Looking to save money on Christmas gifts this year? Feeling creative? Inspired to gift handmade presents this year? I've got you covered with some quick DIYs you can make with what you have at home. Even one specifically for the guys! I promise you, these are so simple, but still gorgeous gifts to give. I have even included free downloadable files :) Of course, they are all self-care-inspired.
1. BODY SCRUB
Give the gift of pampering and self-care to a loved one with this gorgeous, nourishing body scrub made with simple ingredients straight from your pantry.
Ingredients
200g table salt (or white sugar for a gentler scrub, or brown sugar for a super gentle scrub great for sensitive skin or the face)
100g oil (fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, olive oil)*
10g baking soda (optional)
Gingerbread
10g ground ginger
10g ground cinnamon
2g ground nutmeg
5g vanilla extract
Choc peppermint
1 tbsp cocoa powder / raw cacao powder
5-6 drops peppermint essential oil/peppermint essence
Christmas Cookie
5g vanilla extract
2 tbsp red and green sprinkles
Instructions:
Add salt/sugar, oil and baking soda into a bowl and use an electric mixer or fork to mix well.
Gingerbread: In a seperate bowl mix the spices and vanilla extract, then add to main mixture.
Choc peppermint: add cocoa powder and peppermint into main mixture, mixing well.
Christmas cookie:
Mix well, spoon in jars, label and voila!
*NOTES: Adjust oil as necessary for a spreadable consistency. The amount oil can vary depending on the oil used.
2. BATH SALTS
Bath salts can look incredibly luxurious, especially when dried botanicals are used. They are easy to make and customise. I have a bunch of suggestions you can choose from, or get creative!
Ingredients - base
1.5 cups epsom salts
1/2 cup coarse salt (e.g. sea salt or Himalayan salt)
Optional: 1 tbsp baking soda
Options:
• Candy Cane
- add crushed candy canes and peppermint essential oil to smell
• Orange Rosemary
- dried orange slices (use dehydrator or oven to dry orange slices)
- 2 sprigs dried rosemary
- 1 small cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp dried cinnamon)
- 5 drops rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
- 5 drops orange essential oil
• Chai Tea
- 1 tbsp white tea
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground star anise
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 10-20 drops sweet orange essential oil
Method
Mix all ingredients in a bowl thoroughly.
Place into jars or bottles and label. Tie a cute ribbon or jute string around the top with a gift tag and you're done.
For more information on bath salts, check out the blog post all about them here
3. LIP SCRUB
Lip scrubs remove dry and flaky skin, revealing smooth and moisturised lips ready for mistletoe ;)
Ingredients - base
2 tbsp castor sugar or brown sugar
1 tbsp oil (melted coconut oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil)
Options
• Minty fresh
- 1 to 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• Chocolate kiss
- 1/4 tsp cocoa powder / raw cacao powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp honey
Method
Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
Add to jars or small tins, label and gift away.
4. ROOM /LINEN SPRAY
I'm a big fan of having my house smell nice. This easy room spray recipe means it's super quick to get your home smelling fresh, especially with all the extra visitors that pop around this time of year. It makes the perfect gift that is practical and customisable.
Ingredients - base
2/3 cups of distilled water (tap water works fine too)
1/3 cup isopropyl alcohol (easy to find at Bunnings) or witch hazel extract
Options
• Calm
- 20 to 30 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
• Citrus Fresh
- 20 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
- 10 drops of bergamot essential oil
• Vanilla
- 1 to 2 tbsp vanilla extract
For more details on this DIY head to the dedicated blog post here
5. AFTERSHAVE
We can't leave the guys out! Again, this is super customisable with whatever essential oils you can get your hands on. Keep in mind that citrus oils can cause photosensitivity so they are best to avoid in products that stay on the skin.
Ingredients - base
1 cup witch hazel extract
1 tsp vegetable glycerin
Options
• Smokey
- 6 drops of sandalwood essential oil
- 4 drops of oakmoss
- 4 drops of vanilla
• Forest Fresh
- 4 drops of pine essential oil
- 2 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil
6. MINDFULNESS JAR
This is such a simple yet thoughtful gift. Creating a mindfulness jar is a wonderful way to promote relaxation, focus, and self-reflection. Use our free printable to put together this super easy gift.
The printable contains 40 ways to help promote self-care with 10 daily inspirations, 10 mindfulness activities and 20 stress-relieving ideas. Simply print, cut, roll and place in a jar. Pick one out each day, or when you feel the need for some self-care.
Makes a great DIY gift with a cute ribbon and gift tag around the jar, or even little individual ribbons around each piece of rolled-up paper.
7. DIY FACE MASK KIT
With a few simple ingredients, you can create a stunning handmade DIY face mask kit sure to impress. This makes the perfect gift for someone you are struggling to find something for. There are numerous ways to customise this depending on what ingredients you can get your hands on. It is also super easy to make it look gorgeous with cute little jars, a bowl and a foundation brush. Below is a basic recipe with some suggested alternatives.
Clay Face Mask Recipe
2 parts clay (white kaolin, pink clay, green clay etc)
3 parts liquid/oil (coconut oil, floral water, sweet almond oil, avocado oil etc)
Include the ingredients on a tag and instructions to mix 2 tsp of clay with 3 tsp of the liquid/oil. Don't forget to include a cute bowl and foundation brush. You could also include a wooden teaspoon and a face cloth for a little extra something.
8. STICKY CHAI
With the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, this sticky chai recipe is an absolute winner. It's caffeine-free and is always a crowd-pleaser. Package it in a jar with a ribbon and a tag listing the ingredients for the perfect gift for neighbours, friends and family.
Ingredients
1/2 cup rooibos tea
4 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp fresh or dried turmeric
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tsp orange rind
1 tsp vanilla
ground black pepper
4 star anise, crushed
1 tbsp cardamom pods, crushed
1 1/2 tbsp honey
Method
Crush star anise and seeds from cardamom pods using a mortar and pestle.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Store in an air-tight jar in the fridge.
9. AROMATHERAPY SHOWER STEAMERS
It doesn't get simpler than a three-ingredient DIY recipe, especially when the two main ingredients are super budget-friendly and readily available at the supermarket. This is another customisable recipe. You can add mica powder (a little goes a long way to start with a tiny sprinkle and increase slowly to get the desired colour), dried flowers, or even biodegradable glitter to make these colourful and then whatever essential oils you want.
Ingredients
2 cups bicarb soda
1 citric acid
60-80 drops of essential oils (e.g. peppermint oil, sweet orange oil, rose geranium,
Method
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Add essential oils and combine with a whisk, fork or your hands.
Using water or witch hazel in a spray bottle, slowly add moisture. Mix well until the consistency resembles wet sand. You should be able to squeeze some together and have it hold its shape.
Press into silicone moulds packing tightly to ensure no air bubbles. Allow to completely dry for 24 hours before removing from moulds.
Package in plastic or organza bags with a tag including the ingredient list.
10. SELF-CARE COUPONS
Transform self-care into a delightful experience with our Self-Care Coupons! Elevate the art of pampering and relaxation with a curated set of personalized coupons designed to bring moments of joy and tranquillity into your life.
Each coupon is a ticket to self-love and well-being, featuring a variety of indulgent activities and thoughtful gestures. From a cozy night in with your favourite book to a blissful pampering session, these coupons offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Treat yourself or surprise a loved one with this unique gift that keeps on giving. Unwind, recharge, and embrace the joy of self-care one coupon at a time. Because you deserve moments of peace, and this collection is the perfect way to claim them. Elevate your self-care routine with our Self-Care Coupons – a thoughtful gift that celebrates the beauty of taking time for yourself.
In the middle of all the holiday madness, these gifts are like a little whisper, saying, "Hey, take a moment for you." As we roll into the festive vibes, let's remember that these gifts are not just things; they're like little time capsules of relaxation and self-love. So, whether you're making them for friends or family, or for yourself, it's all about celebrating the feel-good moments. This Christmas, may your DIY self-care gifts be like warm hugs, nudging you to slow down, savour the season, and bask in the glow of a little self-lovin'. Here's to a cozy, comfy, and care-filled holiday season! 🎄✨
Happy Christmas and happy gifting xx
Do you usually give handmade Christmas gifts?
Always
Most of the time
There's a first time for everything!
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