Homemade Gift Ideas
For Christmas or any occasion!
I wanted to post this a couple weeks ago, but I didn’t want to spoil anyone’s Christmas gifts. Most of these don’t cost too much, don’t require too many ingredients and the gifts turn out much more meaningful
Potpourri & Room Spray
Jars and spray bottles
cranberries, dried oranges, star anise, pine, cloves, cinnamon sticks, dried apples
We freeze dried the fruits, but air drying can work too. Then added everything to a jar and tied with a bow and instructions on how to use: Pour all ingredients into a pot and cover with water to boil and the aroma will float through the house. If you boil for over an hour you can then strain the ingredients and keep the liquid to bottle into a room spray. Just add a little witch hazel and even another essential oil if you want to add a deeper scent.
….unfortunately I forgot to take photos of this.
Air Dry Clay (anything)
magnets (clay, paint, water, varnish and magnets)
picture frames (clay, cutting tools, water, paint and varnish)
drop dish (clay, water, paint and varnish)
coasters (clay, sealant, sandpaper and tiles/shells/paint)
Ornaments (clay, cutting tools, paint, string)
This year we made air dry clay Polaroid picture frames and attached magnets to the back to place on our fridge. I took pictures of the girls to put inside (you can add tape or another magnet duo to interchange the photos. Just roll out the clay, cut out a little square to hold the photo, design, dry, paint and varnish!
We also collected a 100+ shells over summer so we made little coaster mosaics! Just shape the clay, press the shells in, dry, sand and seal.
Finally we rolled out some clay and pressed the girls hands to it to make some Santa ornaments. Roll out the clay, press hand into it, cut out the shapes, round edges, poke a hole at the top, dry, paint and string!
Treats
Granola (make a homemade recipe!)
Vanilla Extract (vanilla beans and vodka!)
Infused Olive Oil (olive oil and herbs)
Infused Butter (cream, jar, salt and herbs)
Infused salts (jar, salt, herbs or flavorings)
Infused Honey (honey and flowers or spices!)
The options are endless: marshmallow, cookies, chocolates, freeze dried soups!
This year I made a huge batch of my favorite cinnamon-date granola and vanilla extract to give to co-workers and teacher presents. We also made rosemary butter and star anise honey at home. We also of course made all the optional ones to celebrate the holidays and I will post those recipes separately in the coming weeks.
There’s also a zillion crafts and writing ideas: I have painted a picture of our family, had katana draw portraits of people on mugs with paint pens, stamp placemats, make a tile tray, stitch felt ornaments, pot holders, blankets, write cards or letters. The options are endless. There are plenty of ideas online and craft kits to help you or your littles get started. The best part of a homemade gift is you get to spend time learning how to do something or make something and the receiver gets to see the time and thought put into what they have.