7 min read
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If you don't want to buy more gifts, you can easily take the thoughtful route  😊
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Here's a guide on how to make something special for your loved ones.Â
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The best thing about these personalized gifts is they make everyone feel cherished.
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Firstly let's get into edibles
1. Preserved Lemons
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Preserved lemons make a gorgeous edible gift when packed into mason jars.Â
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Keep (unopened) in a cool cupboard for up to a year; and if opened keep for months...
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Although your giftees will most likely use them well before then!
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 3 lemons (washed in hot water)Â
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugarÂ
- Optional spices: 1/2 tsp coriander seeds, 1/2 tsp allspice berries, 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Slice the lemons into rings each about 0.5cm/1/4″ wide and start layering them in your jar. Add in the salt here and there and also the spices as you go.Â
- Just keep layering up those lemons and adding in the other ingredients as you go.  Finish off with a layer of salt on the top.Â
- Pop on the lid and give it a good shake.Â
- Set aside for 4 – 7 days and shake it every day.Â
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Image & recipe from larderlove.
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2. Homemade Caramel Sauce
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Homemade Caramel Sauce makes a sweet gift!Â
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Make a few batches and divide them between some cute jars. Pop a bow on and you’re done.Â
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Gift this to anyone you want to spread some cheer to.Â
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This caramel is also gluten-free, which makes it a prime gift for anyone with dietary restrictions.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp salted butter, cut into chunksÂ
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbsp heavy creamÂ
-  Pinch of sea saltÂ
- 1 empty mason jarÂ
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Get all your ingredients ready before you begin.Â
- Add the sugar to a medium saucepan on medium heat, and stir constantly to avoid burning.Â
- Make sure all the little chunks of sugar are gone! If the sugar isn't completely liquified, the caramel sauce won't turn out.
- Once the sugar has completely melted, immediately add the butter and reduce the heat slightly. Stir constantly until the butter is completely melted.Â
- Remove from the heat and slowly add the heavy cream, whisking as you add it. The caramel will bubble up here.Â
- Â Set the pot back on the heat for about a minute more, stirring constantly, to let it thicken up a bit. Remove from the heat, and let cool a bit. Add a pinch of salt.Â
- Pour into an empty jar & leave to cool. Keep it in the fridge and it will keep for about 2 weeks. When using it out of the fridge, microwave it for 10-20 seconds to soften it back up.
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Image & recipe from bluebowlrecipes
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3. Buttery Salted Nuts
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Nuts are a perfect recipe for those who don't have a sweet tooth.
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Bring along to any gathering and you have the perfect party snack on hand.Â
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You can add some chili flakes for a brave hit of spice.Â
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These can make a great additional gift for any beer fanatic as well.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 1 lb raw nuts - e.g. pecans, walnutsÂ
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 tsp salt
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.Â
- Line a sided baking sheet with aluminium foil. Find a place to cool your nuts. Put a piece of newspaper down and then cover it with paper towels.Â
- Place the nuts in a large bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until the nuts are completely coated. Add the salt and stir again. Make sure the salt makes it through the entire bowl of nuts.Â
- Spread the nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the nuts for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the nuts occasionally.
- Cool them in the pan for 15 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Transfer the nuts to the paper towels to cool completely.Â
- Store the salted nuts in an upcycled mason jar.
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4.Homemade Chocolate Peanut ButterÂ
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There's only one thing better than homemade peanut butter - and that's when it's flavored with chocolate!Â
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This is like a better-for-you, more delicious Nutella. Spread it on bread or dollop onto ice cream.Â
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This will keep up to several weeks at room temperature or up to a year in the fridge.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
-  2 cups roasted, unsalted peanutsÂ
-  1/2 teaspoon sea salt, more to tasteÂ
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate, melted & cooled
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Mix the peanuts with the salt in a food processor, for at least 2-3 minutes, until it's turned into a smooth nut butter
- Taste and add more salt, if you like.Â
- Mix in the melted chocolateÂ
- Pour into an upcycled mason jar
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Recipe from thespruceeats
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Now for presents that make your loved one's feel good inside & outÂ
5. Beard oil
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This DIY beard oil is a perfect gift for your partner, dad, uncle, cousin, or anyone who has some impressive facial hair.Â
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Your loved one will be over the moon with the gift and even more astounded when they see their results after Christmas.Â
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
-  4 tbsp carrier oil, like argan, jojoba, sweet almondÂ
- 18-24 drops essential oil - like Peppermint, lavender, rosemary, tea tree oilÂ
- An empty glass bottle
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- In a measuring cup, mix the carrier oil together with the essential oils of your choice.Â
- Pour into a glass bottle and store in a cool, dark place.Â
- To use - rub the beard oil between their palms and massage into beard hair, then comb if desired. It takes about half an hour for the oils to absorb, so don’t worry if it feels a little greasy at first. After that, they’ll love their softer beard!
- Image & recipe from mommypotamus
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6.Hand Cream
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A great gift for a friend, or for yourself during this chilly festive season!Â
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The changing of the weather brings with it dry hands and having a little pot of DIY hand cream at the ready work wonders.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 1/5 Cup coconut oilÂ
- 1/8 cup shea butterÂ
- 1/8 cocoa butterÂ
- 1 tbsp liquid oil of your choice - e.g. sweet almond, jojoba, arganÂ
- Â Essential oils (optional) - e.g Peppermint, or LavenderÂ
- 1/2 tsp Vitamin E (optional)Â
- 2 oz tins
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Heat the shea butter, coconut oil & cocoa butterÂ
- Remove from the heat.
- Add the liquid oil, essential oils & Vit E if usingÂ
- Pour in an upcycled tin
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7. DIY Lip Balm
It's surprisingly easy and fun to make your own lip balm, and it makes a really cute stocking stuffer.Â
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Homemade lip balm is not only better for the environment (as you can gift it in glass jars) but it's also free from chemicals & petroleum jelly which often features in most shop bought products.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 1 tsp wax (vegan: candelilla or beeswax)Â
- 2 tsp coconut oilÂ
- 1 tsp vitamin E oilÂ
- 1 tsp Jojoba oilÂ
- 1/2 tsp beetroot powder (add more for a darker color, mine is very light)
- Â A container, like an upcycled tin or glass jarÂ
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Place a glass bowl over boiling water
- Melt the wax & coconut oil
- Add the remaining ingredients & stir
- Pour into your tin immediately & wait to set
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8. Peppermint footscrub
Changing seasons can be tough on our skin and nothing says Christmas like a fresh peppermint scent.Â
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This scrub also makes a great additional gift to a pair of bamboo socks or shoes. Add this DIY into your present for a thought-out gift.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 1 cups sea saltÂ
- 1 tbsp dried and chopped peppermint leavesÂ
- 6-8 drops of Peppermint Essential OilÂ
- 2 tbsp olive oil or sweet almond oilÂ
- 1 upcycled mason jar
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Mix the oils together.
- Add salt & peppermint leaves togetherÂ
- Combine both mixesÂ
- Pour into a cute reusable jar
- This mix keeps for about 6 weeks.Â
Image & recipe from zerorequestpeople
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9. Nutmug Hairmask
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If you have any friends and family members who love shampoo bars, we have no doubt that they will appreciate a natural, moisturizing hair mask.Â
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Nutmeg is not only a great winter scent but it promotes hair growth, prevents dandruff & increases shine.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 4 tbsp shea butterÂ
- 1 tbsp coconut oilÂ
- 1 tbsp argan oilÂ
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Melt the butterÂ
- Add your oilsÂ
- Mix in the nutmegÂ
- Freeze for 20 minutesÂ
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To apply - apply to the ends & leave for 20 minutes before rinsing.
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10. Parsley TonerÂ
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This is surprisingly easy and cheap to make, and has tons of benefits.
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Making your own beauty products not only reduces plastic but also the chemicals you apply to your skin too.Â
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Parsley helps clean pores, draw out toxins, and control oiliness. ACV has also been thought to help balance skin pH and in turn, inhibit acne-causing microbes.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 3 tbsp chopped parsleyÂ
- 1 cup waterÂ
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)Â
- 1 empty bottle
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DIRECTIONSÂ Â
- Brew your parsley in 1 cup of waterÂ
- Â Leave to coolÂ
- Add the ACVÂ
- Â Pour into your empty bottleÂ
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Note: It keeps for roughly 1 week
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Image & recipe via zerorequestpeople
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Lastly, gifts for the home <3
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11. Apple Cider Vinegar Â
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The magic of fermenting - you can turn your old food scraps into something amazing.Â
ACV can be used for cleaning, hair washing, preserving food, and even soothing a sore throat!Â
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A great gift for the all-natural cook or tidy friend in your life.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- 2 cups waterÂ
- 2 tbsp sugarÂ
- Apple scrapsÂ
- 1 Empty bottle
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DIRECTIONSÂ Â
- Chop up the apple scraps & place into a large jarÂ
- Dissolve 2 tbsp sugar into 2 cups of waterÂ
- Pour the sugar water over the scraps in the jar, and make sure you cover them completelyÂ
- Â Cover the top with a cheeseclothÂ
- Leave for approx 3 weeks (you can always gift it pre-made & tell your giftee to wait for it to be ready)
Image & recipe from lovesustainably
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12.Linen Spray
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This homemade air freshener and linen spray gives a fresh spruce to your laundry routine. Not only does linen spray protect and freshen materials, it also disinfects and smells amazing.
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ALL YOU NEEDÂ
- Â 20 drops lavender essential oilÂ
- 20 drops lemon essential oilÂ
- 1 tbsp vodka or rubbing oilÂ
- Distilled waterÂ
- 1 empty spray bottle
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DIRECTIONSÂ
- Just mix everything together, and you're ready to go!
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If Christmas is about slowing down, showing love, and spending time on family then these DIY gifts encompass all of this.Â
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Remember a great gift isn't about spending a lot.Â
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It's about showing you care 💕Â
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