaments in 15 Minutes or Less