Holiday Gift Giving Unwrapped

The most important part of giving a gift is the thought behind it. This holiday season, consider skipping the malls to create homemade holiday presents that will save money and add meaning to the wrapped packages you hand out to family and friends.

The following are inexpensive projects that are a wonderful way to unwrap the sentiment and thought behind gift-giving this holiday season.

Personalize an address plaque or toy box
A personalized gift is something that everyone can appreciate. To make a useful and one–of–a–kind gift, rout a name or address into a home plaque or the top of a wooden toy box. Simply sketch the name or address to be routed on a wood plaque or the toy box lid and select the desired depth. Using a rotary tool like the Dremel 4000 with a 335-01 Plunge Router Attachment, follow your outline, removing material until the letters or numbers take form. After your letters are cut, switch your bit to route the edges of the plaque or toy box lid. All that’s left is to do is paint and finish in the recipient’s favorite colors.

Engrave ornaments
A simple glass ornament can be transformed into a holiday treasure by etching a design onto its surface. First, determine the pattern or design you wish to etch onto your flat, solid glass ornament. Marker usually works best to trace the design on the glass. Use a rotary tool set between 15,000 and 25,000 rpm, and carefully trace over the drawn image with small strokes. Etching glass requires some practice, so be sure to experiment on less expensive glass objects first, trying out different bits to get different results. After your pattern is complete, wipe the area clean with a cloth. Your friends and family will have a personalized ornament to treasure for years to come.

Derby cars
For car-enthusiasts of all ages, a derby car is an ideal gift. First, draw a car pattern on a wood block showing the top, side, front and back views. When the drawing is complete, secure the block in place with a 2500-01 Multi-Vise™. Make cuts along the outline using a rotary tool and smooth, even motions. To even out rough edges, attach a sanding band of your choice and again use steady and even motions to smooth out the surface. Make any other cuts necessary to achieve your desired shape. Finally, add finishing touches such as paint and decals.

Clean model railroad track
We all have memories of a model train running around the base of the tree. Time to bring it back. To remove rust and debris from your forgotten, but beloved railroad track, use a rotary tool and 511E Finishing Abrasive Buff. Set the rotary tool to 15,000 rpm or slower and secure the track in the 2500-01 Multi-Vise. Using a light touch and a slow and steady motion let the tool remove the rust or tarnish. Angle the tool accordingly to get to hard to reach places. With your track now clean, connectivity is improved and your train should run smoother.

You can share your own homemade gift ideas on the Dremel Message Board and watch project videos on Dremel.com.

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