Fill Santa's sack

Sometimes the simplest ideas make the best gifts - and these DIY projects are easy on the wallet, too. Use the straightforward instructions to create your own gifts or as a starting point and inspiration for your own creations.

Floral box

This floral box was made from a hinged wooden box and flower pictures. Cut out coloured flower photos from a gardening magazine or calendar and glue on to the lid of the box with PVA glue. Once dry, apply one coat of Resene Aquaclear satin to the lid and the outside of the box and fill with floral-scented soaps and bath salts.

Tea pot stand

This attractive teapot stand was made from an old square of glass (we used a discontinued sample from a glazier) and a ceramic tile. Ensure the glass and tile are clean, and then glue on flower decals or cut-out floral patterns from old wallpaper on to the tile, using PVA glue. Once the glue is dry, apply a generous amount of clear silicon to one side of the glass and smear it into a smooth layer using a spatula. Carefully press the glass on to the tile, remove excess silicon and allow to dry. You could create a similar effect using a square of plywood painted with a floral design.

Tea pot stand and floral box

Candle-holders

Candle-holders make lovely small soffits team them up with a scented candle to make them even more special - or make your own to decorate the Christmas table on the big day. These three candle holders were made from an old glass ashtray filled with coloured glass pebbles, a small terracotta pot and stand, glued together with PVA and a coloured glass tumbler. If using tall, slender candles, keep them upright with a blob of Blutack.

Seed container, plant hangers, plant container and candle holders

Plant hanger

This simple wall-mounted plant hanger was made from an old wooden holder for kitchen utensils, but if you are unable to find something similar in a charity shop, you could easily make your own from plywood. Drill several large drainage holes in the base of the holder and then glue on MDF letters with exterior PVA glue and allow to dry. Apply three coats of Resene Resene Concrete Clear to the holder (taking special care that the MDF letters are completely sealed) and plant up with potted colour.

Seed container

This simple to make container for seeds started life as an old tea caddy. If you want to paint the tin first, lightly sand the surface and apply one coat of Resene Smooth Surface sealer. Once dry, apply two coats of your chosen testpot colour (we used Resene Red Berry) and then glue on cut out letters or paper transfers to spell out the word 'seed'. Fill with packets of favourite flower and veggie seeds.

Plant containers

Old items of crockery and ceramic troughs and vases can make interesting and inexpensive containers for small plants. Teapots, mugs and decorative ceramic bowls are readily available at charity shops and all you have to do to convert them into instant outdoor pots is to drill a drainage hole in the bottom, using a drill bit for ceramic ties. Place a piece of masking tape where you are going to drill to prevent the drill bit from slipping.