Christmas and handmade items somehow seem to go together, however finding a few quiet moments to devote to sewing or crafting can be challenging. Now may be the chance though to use up the growing collection of too-small fabric scraps, lengths of cheery ribbon or yarn, fanciful rick rack trims, buttons from long ago, and odd pieces of craft felt to make a few handmade gift tags to attach to those carefully chosen gifts for family and friends.

To make the basic gift tag itself, cut out a rectangle of thick craft felt, or hand or machine sew two fabric rectangles wrong sides facing (first fuse the shapes together with iron-on fusible webbing to stiffen) then stich around the edges to secure. Pink the edges for a cottage look. Add a length of ribbon to attach to a gift to complete the easy to make tag. Write the recipient’s name or just their initial using a fabric paint pen or fabric marker.

Consider using Christmas cards saved from years gone by, cutting out their charming motifs and glue onto sewn gift tags to help save time, money as well as a nod to environment-friendly upcycling.

Another easy to do gift tag would be to take the sewn fabric rectangle and apply a simple starburst shape using white embroidery floss and a few straight stitches. Glue white sequins over the ends of the straight stitch for glittery flair. Add a name to the tag by using a permanent fabric fine tip marker.

Traditional round ornament shapes can easily be made into gift tags by sewing two fabric circles wrong sides facing (again, fuse the shapes together with iron-on fusible webbing for stiffening) stitch around the edges, trim close to stitching. Glue a felt top to simulate the metal ornament cap and a ribbon or gold cord for attaching to a gift. If using craft felt, cut out two circles and blanket stitch around edges leaving an opening to lightly pad with poly fiberfill. Finish stitching by enclosing the stitches around a piece of gray felt for a cap. Attach a length of string or yarn to secure to the gift. Write name on the ornament or embroider an initial using a simple back or stem stitch.

Super easy tags can be made out of a few red buttons and cut out holly leaf shapes from felt scraps. Cut a traditional rectangular shape out of card stock or the back of an old Christmas card then glue on buttons and felt. Or, use two large white buttons, one larger than the other that can be glued to the card stock for a snowman-like shape. Glue on a felt black hat. Write the recipient’s name on the tag with a glitter pen. Involve the kids too for some family fun.

Assembling gift tags by using scraps of fabric, browsing through a cherished handed-down button box (a walk down memory lane) for just the right buttons, finding the right bits of saved ribbons or yarns to decorate with can easily become a fond Christmas tradition.

Sew happy, sew inspired.

Embellish Gift Tags as found on AllFreeChristmasCrafts