As the holiday season approaches, the stress of finding the “perfect gift” for your loved ones may begin to seep into your life. Instead of fighting the crowds at the mall, why not make gifts instead? Here are some ideas:
Homemade Men’s Shaving Cream
Supplies: 1/2 c Coconut Oil, 1/2 c Shea Butter, 1/4 c Almond Oil, 2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil, 1-1/2 Tbsp. Baking Soda, 10-15 drops Essential Oil of your choice. Recommended scents include sandalwood, peppermint, and rosemary or eucalyptus.
Directions: Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a pot. Stir in almond oil and essential oils. Place in refrigerator until mixture is almost solid. Remove from refrigerator, add baking soda, and then use a mixer to whip until light and fluffy. Store in a small airtight container.
Lavender Sachets
Supplies: Fabric, Coordinating Thread, Sewing Needle, Dried Lavender Flowers.
Directions: Cut a 12″ by 6″ rectangle of fabric. Fold the fabric in half, inside-out, and secure with pins. Sew a seam around the open ends, leaving about 2″ open on one side. Turn right-side-out. Make a funnel out of cardstock and use that to fill your sachet with the dried lavender flowers until almost full. Fold open seams inward, and machine or hand sew shut.
Hot Chocolate Spoons
Supplies: Disposable Wooden Spoons, Wax Paper, Miniature Marshmallows, Peanut Butter, White Chocolate, Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Coconut Flakes, Crushed Candy Canes.
Directions: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate and peanut butter separately. Stir it quickly. Dip a wooden spoon in one of the melted chocolates or peanut butter, and lay it on wax paper. Before it hardens, top with ingredients of your choice. Optional flavors include chocolate drizzled with peanut butter, white chocolate with crushed candy canes, chocolate with marshmallows, etc. Allow them to harden completely on wax paper. Then wrap the hot chocolate spoons in treat bags, and secure with a ribbon.
