(BPT) - Looking to create unique, heartfelt woodworking gifts for your friends and family this holiday season? With Minwax®, crafting personalized gifts and decorations is easier than you think! Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, Minwax® makes it simple to elevate your holiday celebrations with its easy-to-use products.
Minwax® offers a complete lineup of wood finishing products for all your holiday projects, including stains, sealers and wood care solutions. Minwax® stains enhance the natural beauty of wood, ensuring you achieve the perfect look, every time. With 240+ colors available in oil- and water-based finishes, you can easily find the perfect shade for your holiday décor and gifting projects.
To get you started, check out these fun projects from five top DIY-ers to help you create memorable keepsakes for your loved ones and decor that captures the spirit of the season.
1. Wooden Christmas trees to welcome the season
To make simple yet elegant holiday decorations that bring a festive touch to your home, Jenna Smith (@DIYwithJenna) has created this Pinterest-inspired project to put your home in the holiday mood - or to give as gifts. Smith describes herself as a "maker of pretty things," from beautiful decor to handcrafted wreaths and more.
For this project, you'll craft a Christmas tree from 2x4" pine wood planks, using Minwax® Oil-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to prepare the wood, followed by Minwax® Wood Finish® Penetrating Oil-Based Wood Stain in Espresso for rich color (or any stain color of your choosing). Seal your creation with Minwax® Polycrylic® Topcoat for lasting protection and apply each layer smoothly with a Purdy® brush. You'll also need a drill and screws to assemble the pieces.
If you're planning to set your tree outdoors, you should replace the Polycrylic® Topcoat with Minwax® Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman® Spar Urethane for better protection. Your finished piece can beautifully adorn your front porch or entryway to greet holiday guests or bring seasonal charm to any space. For an extra-festive touch, embellish your tree with greenery like spruce boughs, holly or pinecones.
2. DIY candle holders for tablescapes or gifts
Perfect for dressing up your holiday table or gifting to someone special, Lucia Mallea (@luciamallea) shares her playful and colorful candle holders created from wooden cubes. "They'll make the most adorable holiday gifts," said Mallea, a digital creator, Latina artist and maker from Miami, Florida.
To create Mallea's candle holders, you'll need wooden cubes, a drill and Minwax® Wood Finish® Water-based Stain, either Solid or Semi-Transparent, in three colors of your choice. Mallea chose Petal Pink, Juniper Mist and Lemon for her candle holders - a cheerful palette. You'll also need Minwax® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and Polycrylic® Max.
For a professional-looking finish, follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the wood: Sand the wooden cubes with medium- and fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth surface. Apply the Minwax® Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, especially if you're using soft or porous wood, to ensure an even stain application.
- Apply wood stain: Choose your preferred stain colors and test on a hidden spot or a scrap piece of wood to confirm the look. Apply the stain evenly on each cube to bring out the desired color.
- Add a protective finish: After the stain has dried, apply a clear protective coat using Minwax® Polycrylic® Max to seal and protect your work from water, chemicals and wear. Use a light "tip-off" technique with the brush for a smooth, professional finish.
Once stained and sealed, Mallea adds candles to the holders and loves displaying them on her coffee table for a cozy holiday vibe. These candle holders also make the perfect DIY holiday gift - simply wrap them in tissue paper and add a bow!
3. Indoor planters for the plant-lovers in your life
These small planters are a great way to showcase your creativity. Mary Lindloff (@the_handcrafted_haven) draws on her experience with furniture flips and room makeovers for this giftable project anyone can make. Lindloff created two distinct planters to gift, each tailored to the aesthetic of the recipient - one minimalist design in True Black and Pure White, and a colorful version in Violet and Simply White - using Minwax® Wood Finish® Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain.
To get started, you'll need oak boards, a miter saw, an orbital sander, a nail gun and a tape measure, along with a Purdy® XL Paint Brush. Additionally, you may need other Minwax® products such as Stainable Wood Filler (if necessary), Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner and Polycrylic® Max.
Lindloff showcases her finished planters on a shelf in her living room, where she then adds lush plants to complete the display. "The planters can be customized for the plant-lovers in your life depending on their preferred styles, whether colorful, modern or traditional, and their color preferences," Lindloff said.
4. Festive peppermint swirl coasters are fun and functional
Influencer and DIY maven Kara Whitten (@kailochic) loves creating projects with a pop of festive color. This holiday season, she's crafting stylish and functional peppermint swirl coasters as gifts. Stained with Minwax® Wood Finish® Water-Based Color Stain in Crimson (Solid), Petal Pink (Semi-Transparent), Hunter Green (Semi-Transparent) and Simply White (Solid), these coasters capture the classic peppermint swirl look - perfect for resting a chilled glass of eggnog or a warm mug of cocoa.
Amber Kemp-Gerstel of DIY blog Damask Love knows there's a lot to raise a glass to during the holidays and into the new year. Her DIY take on a customized wooden wine gift box begins with an unfinished wood box, easily sourced online, which she stains with Minwax® Wood Finish® Color Series in Royal Mahogany (semi-transparent for a rich, festive hue that perfectly embraces the spirit of the season). Sealed with Minwax® Polycrylic® Max crystal-clear topcoat to preserve its beauty, Amber completes her gift with a personalized wine bottle label and a holiday bow, making it a truly personal keepsake.
For more inspiration, visit Minwax.com and check out their Holiday Gift Guide at Minwax.com/en/gift-guides. You'll find a range of projects and gifts that are perfect for the season. Happy DIYing!
