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5 last minute, impressive D-I-Y holiday gifts

I love gifts that have thought behind it, like personal touches, For instance, last Christmas my niece gifted me a homemade brown sugar and lemon hand scrub, which smelled just as delicious as it sounds. This holiday season, it’s all about that age old saying: ‘it’s the thought that counts’. With the right amount of ingredients, you can craft Christmas presents that will leave others impressed, without spending a ton of money. Here are five do-it-yourself holiday crafts you can git to your loved ones (or even to yourself)!

Hot Chocolate Mix

It’s rather fun to put together deconstructed kits. There is nothing better than some homemade hot-chocolate on a chilly winter night. All you would need is some mason jars, ribbon,  hot cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, crushed candy-cane for topping, and any additional ingredients you choose. There are so many variations: try creating melted snowman hot chocolate by using white chocolate and decorated marshmallows or add a small bottle of Baileys to your chocolate kit for an adult-friendly beverage option.

Sugar Scrub

The options are almost endless when it comes to choosing the ingredients for your sugar scrub. Sugar scrubs are easy to make and make easy and thoughtful gifts. For instance, if your sister loves lavender, consider adding lavender oil to the mix. With a base of brown sugar and coconut oil, adding additional ingredients will be easy.

 Hydrating Face Mists

There is nothing like a little burst of a facial mist to brighten your day. These face mists are easy and portable, and will keep you going on those long days. Depending on the skin type you want to target, you can try a green tea hydrating mist for dry or sensitive skin. Combine water with green tea bags and rosewater, and put it in a spray bottle. The best thing is that these mists can also double as natural toners.

Cookie Mix

Back to the idea of putting together deconstructed ingredients, why not put together your own little d-i-y baking kits for your loved ones or friends. Measure out the appropriate ingredients for your favourite cooke mix and layer in a mason jar or bundle a collection of tubes. Feel free to write out your own recipe card to include with the gifts for an even more personalized touch. The same can work for cakes and other pastries.

Bath Bombs

D-I-Y bath bombs are fun and easy to make. Using a base of baking soda, epsom salts, and citric acid, you can combine different essential body oils and essences to come up with the perfect scents. You can also add colour, glitter, and even petals to your homemade bath treats.

Are you putting together some DIY holiday gifts? Let us know what you made in the comments below!

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Home & Garden

DIY gift ideas for the not-naturally crafty

If you are looking to add a personal touch to your Christmas gifts this year, you can join many other Do-It-Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts in creating amazing homemade presents that will wow your family and friends. On the other hand if you are like me and lack artistic sensibilities, don’t expect the hand-painted tea cup craft idea you found on Pinterest to look identical to the one you create  (I ended up with a pink blob on a cup).

Instead, if you are not naturally crafty, but (for some reason) want to make your gifts this year then you have come to the right place. Here is the how-to on how-to make homemade gifts that won’t come out looking like you crafted with your eyes closed in the middle of a park on a windy night:

When planning your homemade gift ideas, remember to keep it realistic. Don’t plan to make 20 homemade coffee cup holders unless you have a sewing machine and ample experience. Not that I would try to lead anyone astray from learning a new hobby, but trying out a sewing machine for the first time during the holidays can be a stressful way to learn.

Let’s look at a few easier gift ideas to begin with. Why not try homemade camera straps or chalkboard painted coffee cups. To make the camera strap, you paint and decorate cotton webbing with acrylic paint and use glue to attach two hooks on either end. Make sure the hooks are flexible (or swivel) for easy use. The supplies to make the strap are easy to find and the decorative process is fool-proof; however, if you aren’t a painting-type of person, you can always use wool or other materials to create a braid.

Chalkboard paint is a fun way to decorate a low-priced coffee cups, trays, or even computer cases. Decorate the object and write loving messages on it for your friend or family member.

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It is also important to keep your budget in mind. When I design my DIY present plan, I write down everyone that will receiving a gift and then begin jotting down ideas for each person. By making a gift that I can give to many people, it cuts down on costs and time, and my gifts will still well-received by my loved ones. I then budget out how much the materials will cost before purchasing the craft supplies for the gifts. Going out to buy materials without a plan often leads to overspending and planning often helps to avoid superfluous costs. Remember, if it costs more to make your gift then it would to purchase it, you may want to reconsider your DIY plan.

Food gifts are often a good way to save money on DIY presents because you can make multiple batches and save money by buying ingredients in bulk. Purchasing a few flats of jars and make a variety of jams and preservatives.  Making holiday cookies and other treats for friends and family is also a good option. Lastly, soup in a jar with all of the dry ingredients layered looks lovely in a glass jar and makes a yummy soup once you add water and boil. Don’t forget to decorate the jars with ribbon for a festive feel.

 

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There are so many benefits to DIY gifts. First of all, they are made with love, something that can’t be said of that Old Navy sweater you may have wanted to pick up. You also get to avoid the consumerist train spectacle in malls across Canada. Just make sure that the gifts you make are useful and catered to the people you are giving them to, and you are sure to get a good reception!

What are your favourite DIY gifts to make for Christmas? Let Women’s Post know in the comments below.

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How to create a beautiful D.I.Y. wedding

A wedding is an expensive affair that often breaks the bank for newlyweds. Instead of pouring thousands of dollars into one single day, why not take on some of the essentials yourself, saving some of your hard-earned money for the honeymoon or your future home? Here are some beautiful and simple do-it-yourself tips that will save you money, and also give you the fairytale wedding you deserve.

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  1. Make your own bouquet and don’t over-do the flowers

Bouquets can become expensive quickly, especially if you tag the word “wedding” onto the order when you decide on a florist. Many florists and other wedding services have a mark-up for the ‘big day’, so avoid dropping the ‘w-word’ if you can. Instead, find a friend who is a gardening expert and co-opt them into a trip to the greenhouse. Designing your own bouquet is fairly simply and adds a lovely personal touch. Also if you decide to make your own flower arrangements, be sure to obtain flower preservative from a florist or greenhouse to keep them fresh the night before the big day.

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  1. Decorate and set-up yourself

Wedding decorations can quickly become gaudy if they are over the top. Simple and elegant is best and who better to make that happen than you! Keep the decorations simple and natural in order to make an elegant wedding. An example is to use mason jars with tea lights in them and springs of pine on the side or subtle flowers alongside the chairs. Using natural elements for a simple wedding also keeps it looking fresh and is a better option than buying cheap and fake decorations. By setting up yourself, you also save on the costs of hiring a crew to do it. Instead of asking for wedding gifts, why not ask for wedding help? That’s what a wedding party is for, right?

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  1. Have your wedding at a low-cost location with natural beauty

If you have a beautiful outdoor venue at your disposal, why not use that instead of paying an arm and a leg for a private venue? Look at public parks  or use a friend’s backyard who lives somewhere scenic. Public parks have a cost, but then you are supporting the upkeep of their green space and it is still much more cost-effective than a private venue. Finding a setting that is by a lakeside or has mountains in the background creates a naturally beautiful wedding and ultimately saves you money. It also creates a great energy on your big day by breathing in fresh air and seeing the sunshine glint off your beautiful dress. Outdoor weddings for the win!

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  1. Buy your dress off the rack

Wedding dresses can run into the thousands and many women get sucked into buying an overly expensive gown bedazzled with one-of-a-kind jewels and all the extras that come with it. Ditch the overdone look and let your family and friends revel in your natural beauty. If you go for a more elegant and simple dress (with a bit of bedazzling to be sure), then it will save on unnecessary costs and you will still look ravishing. Also, buy the dress off the rack if you can to save on costs of ordering one. It is a dress to be used for one day only. Let’s not go over the top ladies.

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  1. Get a photography student for wedding photos

Wedding photos are so expensive. Not to say they aren’t important though, as they preserve the memories of your big day. Instead of opting for a big-time expensive photographer, make use of the little guys (they will love you for it!). Being in the media world, I can name 10 photographers off hand that are extremely talented, but can’t find work because of their lack of experience. By giving student photographers a chance to do your photos, you will reap the benefits of lowered rates and help someone move forward in their career. Just ask for a portfolio of samples first and give the newbie a whirl.

Overall, there are many ways to cut down on costs for your wedding by simply doing it yourself. It is also a great way to spend time with your bridesmaids and loved ones. I’ve always found the process of creation creates a more authentic and positive experience than getting other people to do it for you.

What are your D.I.Y wedding ideas? Let Women’s Post know in the comments below.

 

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