There’s nothing more personal than a homemade gift. Not only will your friends and family appreciate the time and creativity you put into making it, but it’s also a great way to save money over the holidays and stay within your gift-giving budget.
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite homemade gifts that may get your creative juices going:
Homemade Baked Goods
Take a look through your family recipes and choose one of your favourites. Bake a large batch of your favourite breads, cookies, or brownies and then place your delicious treats in a decorative container, basket or box. Unleash your creativity and have fun decorating the container!
This is a great affordable gift that will leave your friends wanting more. If the recipe isn’t too secretive, you may even want to consider printing one off on a nice piece of paper or on a recipe card include it with the gift, so your friends can make the baked goods for themselves!
Ingredients in a Jar
This is a great idea for your family and friends who have kids or like to bake. You can do this with your favourite cookie, cake or even hot cocoa recipe. Layer it carefully into a clear glass jar and attach the baking instructions to the jar with a ribbon.
Here’s a basic idea for a hot cocoa recipe – Place cocoa powder on the bottom of the jar, powdered sugar in the middle, and white marshmallows on the top. Once this is complete, wrap the jar with festive colored ribbon and attach a note to it. Your friends and family may love the look of the jar so much that they may never actually open it! This is a great gift for teachers, co-workers and friends.
Homemade Bath Salt
Bath Salts are a great gift to give and are much more affordable and easy to make on your own. When making your own bath salt combine your desired amount of Epsom salt, with the food coloring of your choice. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oils like lavender to give it a great scent. Make sure to mix well so that the coloring is evenly blended through the salt. Once you are happy with how it looks, spread the mixture out on a sheet of wax paper to dry. When the salt is completely dry, put it in a decorative jar or bag with a customized gift tag for the recipient.
Get Crafty
Do you have a knack for knitting or are a great painter? Spend some time rather than money and create a custom gift for a friend or family member. Your recipient will love having a handmade piece of clothing or art in their collection that comes from the heart.
Other craft ideas include a hand-beaded necklace, personalized Christmas ornaments, or a carefully put together photo album.
Making homemade holiday gifts is a great way to save money and stay within your budget this holiday season. There are lots of ideas online for hand made gifts, so you are sure to find an idea that suits that special someone on your list!
