Cassie Foresman, Senior
The holiday season is the greatest time of the year ... or at least it’s supposed to be. Spending time with loved ones, doing winter activities, baking cookies, and giving gifts is what the holidays are all about. On the down side, all of these things can pile up pretty quick, and stress can overpower the fun times. Foremost, holiday gift shopping is the most stressful activity of all. Between loud and crowded shopping malls, overpriced items, and the stress of not knowing what to buy, giving gifts has become more of a hassle. This is why this year, you should try some DIY homemade holiday gifts. Below are many different gift ideas to give to anyone in your family, no matter their age or gender. Making your own gifts not only saved you a boatload of money, but homemade gifts are more sentimental and meaningful. Your loved ones will surely appreciate these DIY holiday gifts!
For the special ladies in your life:
1. Natural Lip Balm
Supplies: ¼ cup oil of choice (sweet almond, coconut, or grapeseed), ¼ shea butter, beeswax or soy wax, essential oils of choice
Instructions:
Measure your oil and butter in a glass measuring cup. Microwave until melted.
Add enough wax to make a total of ¾ cup. Melt this in the microwave
Take a spoon and mix everything together. Pull the spoon out and wait a few minutes until what's left on the spoon hardens. Test this to see if it's hard or soft enough for your liking (adding more oil if you want it softer, or more wax if you like it harder).
When the consistency is where you want it, add a few drops of an essential oil like peppermint or grapefruit. You can color your homemade lip balm by adding small amounts of powdered herbs such as beetroot powder. Stir it in well so that there are no lumps.
Pour into lip balm tubes or tins. You can clean and reuse old ones or buy new ones.
2. Spa in a Jar
Supplies: Large mason jar, socks, nail polish, bath salts, bath bomb, body wash, lip balm (try the DIY one above!), face mask, or any beauty supplies to your liking! Be creative!
Instructions: Put all of the chosen beauty supplies into a mason jar, making it look as neat as possible! If you want, spice it up with a decorative label. It’s that easy!
*try to use festive colors and scents to help make this more of a holiday themed gift
For a special father figure:
3. Wood Photo Coasters
Supplies: Natural wood slices (purchase at craft store), printed photos, Mod Podge, small paint brush (*or for an alternative, paint a festive image instead of a photograph)
Instructions:
Place the coaster on top of the photo, right side up. Once you are satisfied with the placement, trace the coaster. Be sure to cut just inside of your traced line to avoid the photo from hanging over the coaster.
Using a small paintbrush, apply a decent layer of Mod Podge to your coaster.
Carefully place your photo on top of the Mod Podge.
Cover your photo with another layer of Mod Podge. Make sure your brush strokes are all going in the same direction. This must be done quickly before it begins to dry to avoid any gunky messes.
*If you’d rather paint a festive image, paint directly on top of the wood, wait for the paint to dry, then paint the Modge Podge carefully overtop.
For a special someone with a sweet tooth:
4. Christmas Cookies in a Jar
Supplies: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup Holiday M&M's or chocolate chips, 1/3 cup light brown sugar packed, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1-quart Mason jar
Instructions: Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Pour into the bottom of a 1-quart mason jar (use a rolled up a paper plate to use as a funnel). Top the flour mixture with M&M's, dropping them in lightly, so that they don't sink into the flour. Top the M&M's with brown sugar and then granulated sugar (use a spoon to carefully scoop the sugars into the jar). Seal with the lid and decorate with ribbon and fabric.
Recipe to include with the jar:
In a large bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of melted and cooled unsalted butter, 1 large egg, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add the contents of the jar and gently stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until combined (dough will be crumbly). Chill for 30 minutes.
Form golf ball sized portions of dough, pressing firmly as you form the ball. Place the dough balls onto lined baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes
Sources:
Natural lip balm: https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-lip-balm-recipe/
Spa in a jar: (image)
Wood slice coasters: http://www.inspirationalmomma.com/diy-wooden-photo-coasters/
Cookie in a jar: https://celebratingsweets.com/mm-cookie-mix-in-a-jar/
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