DIY letters for Christmas presents

Who gets which present?
Decorative help for Christmas day: Now everyone can spot 'their' present under the Christmas tree right away. The name or initials of who the different gifts are for are clear to see on the gift wrap. And in a lovely Christmas red colour too.

Templates make it quick and easy to cut the letters out of a sheet of FIMO soft. The size and design of the FIMO soft letters can be selected according to your own personal taste.
Merry Christmas and have fun unwrapping your presents!

1 Use the acrylic roller to flatten a standard block of Christmas red a little and then roll it out to a sheet using the clay machine on setting 1. Place the sheet of FIMO soft on a piece of baking paper.

2 Print out the pattern sheet and cut out the templates for the letters. The following fonts from the computer programme Word were used for the letters/templates: Juice ITC (LIA), Kristen ITC (EVA), Maiandra GD (MAX), Bookman Old Style (E and S). Alternatively, you could use your PC to make a pattern sheet of your own: Write the required letters or name of the person the present is for in a Word document in the font of your choice, mark the text, select the maximum font size, make it bold and print. When selecting the font, take the style and character of the person the gift is for into consideration.

If necessary, you can use a photocopier to enlarge the letters on the pattern sheet still further. Place a letter template on the sheet of FIMO soft, rub over it gently to make the paper stick to the clay. Then cut the letter out of the sheet of clay by going around the edge of the template with the kitchen knife. Remove any surplus modelling clay and peel the paper
letter off.

Tip:
Unfinished items and left-over bits of material can be stored in a screw-top jar or kept airtight,
e. g. wrapped up tightly in clingfilm.

3 Leave the letters on the baking paper and harden in the oven for approx. 30 minutes at 110 °C. Allow to cool and then varnish. Wrap the presents nicely. Put double-sided sticky tape on the back of the letter and then stick it on the wrapping paper.

Tip:
FIMO soft gift tags: Before hardening, use a toothpick to make a small hole in the top
of a letter. Harden the letter, leave to cool and varnish. Thread a piece of red & white cord
through the hole and tie the ends together in a knot. Wrap the present and tie a ribbon
round it. Attach the letter to the ribbon by the cord.
A small garland of letters looks good on presents too.

Photo and text: Staedtler GmbH