Homemade Gift Giving
A gift from the heart can overcome even the most meager of budgets. When you give homemade gifts to others, you can make a lasting impression of your love without breaking the bank. Keep this in mind when planning which gifts, you plan to give this year.
Be sure to choose a gift that suits each individual recipient. That level of customization and creative thought will always be apparent. When a loved one knows that your gift came from the heart, they will cherish and appreciate it accordingly!
Try these ideas for stylish homemade gifts:
1. Reed Diffuser
You can buy the materials for a homemade reed diffuser in large quantities, allowing you to make several at once. Purchase glass bottles, wooden reeds, and a mild potpourri scent. Decorate each bottle to suit the recipient for a customized gift from the heart. Decorate with paint, stickers, or whatever decorations as your heart desires.
2. Bath Salts
Get some decorative glass bottles or jars, food coloring, essential oils, and Epsom salts. Mix the Epsom salt with food coloring and mix well. Mix in the desired scent. Spread the mixture over wax paper and allow it to dry completely before placing in the jars.
∙ Try layering different scents in the same jar. Experiment with various essential oils, perfumes, and color combinations to create your own unique recipes.
∙ Start this project early. The scents will meld better when they are allowed to “cure” for at least a week or two before use.
3. Jar Cookies
Create decorative recipe packages for homemade cookies by portioning the ingredients for cookies or other baked goods in small canning jars. Use fabric and ribbon to decorate the lids and write out the recipes on cardstock. Tailor the recipe to the gift’s intended recipient. Included below are two some sample recipes.
∙ Chocolate chip cookies: 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup of white sugar, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and 1 pkg. chocolate chips. Carefully layer each of the ingredients in the jar and attach a copy of the baking instructions to the side or top of the jar.
∙ Mocha coffee mix: Combine together 1 cup of powdered milk, 2/3 cup of powdered creamer, 3/4 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup of instant coffee, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg. Instructions are to combine 1/4 cup of the mocha mix with 3/4 cup boiling water.
4. Flower Petal Guest Soaps
You will need fabric flowers or petals and “Melt and Pour” glycerin soap. Melt the soap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use tongs or tweezers to dip the fabric flower petals in the soap. Let excess soap drip off and then allow to dry and harden on wax paper. Arrange the “guest soaps” in a decorative bowl or container. When guests wash their hands, they only have to use one petal.
Homemade gifts do not need to look expensive nor to look as though they have been professionally made to tug on the heartstrings of a loved one. The gift’s recipient will instantly feel how much thought and love that you put into your creation with them in mind. Handmade gifts are significantly more meaningful than mass-produced gifts from a store. Not only is it a better gift for the recipient, but you can save a ton of money in the process by avoiding the over-commercialized aspects of traditional gift-giving occasions.
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