Woodworking lends itself so easily to making practical and fun presents for everyone on the gift list. For anyone who is able to work with wood, figuring out Christmas gifts for friends and family is almost as simple as walking into the workshop and firing up some equipment. The hardest part is coming up with ideas for projects to make. There are many wood pattern companies that make patterns for those who can't visualize a finished project or can't sketch out a car or a similar simple shape on the wood. Those with the ability to figure it out on their own can really save on pattern costs, though, which means more money to buy that beautiful piece of reclaimed heartwood pine they've had their eye on.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids
- Crayon caddy - If you can sketch a train, car, or pony shape on a piece of wood, you can easily make this without a pattern. If you can't sketch, you can still make it without a pattern. Just look for a kids' coloring page that shows a train, car, or other kid friendly shape from the side and use it as your pattern. Cut out the shape using a one inch thick piece of wood and then drill shallow holes the width of a crayon in neat rows across the surface. Paint or stain the wood to protect it from some of the messier projects the child will be doing and you've got a practical little gift.
- Collectibles shelf - Kids love little compartments. Make a mini shelving unit and divide each shelf into several little sections to form cubbies the size of the child's favorite collectible. For things like scale models of cars, you may want to run a small piece of trim across each shelf so that it forms a slight lip at the edge and keeps collectibles from crashing to the floor. You can stop here and go on to staining or painting the shelf, but it is fun to personalize the collectibles shelf at the top with a small 2-D cutout of the item he or she collects.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Adults
- Inspiration board - If you can make a simple frame, you can easily make a rectangular inspiration board, bulletin board, or chalkboard. However, if you have the skill to do so, why not create a tree shaped board or a football shaped version? The time you took to create a board that matches the person's interests is what makes this gift special.
- Step stool - Almost everyone has that moment where he or she realizes that the ladder is in the garage and the item that needs to be pulled down is just out of reach. A step stool with simple lines is a practical and useful gift that is sure to be appreciated.
Now that you have a few ideas for woodworking projects to give as gifts, it is time to grab that trusty carpenter's pencil and start sketching them out.
Katelyn Thomas - If you can't find me in the spring, I'm out hiking through the wood with a few pounds of photography gear strapped to my back. In the ...
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