This is my second annual “Neighbor Gifts Under $3″.  This is one of my favorite challenges. This year I had a bit of a brain crunch so hopefully I was able to come up with at least a couple of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. If you’ve created something under $3 that you’d like to share please pass it along.

This one is probably my favorite pick because of it’s simplicity.  I found a candy dish and a glass candle holder at the dollar store and I used a heavy duty glue “Goop” that works on glass to mount the dish on top of the candle holder to create an elegant pedestal dish.  I simply filled it with inexpensive mints and tied a bow and attached a vintage Christmas tag (which is available below for free down below).

I love the idea behind “Santa’s Magic Key”.  For all of those who don’t have a chimney . . . don’t despair.  Simply hang this magic key on your front door and Santa will have easy access.  I purchased a set of 5 keys that were on a ring at “Rod Works” in Springville Utah for $8.99 (I’ve also seen them on Ebay).  I simply used a wire cutter to snap the ring and voila! I had 5 keys at $1.80 a piece.  I attached the vintage tag,with a cute poem on the back (free download below) with a ribbon. This is a great gift alone, or would be adorable tied onto a bottle of non-alcholic champaign or goody box.

I saw something similar at my local craft store and they wanted $10.  I created this easily under $3.  You will need a 3″  wooden block.  TIP:  I stock up on decorative block word sets after the holidays when they can be upto 75% off.  I  paint them and re-use them for other projects.  (You can also just purchase the wood at Home Depot and cut into 3″ blocks.  Either way is an inexpensive solution).  Then I adhered coordinating christmas paper (Crate Paper Shown) on each side with decopauge.  Glue a glass votive cup to the top of the block and tie with a ribbon (careful when burning candle . . . this is more for decorative purposes).  I dabbed a brown ink pad on an off-white candle to give it an aged look, then placed it in the votive holder.  Cut out the “Believe” label  (free download below) and adhere it to the front.

I saw something similar at a local botique.  They wanted $20.  I created it for around $3.  The directions and free printable labels are available below. Keep in mind that you can lower costs by using packaging you already have on hand for the box below.  I purchsed a paper mache’ box for around $1 but you could also use old containers.

This will definetly get a “Wow” from neighbors.  It is a monogram ornament holder.  It looks great on the mantle and can be used year round.  It can hold wreaths, cards, mini albums, ornaments, photos, and more.  I love that it is personalized for each loved one with their own monogram.  It is made from a monogram letter (here is the catch on this one . . . They were on sale at Roberts this week for 30% off so it came in under $3.  However Walmart also carries large monograms if you can’t find them on sale for $1.99 . . . this will put you slightly over the $3, so stock up now if you can while they are on sale.) So, you need a monogram letter, a dowel cut to around 12″ (I just cut one dowel into thirds), and a 6″ wooden plaque (also on sale right now at Roberts), paint, patterened paper if desired, and a screw in hook.  I just purchased the largest one I could find.  I drilled a hole in the 6″ plaque and hot glued the dowel in.  I painted the base and the monogram letter black.  Adhered patterned paper to the front of the letter and screwed in the hook, then I hot glued the dowel behind the monogram letter.  Voila!

This is a slight variation on the monogram stand above.  It is also made by drilling a hole in a small wooden plaque (available at any craft store) For this project I used a 3″ circle. I also used a thinner dowel.  Once the hole is drilled insert the dowel with a little bit of wood or hot glue.  Paint white and attach the snowflake ornament with a high temp hot glue gun.  I purchased this metal/glitter snowflake ornamnent at Robert’s crafts for $1.  However, you can use any ornament you desire. Just below the ornament I attached a silver alligator clip that opens at the top.  You can either paint the clip white or leave silver.  For a final touch I added a small amount of snowflake garland around the dowel but this is totally optional (after I hotglued it I realized I liked it better without).  You can either attach a family photo, Christmas card, or your family’s favorite Christmas recipe.  This is a really quick and inexpensive gift that looks great!

Okay, keep these items in mind as we go over the next few projects.

This fun pedestal cookie dish was made from a holiday plate and UGLY brown candle holder (see pic above) from the dollar store. First I primed and painted the candle holder, then I sprayed it with adhesive and flocked it with fake snow and sealed it with a polyurethane glaze (this is mostly for decorative purposes and will need to be handwashed-I only used the glaze on the bottom part that will not have contact with food). I simply used “Goop” (or any glue that works on glass) to adhere the plate to the candle holder. This will give a big “wow” factor to an ordinary plate of cookies and it only cost $2.

This is one of my favorites.  I saw something similar at a craft fair for $20.  Remember the supply photo above.  Can you guess which items I used?  This is made from an old manderine orange can.  Any can will work, but I wanted to find one that was smooth and didn’t have ridges.  I used the smaller sized can for this project.  In the photo shown I used an old candle stick that I found at a yard sale.  However, to duplicate this for neighbors I am using a 6″ traditional table leg from home depot (pictured above in the supply photo . . . you can also use candle holders similar to the brown one shown from the dollar store).  Simply paint it and adhere it to a square or circle wood base.  Paint the can off-white and cover with candy-cane patterened paper (the candle will be for decorative purposes only) or you could paint it with craft paint.  I hot glued it on top of the candle stick and attached a ribbon a rusted snowflake ornament I found in a 6pk at my local craft store. I topped it off with a candle I purchased at the dollar store.

As most of you know by now.  I am a huge fan of recycling . . . I wish it was because I had a love for the environment but mostly it is because I have a love for my pocket book lol. To create the ultimate perfect circle of recycling I save all of my Stephen’s Cocoa containers from last year (am I the only one that got like 28 of those things last year?  . . . good thing I love them so much!).  Anyway, I save them and cover them with decorative paper and embellishments.  Like them with tissue paper and fill with goodies.  Here is a fun twist to that.  Start saving all of your pop top cans.  Here is the catch.  You’ve got to open them from the bottom with a can opener. 
Preferably one that cuts around the outside (I have one from the papered chef that does that).  Wash and rinse the can (don’t attempt this with stinky food lol).  Fill the can with goodies and a fun personal note and then use a high temp hot-glue gun to seal the lid back on.  Decorate it with patterned paper (I used My Mind’s eye and an old vintage button) . Just think how surprised your friends will be when they pull the tab and find a personalized note inside . . .she’ll be thinking “How the heck did she do that”.