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Super easy DIY Christmas gift ideas for all the family
This year add a personal touch and treat your friends and family to a Merry ‘make it yourself’ Christmas.
Personally, I’m a fan of giving and receiving homemade gifts. I really appreciate when people take the extra time and effort to make something, just for me! And, you get to avoid the chaos of Christmas shopping.
But, I know a lot of people are put off by the thought of makery-do because they don’t think they’re creative enough. Well, fear not! You don’t have to be a Van Gogh to make great gifts, just follow our festive DIY gift guide.
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Gifts for her
Bath bombs
These handmade delights make a great stocking filler, are super easy to make (I’ve made them before) and cost-effective.
What you’ll need:
1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
¾ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons oil
3 teaspoons water
30 – 40 drops of essential oils or powdered dried herbs
Moulds
Directions:
Combine all your dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine all your wet ingredients. Slowly add the liquid to the dry ingredients, it should keep its shape when you squeeze it together.
Push the mixture into moulds. A simple ice cube tray will do, or use a fun shape.
Leave the bath bombs to set for at least 24 hours. Once dry transfer to a jar or wrap in cellophane and complete with a ribbon.
Easy right? Why not take your skills up a notch and experiment with oils like coconut or rosehip seed oil? Or, try adding soothing oatmeal and lavender. Oatmeal is a treat for the skin as well as the tummy, and lavender can act as a natural sleeping aid.
Candles
Sometimes (see: all the time) you just want to get home, get cosy and light your favourite candles. This easy makery-do project will let you gift this experience to someone else.
What you’ll need:
2 cups soy wax flakes
Tea light wicks
Measuring cup
1 teaspoon essential oils
Melt your wax flakes, either in the microwave for two minutes, or in a bowl over a pan of hot water and stir occasionally. Be careful, it’ll be hot. Next, mix in your essential oil.
You can pour the liquid into silicon moulds, cookie cutters, mason jars or (my personal favourite) a teacup. Just make sure that if you use silicone moulds, they’re heat resistant.
Now it’s time to pop your wick in. Leave to set completely before gifting.
If you’re making bigger candles, you can add pressed rosemary or flowers into the wax for a natural scent and a great reveal as your candle burns.
Photo frames
Since we’ve gone smartphone mad it seems like we’ve forgotten we can actually print pictures. This personalised gift is sure to bring some festive cheer to your nearest and dearest.
What you’ll need:
1 photo frame (I like this style but, you can use any. It’s a free country.)
Pictures
Doubled sided tape
Cards, Glitter, Wrapping paper
Layer your pictures with cuttings of paper, confetti or card into your frame and stick them in place. For some inspiration (and where I originally found this idea) check out Zoella’s video from the 5:45 mark.
If you’re lucky enough to have several lovely ladies in your life, why not make several sets of bath bombs, candles and photo and make a mini gift set.
Gifts for him
Bacon salt
I mean, what other two words together could bring you more joy…hmmm…maybe gin and tonic. This unusual gift is incredibly easy to make, incredibly manly and always goes down a storm when I make it.
What you’ll need:
500g bacon
1 ½ tablespoons qualify sea salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Baking tray
Foil
Kitchen roll
Blender/food processor
Preheat your oven to 180C or gas mark 4. Trim the bacon of excess fat and place on a foil-lined baking tray for 15 – 25 minutes. Once your bacon is cooked and crispy, use your paper towel to mop up any fat and leave to cool.
Chuck your bacon, salt and pepper in a process and blitz. If you don’t have a processor you can use a knife, or a smush using a pestle and mortar. Store in a mason jar and add a gift tag with servicing suggestions like, sprinkle over eggs, pasta or popcorn.
BBQ rub
This is so simple, it hurts.
What you’ll need:
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup paprika
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon chilli powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
Take some mini storage jars (tip: I save the little jam pots you get in cafes and soak the labels off) and add your firey mix. You can colour code 3 pots and increase the heat levels. Or, try adding cumin for a chicken rub, thyme for beef and mustard powder for pork.
Nestle your little pots of joy in a nice gift basket and you’ve got a nifty secret santa gift.
Soap dispenser
If your man has a favourite tipple, turn this favourite drink into a handy soap dispenser.
What you’ll need:
A clean and dry bottle
Soap
Stainless steel pump
Before you start making this, you’ll have to drink the whole bottle which is probably best to do over several sittings. Or, just transfer it to another container.
Once your bottle is clean and dry (and you’re sober) fill it with soap and replace the cap with the pump. You could add beard soap, shampoo or moisturizer.
Gifts for kids
Slime
I’m not gunna lie, if someone gifted me slime this Christmas (hint hint) I would be so happy.
What you’ll need:
½ cup PVA glue
½ teaspoon baking soda
food colouring
1 -2 tablespoons contact lense solution
Baby oil
I use this recipe as it’s foolproof. Mix your PVA, baking soda and food colouring together. If you want to add extra’s like glitter or small beads for some crunch, now’s the time.
Add your contact lense solutions a bit at a time and watch your slime start to form. Finish off with a splash of baby oil, and voila!
Baking jars
My goddaughter loves to bake and this gift is perfect. It’s a recipe I make all the time and when I send it to her, I include a promise to bake them with her.
What you’ll need:
250g plain flour
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
½ teaspoon salt
200g dark sugar
100g caster sugar
325g chocolate chips
Jar
Sift together the flour, salt and bicarb and make this your first layer you add to your jar. If you like your layers to look neat, use a spoon to spread and flatten your ingredients.
Next, add the brown sugar followed by the white and top with chocolate chips. My personal favourite is a mix of milk chocolate, white chocolate and fudge pieces. Once your layers are complete close your jar and add a tag with extra cooking instructions and ingredients.
Giant chalkboard
Everything’s better when it’s bigger and I’ve never met a kid who didn’t love doodling on a chalkboard.
What you’ll need:
Plywood
Paint
You can pick up plywood at places like Wickes, B&Q or Homebase. Paint your board, you can get blackboard paint for Wilko. Include a set of chalks with your board and why not write a Christmas message to your little one.
See, I wasn’t lying when I said you can make great personal gifts yourself. Happy holidays and happy crafting one and all!
If you’ve made any of our gifts please tag us on Facebook or Twitter. Or, if you’ve got your own DIY tips, let us know in the comments.
