Christmas presents mean so much more when they’re homemade. Friends and family will know you spent more time on them – and with a second national lockdown here in the run-up to Christmas, plenty of us will have a lot of extra time on their hands – and that thoughtfulness is always appreciated. Plus, if you have little ones at home, homemaking gifts can be a great way to keep them busy. Check out our top five easiest DIY Christmas gifts.
Melt and Pour Soap
There are lots of ways you can make soap but unless you’ve got plenty of crafting experience, the simplest way to make your homemade soap is the melt and pour method with pre-made soap.
Step 1: Boil a pan of water, and place a heatproof bowl on top, ensuring the base isn’t touching the water.
Step 2: Melt the soap base in the bowl. Our top tip? Add a pan lid in between stirring to help stop a skin layer forming on top.
Step 3: Once fully melted, add your choice of essential oils and other natural ingredients. Ingredients like ground oats or used coffee grounds will help add exfoliating properties, rose or chamomile will help soothe sensitive skin, and ingredients like honey or coconut oil are uber nourishing.
Step 4: Pour into a mould of your choice and wait for it to set.
Mason Jar Candles
A great way to repurpose your extra glass jars hiding at the back of your cupboard is to make them into beautiful, personalised candles. Check out this fab 10-step tutorial here…
Pressed Flower Displays
Wildflowers can easily be preserved and made into beautiful glass framed displays for your flower-loving friend. Plus, flowers can have huge sentimental value, making this a perfectly thoughtful gift for saving your wedding flowers and so on.
Step 1: Harvest your flowers on a sunny morning when the plants aren’t wet with dew or water. Snip all shapes and sizes, including single blossoms, longer stems and sprigs of leaves.
Step 2: Grab a piece of white, heavy-weight and acid-free paper, fold it in half and place inside an open book, like a heavy cookbook or dictionary. Tuck your flowers, foliage and stems between the folded halves, being careful not to overlap.
Step 3: Carefully close the book and place more books and heavy objects on top. Set aside for 2 weeks. Want to make it easier? Check out our UK-made flower press here to get started.
Step 4: By now, your flowers should be flat and moisture-free. Using tweezers, carefully remove and display. You might like to glue them to the front of a homemade card or display the pressed flowers in a photo frame instead.
Polymer Clay Coasters
Polymer clay is super versatile, smooth and easy to model. There’s no need for a kiln or special equipment, just bake in your oven at home for half an hour or so and you’re good to go! Check out this video guide to get going.
Stovetop Potpourri
Rescue any sad produce like dry oranges and help make their homes smell like Christmas, with a blend of citrus and spices to make them feel cosy and safe. This one’s super simple to get started…
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 120 degrees Celsius.
Step 2: Slice some apples and oranges as thinly as possible. Place them in a single layer on baking paper and cook for an hour and a half, checking in on them every half hour or so.
Step 3: Once dry, mix with cinnamon sticks, allspice, star anise and even a few prigs or rosemary or bay leaves. Pop into a jar and allow the flavours to meld together for a day or so before gifting.