DIY Opening Night Gifts

 Opening night is always an amazing time. The excitement sets in, and you feel the accomplishment of all that the cast and crew have worked toward. It is a wonderful time to appreciate those involved in the production, and opening night gifts are a great way to do this. These gifts don't have to be expensive, just something thoughtful to show your appreciation. Here are a few ideas for opening night gifts that you can make yourself without breaking the bank.

1. DIY Flowers

1. Cut 12 circles using zigzag scissors

2. Cut slashes inward toward center of each circle

3. Cut a rectangle of yellow tissue paper and fold it longways

4. Put the end of the pipe cleaner into the fold of the yellow rectangle

5. Wrap the yellow rectangle around the end of the pipe cleaner

6. Finish wrapping the yellow rectangle

7. Curl the end of the pipe cleaner into a spiral

8. Push each circle up toward the end of the pipe cleaner

9. Scrunch the petals up toward the end of the pipe cleaner

10. Cut the pipe cleaner to desired lenght

11. Fluff out the petals. Done!

Everyone loves flowers, and giving ones that will never wilt is especially fun! These tissue paper flowers are very easy to make, they just take a little bit of time. You can incorporate colors from the show as an added touch as well. Give everyone a single flower, or make bouquets out of multiple flowers. Here's how to make them (and see the step-by-step pictures are above):

• You will need: zigzag scissors, straight scissors, colored tissue paper, yellow tissue paper, green pipe cleaners
• Use zigzag scissors to cut 12 circles from the tissue paper of your choice that are about 3 inches in diameter. Don't worry if the circles aren't perfect. Use straight scissors to cut a few slashes (I do 4 slashes) inward toward the center of the flower, equidistant from each other. Set these aside.
• Cut a rectangle of yellow tissue paper, about 2 inches by 1 inch. Fold it in half longways. Take one of your green pipe cleaners and put the fold of the tissue paper perpendicular along the top of the pipe cleaner. Tightly wrap the tissue paper around the end of the pipe cleaner. Curl the pipe cleaner end into a small spiral. This is how the petals will stay on the pipe cleaner.
• Poke a hole through the center of each tissue paper circle and push it up to the yellow nub on the pipe cleaner. Scrunch the center of each circle toward the nub. Do this until all 12 circles have been used. Fluff out the tissue paper circles.
• Cut the pipe cleaner to the desired length

2. Spa Set

Everyone can use a little relaxation after a show is done. Help out the cast and crew by putting together a mini-spa set! You can include lotion, face masks, Epsom salts, and aromatherapy items to help everyone get a little R&R!

3. Score Study Kit

This is a great gift for all of your fellow singers! Include highlighters, pencils, multicolored pens, sticky tabs, paper clips, index cards, erasers, and anything else that would be helpful when learning and memorizing a role.

4. Singers' Favorites Kit

Another great gift for singers is one that includes all of our favorite, must-have items. Include Throat Coat tea, throat lozenges, hand sanitizer (to keep all those pesky germs at bay), and mints (to pop before a romantic scene). Put it all in a cute water bottle or mug for a thoughtful and useful gift! 

Hopefully some of these ideas help you to find the perfect opening night gifts. What are some of your favorites, or what other gifts have you given? Leave a comment down below! Wishing you many fantastic opening nights to come- toi toi toi!