Paint a Plate (You can do this!)

Here's a fun idea that works for gift-givers of any age: paint a plate or bowl at your local pottery painting studio. Kids can paint some beautiful stuff, and adults can find the creative process to be surprisingly enjoyable (and a lot more fun than hitting the mall). Even if you are not necessarily artistic, it's the thought that counts -- a gift that is made with love will be received with love!

Some ideas:

• A holiday cookie plate. This is an easy gift for kids to create (triangle + square = tree), and  is a fun way for them to add a piece to the family's holiday traditions. (Bonus points if you give the gift loaded with homemade goodies)
  
  
• A "favorite dish" plate or bowl for the gift recipient's own culinary specialty or favorite food: Grandma's waffles, Dad's burgers, whomever's ice cream, popcorn, brownies or... you get the idea.
  
  
• A family plate, decorated with your family tree, a made-up family crest (silly is good!) or simply the individual names of everyone in the family
  
  
• A pet bowl for the giftee's dog or cat (Hey, they're members of the family too! Add a pet toy when you give the gift.)
  
  
• A decorative vase or bowl to complement the colors in the giftee's home
  
  
• A themed piggy bank for someone who is saving up for something special (a trip? a car? retirement?)
  
  
• If you have a baby or toddler, your spouse or close relatives will undoubtedly love anything created with the baby's handprint or footprint (a tile trivet or plate, perhaps?)

Even if you are not artistic, it's easy to decorate a piece with stripes, polka dots, stars, hearts or flowers...you can do this! The staff at the studio is usually well-trained to help those of us who may need it.

To find the ceramic painting studio near you, search online -- there are lots of them out there, including Color Me Mine, 2000 Degrees, Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge, and Paint Your Own Pottery.