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Holiday Hacks

I love giving gifts that are personalized. And nothing is more personalized than those that are handmade. Here are a few easy options for y’all to tap into your creative side.

HACK #1: Tea Tree
First, we are making a healthy topiary, a tea tree. What I love about this is that you can customize your tree for any occasion by switching up the color palettes and tea flavors. Since I’m in the holiday mood, I’m making a traditional colored tree with green and red.

You will need:

  • Styrofoam cones (I used 11” tall)

  • Individually wrapped tea bags (20-24 for 11” cone)

  • Glue gun

  • Small paper mache box for tree stump

  • Wooden stars for tree top

  • Raw rice (for weighing down tree)

Instructions:

  • Glue tea bags starting at base of the cone. Place thin line of hot glue to upper edge of back of tea bag.

  • Slightly overlap the next tea bag

  • Finish the entire base before moving upwards

  • Repeat gluing process until you reach the top

  • Glue top of paper mache box to base of cone

  • Fill bottom of box with rice

  • Attach wooden star to top of cone

  • When it’s tea time, carefully rip the tea bags off the tree and enjoy!

HACK#2: Pencil Vase

This is a great gift for the teacher in your life. We’re making a pencil vase with items you probably have in your home.

You will need:

  • Tall clear cylinder vase

  • 40-50 pencils

  • Glue gun

  • Ribbon

  • Fresh flowers

Instructions:

  • Glue your pencils around the vase

  • Finish by tying a ribbon around for color pop

  • Add fresh flowers