It's the time of the year where gift giving is very much on our minds. Trying to find unique gifts that don't cost a pretty penny for the person who has everything can be a challenge. This DIY LED umbrella is just the project that we're looking for and it's sure to brighten up the many rainy winter days for its intended recipient.

Using parts from old electronic junk he had lying around and a few items from local electronics stores, Instructables user Sockmaster turned an ordinary umbrella into a dimmer adjustable LED "Electric Umbrella" perfect for dark and rainy strolls.

The project requires several parts including a light colored simple umbrella with a hollow shaft, 64 SMD (surface mount) LEDs in your color of choice, and a spool of thin single strand lacquered copper wire. Some of the tools that are needed include, a needle and thread (of the same color as the umbrella), solder and soldering iron/gun, and wire cutters.

We are eager to make our own Electric Umbrella and think it will make a great gift. Surely the person that "has everything," does not already own an LED umbrella.

Check out the post on Instructables, for the DIY instructions.

For some more great examples DIY gift ideas, check out these posts:

• DIY Army Surplus iPod Amp Makes a Great Gift
• DIY Millennium Falcon LED Lamp
• DIY MightyMintyBoost: Solar iPhone Charger

What are some great DIY gift ideas you've seen?

[Images: Instructables user Sockmaster]