Homemade First Anniversary Gift Ideas
Perfect One Year Anniversary Gifts

First anniversary gift ideas are traditionally made from paper and with this being your 1st anniversary you will want it to be special, romantic and very personal!

There are lots of gift ideas that you could make from paper; collages, pictures, and cards are the most obvious and another idea is Paper Mache. You are probably at this point thinking of those masks that you made at kindergarten but don't worry paper Mache has come a long way since the days of balloons, wallpaper paste and last week's newspaper! Stunning objects can be made from paper Mache.

The first thing you will need to do is decide on your sculpture, it could be a heart, your initials, a plaque with I love you, the two of you, your first house, your first anything would work really well as your first anniversary gift ideas.

If this is your first paper Mache project then you may want to keep it simple, who knows this could be a new hobby for you!

To make paper Mache you will need newspaper, white flour, water, masking tape, and paint.

Mix up the flour and water into a paste, add the water gradually so you control the consistency, the thicker it is the stickier it will be. You can bring the mixture to boil which will result in it drying clear or you can mix this together cold. Both will work in pasting everything together.

Next create your structure, if it is a heart then 3 balls of newspaper scrunched up and taped together to make the rough shape will work well. If you want your sculpture to stand up then you will need to attach a cardboard base so that it is flat. When you are happy with the structure it is time to add the paper Mache.

Rip thin strips of newspaper and dip them into the paste that you have made and then wrap around creating smooth edges and enhancing your structure. When you are happy with how it looks you will need it to dry completely, otherwise it will go mouldy. Near a radiator or in the airing cupboard would be perfect if you are not lucky enough to have sunny weather when you are making your masterpiece.

When your sculpture is completely dry you can paint and varnish it. You will be amazed how hard it will be and your husband or wife will love the time and love you have put into this first anniversary gift ideas.

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