Christmas is just a few weeks away and for sure you’re already feeling the stress of finding the right gift to give your loved ones for the holidays. You’ve probably scoured the internet to get some ideas but to no avail. Instead of simply handing over an impersonal gift to your family and friends, why not make them your own DIY gift? There are plenty of handmade projects that you can make when you have free time so that, by the time Christmas break rolls in, you are ready to do the final touches in time for your gift giving parties.
If you think that going DIY is worth a shot, these projects are good options to start with.
Peppermint sugar scrub bars
Sugar scrubs can help exfoliate the skin minus the abrasive feeling that you get from most commercially produced scrubs. With that being said, this can be the perfect gift for friends and family who want to have that smooth and nourished skin. For this recipe, you will need ¼ cup of coconut oil, red mica, 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil, ½ cup melt and pour soap like goat milk, like olive oil, or hemp, and 1 cup of organic sugar. Melt your soap in a double broiler, or microwave it in 15 seconds intervals while stirring in between. Add the coconut oil until it has combined then mix in the peppermint essential oil. Separate into two bowls with one bowl mixed with red mica. Add half a cup of sugar into each bowl then mix until combined. You are aiming to get a slushy consistency for this one. Pour the mixture into silicone molds and leave them to dry for 1 to 2 hours before removing from the molds.
Lip scrub
Lip scrubs are perfect for the holiday season since they can help make the lips smoother and more kissable too. The best thing about making lip scrubs is that they are easy. In this recipe, you will need a tablespoon of coconut oil, a tablespoon of honey, and two teaspoons of sugar. Start by mixing honey and coconut oil first until you create a homogenous mixture. Add the brown sugar after then mix thoroughly. You can add more coconut oil if you like to help create a smoother mixture. Now transfer the mixture into sealed jars and they are ready for gift giving day.
Candy cane bath bombs
If you know of someone who loves to de-stress every once in a while, making candy cane bath bombs for them is a good idea. In this recipe, you will need ½ cup of cornstarch, 1 cup of baking soda, ½ cup of oil (olive oil, almond oil, liquid coconut oil, grapeseed oil), 1 cup of citric acid, peppermint essential oil, and molds like cupcake liners, chocolate molds, and even silicone molds. Start by mixing all the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Add about 10 drops of peppermint essential to ½ cup of your choice of oil. Combine the ingredients until you get the consistency of wet sand. Spoon the contents into the molds of your choice and allow to dry for 24 hours.
Uplifting eye cream
Eye creams are perfect gifts for the holiday especially when there are plenty of late nights going to happen. To make eye creams, you will need 4 teaspoons of avocado oil, 2 teaspoons of rosehip oil, 2 teaspoons of melted beeswax, 3 drops of lemon essential oil, 1 vitamin E capsule, ½ teaspoon of cornstarch or corn flour, and 2 teaspoons of calendula oil. Use a double boiler or even a stainless steel bowl sitting in a pan of water. Let the water boil gently before adding the ingredients with the exception of the essential oil and vitamin E. Stir gently using a whisk until the ingredients are melted. Remove from the heat and water. Add the vitamin E and essential oil then stir. Pour into sterile jars.
