1. Colourful, simple, and way easy on the wallet. Simple items you’ve got around the house (in this case, straws) are perfect for DIY projects. String them together by poking a hole, widthwise, through each straw and run the thread through, securing the bottom straw with a knot. Then layer on your straws to create different designs, making them extra special with a touch of beads, and hang them around the house wherever you need a punch of colour.

2. If your little one knows a budding artist, why not gift a paintbrush set? The handles are easy to customise with paint and glitter. With or without mom and dad’s help.

3. Your kids won’t need a green thumb to grow this garden. Just some construction paper, scissors, a stapler, pebbles, and a plant pot like ÄGGPLANTA. Stack a few pieces of green paper, trace your cactus shape, and cut it from the stack of papers. You’ll have a few identical shapes that you can now staple together in the middle. Fan out the pieces so it becomes 3 dimensional. When spring arrives, the kids can start crafting daffodils and tulips next.

4. For sentimentality, nothing hits home quite like a family tree. Use two TJUSIG clothes hangers (or more depending our how large you’d like it to be) and fasten leaves and photos of everyone from Granny to the latest little arrival. As your family grows, just keep adding more branches.

5. Big feet or little, they all get nippy when it’s cold out. What could be a more welcome gift than a pair of cute, custom slippers? Just a sweet personal touch of felt, stitching and pom poms.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by

Interior designer: Nathalie Kamkum
Photographer: Andrea Papini