Guest Post: Homemade Christmas Gifts

I'm happy to bring you another guest post from my mom! Today she's going to be talking about lovely homemade Christmas gift ideas, and how to make them!

DIY Gifts YOU can make

Giving a gift that you took the time and energy to make has an extra dose of love added! Here are a few ideas that will get you started.

Natural lotions, lip balm, shower scrubs, salves, body sprays and other personal items make great gift, especially if you know the favorite scent of the person receiving the gift.

Exfoliating Body Scrub

9 oz. Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, or Sugar

4 oz. Coconut Oil

12-16 drops Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients well and store in sealed container. I use cute little mason jars.

To use: Wet skin in shower;  Rub salt scrub over skin in circular motion. Rinse and towel dry. You will be left with a light oil on skin so no lotion is needed.

Caution- the oils may make your shower a little slippery.

Notes: Use metal or glass, as plastic sometimes absorbs the smell of the essential oils.

You can use 4 oz. of any kind of oil you would like. In this one I used half almond oil and half coconut oil.

10 drops of Rosemary and 6 drops of Peppermint were used in this batch. It gives it an invigorating feel. Lavender is a favorite scent for many and has relaxing properties. Patchouli has a musky more masculine smell. Both are excellent for the skin. Eden's Garden has a great reputation and you can read descriptions for every kind of essential oil.

Be sure to make a tag for your scrub with instructions on how to use!

Natural Lip Balm

1 oz. Beeswax

1.6 oz. Sweet Almond Oil

.3 oz. Castor Oil orVegetable Glycerin

15 drops Vitamin E Oil, if desired

25 drops Essential Oil, if desired

Melt beeswax in double-boiler. Add almond and castor oils and stir well. When it's all liquid, take off burner and stir in vitamin E oil and essential oils.  Fill your tubes using a small funnel or pipette. Let cool completely and cap.

I like to print up a nice waterproof label with the list of ingredients and such.

Notes: I don't have double-boiler so I set my glass Pyrex measuring cup in a saucepan with about 2 1/2" water. Make sure you don't splash any water into mixture.

Again, you can use any types of oils you want (Apricot Kernel, sunflower, coconut, etc.)

This is a basic lip balm that men would use too. If you want a more shiny one add more oils, such as Castor oil or less beeswax.

Nutty Chocolate Clusters

2 lbs. salted dry-roasted Peanuts

4 oz. German Sweet Chocolate

12 oz. bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 lbs. Vanilla Candy Coating/Almond Bark

In a 4 quart crock-pot pour in peanuts, then chocolate, broken into chucks, as listed. Set on low and leave (no stirring) for 2-3 hours until melted. Now mix all together and drop onto parchment paper by spoonfuls. Let harden and store in air-tight container.

Notes: Try dropping this mixture over a mini twist pretzel and small piece of caramel. Store in fridge/freezer if using homemade caramels.

Substitute the peanuts with cashews, pecans, and walnuts.  

Beware! Don't make these too long before gifting as you might eat them all!

Caramels

2 cups Sugar             2 cup heavy Cream

1 cup Brown Sugar        1 cup Butter

1 cup Corn Syrup         1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla 

1 cup evaporated Milk

Heat all ingredients, except vanilla in large pot over medium low heat. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 248*, or when a small amount of mixture forms firm ball when dropped into cold water. This usually takes me 45 minutes or more. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour mixture onto greased cookie sheet and cool. Cut into squares and wrap in parchment paper. Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer.

Notes: Pot should be about 3X as big as your mixture.

Here is an economical candy thermometer.

You can sprinkle with course sea salt or press in chopped pecans after cooling for about 20 minutes.

After wrapping, fill a glass jar with them and add a festive bow and tag.

My husband usually requests these at least once a year.

 Natural Perfume

(without the synthetic hormones!)

30 drops of Essential Oil, more or less

2 oz. 80-100% proof Vodka, spiced Rum, or the like

If you are using more than one essential oil, mix together in glass capped container and let sit for a few days so the oils blend. Add the alcohol, cap tightly and shake well. Let age in cool dark area for 2-4 weeks.

Notes: You can make smaller batches right in these glass perfume bottles, or funnel into a spray bottle like these after the perfume has aged.  Shake before pouring into your bottles.

If you don't know a lot about mixing essential oils and don't want to experiment, try a blend of oils like the one linked above. Read the description of the oil to see if it's a good fit.

Rice Packs

100% Cotton Material (10"x5" for each pack)

White Rice (about 1 cup)

Cut a 10" by 5" rectangle of your material. Fold in half with good side facing in. Sew along all edges, leaving a 2" space un-sewn for filling. Now turn material right side out. Use funnel to fill pouch 3/4 full with rice. Tuck un-sewn edges under and sew shut. If desired, sew around edges for detail.

Notes: Surely I should be able to think of a better name for such a versatile gift! It's a toy, juggling tool, hand warmers, earache relief pack ... The smaller ones are a gift our daughter is making for her little brother for Christmas.

Warm these up in microwave for about 45 seconds for achy muscles, ear aches, and hand warmers for your coat pockets.

Don't forget the instructional tag on heating them!

Play Dough

1 cup Flour

1 cup Water

2 TBS. Oil (coconut, canola)

1/2 cup Salt

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1-2 pkgs. Kool-Aid, if desired

Mix together in a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring well until mixture starts to pull from pot. Shut off burner, but leave pot on burner, stirring until mixture forms into a ball. Remove and cool completely. Store in tightly sealed container.

Notes: This is super soft play dough and smells so good with the Kool-aid added!

Even some of my older children asked for it in their stockings :)

I used 1 pkg. mixed berry Kool-Aid for blue and 1 Orange flavor for orange.

Darling Vintage Belt

I have not made this, yet, but will be soon. It is just too cute! I know some ladies that would look superb wearing this ;)

Below is the link with complete details on how to make.

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/09/fabric-flower-belt-cinch-it-in.html

Basket of Goodies

(or oven mitt, or slippers, or...)

You don't have to make something from scratch to give a more personalized gift.

Try a basket of fresh fruits. I added a jar of blueberry preserves.

An oven mitt with handy utensils. See a few of our favorite HERE.

Fuzzy slippers filled with nail polish, Nail filer, Foot cream, chocolate, tea bags ...

I love to custom-make a pretty apron and add some handcrafted natural soap to go with it as a gift for someone special. It's rewarding to create a unique one for each person.

And if you haven't tried making your own soap, that's another whole bunch of fun! Below is my Orange/Coffee soap.

Happy Christmas Gifting!

~Shantelle's Mom

Guest Post: Gift List

I'm so delighted to have a "guest writer" on A Writer's Heart today, who happens to be my own lovely mother! Take time to read her fabulous post! I hope you enjoy! ^_^

I am extremely pleased to introduce myself to you as Shantelle's Mom!  She is a gem and I love her to pieces!

I am a wife of almost 22 years, homeschooling mother of 8 children, whom I cherish more with each passing day.

Christmas is approaching, and if you are from a large family like ours, so are some birthdays and perhaps some weddings and other family events. I am excited to share with you our favorite, tried and true items we have discovered over the years that we think may help you in your gift giving.

Gift Ideas from our House to Yours

• CHILDREN & FAMILY

Our doll has made it through many moves, being left outside in the dirt and stuffed at the bottom of the toy box over the last 10 years and her hair is still nice!

High-quality animals for display or pretend play. These are some of the favorite gifts my kids have received. You can find these at Walmart and other farm supply stores too.

Spot It is a fast and fun game that the whole family can play together! It's one we like to pull out when we have new families over.

One year we bought these neat cars as a family gift. Big and little kids alike enjoyed them. Unfortunately ours got stolen and we haven't splurged on new ones yet.

Although we bought these Science DVD's for schooling, all the younger siblings like to watch them too! Wes makes science interesting, even for those of us who don't have much interest. He also has Chemistry and Physics.

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• BABIES

I love that these are just pure Maple wood and made in the USA! Our last baby loved these and they still look new!

Another one of ours liked this teething ring.

A friend gifted us Burt's Bees Organic PJ's when our last baby was born. Very soft and very much a favorite. I have found several pairs of these at TJ Maxx.

Relaxing, Soothing, Comforting CD. Jesus Loves Me sung, by Kristy Nockels', on this CD is simply beautiful!

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• DADS, MEN and BOYS

After seeing such rave reviews, I bought my Dad this for Father's Day. It really is a great massager and helps relieve tension in the neck and shoulders. I will definitely gift again!

We found one of these at a garage sale and love it for hauling wood into the house. Handy and keeps everything clean!!

Every year our son would request a toy dirt bike for his birthday, and every year it would soon be broken. Until he found this one online. Not only is it sturdy enough for his toddler brother to play with, it can be taken apart, has suspension and looks really cool!

The men in our home are always happy to open a bag of good old beef jerky! Walmart carries this brand, which seems a little healthier.

We have an Alaskanite lantern like this, but they are out of stock. Here is one that looks a lot like it with great reviews.

This is seriously the coolest little flashlight I have ever seen! Our oldest son gave this with his Father's day gift and it's perfect as it fits in your pocket (or purse, ladies!) and is unbelievably bright! Takes only 1 AA battery. Hubby uses it for hunting all the time. Just keep an extra battery in your pack. ;)

We have several of these bright flashlights and highly recommend them. Ours were purchased at Costco.

A great tool to help diagnose what is wrong with your car.  A couple men in our family have these.

Gourmet coffee, and one of the healthiest ways to make it as well! Works perfectly for steeping loose-leaf tea too.

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• MOTHERS and WOMEN and YOUNG LADIES

Super fun to journal and get creative with! I like that they don't bleed through the paper like other colored pens do.

I bought a small pack of these at Walmart during their back-to-school sale.

I love this beautifully illustrated and well directed prayer journal! Whimsical drawings throughout are meant to be colored.

Adult coloring books are wildly popular right now and I like to give them as gifts. This one has inspirational saying amidst fun coloring.

Not too detailed.

This is another item that is on my list to buy! Love this one!

Great for older girls up to adults! (this one's on our "to buy" list)

I tried every other cheaper sharpener there was before buying the same one my mom has had for years. It's the best! Break out the colored pencils, girls!

Traditional hymns that you can sing along with! Did I mention their lovely voices?!

What woman doesn't like chocolate? This bar satisfies my chocolate craving while boasting a mere 7 grams of sugar per 1.7 oz. serving!
If you have an Aldi's near you, it's cheaper there. In fact, I was just in Aldi's today buying a bar and another woman points to it and says, "The best chocolate you can find".  Warning: The 85% is  for the woman who likes really dark chocolate or can't have much sugar.

I bought this several years ago after a lot of research on ways to clean up household air. I love the soft and relaxing light it gives off and have even used it as a night light.

This is a great diffuser that won't brake you budget. I have been using mine for many years. Use a well-review essential oil as there are cheap ones that are not always pure.

We like Eden's Garden's JOY.

NOW brand is also known to be good. And Ylang Ylang has a lovely floral smell and is known for balancing homones.

Another brand I have been told, by Naturopaths, is Aura Cacia. Tea Tree oil is something I grew up using for infections, bacteria, viruses, and cleaning. It's something we always have in our house.

Purchase from JCPenny HERE

The best bath towels I have ever came upon. Soft, absorbent, Not too bulky, perfect size, 100% cotton. Maybe I'm weird, but I'd love to receive these towels for a gift! You can find them on Amazon, but JC Pennys always seems to have a sale on them.

Thanks to our son, who has a degree in computer technology and did a lot of research for us, we bought this SLR camera and our blooming photographer has taken some gorgeous photos with it! Great camera!

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• CHEFS          

This has been our all-time favorite peeler. It works well on everything from sweet potatoes to kiwis.

Another favorite utensil.

Every chef needs some "tea towels". These are great for personalizing, decorative stitching, or a child's hand-print.

We received this Bosch mixer for a wedding gift 22 years ago and it is still going strong! In fact, I just made a huge batch (22 cups flour) of french bread.

I bought my Vitamix blender used and love it! This is an amazing blender that will last you years! I know someone who bought one 20 years ago and still uses it every day!

I was so excited to find this great cookbook that my old neighbor authored on Amazon! Mine is just as much a display piece as a recipe book, with extra-extra thick pages full of scrumptious looking dishes and their recipes.

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Do you have a favorite item that you would buy again in a heartbeat? One that makes you so excited to give? What was the best gift you have ever been given?