A Christmas tradition in my house is gathering all my offspring together to make gifts for family and friends.
We’ve made chocolates, gingerbread, coasters, photo frames, artwork, and many more homemade treats for people we love.
It’s lovely to spend time with kids making things to gift to other people, and recipients seem to appreciate the time and effort of a handmade gift.
This week I’m going to share some ideas for fashion and beauty gifts you can make at home, none of which have fancy or expensive ingredients.
Sugar Scrub: It leaves the skin feeling zingy and fresh when used in the shower.
Sugar Scrub
I like to use peppermint oil when making this, especially around Christmas time as it leaves the skin feeling zingy and fresh when used in the shower.
You’ll need:
A clean jar
Coconut oil
Caster Sugar
Essential oil of your choice
Food colouring if desired
Small dried flowers if desired
To Make:
Melt the coconut in a microwavable bowl, this should only take about 15-20 seconds.
Mix in the sugar, a few drops of essential oil and a few drops of food colouring if you want a coloured scrub.
If you’re adding dried flowers then mix them in. Stir until you have a consistency you like and spoon into jars.
Add some coloured ribbon and a tag that explains what it is and what the ingredients are.
Protect you lips with lemon lip balm.
Lemon Lip Balm
Winter is a hard time for lips, the harsh weather can leave lips cracked and dry.
This recipe will help protect lips, and can also be used as a lip tint if you add food colouring to it.
You’ll Need:
Small containers
Coconut oil
Lemon essential oil
Red or pink food colouring
To Make:
Melt the coconut in a microwavable bowl, as above. Add a few drops of food colouring to the mixture as well as two or three drops of lemon oil.
Pour the mixture into the containers and leave it to set.
Oat Milk Bath Soak.
Oat Milk Bath Soak
I’ve been using this on my children since they were babies as it is so gentle on the skin.
It’s suitable for all ages, (provided there is no oat allergy).
I make up little bags of the oat mixture
You’ll need:
A clean, dry jar, or small cloth bags and string
1 cup of oats
1/4 cup of baking soda
If you want to make small bags for dunking in the water you can mix all ingredients and spoon a few tablespoons into the bags, tying them off with string.
If you want to make a larger jar to gift (perhaps with a vintage spoon), mix the ingredients in a food processor until the oats are a fine dust.
Fill the jar and label it with all ingredients and the instructions, “Add three tablespoons to your bath.”
I hope you and your family have as much fun making these as my family has.
Do let me know how you get on, you can contact me on Instagram or Facebook @TarynDeVere
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