12 Days of Crafting, Day 9: Easy holiday bookmarks

Not every holiday craft has to be a time-consuming undertaking.

If you’re giving someone a book this year, how about personalizing it with a homemade bookmark?

This project is one the kids can handle, but adults might have fun with it, too, since you could take the basic concept and gussy it up to your heart’s desire.

You will need:

Firm paper (cardstock, construction, junk mail, leftover Christmas cards)
Scissors
Some sort of template, like a cookie cutter, unless you can draw freehand
Pencil
Optional: glue, paint, stickers, rubber stamps, etc.

1. Trace around your template on the paper or draw your desired shape by hand.

2. Cut out the shape.

3. Cut a deep “V” shape in the middle of the shape, being careful not to cut too close to the edges. You can see this step here .

4. Decorate the bookmark to your heart’s desire with paint, Crayons, rubber stamps, whatever. I don’t recommend glitter since that could leave a mess in the book over time.

Or leave it plain and write a note, quote or poem for the gift recipient.

5. Slip the “V” over the top of a page in the book you’re giving, of course letting the bookmark dry first if you added glue or paint. The bookmark can serve as a gift tag as well as a place holder for the recipient to use down the road.