I received some verbal complaints that my holiday DIY post primarily relates to women and gifts for women. Therefore, I have taken the challenge to find several gifts that men will love to make as well as to receive!

In several Asian countries, such as India, China, and Vietnam, it is a custom to make hand crafted stamps. These stamps, although quite simple to create, have dozens of uses. They can be used to decorate vases and bedding, and for anything else you choose. Of course, here we have less of a need for them, but nobody can say no to their own name stamp! From Michaels, you can buy a small block of wood for minimal prices. If you were ever in any martial arts group, you probably have the same type of wood that you broke in half. With the use of a carving knife, or even a small blade, you can shave the wood into different shapes. Write a loved one’s name on it, and they will have plenty of opportunities to put it to use!

This next one is my personal favorite. How do you ensure that your iPad isn’t stolen? Well, it can’t be stolen if you don’t have one! No, I’m not saying that you should go break your loved ones favorite time passing device. But it sure is easy to camouflage one into something that no one would think to take! If you have old Marble Notebooks from your pre- tech days lying around, you already have half the materials. Just find some thick plastic that can be cut into strips, and in less than an hour you will have a notebook iPad case.

For step by step instructions, visit

http://www.lilblueboo.com/2011/07/diy-ipad-cover-from-composition-notebook-a-tutorial.html

For an avid reader who seems to have already been through any book suggestions you have, you can make them something to help them remember their favorite books. Find their favorite old paperback (hopefully a copy that they won’t go shopping for) and turn the cover into a wallet that they won’t be able to purchase in any store! A Paperback Book Wallet is sturdy, with the use of cardstock holding up the frame, and is easy to make with just a few household items. For the full directions on how to make it, check out

http://hello-refabulous.blogspot.com/2009/01/make-your-own-paperback-wallet.html

That’s all for now, but remember, a little creativity can go a long way! Right now, I am on the mission to knit everyone I know an ear band to protect them from this cold New York weather. Everyone has the talent, even me who can barely keep a stitch on the needle while making the next one!