Build reindeer and roo wine-bottle holders for Christmas entertaining

Got a few hours up your sleeve? Why not put your DIY skills to work and create a quirky centrepiece for your Christmas celebrations

2018-12-18 -

add special decorations to your Christmas table this year with a pair of clever wine-bottle holders. The reindeer fits right in with the spirit of the festive season, while the kangaroo adds local flavour to the occasion. You can easily cut out the shapes with a jigsaw and there’ll be enough materials left over to make another pair. That’s another Christmas gift sorted!

Here’s how

STEP 1 On plywood, use pencil and ruler to draw a 20mm grid measuring 600 x 600mm. Referring to reindeer and kangaroo grid diagrams, mark where each shape crosses the gridlines, then join these lines following the shape of each part. You’ll need

2 leg pieces for both the reindeer and kangaroo.

STEP 2 Insert a curve-cutting blade into your jigsaw, then cut out each of the shapes. In tight corners, use a 10mm bit to drill a starter hole for your jigsaw blade.

STEP 3 Use 80-grit sandpaper to remove cutting marks from edges of all your pieces. Follow with 120-grit sandpaper for a smoother finish.

STEP 4 On body pieces of reindeer and kangaroo, use a 5mm drill bit to create the eyes. Make the hole about 5mm deep.

STEP 5 To assemble reindeer, spread glue in the notches at the top of legs and in the underside of the body. Join the legs to the body so the notches in each interlock. Slightly splay the legs towards the head and tail of the reindeer. Remove excess glue with a damp rag.

STEP 6 Spread glue in notch at bottom of antlers and in notch in the body just behind the head. Join antlers to body so notches in both interlock. Remove excess glue. Leave for 2 hours for glue to set. STEP 7 To assemble the kangaroo, join the hips to the notch towards the bottom of the body, the arms to the notch towards the top and the legs in the large notches in the hips. Remove excess glue. Insert wine bottle in kangaroo to check that there is sufficient room between the legs. Leave to dry for 2 hours. STEP 8 Apply 2 coats of clear polyurethane varnish to both wine holders. Allow to dry and lightly sand with 180-grit sandpaper between coats.

STEP 9 Cut the kangaroo’s ears out of leather scraps. You could use an old belt in your wardrobe.

STEP 10 To fix the ears to the kangaroo, you’ll need to cut 2 nails in half using cutting pliers.

STEP 11 Using the cutting pliers to hold it, hammer the nail through the ear, then place it on the head and nail the ear to the head. Repeat for the second ear on the other side of the head.