Making Memories: All About Scrapbooking

You may have heard about scrapbooking or you're already into this creative activity yourself. 

Image from freepik

You may think that scrapbooking, as a hobby, has only gained popularity during recent decades. 

The truth is, the history of scrapbooking dates as far back as before the invention of photography. 

Scrapbooking is rooted to the merger of personal storytelling and the long history of printed images. 

Scrapbooking: How It All Began 

Commonplace books

Scrapbooking history is rooted in 15th century England, during which commonplace books and the friendship album became popular. Letters, poems, recipes, scrapbook quotes, and similar items were kept in the commonplace books. 

The friendship album, on the other hand, would be presented by homeowners whenever  they would have guests over. 

Guests wouldn't only have to sign the friendship album, they're also encouraged to include something personal -- a quote, a poem, or their thoughts about the homeowners. Some people drew pictures. 

Scrapbooking in the 1800s

Over time, black-and-white photos and newspaper clippings were included among scrapbook pages for preservation.

With the need to preserve these mementos came the invention of the scrapbook album, which was usually large and bulky. 

During the mid-1800s, themed, leather-bound albums were manufactured. Some had corner pockets to hold photos and even pages for drawing and painting with water colors.

A Brief Decline in the Purchase of Scrapbook Albums After World War I 

During the recession that followed World War I, the production of scrapbook albums dropped drastically. 

People chose to store their photos, cards, and other mementos inside boxes instead of a scrapbook album. 

After a while, when photography began to expand, people preferred photo albums to house their photos. 

The woman who brought back scrapbooking's popularity

In 1980, Marielen Christensen brought together 50 volumes of her family's history. These were shared with the public and caused people to become interested in scrapbooking. 

Image from freepik

Keeping Memories Alive, the 1st scrapbooking store, was opened by Christensen. Within a decade, scrapbooking turned into one of the most popular hobbies in America.

Scrapbooking: An Individual Hobby Turned Social Event

What was once perceived to be a solitary hobby can now be enjoyed in groups, making scrapbooking a social event. 

There are companies that manufacture scrapbooking products that organize parties to promote and sell their brand. 

Scrapbooking was also regarded as an ideal activity for retreats and cruises, where avid scrapbookers can sign up.

Crafters and DIY Enthusiasts: Make More Time With These 2025 Planners and Journals

As someone who's been part of the craft and DIY industry for years, I'm aware that creative people like me come from diverse backgrounds.  

Some may be a multi-crafter like me, while some may be adept with only one type of craft. 

A few other crafters may have monetized their passion for crafts or anything handmade, while others wish to keep it as a hobby and pursue it to relieve boredom or cope with stress. 

If you're a crafter or into DIY, I encourage you to continue making time for your creative pursuits this 2025, regardless of your background and the direction you may wish to pursue in the future. 

To make crafting more fun, don't hesitate to spend on a cute or chic planner, with pages that are filled with enough space to keep track of your tasks and works-in-progress.

You can also jot down a list of your craft materials and expenses, post reminders of Zoom workshops or dates of craft bazaars.

Crafters and DIY Enthusiasts: What Could Be Your Goals for 2025?

You don't need to aspire towards those goals that sound lofty if you wish to maintain the fun and thrill of creating. 

For most of you who's into crafts or DIY only as a hobby, your list of goals may look like this: 

• Finish a couple of works-in-progress. 
• Start a diamond painting of a friend's pet portrait so you can give it on their birthday.

A few other goals you may have are:

• Get started on making birthday cards for my family members and friends. 
• Gather all my excess craft supplies and bring them to a craft swap. 

On the other hand, if you do decide to take things further this 2025 and do something different, your to-do list may look like this: 

• Take photos and submit tutorials to craft blogs. 
• Take courses in search engine optimization (SEO) and affiliate marketing to monetize my craft blog. 
• Join a craft fair.  

Regardless of what your goals are, you need a planner to carve out time and schedule your crafting. 

Here's a list I've rounded up with the best planners from Shopee. 

I have also recommended additional items that can help you keep track of your crafting schedule.

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be getting a commission each time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

Sanrio planner/journal/diary
(Kuromi and Little Twin Stars)
by Socks Buffet & Phone Cases

Cath Cath shopping mart's
Sanrio diary/notebook/planner

Yzabelle Collections'
Sanrio planners

(1.) Sanrio planners

Relive your childhood days and take your pick among these Sanrio planners that will fit any budget. 

And if you're trying to get your pre-teen and teen girls started on sewing, crochet or knitting, cardmaking, macrame, etc., you may want to buy 2 or more.  

Buy these along with --

Sanrio mechanical gel pen by
Kuromi/Cinnammoroll Store

InkbyCate's
BT21 planner/journal

(2.) BT21 planners 

You may be hit with nostalgia about your university days once you purchase this BT21 planner with loose-leaf pages. 

The BT21 planner is created like a notebook/binder that reminds you of the one you used to jot down notes in college. 

Once you're done with an entire year's worth of schedule, you can purchase another set of blank pages. 

Buy this along with --

BT21 Army Bomb Waterproof
Laminated Stickers by KhleyrStudio

2025 planner by
Mooncloud Stationery

(3.) Planner by Mooncloud Stationery

With Mooncloud Stationery's array of marble-colored planners, not only do you get a planner, but an expense and savings tracker and a portion for to-do lists as well.

Snoopy 2025 planner/journal
by KIDSZOE STUDIO

(4.) Snoopy planners

Let this world-famous, adorable beagle be your daily companion as you tick off creative tasks every week or month. 

Premium A5
planner/notebook by
PH/q18b3n4sx8

PH/q18b3n4sx8noteboo

(5.) Cath Kidston-inspired notebook/journal 

If you're more of a journaler type of crafter or DIY enthusiast, a dated planner might be too constricting for you. 

So why not get something that gives off a ruled-notebook vibe, but with a cover that screams "Too Cool for School?"

Buy this Cath Kidston-inspired notebook along with --

Cartoon animals sticky notes
for indexing by ddayupfun.ph

Famous Cities A5
hardbound notebook by
Martial Arts & Crafts

(6.) Famous cities A5 hardbound notebook with ruled pages  

If you're into paper crafts and scrapbooking and you enjoy documenting your travels and vacations, these notebooks with landmarks and tourist spots of famous cities are definitely for you.

Bruce School Supplies'
A5/A6 notebook/diary

(7.) A5/A6 notebooks with strap 

You can use the purple-themed stickers below (and similar color-themed stickers that match the notebook's cover) as reminders of items you'll reward yourself once you finish a craft-related task. 

Cartoon purple minimalist-style
graffiti stickers by
LanLanStickersWorld.ph

To illustrate, the purple piggy bank may remind you to save up for an anniversary or birthday gift for your partner by crocheting amigurumi and selling them. 

Or you can put any of the stickers with purple-themed desserts by the end of each month on your planner or journal. 

You may have saved a substantial sum by availing of discounted rates online when shopping for craft materials. The amount saved can be used to treat yourself to a delectable dessert.                                                                                                                             

Love Moon Shop's Pop Art
comic design notebook/journal

(8.) Pop art journals 

This is another highly recommended item if you're more of a journaler as a crafter. 

These pop art journals might attract designers who use Cricut or Sizzix to make stickers.

How to Cut Your Budget for Christmas Gifts Without Dampening the Holiday Spirit (Part 2)

In the 1st part of my blog article, I have cited several reasons to cut back on Christmas gifts. 

And yet, I also listed several ways to rein on your purse without being all stingy and Scrooge-like. 

Here's the continuation of my list of ways to cut down on your budget for Christmas gifts without dampening the holiday season: 

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. Every time you click on those links and make a purchase, I'll get a commission.)

(7.) Give paper products of value.

Giving away cash in the past may have made you cautious. Instead, try the the following alternatives:   

Gift certificates 

Blue Magic
gift certificates
from 4y2_s7yb2v

4y2_s7yb2v

Gift certificates are budget-friendly Christmas presents to give to children. Just ask them about their favorite stores or shops. 

CEBUSUPERSELLER2023's
USABLE Starbucks Philippines
Line Friends Card

Reloadable cards/reward cards 

How about those friends or loved ones who enjoy frequenting cafes, coffee shops, or certain stores? 

A reloadable or reward card from that coffee shop or store can be a present that would be much appreciated.  

E-Gift cards

While technically not a paper product, you can place an order online for electronic gift cards of different denominations.

Happy Birthday E-Gift card from Sephora

Coupons

You may have a close friend or are married to, or dating someone whose love languages are acts of service or quality time. 

Relationship coupons
by bosmuda99zh.ph

Why not give them these coupons filled with ideas of how you'll spend time with them, or specific deeds you'd like to do for them? 

(8.) Support small businesses. 

Small businesses usually thrive on bulk orders from customers during special occasions. Christmas is a particular time for small businesses to accept customized orders.

(9.) Why buy when you can DIY?

If you're confident about your skills and creativity, you can DIY a bunch of Christmas presents. 

Depending on the interests or preferences of the people on your list, you can make and give anything from string art, to a dream catcher, to knitted or crocheted items, to DIY snow globes.

(10.) Have a Secret Santa during Christmas parties.

You've probably been invited to several Christmas parties already -- the one at work, your church, the place you volunteer, or your neighborhood block party. Or you may be planning to host one yourself. 

Image by gpointstudio

To cut back on costs for food, why not propose a potluck to your guests and a Secret Santa for gifts? 

A Secret Santa is ideal because each guest must adhere to a price range for the gifts. Also, everyone will be ensured that they won't leave the party empty-handed.  

(11.) Come up with creative ways to replace wrapping paper.

You may not think much about spending for a sheet (or a roll) or 2 of wrapping paper. But what if you have half a dozen (or more) Christmas gifts to wrap? 

Forego the wrapping paper and you
can cut back further on your budget.
Image from freepik

Add ribbons and gift tags to the mix, and you may end up shelling out an amount that could have afforded you another gift or 2. 

So why not replace wrapping paper with something like butcher or brown kraft paper, manila paper or crepe paper?

You can reuse shopping bags and gift bags, or wrap your Christmas presents with old comic books, glossy pages from old magazines, Japanese newspapers, old calendars or catalogues. 

Colorful paper twine or yarn can take the place of ribbons. And you can add gift tags recycled from greeting cards. 

How to Cut Your Budget for Christmas Gifts Without Dampening the Holiday Spirit

The year is coming to an end and some of us may just be recovering from the aftermath of the pandemic, which wreaked havoc 4 years ago. 

You may be looking for ways to put a tight rein on your spending, or at least, scrimp on a few non-essentials this holiday season. 

Why not go through your gift giving list, check it twice, and cut back on your budget for Christmas presents? 

No, I'm not telling you to act all stingy and Scrooge-like to the people closest to you.

Christmas Gifts: The Benefits of Cutting Back On Expenses 

Image from freepik

Being more mindful of your budget for gifts reminds you of what's truly important this holiday season.

More than any tangible gifts, most of us are aware of what's more important than any Christmas present: getting together with loved ones to share the joy of the holiday season.

You can be more intentional with your Christmas shopping. 

Sometimes, we give away items that we bought from a store or boutique because we think it's "chic," "trendy," or "oh, she'd be dying to have this." 

But shopping within a budget makes us take time to consider what the recipients on our list truly need or want. We may also take note of their hobbies, tastes, and preferences.

"Inexpensive" and "affordable" doesn't mean "ugly."

Sometimes, we automatically equate anything affordable with ugly or unattractive. 

The truth is you might be missing out on a lot of invaluable and practical items you can potentially give as Christmas presents by walking into less known shops or specialty stores, or give small businesses a try. 

Frugal gift giving means less financial worries this Christmas.

Aside from a pile of bills, you have to come up with decorations and a holiday meal. 

While you can keep the decorations down to a minimum and choose simple, fuss-free dishes, cutting back on your gift budget is another way to lessen your financial worries by the end of the year. 

Imagine the fun of still being able to give Christmas presents away while maintaining the peace of mind that results in not busting your budget.

You may end up inspiring some (or even most!) of your friends, relatives, or colleagues to adapt a more frugal mindset when it comes to shopping for gifts. 

Realize that the majority of those closest to you may also want to be more mindful of their budget, and thinking about cutting back. 

Showing them that it's possible might influence them to get started on the following ways to cut their budget for Christmas gifts:

(**DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll collect a commission each time you click on those links and make a purchase.)   

(1.) Designate an amount.

Come up with a list and aim to be as realistic as possible about how much you can spend on each person on your list.  

(2.) Trim your gift-giving list as needed.

You don't need to buy Christmas gifts for all the people closest to you. 

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we simply can't say yes to every invitation to hang out or eat out, or be at a party.  

To illustrate, if you have no plans to meet up with that distant cousin, or that aunt this year, leave them out of your list.

(3.) Shop year-round for Christmas gifts. 

You never know when certain stores will sell their items at mark-down prices. Or you may be able to stumble upon a sale in April or May, or spot discounted bargains.

(4.) Look online. 

Try the shopping apps Shopee or Carousell, or scour through Facebook Marketplace for budget-friendly Christmas presents.

A word of warning, though. Take time to read reviews and look at ratings to ensure that you're transacting with trustworthy sellers.

(5.) Give one gift that a couple or an entire family will appreciate instead of buying individual gifts. 

If you live next door to a family who enjoys travel, give them a scrapbook kit so they can have a place to store their photos and other mementos from their trips. 

Little Buddy TOY's
Monopoly family
board game

If the family's more into indoor activities, get them adult coloring books, diamond painting kits, board games, or card games. 

(6.) Give the 3 T's as gifts.

Time 

Time remains to be valuable, and yet, not a lot of us have it.

You can let others have time by offering an act of service. You can babysit for a couple of hours during a weekend afternoon to allow a single parent to go grocery shopping.

For a sweetheart, long-term partner, or spouse, you can craft a booklet of about 12-15 (or more) coupons with an act of service or a special treat written on each coupon. 

And then, make your sweetheart "redeem" those acts of service or treats within a certain time period (e.g. 90-100 days).  

Talent 

Think of a particular talent you have, and consider how it can benefit the people on your Christmas list. 

You can craft a wreath or ornaments for your next-door neighbor if you have a good eye for color and design. If you can bake, make a batch of cookies or cupcakes, or even pet treats if you have recipients who own dogs.

Treasure

People nowadays aren't icky about receiving pre-loved items. If you have an old die-cut machine, you can offer that to a fellow crafter. 

Or, you may be able to help someone who's taking music lessons by giving that old guitar in your basement.    

Winter-Themed Event: Patron of the Arts 2024 at Elements at Centris, Quezon City

As a follow-up to the Halloween-themed art convention in October 2024, my sister and I attended the winter-themed Patron of the Arts at the same venue, Elements at Eton Centris in Quezon City.

Patron of the Arts: A Fun, Winter-Themed Event 

The winter-themed Patron of the Arts 2024 was a fun, 2-day event held on December 14-15.

To put it briefly, Patron of the Arts, as a niche community, aims to empower Filipino artists and serve as a platform for art creators and consumers alike. 

These art creators include, but aren't limited to -- 

• textile artists (crocheters and knitters) 
• digital artists 
• illustrators 
• graphic artists 
• publishers of comics and zines 

Consumers include, but aren't limited to -- 

• paper and stationery enthusiasts 
• patrons of fan art 
• collectors of art
• readers of comics and zines 
• those looking for unique gifts

Patron of the Arts: The Perks and Privileges

Upon arriving at the venue, there was already a fair number of art patrons outside the entrance. The organizers gave away a bottle of C2 wintermelon-flavored milk tea on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets to the winter-themed event are priced at Php100. Because of my person with disability (PWD) ID, I was able to gain free admission, so my sister only had to pay for herself. 

Patron of the Arts: How it Works 

After paying the admission fee, regular patrons are entitled to a free sticker sheet and 2 promo cards. 

The 1st promo card has graphics that act as an "artist trail," where consumers can ask artists from which they have bought merchandise to put a stamp. 

Upon completion of the artist trail, patrons and consumers are required to do other tasks in order to receive freebies like stickers, keychains, and a tote bag before leaving the venue. 

The 2nd promo card to which patrons are entitled is the Badge Brigade. 

There were a total of 7 artists that participated in Badge Brigade. Once a consumer buys at least Php100 worth of merchandise from all artists, he can claim a flaglet of pins worth Php700. 

Because I was allowed free entry as a person with disability, I wasn't given a free sticker sheet and artist trail promo card. Good thing I qualified for the Badge Brigade. 

A free bottle of
wintermelon-flavored
milk tea given at
the entrance

Patron of the Arts: A Means for Independent Artists and Makers to Promote Their Merchandise to Consumers

Even as a highly-niched event, every themed Patron of the Arts receives a warm welcome from a community of art enthusiasts.

To sum it up briefly, Patron of the Arts is a platform where independent artists and creators meet consumers. 

As independent freelancers, artists and creators promote their art online, through their own websites or online store, or through social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

Patron of the Arts: Where to Avail of Food and Refreshments

Patrons and consumers need not be afraid of going hungry, because food stalls have been set up at the venue. 

The Elements is also within walking distance of a wide array of diners, restaurants, and coffee shops, so patrons can take their pick.  

Patron of the Arts: The Highlights

As a winter-themed event, a few of the highlights of Patron of the Arts are: 

Pet-friendly

Each Patron of the Arts venue has long been marketed as pet-friendly, so patrons are free to tag their four-legged friends and furbabies along.

Games

Patron of the Arts is a 2-day, all-day event. In order to get consumers to interact and participate, they hold a series of exciting games after lunch, from which the winner gets to take home a prize, while the rest of the participants get to showcase their creativity. 

Patrons and consumers in creative, winter-themed costumes 

Some of the consumers attended in true art patron fashion -- decked from head to toe in their most creative and imaginative, winter-themed attire.

Artists as cosplayers 

Felt fulfilled after mingling
with a vibrant community
of artists and consumers

Some of the artists manning their booths and entertaining consumers were dressed as cosplayers, attracting positive attention.

Artists that incorporate marketing tactics to draw more consumers 

With some of the artists that have set up booths and kiosks at the winter-themed Patron of the Arts, the maxim "work hard, play hard" has never been more pronounced. 

One of the artists who was into dystopian, futuristic 3D art rendered on his art prints gladly elaborated on his inspirations, and even provided a QR code for scanning his art prints.

With another artist, I went through her display of postcards and art prints, and noticed that she had also placed a red coin bank on her table. 

Upon purchase of her products, consumers have the option to insert a 5-peso coin into her coin bank and choose a free postcard. 

Apparently, this was her way of improving her sales while getting rid of her surplus.

Freedom board

Nothing screams "Leave your mark" other than Patron of the Arts' Freedom Board. 

Three sheets of huge, sturdy, white card board and a container of felt-tip pens were laid out on a long table at the center of the venue. Consumers and patrons are free to doodle on the Freedom Board and leave messages.  

Quick Crafts: Gift Tags and Bookmarks

I've been a crafter since 2006. In 2019, I started collecting art prints, gift tags, and postcards. 

Recently, I've been addicted to stationery, washi tapes, and stickers. 

Since I now own lots and lots of sticker packs, I noticed that I can recycle the colorful cardboard sheets that come from sticker packs into gift tags and bookmarks. 

This project is a quick craft and can be done in 10-15 minutes, and requires only a beginner's level in skill. 

If you're a parent or guardian and you want to temporarily wean your kids away from their screens, you can do this type of quick craft with them. 

Gift Tags and Bookmarks: Materials

• cardboard sheets from sticker packs 
• paper cutter (or pen, ruler, and scissors) 
• twine (or ribbon or colorful yarn) 

Procedure

(1.) Gather all colorful cardboard sheets from sticker packs.

(2.) Use a paper cutter to trim the excess portion from the cardboard (you can also draw a line with a pencil and ruler and cut with scissors). 

(3.) After you're done, use a paper twine and tie your gift tag into a paper bag (you can also use a ribbon or colorful yarn). 

(4.) Insert your new bookmark in a book.

13 DIY Stocking Stuffers for Frugal Givers (Part 2)

The holidays are coming again, and you may be thinking about where to shop for stocking stuffers.

Image from freepik

Basically, stocking stuffers are small, inexpensive gifts that can fit inside a stocking. 

As a crafter, you have the skill and creativity to make a bunch of stocking stuffers. 

Handcrafting stocking stuffers for the recipients on your holiday list can not only be cost-effective; your recipients can also take pride in the uniqueness of your gift. 

And you only need to look into your surplus of craft supplies, recycle or upcycle some of the stuff in your home, or buy a few new materials.

In my 1st blog post, I have listed 6 stocking stuffers. Here's the 2nd part of my list: 

(**DISCLAIMER** This post contains affiliate links. I'll get a commission every time you click on those links and make a purchase.)

(7.) Upcycled tote bag 

Carrying a tote bag outside has proven to be more practical and economical since a movement was launched to cut back on the use of plastic. 

One can stuff her wallet, phone, and keys inside a tote bag when running an errand, while larger tote bags are ideal for shopping. 

You have several options for this DIY stocking stuffer. You can make a tote bag by using leftover fabric from your stash or sewing a bunch of old towels. 

You can also deconstruct an old pair of jeans and turn it into a tote bag. 

You can decorate this stocking stuffer using large, colorful buttons, cloth patches, ribbons, or lace.

Photo from Tidy Mom
Click here for
complete procedure.

(8.) Snow globe 

Nothing reminds people of Christmas other than a winter scene captured inside a snow globe. 

Snow globes are so easy to make because winter-themed materials can be found in most craft stores.

Mason jars are ideal to turn into snow globes. Or, you can go the budget-friendly route and recycle any empty jars of mayonnaise, pickles, or jam lying around the house. 

(9.) Upcycled notebook from cereal boxes 

Got an incurable doodler in your gift giving list? Or maybe someone who jots down everything in order to remember them? 

An upcycled notebook from cereal boxes makes for another practical yet chic DIY stocking stuffer. 

And because you'll be using cereal boxes as protective covers for your notebook pages -- ruled or unruled -- you don't need to spend much for this item.

And there are tons of paper products you can use to wrap the cover of your DIY notebook -- glossy pages from old magazines, scrapbook paper or gift wrapper, Japanese paper, or pages of old comic books. 

Sanrio 12 pieces black ink
gel pen by gh.shop888

Give this notebook with one of these cute pens with Sanrio characters.

Sock snowmen
(click here for a complete procedure).
Photo from It's Always Autumn

(10.) Sock snowmen 

These sock snowmen are extremely cute and highly decorative, that they can be placed anywhere -- on top of a bedside table or next to a stack of books on a coffee table, on a blank space inside a bookshelf, or to brighten up someone's workspace. 

(11.) Reindeer Christmas ornament

This DIY stocking stuffer needs to be sown only by hand, and isn't complicated to make. 

You can even substitute the red-and-white gingham-print ribbon with a plain red or green silk ribbon, or red yarn or paper twine.

(12.) Festive gift boxes

Do you have a stash of old greeting cards gathering dust somewhere in your closet or drawer? Then look no farther when looking for craft materials for our next DIY stocking stuffer! 

If you enjoy making and giving trinkets or accessories, you'll need to place them inside festive gift boxes. 

Old Christmas cards make excellent materials that can be recycled into gift boxes. Christmas cards have festive colors, fancy calligraphy, and some even have glitter. 

For other recycled greeting card crafts, read -- 

Quick Crafts: Recycling Old Greeting Cards

(13.) Pin cushion

Pin cushions are highly practical, but who says they can't be cute?

4 pcs/lot quilting fabric cloth bundles
by Lucky Loops Sewing Supplies

You can create these stocking stuffers from leftover cloth, or fabric quarters intended for quilting. 

Cotton fabric in
navy by Mensugen
Fabrics & Garments

You can also tailor your pin cushions according to the recipient, like selecting fabric with cartoon prints or bright patterns for kids, floral prints for women, or masculine designs or fabric in muted colors like grey, blue, and black for men. 

13 DIY Stocking Stuffers For Frugal Givers

You may have heard of small items called stocking stuffers. Their size make them ideal to be placed inside a Christmas stocking. 

Photo by
Jill Wellington
from Pixabay

However, because stocking stuffers are quite inexpensive, shopping for them becomes a mindless holiday activity. 

Too often, a lot of people end up giving kitschy white elephants, or stocking stuffers that may truly have been practical and even very attractive, but for which the recipients have no use. 

As a crafter with your own Christmas list, you probably know the people on your list better than anyone else. 

Why not DIY your own stocking stuffers for the upcoming holiday season? 

Giving Away DIY Stocking Stuffers for Christmas: The Advantages 

There's a certain charm in the uniqueness of DIY stocking stuffers.  

Stocking stuffers may be small, inexpensive gifts. But imagine the delight your recipients will feel upon getting something uniquely handcrafted. 

As a crafter, you can DIY a bunch of these stocking stuffers even on a tight budget.

Buying craft materials in bulk can be cheaper. And there's no telling how many items you can make for stocking stuffers. 

Stay away from arts and crafts stores or hobby shops that sell top-tier brands. Instead, consider any leftover items in your craft stash. 

You can also explore smaller crafts stores and shops that operate independently, or look for craft materials from various online stores from the shopping app Shopee.

There are stocking stuffers for recipients of all ages in this list. 

Never go into a panic again because you can't think of anything suitable for your child's favorite teacher, or your niece or nephew, or that newlywed couple who just moved in next door.

A crafter can customize and personalize DIY stocking stuffers.

To illustrate, if you know the recipient's favorite colors or theme, you can buy craft materials with colors and designs that align to the recipient's favorites.

Some of these stocking stuffers also make excellent gifts for Secret Santa.

If you and your relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc. have resolved to do a Secret Santa for your Christmas parties to cut on costs, you can pick a couple of stocking stuffers from this list and turn them into gifts.

(**DISCLAIMER** This post contains affiliate links, which means I'll be getting a commission once you click on those links and make a purchase.)

Sanrio-inspired keychains

(1.) Keychain 

A keychain can jazz up a plain handbag, belt bag, or backpack. 

And if the recipient you have in mind drives a vehicle, he can use the keychain to keep him from forgetting his keys. u can tailor the keychain according to his tastes. 

Keychains are also appreciated by boys and girls, and men and women alike. 

Pendants of Sanrio characters
from pulongys.ph

The Avengers pendants by
DIY Handmade Jewelry

The key is to look for pendants that are appropriate for boys and girls, men and women.

(2.) Phone strap

Kirby-inspired
phone straps

If you have pre-teen or teenage girls in your gift giving list, a phone strap would make a frugal and delightful stocking stuffer for them.

There are many types of pendants as well as beads being sold online these days -- in different colors, sizes, and textures.   

(3.) Scrunchies

Scrunchies sown from fabric with fun prints or other eye-catching patterns can easily amp up your girl friend's chic-ness factor. 

(4.) DIY tassels  

Tassels are highly decorative and versatile. You can use them as a bag charm or even as a phone strap. 

The best part is tassels are one of the most frugal stocking stuffers in this list because they can be made from leftover embroidery thread.

(5.) Framed pet caricature

If you're a decent artist, you can draw a caricature version of the recipient's pet and mount it inside an inexpensive frame. 

(6.) Crocheted items

Photo from freepik

There's a reason crochet has been one of the timeless textile crafts. You take a ball of yarn and turn it into anything with a crochet hook. 

You can give a matching set of crocheted coasters (look for a pattern with a snowman, reindeer, Santa Claus, or an elf), a beanie or scarf, or a pot holder. 

Amigurumi is also one of the hottest things in modern crochet.