DIY + Handmade

Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to feel cramped! If you’re working with a tiny apartment, a cozy starter home, or just want to maximize what you’ve got, these interior design tips [read more]

5 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Tissue Paper for Gift Bags

Hold up! Before you toss that crumpled tissue paper from your last gift exchange haul, we’ve got some ideas that’ll make you the eco-friendly gift-wrapping superstar of your crew! You know how gift exchanges already [read more]

Why We Keep Old Gifts: Understanding Sentimental Attachments

Ever found yourself staring at that stuffed animal from your ex… or the quirky mug from your coworker that’s been collecting dust for years? You’re definitely not alone! Keeping unused gifts is practically a universal [read more]

Discover the Best Candle Gifts of 2024 Worth Giving

If there’s one gift that never goes out of style, it’s a candle. Whether you’re shopping for a relaxation enthusiast, a home décor aficionado, or someone who simply loves a cozy vibe, candles make the [read more]

Hey there, eco-friendly elves! Are you ready to rock the holiday season with style and sustainability? As we embrace the joy of giving, let’s make a pact to do it responsibly. This year, we’re all [read more]

The Elves’ Favorite Cookie Recipes

Meghan L

We elves love nothing more than sugary sweets to fuel our days at the workshop. A candy cane here, a sip of maple syrup there… And when it comes to cookies, well, let’s just say [read more]

A Freilichen Purim! Gift Basket Ideas to Celebrate Spring, Community and Life’s Joys

Brian B

Late winter and early spring are, for everyone, imbued with a sense of rebirth and excitement. It’s a time to escape the long winter—and look forward to the light. For the Jewish people, though, it [read more]

Cookie Exchange Raises the Bar on Holiday Baking

Meghan L

Here at Elfster, we consider ourselves experts on pretty much “all things holiday” — we are elves after all! Picking the perfect presents, keeping tabs on Santa’s nice & naughty lists and helping your holidays [read more]

UK Artisans Host Gift Exchange to Support Colorful Community

Meghan L

When you love what you do, you bring out the best in yourself. And by putting your best self forward and standing out from the crowd, you can inspire the world. Throw in a spark [read more]

The Art Of Japanese Gift Giving

Amy G

I met my husband while teaching English in Japan many years ago. Last summer, we took our sons to Tokyo and Kyoto to see the country we’d fallen in love with. Before we’d even left [read more]

Make Your Own Christmas Ornament Projects You Can Gift or Keep

There’s nothing I love more about Christmas than decorating the tree. When I was little, my family and I would turn on our favorite Mel Torme Christmas cassette, fill a tray with Christmas cookies my [read more]

Homemade Edible Christmas Food Gifts You Can Make in Advance

I’m not the craftiest person in the world, so it goes without saying that DIY Christmas gifts are not my forte. Give me a glue gun or a needle and I’ll probably end up hurting [read more]

Traditional Kwanzaa Gift Ideas to Make Homemade

I was in college the first time I was invited to a Kwanzaa celebration. Some girls in my dorm were hosting a Kwanzaa feast in the common room and asked if I wanted to come. [read more]

Homemade Christmas Gifts For In-Laws Who Have Everything

Beatrix stared at us from behind my father-in-law’s desk, her webbed feet and orange bill standing out against the dark wood decor. For Christmas, I had painted a picture of my father-in-law’s pet duck, Bea. [read more]

The Best Handmade Over the Hill Gag Gift DIYs

The morning of my 30th birthday I got up, took one look in the mirror, and went straight back to bed. I know 30 isn’t that old, but I figured I had finally been around [read more]

budget friendly matching bridesmaid gift ideas

Unique Bridesmaids Gift Ideas on a Budget

My wedding day felt like a dream. It was effortless, romantic, and filled with magical moments shared with my husband on our special day. What made it truly incredible, though, was having my nearest and [read more]

DIY Fall Wedding Centerpieces on a Budget

The aisle of the church was covered with fall leaves, pumpkins were at the altar. But this wasn’t some rustic, abandoned chapel in a field somewhere—it was the location of my wedding. We had done [read more]

How to Keep in Touch With Friends Over the Summer Vacation

Growing up in a touristy vacation spot, my summer friends were a totally different group than my winter friends. Summer Nina (not to be confused with year-round Nina), Meghan O., and other kids would suddenly [read more]

16 Creative Sweet Sixteen Birthday Gift Ideas