What do beer/wine enthusiasts, coffee drinkers, tea drinkers, and hot cocoa drinkers all have in common? They all (probably) need coasters. At a time when everyone will celebrating with a little more wine, a little more tea, and a little more cocoa, these DIY Wood Burned Coasters will be much appreciated.

These DIY Wood Burned Coasters have that homey, rustic feel that everyone is looking for during the holidays. Not only that, but each piece looks slightly weathered and is totally unique. Those who really appreciate handmade gifts could really get behind this coaster idea. I actually even chose to go with the wreath design because it goes well with the holiday/winter theme here.

The best part about these coasters is that if you plan out getting your supplies just carefully enough, these will make for some pretty inexpensive (yet cute!) gifts.

I purchased these basswood coasters for about $2.99 each at Michael’s. That can add up quickly. So, you might want to look to your own yard and use a saw to cut rounds from fallen tree branches. Or a very nice friend’s yard.

Is that a little hardcore? For some of us suburbanites and city dwellers, yes. Another option is to hit your local Christmas tree lot. They usually have a bunch of rounds left over from cutting the bottoms of Christmas trees to keep them fresh. My local lot is pretty friendly and they let me take home tree clippings and tree rounds, free of charge. It must be that holiday spirit!

Now, about wood burning.

You need to do this in a space with a lot of ventilation. Be sure to let anyone know in your home there will be a strong burning smell in your workspace so they do not panic…or get queasy. In fact, you may want to do this outside, weather permitting.

Also, if you are new to wood burning, use a scrap piece of wood similar to what you plan to use and test out your design. Simpler designs are better. It can take a while to get the hang of using the wood burner. Also, there are a few tips that can be used to achieve the design you want like a shading tip and calligraphy tip. Be sure to have the right tips on hand for your design.

Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t do a “pretty” design the first time! Full tutorial is after the jump.

DIY Wood Burned Coasters

Supplies:

• Woodburning tool or a soldering iron
• Wood rounds (These are basswood coasters I found at Michael’s)
• Optional: Ribbon for gift packaging. 

Step 1. Using the woodburning tool, burn a circle into the round.It doesn’t have to be perfect, but try to keep the same pressure throughout the circle. How long you leave the tool touching the wood also impacts how bold the design will be. The imperfections give the coasters character and that homemade, crafty look.

Step 2. Burn short lines on the outside of the circle. Doing all the outside lines at once helps keep the size of, boldness of, and spacing between consistent.

Step 3. Now go and draw short lines on the inside of the circle.

If you’d like, go back and add those finishing touches. Then, wrap them up or tie a pretty ribbon around them and give them as a gift! Happy crafting!