It’s day 5 of The 12 Days of Festive and Frugal Christmas Ideas, and today you’ll learn how easy it is to make a record bowl!

A record bowl made from an old vinyl album is one of my favorite gifts for friends celebrating milestone birthdays, and a record bowl would be a great Christmas gifts. I’ve seen them in catalogs for $30, and you can make one for $2 or less.

Here’s a quick how-to, and in just minutes you’ll have a one of a kind gift!

Supplies:

Vinyl Record Album – thrift stores, garage sales, Goodwill and Half Price Books are loaded with vinyl record albums for less than $2! Choose one that’s perfect for your friend! How about a Bruce Springsteen Born to Run record bowl for the Springsteen fan in your life?
 
Oven-Proof Bowl – choose one that has a base slightly bigger than the record label.

Directions:

Heat your oven to 200 degrees.

Place an oven-proof bowl upside down on a cookie sheet.

Put the record on top of the bowl and make sure it is centered.

Place the cookie sheet, bowl and record onto the middle rack of the oven.

Set the timer for 8 minutes and then remove the cookie sheet from the oven.

The record will be melted into a bowl shape. If you need to adjust the shape, use oven mitts immediately push the vinyl into the desired shape.

If you’re having problems with the shape of your record bowl, then simply place it back in the oven and reheat it for about a minute and then try reshaping it again.

Let cool – this only takes a few minutes!
















The record bowl should not be used for food…just use it for mail or a catch-all.

 
Of course, The Budget Diet girl doesn’t want the good looking record jacket to go to waste, so pick up an inexpensive record album frame (about $5 on sale or with a coupon from Michaels), and you’ll have another great gift to give!

Make sure you don’t miss any of my festive and frugal Christmas ideas!

Free Printables

Affordable Homemade Gift Baskets

Gift Wrap a Pillow

Decoupage Ornaments

Related posts:

1. Festive and Frugal Christmas Idea – Decoupage Ornaments
2. Father’s Day Gift and Activity Ideas
3. Festive and Frugal Gift Idea – Free Printables
4. Festive and Frugal Gift Idea – Homemade Gift Baskets
5. 4 Budget Entertaining Secrets – Be Festive, Be Frugal