Here’s How to Make Two Great DIY Holiday Gifts

Christmas is a time of giving, and if you’re a handy DIYer it’s also a time for creating. DIY expert Samantha Potter loves making gifts for friends and family, but this year she decided to up her game even more. She wanted her creations to be fun, functional, and personalized. Follow her easy steps to make your own great DIY gifts this year.

My Christmas Creations: Charcuterie Boards & Concrete Bowls

The approach of the holidays means it's also time for gift-giving. That includes host/hostess gifts, holiday gifts, or just because gifts. For me, there’s no better gift than a thoughtful handmade item. My favourite part of giving a gift is knowing that someone truly loves it and will enjoy it for years to come. Two DIY gifts I’m creating this year are charcuterie boards and decorative concrete bowls. You can customize your charcuterie boards by shape, size, colour, or even solder in the person’s name. You can also adjust the shape and colour of your concrete bowls to make each one unique! I made two of each here to show you some options. My local Home Hardware provided all the materials, along with some tips.

Charcuterie Boards: Here’s What You Need*:

• Slab of Hard Maple

• 15 Amp Planer

• Jigsaw

• Orbital Sander

• Sandpaper – Assorted Grit

• Spray Bottle

• Food-Grade Hardwax Oil

• Raw Linseed Oil

• Rags

• Tack Cloth

• Gloves

*Lumber may vary depending on your location. To see all your options, use our Store Locator to find the Home Hardware Building Centre or Home Building Centre closest to you.

Here’s How to Make the Charcuterie Boards

Here’s How to Make Concrete Bowls

Concrete Bowls: Here’s What You Need:

• Quick Set Concrete Mix

• Cement Colour

• Plastic Mixing Bowls

• 19L Utility Pail Paint Sticks

• RagsGloves

• Scissors

• Floral Blocks

• Faux Florals