Christmas on a Budget: Easel Makeover

This year we are doing Christmas on a really tight budget, which is actually turning out to be a fun challenge.  I plan to share some of our gift ideas for the kids with you as we work our way up to the magical day,

The first idea is a basic makeover story.  Back in September I wrote about my shopping successes at Duck Duck Goose consignment sale, but I left out one big purchase – this easel:

The chalk board side of the easel was in pretty good shape, but as you can see, the white board/paper side had a lot of marker on the wooden frame.  But, the price was right at $5.  So, I bought it and took it home (after a major ordeal of locking myself out of my truck when one of the easel legs hit the lock button on the door while I was loading it).

Carina is our big artist in the family right now, so this gift is for her, but I know Callen will eventually, if not immediately, be using the easel too.  So, I headed to the paint store to get some paint with the idea of trying to do pink and orange (each kiddo’s favorite color).  I ended up choosing an orangish yellow and a pinkish red – they make those types of colors for people like me who can’t make design decisions – and got each color in a “color to go” sample size, which was surprisingly large.  I had a coupon for buy one sampler get one free from the Entertainment Book, so my total cost for the paint was a little less than $6.  I have a TON of paint left over for future orangish pinkish type projects too. Some of it will go on my antique chandeliers and lighting projects soon.

I spent the good part of one morning disassembling and painting the easel.  I’m really happy with how it turned out, especially considering it only cost me $11!  I expect to spend another $10-$15 outfitting it with dry erase markers, a paper roll, and some chalk.  I think this is a great “large gift” for Carina that will be put to good use!  I just don’t know what I’m going to do with all the extra art work…

Toy or furniture makeovers are a great way to provide an inexpensive, eco-friendly (recycled!), customized gift for kids, or for anyone else for that matter.  You can scope out thrift or consignment stores, flea markets, and garage sales for your makeover candidates, and the new sample size paints are an inexpensive way to freshen up new-to-you gifts.

Do you have any plans for home-made or made-over holiday gifts?

Other Posts in This Series:
Christmas on a Budget: Pajamas
Christmas on a Budget: Consignment and Garage Sales
Christmas on a Budget: Ebay

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