When writing a piece on making your own Christmas presents, the temptation is there to mention that dreaded, boring word - Credit Crunch. Sod that, make your own presents not because it’s cheap but because craft is the way forward and they add a personal touch we desperately lack in today’s consumer driven world. Gee, don’t I sound old and sensible?

So where do you start? All you need is a handful of paper, a little card, some scissors, a sprinkling of glitter and an ounce of creativity - all this and you get a Blue Peter badge! But if, like me, you want to indulge your creative side and feel the big BP is a little - dare I say - tacky, here are some ideas that may help:

Unless you have been hibernating for the last couple of years, you could not have failed to notice the current resurgence of the crafts! Craft is definitely a buzzword. My wife Claire and I went to Camp Bestival this year, one of Rob de Banks homely festivals, and bought a fab fruit cake from a wonderfully retro WI tent. What better present to give your long suffering parents then, than some hand-made edible treats? How about jams and pickles in beautifully presented jars? Great recipes are only a click away.

When it comes to packaging your jams, you can get really creative with various jars available from craft shops or the internet. To make the lids look more attractive, use some vintage fabric and a rubber band as a finishing touch. You can also try interesting pickles for a savory option.

If food’s not your thing, there’s nowhere better to hunt for a personal, DIY present than by scouring a local reclamation yard or recycling centre. One fantastic idea is to look for vintage printer’s letter blocks. Spell out the name of your loved one’s pet name or favorite word in different sizes and wood colours – trust me, it looks great. Mount them onto an MDF back or glue together and they will love you forever! Try www.theoldprintingshop.co.uk or www.retrouvious.com for more ideas and inspiration.

These are some of my favorite ideas but if these don’t tickle your fancy, why not spend some time on the internet or craft shops and see for yourself how much further your cash goes with a little imagination and a DIY ethic.

www.autempsperdu.co.uk

Simon Mills