Are you hoping to create gifts this year instead of purchasing something from a big box store? Here are local shops where you can stop-in to make a one of a kind gift for all the extra-special people on your list:
Pottery Studios which are drop-in, no appointment necessary
Doodlin’ Pottery Studio @7707 Five Mile Rd, Anderson Twp., OH 45230
Hours are Monday - Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 11:00am - 7:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Queen City Clay @2760 Highland Avenue, Norwood, OH 45212
Hours are Monday 10:00am - 8:00pm
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday - Closed
Mad Potter @7754 Camargo Rd # 11, Madeira, OH 45243
Hours are Monday to Friday 11:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Other Creative Studios:
Create a canvas painting, resin coasters, painted glass or wood decor at “A Stroke of Art” Studio which is located @851 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245. Visit their website to sign-up for creating one of their family-friendly painting creations! Their “Santa Kittens” canvas painting night scheduled for December 17th at 6:30pm is one I know my daughter would love to participate in. their website: astrokeofart.biz
Check out McHarper Manor in Milford for all kinds of artistic creations. Their website explains it all, https://www.mcharpermanor.com/diy-nights-and-workshops.
Candle making and personalized candles:
The Candle Lab Anderson is located @Anderson Town Centre, 7454 Beechmont Ave, Suite #308, Cincinnati OH 45255 and is a shop that specializes in candle making. You can choose to create your own mixed-scent and gift a one of a kind candle to everyone on your list! Their holiday collection this year features candles created in glasses to look like drinks such as “Christmas Ale” which comes with dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks. The store hours are Monday to Saturday, 11:00am – 7:00pm and Sunday noon – 5:00pm. The store only recommends making reservations if there are 4 or more members in your party, otherwise they can handle drop-ins without any issue.
Yankee Candle is not locally owned, but at both the Eastgate Mall location, 4601 Eastgate N Dr., and Kenwood Towne Center 7875 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236, you can add a personal photo to a candle’s label. You create this product in-store by bringing in a photo or the staff can help you to download one from your phone.
Here are my favorite at-home creations for personalized gifts using materials you can easily find at the grocery store if you do not have them already:
One idea of a gift you can make at home is cinnamon applesauce ornaments. They are easy to make and also smell wonderful, really creating the holiday vibe in your home. These can be made into holiday shapes like pine trees, or snowmen, or can be cut into letters for a person’s monogram. The monogram would be a cute idea for a newly married couple, or a family member who welcomed a new little one this year! Paw prints from the family pet, or fingerprint snowmen are more cute ideas. You can add acrylic paint to these once they are dried.
Here is the recipe: Mix 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon with 1 cup of applesauce and 1/4 cup liquid white glue. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness, and cut using cookie cutters or a butter knife. Use a straw to punch a hole for string into each shape you have created. Let the ornaments harden on a flat surface for 3-5 days, turning them over each day to dry out equally on all sides.
Lastly, I love to create a festive photo garland! Use up those printed photos of family you might already have laying around. Start by cutting the person’s head out of the picture. 
Next, create santa hats from construction paper by cutting red triangles white circles. Glue the pieces of the hats together, then glue a construction paper santa hat onto each person’s head. Lastly, punch a hole in the hat for string, and string a bunch together for garland. An alternative option is to create a loop so as to make an ornament that can hang on their Christmas tree. You could create an entire family collection and gift to someone in the family who loves photographs!
