On Monday I gave a quick snap shot of the many wonderful gifts that you can create at home! I picked out  three great holiday gifts that could work for the boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, wife, mother, brother, father, sister, friend, cousin…I think you get where I’m going with this ; )

Do it Yourself Holiday Gifts

Solid Perfume

Delightfully fragrant, adorably packaged and practical for him her or the dog!

What you need:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon vitamin E
• 8-15 drops essential oil, whatever fragrance you enjoy
• 1 container for the solid perfume; this could be a small metal, glass or ceramic box or even a locket with a pitted inside! Goodwill
• 1 toothpick
• 1 small bowl for mixing ( one that can resist high temperature: glass etc)
• 1 saucepan

How to:

1. Combine wax and almond oil
2. Add about 2 in of water in the sauce pan, place wax/oil jar in the water, bring  water to a boil. Melt wax
3. Remove from heat when wax has completely melted
4. Add in essential oil, stir with toothpick
5. Once mixed pour into the chosen container for usage. Perfume will become solid in about 45 minutes.
6. After the perfume has solidified, wrap and give! : )

Light Bulb Terrarium

Easy,recycled,eco-friendly decor

What you need:

• Needle nose pliers
• Scissors
• Chopsticks
• Flathead screwdriver
• glasses
•  light bulb, globe shape, clear Goodwill
• adhesive silicon bumpers
• Preserved Moss
• Tillandsia
• Small rocks
• Sand
• Heavy duty glove

How to:

1. Remove inside of bulb, require breaking the glass so use your common sense, Wear your glasses and put the glove on the hand holding the bulb! First, using needle nose pliers, remove the metal tip from the bottom of the bulb. by nudging the sides of the metal tip from the black part of the glass.
2. After raising the sides to get a better grip, pull out the metal tip.
3. Once the wires have snapped, break the black glass by twisting up on each side of the glass. Be forceful, the glass is difficult to break. Remove all pieces. You should be able to see the insides!
4. Using the flathead screwdriver to break the interior tube from the side.Then continue to use the screwdriver to break the rest of the inside. Be careful, forceful and hold the bulb tight….just don’t break it!
5. Pull any wires out with the pliers
6. Stick 4 adhesive silicon bumpers on the base of the bulb or however you would like the terrarium to sit
7. Being to construct the terrarium!
8. Start with the sand. Then, using chopsticks, place in preserved moss, Tillandsia and small rocks. You can also add miniature figures or whatever you desire!
9. Wrap and give : )

Map Coasters

Quick, Functional, Nostalgic

What you need:

• Cork Coasters Goodwill
• Map, Goodwill or perhaps use one from a trip!
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue Sealant

How to:

1. Flip the map over to the blank side
2. Place coaster on top and trace with pencil
3. Cut out the traced map piece
4. Cover one side of the coaster completely with sealant
5. adhere map cut out, with map side up
6. Cover top with a thin layer of sealant
7. Wrap and give : )

Perfect hand-made thoughtful gifts

Have a very merry crafty Holiday,

Brit

*Don’t forget Goodwill has plenty of Tacky Christmas Sweaters for your weekend festivities ; )