What are baubles? They're trinkets, decorations, jewelry and holiday ornaments for your home, to wear yourself, to use as gifts or even to sell. So many simple things can be used, from pebbles to shells to buttons and more. The hunt for these treasures begins...

If you are into do-it-yourself, try taking a nature walk and you'll find seashells by the beach, rocks in the woods and even leaves that have fluttered down from a tree. Just add a little paint, a little lacquer, perhaps a bit of acrylic resin and you've got one-of-a kind homemade trinkets to give out this holiday season. Even without a trek in the woods or at the beach, you can find many little tchotchkes at craft fairs and hobby stores. Styrofoam cones, beads, sequins, acrylic paints, decoupage glue and even molds to fill with tidbits and acrylic plastic can be found at your local craft store.

Plan a family night to make gift-worthy trinkets for this holiday season. Decorate wooden shapes to hang on your own tree or to give as gifts. Precut shapes are available in most craft stores; just drill a little hole and thread a ribbon through for hanging. Glue bric-a-brac around a simple wooden or plastic picture frame and add a photo of the children playing to give to proud grandparents. Let the kids paint rocks to adorn your entryway (just make sure they are placed where no one will trip on them) or to give as gifts to relatives. Whether it's just your family on your property or an entire community, instead of an Easter egg hunt, throw a painted rock hunt for holiday fun.

A unique Christmas tree ornament that doubles as a memorable gift can be made by filling clear plastic ornament balls (about 3-inch diameter) with things like a packet of powdered cocoa and mini marshmallows, or assorted candies like peppermints, chocolate bits or nuts. Add a pretty bow, a little charm or tinsel that can go inside the ornament after the goodies are used. You can also buy beads of varying sizes and colors; just thread them in clusters for delightful tree decorations and tie a tassel at the bottom and a hook or a simple loop at the top.

For a fun outdoor decoration, let the young'uns, and the young at heart, make birdseed ornaments. Using Christmas themed cookie cutters, fill them with "birdseed batter": 3/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 envelope unflavored gelatin, 3 tablespoons corn syrup and 4 cups birdseed mix. Spray the cookie molds with cooking spray and place them onto a wax-paper lined baking sheet. Fill each mold with the batter, pressing firmly to pack them in. Cut a narrow straw into pieces and punch a hole into each ornament; leave the straw in. Let them set for 3 hours, then gently remove the shapes from the cookie cutters and pull out the straws. Let them finish hardening overnight. Thread ribbon through the straw holes and decorate!

If you aren't in the mood or don't have the time to create these trinkets by yourself in time for your gift-giving this holiday season, try hitting up some craft fairs, yard sales and flea markets for unique and beautiful gifts. Local vendors will often showcase unusual and delightful items that will go well under any Christmas tree; you might even find ornaments to adorn your own tree. Artisan offerings will often include things like pottery, paintings, knitted fashion accessories, jewelry, glassworks and woodcrafts.

Check out your nearby festivals and craft fairs and plan a family weekend or two taking in the offerings. There are many websites that list craft shows around the country, and it's easy to find the ones in your vicinity. For listings of events including craft fairs and markets, check out websites like www.fairsandfestivals.net/states, www.craftshowyellowpages.com and www.eventbrite.com. These listings will also help you find places to show your own handmade ornaments, jewelry, knitwear or trinkets if you decide to sell some of your holiday handicrafts. Other places to look for craft fairs are Facebook events and local community pages, your local newspapers, church bulletins and community listings on your local cable TV.