There is possibly no better saying than, "Treasured are the gifts from the heart." How do you show someone that you truly care for them? You put your thoughts, time, energy, and most of all your love into a handmade gift. Homemade woodworked items are an excellent choice as they can be tailor-made to please the recipient you have in mind. Remember to begin building your project at least 2 months prior to the occasion in order to ensure that you will be finished in time. Here are some great woodworking gift ideas:
 Toys – Surprise a child with a handmade classic wooden toy from the "good old days". They are sturdier, more durable than many modern plasticized toys on the market today. You can even build a collector's item such as an antique locomotive or a pony rocker for an adult who remembers and loves those old classics.
Baby Items – Do you have a new baby in the family, or know friends or relatives who have just welcomed a newborn? Creating a special baby keepsake can greatly enhance that joyful event. Make a memory box for the parents to safe-keep treasured moments of the baby's life, or woodwork a picture frame with a special event engraved on it such as "Baby's First Christmas" or "Baby's First Birthday." More advanced woodworkers can make a lightweight mobile or a beautiful piece of baby furniture for the nursery.
 Household Items – There are a variety of common and not so common household items that you can make for just about anyone. A unique and personalized mailbox would provide a unique accent to any home. Outdoor decorations for the garden such as flower boxes and wooden artwork are fantastic gifts. For inside the home, try making a breadbox or a mail holder. An encasement for a country calendar adds warmth to any room.
Holiday Items – There are literally endless gift ideas for the holidays. Some of the more unique ones include making a pressboard cutout snowman to stick outside when Christmas is green, or a creepy but wonderful coffin big enough to place a pop out Dracula that will scare those little monsters at Halloween.
Unique, handmade gifts will touch the hearts of your loved ones, leaving a warm and lasting impression for the years to come, at a fraction of the cost of commercial store bought gifts. How can you go wrong? You can find the plans for your woodworking gift ideas from books at your local bookstore, and sometimes you can find free plans online. A word of advice: Be safe - wear safety goggles and gloves when working with tools.
Written by John Mann
John Mann is an experienced home renovator and webmaster. Visit his website Workbench Ideas for workshop tips.
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