Homemade gifts are a thoughtful way to show someone you care, but let's face it, sometimes they can be downright cheesy. If you're scrambling to find some last-minute gifts ideas that your loved ones will actually appreciate, here are 5 practical presents that can be thrown together in less than an hour.
1. Body Spray
Synthetic fragrances often consist of skin-irritating ingredients like petroleum and various other chemicals. To avoid these irritants and still give a sweet-smelling gift, consider making your own body spray. It's easier than you think!
- 7 ounces distilled water
- 1 Tbsp witch hazel
- 1/2 Tbsp vegetable glycerin
- 8-ounce dark glass spray bottle
- 15-20 drops of essential oil
Pour all ingredients into the bottle, close and shake well. The hardest part about this recipe is deciding which essential to use. For an uplifting scent, try grapefruit. If you're going for a soothing, relaxing spray, try a blend of lavender and ylang ylang.
2. Lip Balm
Tis the season for dry skin and chapped lips, so why not give your friends an all-natural, homemade lip balm? This recipe includes beeswax as an emollient, and the fatty acids in coconut oil are ultra-hydrating. Feel free to swap the lavender and clary sage for other essential oils like sweet orange, vanilla or peppermint.
- 1 Tbsp cocoa butter
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp grated beeswax
- 5 drops clary sage oil
- 10 drops lavender oil
- 1/4 tsp vitamin E oil
- Yields 10 lip balm tubes
Place the first four ingredients in a glass measuring cup, and gently heat in a double boiler until the beeswax is melted. Remove from heat, and stir in essential oils and vitamin E. Immediately pour the mixture into the lip balm containers. Let cool completely before capping them.
3. Shaving Cream
Surprise the guys on your gift list with a homemade shaving cream that will leave them begging for more. The rosemary and mint provide an invigorating scent while the coconut oil and shea butter protect against razor burn.
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1/4 sweet almond oil
- 10 drops rosemary oil
- 3 drops peppermint oil
- Yields 8 ounces
In a saucepan over low heat, combine the coconut oil and shea butter, stirring until melted. Pour into a heat-safe bowl. Mix in sweet almond and essential oils, and refrigerate until solid. Then, whip with a hand beater or stand mixer until fluffy. Spoon into a canning jar, and secure the lid.
4. Solid Perfume
Most commercial colognes include harmful ingredients that are known to trigger headaches and other bothersome side effects. This natural perfume is chemical free and can be stored in a locket, pillbox or decorative bottle for a chic presentation.
- 2 Tbsp sweet almond oil
- 7 drops frankincense oil
- 7 drops ylang ylang oil
- 5 drops ginger oil
- 6 drops sweet orange oil
- 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp beeswax pastilles
- Shot glass
- Yields approximately 2 ounces
Pour all the oils into the shot glass and stir. Melt the beeswax in a small pot on your stove top. Once thoroughly melted, remove from heat and add the oils. Reheat for 10 seconds while stirring the mixture then pour into your chosen container. Let cool for 15 minutes.
5. Body Butter
Treat the people on your 'Nice' list to super-soft skin with this luxurious body cream. Coconut and almond oils are nourishing, and thanks to whipping, this recipe is non-greasy. It's even gentle enough for babies and those with sensitive skin.
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup shea butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa butter
- 1/3 cup sweet almond oil
- 15 drops essential oil
- Yields 1½ cups
Combine all ingredients except essential oils in a double boiler. Bring to medium heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat and let cool for five minutes. Refrigerate the mixture until it begins to harden, which takes approximately one hour. Whisk until fluffy for about seven minutes. Add essential oils and whip for one minute more. Store in a lidded glass jar.
Stress-Free, Guilt-Free Gifting
With these homemade natural gifts, you can avoid the shopping frenzy and give your loved ones a gift everyone can feel good about.