Well so far about half of the Christmas presents are made, and I don't have very much time left. I have been doing pretty well usually completing a gift a day, with some of them taking a max of three days.
Here are some helpful hints about making it a woodworking Christmas.
1. Sit down and make a list of everyone you would like to make a gift for, and what you want to make them. It is best if you can make a few of the same type of gift to give out to multiple people.
2. If you are going to have to ship the present make sure it is not to big, and keep how much it weighs in mind. Shipping is going to be a fortune either way. If everyone is close together, go hog wild.
3. I try to keep my scrap bin in my thoughts as I think what to make people. I often have small amounts of some of the more exotic species in my bin. This is a great way empty the bin.
4. Give yourself plenty of time. I would suggest starting 3-6 months before Christmas according to how many gifts you are making, and how much shop time to have. This year I have about 25 gifts I am making. I also plan on spending at least three hours in the shop 4 days a week. So I decided to get started at the first of October. Also keep in mind that you need to try to ship things out a couple of weeks before Christmas.
So as you can see for it to be sucessful your main goal is perfect time management.
Don't know what types of things would be good to make? Well here are some suggestions with the scrap bin in mind.
1. Rolling pins are always good. You don't have to make them out of one piece of wood. They can easily be made from multiple pieces, or even segmented. I do suggest however that you make them using a waterproof glue like Titebond type II, and use a food grade oil finish on them.
2. Scroll saw portraits. These are fairly easy to crank out, and cheap. A piece of 4x8 1/8 Luan ply may seem expensive but you could easily make 8 5x11 portraits out of one piece. Not good with a scroll saw or just starting out? I got started by thinking about the individuals interests, like say for instance Volkswagens. Google an image of the VW symbol, print it out in black and white, spray glue it to a piece, and cut it out. I think it only took me 20 mins to do. Took more time to make the frame.
3. Toy trucks or cars. These can be made easily from scrap, but be careful not to make them too complicated. Also if it is for a toddler, think seriously finishing it with food grade in mind. You never know when a lil guy or gal is gonna think that walnut wheel looks tasty.
4. Pencil holders. Another great scrap bin project, just search it in youtube to see how its made.
5. Bandsaw boxes. Every gal likes a nick- back box. There are some very simple designs that literally take 30 mins to cut out ( not including glue ups act)
I can think if tons more, but it is easy to get ideas. Maybe check out Steve Carmicheal's scrap bin video playlist for some. Also there is some great videos from The Drunken Woodworker on making succulent planters, pencil holders, and bandsaw boxes. Be sure to check them out!
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