Some of the best holiday memories are the holidays that are made simple. These creative and unique gifts to make for loved ones and friends can make life easier and less expensive this holiday season. These gifts can also be given all year around and for any occasion.
Candy Cane Bath Salts and Cranberry Lip Gloss Set
If there is a special someone on your list that enjoys bath and body items and gifts of relaxation these gifts are a great choice. They are pretty simple to make and can be packaged in a basket with cellophane wrap for a great presentation this holiday season.
The candy cane bath salts require the following items:
- 2 cups Epsom Salts
- 1/2 c. sea salt
- 4-6 drops of peppermint oil
- 2-3 drops of red food coloring
In one bowl mix 1 cup of Epsom salt with 1/4 cup of sea salt. Add 2 – 3 drops of peppermint oil.
In a second bowl mix 1 cup of Epsom salt with remaining sea salt. Add remaining peppermint oil and red food color. Let the second bowl with red salt dry before placing in jar.
Use a clear canning jar and layer the salts on top of each other for a candy cane effect. Wrap raffia string around top with a note card for your gift recipient.
The lip gloss ingredients include:
- 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
- 10 fresh cranberries
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 drop vitamin E oil
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix all ingredients and microwave until boiling. Mix ingredients again and crush cranberries in bowl. Let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes and pour through a fine strainer to remove all fruit pieces. Allow mixture to completely cool. Place the mixture into plastic containers or lip gloss tins which can be purchased online and finish off with a ribbon or sticker.
Lemon Bath Tea and Bath Cookies
This gift is sure to please that person on your list who enjoys a relaxing bath. It is simple to make and is a great gift pair. This lemon bath tea set can also be put in a basket with homemade soaps, a bath mitt or washcloths tied with a ribbon individually.
The lemon bath tea requires the following ingredients:
- 2 parts lemon balm which can be purchased at a health food store
- 1 part lemongrass which can be located at your grocery store or local Asian market
- 1 part fresh lemon peel
- 1 part green tea
- A few drops of lemon or peppermint essential oil
In a bowl mix all ingredients. Place all ingredients in a heat seal bag which can be purchased online and seal the end of the bag with a hot iron. This gift can be finished off with a note instructing your recipient to allow the bag to steep in a hot bath for 10 minutes and allowing the bag to dry after each use so it may be used again and again.
The bath cookies require an oven and the following ingredients:
- 2 cups finely ground sea salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 2 tablespoons light oil
- 2 eggs
- 5-6 drops of lemon essential oil to match the lemon tea bath or essential oil scent of your choice
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and take teaspoon size parts of dough and form into a ball. Place ball-sized cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, place in bags, decorative boxes or wrap individually. Add a ribbon and a seasonal note card.
Teacup Candles and Soap Set
These last two items on the bath and body list can be made easily and given together or paired with the above gifts. The scents can be different or make a themed basket of all the same scent.
Teacup candles are simple to make and require the following items:
- Teacups from a local thrift store or dollar store complete with saucer. (Coffee mug candles can also be made)
- Wax from craft store or old candles that can be melted down.
- Candle wicks purchased at a craft store.
- Fragrance oil
In a double boiler, melt wax and add fragrance oil. Place wick in cup and while supporting the wick, pour the melted wax into the cup. The wax will harden pretty quick and wick will stay in the middle.
Glycerin soaps are fairly easy to make. The glycerin can be purchased at a craft store, along with soap molds or you can use ice cube trays. The different scents for the soap can also be purchased or you can leave them unscented for someone with sensitive skin.
The soaps require the following items:
- Glycerin soap blocks
- Petroleum jelly or Vaseline
- Cotton swabs
- Liquid food color
- Ice cube trays or soap molds
Place the soap blocks in a bowl and microwave on high in 15-second intervals. Add the food coloring when the soap is half-way melted. Use the petroleum jelly thinly coated on the inside of the molds with cotton swabs to pop soap out easily. Pour the melted glycerin into the trays or molds and allow to cool for up to 2 hours. The soaps will pop out and can be wrapped individually in cellophane or placed in a box.
These homemade holiday gifts are inexpensive to make and can be paired together or all combined in a gift basket. The items can be found in a dollar store, craft store, grocery store or online. If items are placed in a gift basket, use shredded paper in the bottom and tie the basket’s cellophane with inexpensive raffia ribbon which can also be found in dollar or craft stores.
A homemade gift can be the best gift to give. These gifts can save money and are not very tricky to make. Homemade holiday gifts can also be tailored to the favorite scents of the people on your holiday list. It’s important to get creative and have fun while making these handcrafted gifts to enjoy a less stressful and inexpensive holiday season.
