The list of people we want to gift can get pretty long from family to friends to co-workers to teachers to coaches to the mailman to Secret Santa, and so on. Plus trying to figure out what to get everyone and keeping it affordable can be very challenging. Making your own gifts is the perfect way to gift people with something they'll love while taking it easy on your pocketbook. And people appreciate the personal touch of handmade gifts, too! There are many things you can make, here are some ideas to get you started.
ROOM SPRAY
Difficulty Level: Easy
Room spray made with essential oils is such a great gift. People can enjoy fresh and comforting aromas without all the harsh chemicals found in candles and other room sprays. With just a few simple ingredients, you'll have an affordable gift that everyone will love.
What You Need:
1oz witch hazel
1oz distilled water
10 drops of an essential oil of your choice
What to Do:
Add witch hazel, distilled water, and essential oil(s) to the spray bottle. Tighten the spray nozzle to bottle and replace the cap. Add a cute tag with directions (Shake and spray into the air for a yummy aroma) and you're all set!
Approximate Cost for 12 room sprays: $30
LIP BALM
Difficulty Level: Easy
Lip balm is a great gift for everyone, especially during the colder months. Lip balm is actually super easy to make, and you can make several of them with one batch.
What You Need:
Lip Balm tins or tubes -OR- Lip Balm Crafting Kit
2 tbsp Coconut Oil
2 tbsp Beeswax
10-12 drops essential oil
What to Do:
Slowly melt together coconut oil and beeswax in a microwave save container (I use my Pyrex measuring cup), stirring every 30 seconds. When melted, slowly stir in your essential oils. My friend and I used a new medicine syringe for infants to gather the mixture and fill each tube. Once tubes are filled, let set until cooled (around 10 minutes or so). I recommend choosing oils safe for ingestion since the lip balm will be applied to the lips. Popular essential oils include Peppermint, Lavender, Grapefruit, or Thieves blend, but you can get creative with your mixture. After you make your balms, you can add your own personal touch by creating labels for your gift.
Approximate Cost for 12 lip balms: $24
Photo Source: Make and Take with Jamie
MUG WITH HOT COCOA OR TEADifficulty Level: Easy
Who doesn't love hot cocoa or a delicious tea? It's a great gift that will certainly be enjoyed. You can even spice it up a bit by adding an essential oil safe for consumption that pairs well.
What You Need:
Fun, unique mug (check out your dollar store!)
Hot cocoa mix or tea (I love Oola tea!)
Essential oil (optional)
Dram for essential oil (optional)
What to Do:
Find a fun and unique mug and add a couple packets or K-cups of hot cocoa mix or a few tea bags to the mug. If you are adding only a few tea bags, I recommend storing sealing them in a baggie to keep them fresh. If you adding essential oils, you can put several drops into the dram or simply share the whole bottle, depending on your budget. Essential oils yummy with hot cocoa include Cinnamon Bark, Lavender, or Peppermint. Oola Tea varieties recommend which essential oils pair well.
Once you have everything you desire in the mug, you can also wrap in cellophane and tie off with a ribbon. If you added essential oils, make a tag about adding only 1 drop to their cup of hot cocoa or tea. Again, make sure the essential oil is safe for consumption by checking the label.
Approximate Cost for 6 hot cocoa & mug gifts: $9
Approximate Cost for 6 tea & mug gifts: $20
Approximate Cost with essential oil drams: Add $3
Approximate Cost with whole bottles of essential oil: Add $7-$33
SUGAR SCRUB
Difficulty Level: Easy
Sugar scrubs with essential oils are perfect for pampering your skin and smell so good. There are many different recipes for sugar scrubs which typically include choosing brown or white sugar, a few drops essential oil, and mixing in a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil. After mixing together, store in a glass jar. You can definitely experiement to see what you like best. Below is a recipe from Young Living for a luscious Orange Vanilla Sugar Scrub. Source: Young Living Training and Education Facebook page.
What You Need:
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
5-7 drops Orange essential oil
2-3 drops vanilla extract
What to Do:
Mix together all ingredients. You can add more sugar or coconut oil if needed to reach the desired consistency. Fill each jar and seal lid tightly. Create a cute label or tag with "Sugar Scrub" and directions for use, such as, "Gently massage in a circular motion into damp skin and rinse off with warm water."
Approximate Cost for 4 Sugar Scrubs: $15
ROLLERS
Difficulty Level: Easy
Rollers are such a thoughtful and easy gift to make. You can create beautiful, aromatic blends for others.
What You Need:
10ml glass rollerball container (I recommend ones with a stainless steel rollerball)
Essential oils (see ideas below)
What to Do:
Decide what kind of theme you would like your roller combos to have, like "Uplift" or "Unwind" or "Bedtime". Add about 10 drops of essential oil to your rollerball container and fill the rest of the way with fractionated coconut oil. You can choose just one essential oil or combine essential oils to make your own special blend. If making your own blend, choose 2 to 3 different oils and add only a few drops of each.
"Uplift" essential oil recommendations: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Joy blend, or Citrus Fresh blend.
"Unwind" essential oil recommendations: Frankincense, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Acceptance blend, Gathering blend, Stress Away blend, or Surrender blend.
"Bedtime" essential oil recommendations: Cedarwood, Lavender, Vetiver, Peace & Calming blend or White Angelica blend.
Approximate cost for 24 Rollers: $30
Are you making any DIY gifts with this year? Share below!
Be love. Be light. Just Be.
About the Author: Serena James is a holistic healer and natural wellness enthusiast. She offers a variety of energy healing services and natural wellness solutions to help individuals experience a life of love, abundance, and wellness as they were meant to.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any action you take as a result of this information is self-prescribed and your right to do so.
