Photo: Melissa Massello/Shoestring Magazine

A July 4th holiday invitation to a friend or colleague's vacation home is probably one of the best — and most coveted — of all weekend getaways in New England, and it's important to be a good houseguest so you get invited back. (And don't lose a friendship).

Show your hosts your gratitude with this thoughtfully prepared basket of handmade items, including some homemade cranberry cordial (perfect for the Cape) and red, white & blue "Scandinavian Love Spoons," pulled together in an inexpensive nautical themed basket — along with a handwritten thank-you note.

Photo: North Bennet St. School

If your dad (or husband) is among that throng of postmodern men dominating the DIY movement, the traditional "weekend warrior" type of guy who likes to spend his free time tackling new skills and projects, then these Father's Day gifts are for you — er, him.

Photo: Melissa Massello/Shoestring

Since 2008, around the time Necklush arrived on the Etsy scene, multi-strand necklaces made from upcycled T-shirts have been all the rage in hipster fashion. The big secret is: these grunge-chic accessories take all of 5-minutes (and little to no crafting skill) to make.

Using thrift store tees from the Goodwill Outlet and Garment District's Buck-a-Pound, we created this little 3-minute video tutorial showing how to make a unique, personalized, and totally eco-friendly necklace in exactly as much time.

Hello, easy (last-minute) Mother's Day present!

Photo: Melissa Massello

Each year on Mother's Day, kids and spouses the world over decide to spoil Mom early in the morning with a good, old-fashioned, home-cooked breakfast in bed. And then, hearts full, those same moms get out of bed to face their special day…and the kitchen wreck left behind.

Spoil mom completely this Mother's Day with a delicious (100 calorie!) recipe that's not only fail-proof for kids of all ages and spouses of all culinary talent, it requires only the minimal cleanup of two muffin tins and a mixing bowl. (And no messy flour!)

By Tara Bellucci

Background & flourishes courtesy of Shutterstock.

Photo: Melissa Massello

If your mom is truly your best bud, then there's no better Mother's Day gift than a trendy friendship bracelet (or three), made by you — just for her. In about the same amount of time it will take you to catch up on one of your favorite shows (Mad Men or Game of Thrones, anyone?) you could have a fabulous from-the-heart gift in her favorite colors (or other sentimental hues shared by you two).

By Tara Bellucci

Urbanic via Pinterest

You love it because they made it, but let's be honest: not all kiddo craft projects are destined for display. Though Mother's Day is often prime time for receiving masterpieces made of macaroni and popsicle sticks, here are 5 Pinterest projects for moms and kids to make together, with nary an elbow in sight.

Photo: SheKnows

Last year, the week before Cinco de Mayo, I decided it would be cool to try making a popular Pinterest project that had been circulating like wildfire, pinned and repinned by seemingly every user on the visual bookmarking site:

Pinata sugar cookies, originally created by SheKnows.com.

Now, I'm no baker, but I do love to cook and am pretty damn good in the kitchen, thank-you-very-much. Sure, the recipe looked like a lot of work and had a lot of steps, but I thought to myself: "No sweat, I got this."

Nope, I didn't have it. Like, at all.

The jury is out over whether Pinterest has enhanced the holidays for hosts or just added to the seasonal stress of striving for perfection, but either way it's easier than ever to find inspiration (and a DIY tutorial) for any of your holiday planning needs — like these 18 Easter egg designs, all of which can be done in a day with simple tools and some leftover craft materials.

By Tara Bellucci