What’s better for last-minute gift making than something that you can make with items picked up at the grocery store, where you likely have to make a stop anyway? This Christmas morning granola is a simple recipe that makes a thoughtful hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or treat for Santa.
Growing up, Christmas morning was the time that we opened our stockings and all the presents. Sure, there was one gift opening allowed on Christmas Eve before we snuggled into bed, but the bulk of the gift gluttony was done in the morning. With all of the wrapping paper being torn open and ribbons being hurled in the air, you could certainly work up an appetite.
As an adult, I now like to have something quick and nutritious available to feed the masses. Homemade granola packed full of seeds, nuts, and fruit makes a thoughtful gift for the holidays. I’ll be bringing one of these pretty packages for the hosts of every dinner or party after December 20th. Good thing this recipe makes a lot!
Christmas Morning Granola with Cranberries and Pecans
This Christmas morning granola makes a healthy breakfast choice for the holidays, laden with rich food and too much drink. Top 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt with 3/4 cup homemade granola for a filling breakfast or a healthful treat.
Ingredients
Makes 4 packages
8 cups rolled oats
2 cups unsweetened coconut
2 cups whole pecans
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
1 cup sunflower oil
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 cup cranberries
1 cup raisins
Christmas Morning Granola
Made with cranberries and pecans, this is a healthy but yummy breakfast choice for the holiday season.
Measure the oats, coconut, nuts, seeds and brown sugar into a large bowl.
Combine the honey, oil, vanilla and salt in a pot and warm up on the stove, stirring constantly. Warm just until all the elements are mixed evenly, then pour the hot mixture over the oat mixture. Stir well to ensure all of the oats are covered.
Spread the mixture onto a few greased cookie sheets and toast in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the granola from the oven every 10 minutes and stir so that it toasts evenly on all sides.
Once cool, mix in the cranberries and raisins.
Fill 4 frosted tin tie bags with the granola and add labels.
Serving: 0.25package | Calories: 574kcal
More Holiday Recipes to Try
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
These last-minute DIY Christmas gift ideas are practically guaranteed to be gobbled up by the recipient! Each of these thoughtful DIY gifts is created in the kitchen and makes for perfect hostess gifts, teacher gifts, or stocking stuffers. There is something for everyone on this list.Plus, grab my go-to crowd-pleasing Italian bread dip mix at the end of this post.
Want to know my secret to last-minute DIY Christmas gifts? It all begins in the kitchen! Making unique and heartfelt gifts can easily be done with ingredients you already have on hand.
In fact, I wrote a whole book about gifts that you can whip up right at home in the kitchen. Sugar and Spice: Handmade Gifts from the Kitchen is full of last-minute DIY Christmas gifts, and I wanted to share a couple of those recipes with you here today!
Your Kitchen: The Perfect Spot to Make Last-Minute DIY Christmas Gifts
As hard as I try, every year there is always a last-minute panic before Christmas to finish up shopping. Even if you plan it out and start getting gifts months in advance, there are always last-minute gifts that pop up for neighbours, teachers, postmen, party hosts…you name it!
That’s why it is SO important to have a ton of last-minute Christmas gift ideas at the ready. No one likes feeling unprepared, but at the same time, it’s hard to have a lot of presents at the ready. That’s exactly why I turn to the kitchen! It is always packed full of ingredients at my disposal and never fails to disappoint in the gift sector. After all, food is universal and something everyone loves and appreciates.
My book, Sugar and Spice, is perfect to have on hand anytime you need a gift ASAP. I wanted to share with you one recipe from each chapter. There are over forty recipes in Sugar and Spice that are easy to make and are basically guaranteed to be loved.
Herbs and Spices
If you have a stocked spice cabinet, chances are you already have most of these ingredients on hand and ready to go in your kitchen. We all know that good spices are the key to making tasty dishes. By creating spice blends and other easy condiments, you’re encouraging your giftee to create their own tasty meals with your help.
In Sugar and Spice, my first chapter is dedicated to the art of herbs and spices. I share recipes for walnut garlic scape pesto, soup mix in a jar, BBQ spice rub, and so many more herbalicious recipes. My first recipe, which I wanted to share with you, is the first one you’ll find in the book.
Italian Bread Dip Mix
Good quality herbs mixed with oil and balsamic vinegar is the tastiest bread dip out there. This Italian bread dip mix is a dry-ingredient herb mix that stores well until ready to be eaten. Simply combine with olive oil and vinegar, warm up a loaf of bread, and you’re ready to dip.
Trust me, this dip mix is a winner! Grab the recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Recipe blend:
½ cup oregano
½ cup basil
½ cup parsley
½ cup rosemary
½ cup dehydrated garlic
½ cup dehydrated onion
¼ cup kosher salt (or according to your taste)
freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup red pepper flakes
More Herby Goodness
These are some of the easiest recipes to whip up last minute. To really sell it, you need cute packaging! Make homemade labels and place these herb and spice-inspired recipes in cute containers.
Love in a Mason Jar
Only good things come in mason jars. They are known for jams and preserves, but they can also be used for a ton of other recipes and gifts. Mason jars are great for last-minute DIY Christmas gifts because they are easy to decorate. Throw on some jute twine and a label, and you’re good to go!
From peach brandy preserves to blood orange and raspberry marmalade, I have a ton of recipes featuring mason jars in Sugar and Spice. For this chapter, I wanted to share with you the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Here are some great Mason jar-inspired gifts:
Refreshing Sips
With all the food being consumed during come holiday season, we’re going to need some refreshing sips to wash it all down. While I love eggnog and cinnamon-spiced drinks, I like to have a little variety when it comes to holiday drinks. Drinks are a sure-fire way to ensure your last-minute DIY Christmas gifts are a hit with whoever receives and enjoys them.
My drink recipes in Sugar and Spice include different syrups to make alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, as well as special recipes just for adults.
Here are a few drinks and syrups you can gift!
Oven-Baked Goodness
What would the kitchen be without an oven? Warm and toasty, some of the sweetest and most savoury food comes from the oven. Christmas baking is a staple between gingerbread and shortbread, but there are a ton of other oven-baked goodies that are waiting to be made.
The baking chapter in Sugar and Spice features some holiday recipes you may not have thought of, including puff pastry lollipops, sweet compound butter, pumpkin apple bread, and more.
Here are a few oven-baked recipes on the blog that I think would make great gifts:
‘Tis the Season
Most of these recipes could actually be made and gifted year-round, so I wanted to come up with a few last-minute DIY Christmas gifts specifically for the season. In Sugar and Spice, I have a few recipes that you can make to eat, drink, and be merry.
Here are some holiday-inspired recipes from the garden to gift:
Beauty From the Kitchen
I have many plant-based beauty product recipes that you can make at home, but they often require specific ingredients you might not already have on hand. However, some recipes are super simple to create using ingredients from the kitchen, or that can easily be found at a natural grocery store.
Here are some easy, last-minute beauty gifts you can make:
More Homemade Christmas Gifts
If you’re looking for more inspiration beyond the kitchen, here are some more guides to check out!
Italian Bread Dip Mix
A dry herb ingredient mix, combine with oil and vinegar and dip with warm bread.
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Total Time5 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: bread mix, dip, edible gifts, italian
Servings: 4bags
Calories: 28kcal
½cuporegano
½cupbasil
½cupparsley
½cuprosemary
½cupdehydrated garlic
¼cupkosher salt(or according to your taste)
Freshly ground pepper
¼cupred pepper flakes
Serving: 0.25bag | Calories: 28kcal
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Wax melts are a popular way to fill your home with fragrance, but they are often made with artificial scents that can be irritating. Herbal melts are a natural alternative made with soy wax, essential oils, and herbs. As the scented cubes of wax are melted on the top of a wax melt warmer, they release aroma and allow for the ritual of using herbs while safely keeping the dried plant material away from a candle flame. Wax melts are easy to make at home and make a great handmade gift idea.
Ready to make wax melts? This post will cover…
What is a Wax Melt?
A wax melt is a scented square of wax that can be melted in an electric-or candle-heated ceramic vase to release the scent of the wax. Wax melts and warmers are a way to get all of the fragrance and warmth of a candle without the flame.
The beauty of warmers is that you can use botanicals and dry herbs to decorate your projects without the worry of them catching fire. The electric options also keep your home safe from flames if you have young children or pets.
Wax melts can also have a longer burn time than candles.
How to Choose a Wax Melt Warmer
A wax melt warmer looks like a decorative ceramic vase that has a dish set on top. The base can either have an opening for a tea light or votive candle or house the electrical components to heat the upper tray.
Wax cubes are placed in the top dish and gently warmed so they melt. As they melt, they release the fragrance.
A wax melt warmer is not to be confused with a candle warmer, which is an electrically heated tray that you set a container candle on to warm it and release the fragrance.
Here are some great wax melt warmers you can find online:
An electric candle warmer.
Using Essential Oils to Scent Wax Melts
Many commercial wax melts and candles are scented with artificial fragrance, which is why I choose to make my own. Candles and wax melts are often made with fragrance oils because they offer the most consistent and reliable scent, in addition to being less expensive.
They have been formulated to be heated to high temperatures and added to molten wax without evaporation. Fragrance oils also come in a wide variety of lab-created scents like strawberry and green apple that are pleasing and not available as essential oils.
But when it comes down to it, I prefer natural scents of essential oils as the artificial fragrances tend to give me headaches.
Essential oils are natural, but that doesn’t mean that they also won’t cause a reaction. Essential oils are the concentrated volatile oils extracted from thousands of plants squeezed into a tiny bottle, meaning they are very powerful.
It is important to be safe when using essential oils by choosing gentle oils, oils that you and your family don’t react to, and oils that have been approved by your health care professionals.
A good way to test for scent-sensitivities is to smell the oils. If you don’t like the smell, then you should avoid it, even if it has some benefits that you think might be good for you. Trust your senses. The nose knows.
How to Make Wax Melts
You can easily make these at home by melting flaked soy wax, stirring in essential oils and herbs, and then pouring the wax into heat-proof molds to set. The following covers two methods for making wax melts (in the microwave and in a double boiler) and shares some recipe ideas from my book, Make & Give Home Candle Making.
Microwave melting can be tricky as it is harder to control the temperature. If you choose a wax that is labelled as appropriate for the microwave, it will have instructions included that will help you avoid cooking and burning the wax. Here are the steps I use to melt wax in the microwave and how to avoid burning it.
Equipment
Make it!
Weigh microwaveable soy wax for wax melts in a heatproof container with a pour spout.
Weigh the scented essential oil in a paper cup. Prepare the herbs in advance of using the microwave so you are ready to add them as soon as the wax has melted.
Melt in 20-second intervals to melt as opposed to cooking the wax. The first few times you set the timer for 20 seconds, you may be tempted to set the timer for longer, as you will see little change. But, after a few tries, you will see that the wax quickly turns from a solid to a liquid in the microwave. Overheating the wax can cause it to burn, and it smells terrible, so set intervals and check the wax frequently.
When the wax has fully melted, stir in the essential oil and half of the dried herbs.
Pour the wax into a flower-shaped mould. Choose a mould used for soap making or candy making to be sure it can handle the heat of melted wax.
Sprinkle the remaining herbs onto the top of each melt and allow the herbal wax melts to dry completely before popping them out.
Sprinkle with dried herbs and flower petals for decoration.
Double Boiler Method
Making soy melts in a double boiler is much easier to control and will ensure that the wax melts evenly.
Equipment
You can also “make” your own double boiler.
Make it!
Set up a small double boiler using a heatproof glass jar to hold the wax and a metal bread pan filled partway with water. Stir the wax frequently until it is fully melted.
Weigh soy wax and essential oil.
Bring the wax to the specified temperature for adding dye or scent oil (i.e., 160°F—see the instructions that came with your wax). Add in scent and colour (if using) and stir until completely mixed.
Pour the wax into a silicone ice cube tray.
Allow the wax melts to dry completely before popping them out of the mould for use.
Silicone ice cube moulds work great for making wax melts.
Herbal Sleepy Time Wax Melts Recipe
These herbal chamomile, calendula, and lavender wax melts are the perfect way to send you to dreamland, as the calming scent of herbs will fill the room and relax you as the wax melts. Packaged with a wax melt warmer, they are a lovely self-care gift for a friend who could use a restful night.
Chamomile, calendula, and lavender wax melts.
There are some herbs that wake you up and others that quiet you down. Herbs like lavender, chamomile, calendula, hops, mint, and passionflower are calming for the nerves and quieting for the mind. Using these herbs before bed can help to promote an easier time falling asleep as well as better quality of sleep.
Making this recipe allows the wax, oils, and herbs to melt together at a safe temperature without the risk that the herbs will catch fire.
Materials
Makes twenty-five 0.3 oz (9 g) wax melts
Make it!
Make the soy wax melts according to the instructions in either the microwave or double-boiler method.
Fill a wax-lined window bag with the herbal wax melts and label it with letter stamps. Use some floral stamps to further embellish it. Move the melts around so that they show their pretty faces in the window.
Citrus Celebration Wax Melts Recipe
Citrus celebration wax melts are the perfect housewarming gift. The festive scent is both cheerful and uplifting and will give any home a refreshing, energizing feel. The bright and cheery aroma of citrus is fresh and lively, but also very calming.
Lemon, lime, and orange wax melts.
Use citrus-scented melts to make your home smell fresh, clean, and welcoming. Give a pretty wax warmer along with some homemade citrus wax melts topped with lemon, lime, and orange zest.
An ice cube mould is a perfect size for these wax melts. You will want to make enough to give away and keep some for yourself, too. Pro tip: just don’t use a grapefruit scent before a dinner party, because it is said to curb the appetite!
Materials
Makes twelve 0.5 oz (15 g) wax melts
Make it!
Make the soy wax melts according to the instructions in either the microwave or double-boiler method.
Fill a Mason jar with citrus wax melts and pair it with a small tea light wax warmer. Wrap both the Mason jar of wax melts and the wax warmer with a tea light in a clear cellophane bag tied with a satin ribbon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wax Melts
How do I make wax melts last longer?
If the fragrance isn’t as strong as you would like it, use a reliable brand of essential oil to add more when making your melts.
Fragrance load is how much scent oil the wax will hold. A common fragrance load for soy wax is one ounce of scent per one pound of wax, or a 6.25% ratio.
You can increase or decrease the ratio depending on how strong the scent is. Use 6-8% for a subtly fragrant oil and 8-10% for a strongly scented one
Be sure to check the maximum on the wax you are using if you plan to go higher than the one-ounce per pound rule. Adding more scent than the recipe calls for may end up being too much oil for the wax to bind with, leaving you with excess oil at the top and bottom of the wax melt.
Can you reuse wax melts?
It depends on how long you burn them. Typically, a cube should last between 6-12 hours, depending on the size of the cube, the temperature it burns at, and the quality of the wax.
The melted wax will not evaporate, but the fragrance will. You can reuse your wax melts until you no longer notice a fragrance.
Are wax melts safe to leave on?
As long as you’re home, you can leave your wax melts on for as long as you like. They can scent a room pretty quickly, so it’s up to you if you want to keep them burning or turn them off to make them last longer.
Whether it’s an electric wax warmer or a classic warmer, never leave the burner unattended while it’s being used.
More Candles and Handmade Gift Ideas
How to Make Herbal Wax Melts in the Microwave
You can easily make homemade wax melts with just a few simple items! These wax melts are made with all natural ingredients including essential oils and herbs.
Microwave
Heatproof container with a pour spout
Silicone molds – I like these flower shapes or cubes
Weigh out the soy wax in a microwave-safe bowl. Then weigh the essential oils in a paper cup.
Melt the wax in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time. Stir between each time.
When the wax has fully melted, stir in the essential oils and the herbs.
Pour the wax melt mixture into silicone molds and sprinkle some herbs on top. Then allow them to dry completely before using.
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
With just a snippet from an outdoor evergreen, you’re well on your way to making these miniature wreath ornaments. You can hang them on the tree, use them to decorate the outdoors, add them to gifts, or even use them as napkin rings! No matter how you use them, they are a fun and simple project to bring the outdoors in.
Every year, I make a large fresh wreath to adorn my front door. By the end of creating, I have endless bits and pieces of fresh evergreens covering my feet and work station.
Why let them go to waste when you can create even smaller, miniature wreaths? I’m obsessed with all things mini, and I love how easily you can make these miniature wreath ornaments with some leftover plant trimmings.
Let me show you how I made these!
Adorn your miniature wreath with a pinecone or other dried elements.
DIY Real Miniature Wreath Ornaments
I don’t really know why, but this holiday season I’ve been making everything in miniature. It started with these tabletop Grinch trees, and now miniature evergreen wreaths.
The idea for mine came from finding this floral wire with red berries on the ends. I thought it would be a quick and easy way to make plenty of decorations from garden clippings.
Materials
Make It!
Start with a fairly pliable clipping from an evergreen. Leaves from cedar and false cypress are soft and easy to form.
Bend the clipping around so that the tip overlaps the cut end. Wind floral wire tipped with red berries around the two ends to secure it.
Secure the one end first. Then we’ll wrap the rest.
Continue wrapping wire around the wreath until you have all the little leaves tucked in.
Don’t worry about some small pieces still sticking out.
Trim the wreath with scissors to clean it up and make a nice, round form.
Add decorative elements like seed heads, miniature pinecones, and other things found around the garden with a hot glue gun.
Pinecones are great, as well as dried flowers.
You can also use ribbon to decorate the wreath. This raffia ribbon makes an easy bow as you simply need to tie it in a knot, then unfold the ends of the ribbon.
Add ornament hooks to hang them on the Christmas tree or around the garden.
Or tie them to gift wrapping and add a little outdoors to your presents.
Aren’t these miniature wreaths just adorable? In my experience, they also dry well and can be stored again for the next holiday season once fully dried. Happy crafting!
More Miniature Christmas Crafts
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Awesome gifts under ten dollars? Yes! It’s possible, and here is how: make them yourself! You can make gifts so beautiful, they’ll look artisan-made. They can be personalized for an extra special touch or made in bulk to cross everyone off your gift list this holiday season.
Making your own homemade gifts is always my go-to for the holidays. With so much heart, time, and personality poured into them, you simply cannot get these items from the store.
There is one catch, though. Homemade gift-giving can often be as expensive or more than store-bought gifts if you’re not careful. I know I have walked out of a craft shop, looking at my receipt, wondering how I spent so much on just the supplies.
There is just so much to make and so many cool supplies to stock up on, right? But really, if you follow my tips, you can make all 20 of these gifts under ten dollars each.
Here’s what we’ll be making!
Tips for Keeping Homemade Gifts Affordable
If you are smart and savvy, you can create some pretty sensational gifts with just a few inexpensive supplies. There are plenty of crafty treasures you can create for a fraction of the price of store-bought. The best part is that they look much more expensive and will put a huge grin on the face of your recipient.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are making handmade gifts on a budget:
There are many frugal gift ideas that don’t come from the dollar store. If you have a longer list than your bank account will allow, make some of these in bulk, and the savings will pour in.
Stick to projects with supplies you have on hand, can find for free, or can buy for cheap.
Watch out for specialized equipment. If you don’t have a sewing machine or a double boiler, don’t buy one just to start the project. There are ways you can work around the equipment (borrow a sewing machine, make a double boiler) or choose another project.
Don’t rush. If you have a project in mind but don’t need the materials “like-yesterday,” then you can keep your eyes peeled for a sale when you are out shopping. I pick up silicone candy moulds whenever I see them on sale because of the many ways I can and want to use them (bath melts, chocolates, homemade crayons, etc.)
Hold a handcrafted gift swap with some friends. Arrange a few talented folks to each make a large batch of one gift, then have a party to trade with your pals. A party with friends swapping handmade gifts is much more appealing than shopping for gifts!
20 Homemade Gifts Under Ten Dollars
Now let’s get onto the ideas! Here are some fabulous DIY gifts under ten dollars, and the steps to make them.
These monogrammed drawer fresheners work for nearly everyone on your list, especially a fashionista or someone who pays extra special attention to their clothes. Made of scrap fabric, these drawer fresheners help to keep away that musty smell and add some fresh herbal scent to stored clothes.
Making your own candles is such a fun activity to do. I’ve made all kinds of candles, but these rosemary pressed herb candles are some of my favourites. You can do this with any pressed flowers, herbs, or foliage from your garden or neighbourhood. To keep them cost-friendly, opt for 16-oz pint jars or smaller. Use recycled or secondhand vessels!
This beaded wind chime was originally designed as garden art, but it makes stunning decor hanging in a window as well. This project is ideal for someone who already has beads on hand or can get beads in bulk. Beads can be on the pricey end of things, so opt to buy a bulk bead set or get them on sale from a craft store.
If someone in your life likes luxuriating in the bath, I highly recommend making a batch of these lavender and cocoa butter bath melts. They’re super easy to make by melting the ingredients together on the stovetop and pouring them into a silicone mould. Whoever gets them can easily pop one in the bath and experience the luxury of soothed, moisturized skin.
Spend one afternoon learning the art of macrame, and you might get hooked on the craft. Pair this macrame plant hanger with a plant propagation from your own houseplant collection to make it super affordable and personal.
If you’d like a low-cost card to add to your gift or perhaps as a way to personalize a gift card, these hammered flower print cards take the beauty of what’s growing in your garden to gift. Make them out of any fresh flowers, whether that’s a blooming houseplant or a bouquet from the grocery store.
These clay leaf dishes are made using the real imprint of a leaf on air-dry clay. Aren’t they gorgeous? They can be used as soap dishes, to hold jewelry, for trinkets, or to display all on their own.
If you have an outdoorsy person on your gift list, these fire starters are a great gift to make. Anyone who has an indoor fireplace or an outdoor fire pit would appreciate these. Use cupcake moulds to make a ton of these wax fire starters and top them off with all kinds of craft scraps and foraged materials.
This ten dollar gift idea is for all my thrifters out there! I love the look of succulents in vintage silver, pewter, and china. I used a milk and sugar set to make my own set. They work great as centrepieces or to add to an existing houseplant collection.
These hand-stamped fabric napkins are one of my favourites for a hostess gift. All you need to make them are a set of fabric napkins, fabric paint, a roller brush, and a stamp of your choice. I went with trees for a holiday theme, but you can stamp any design that feels on theme for your recipient.
I make a ton of bath salts with many dried ingredients, but sometimes I hate the cleanup afterward. Especially after you’ve been relaxing! Tub teas solve the issue of your bath getting messy by keeping all the herbal goodness in a single large tea bag. Again, you can really customize this one based on what ingredients you choose to fill your tub tea with.
Working with wood can be intimidating, but these natural branch coasters are a great place to start. The key is to find the perfect branch that is neither too big nor too small to make coasters with. Once you have that, all you need are a hand saw, sandpaper, and clear varnish.
Note: the wood does take a long time to dry. Months in fact! To speed things up, buy pre-cut wood slices.
This may be one of my easiest gifts under ten dollars on this list. Sand art terrariums feature a small potted plant amongst layers of coloured art sand.
The key to keeping this project inexpensive is to choose a cheap glass container (reuse one or buy one secondhand) and only choose a couple of sand colours for layering.
If you squirrel away things like I do, then you just might have a few acorn caps in your collection. The “eggs” in this acorn nest necklace are made of small beads. Of course, the chain itself can be as expensive or affordable as you’d like. I’d recommend buying secondhand to get a decent quality chain for under ten dollars.
If you’ve ever wanted to try embroidery, these dried flower hoops are a fun spin on it. Embroidery hoops are fairly inexpensive to buy, as is the tulle used as the background. On top, you can glue or sew in dried flowers from your garden or inexpensively found online.
If there’s a flower lover in your life, or someone who loves to craft as much as you do, a wooden flower press is the perfect gift. You do need a drill and saw to complete this project, so it’s best for someone who already has these tools on hand or can easily borrow. If you do, it’s fairly inexpensive to make but super cute.
I made these seashell beeswax tealights years ago, and they remain one of my most fun projects. If you live near the ocean, then chances are you know a good spot where you can find plenty of shells for this project. Because they’re so small, they don’t use up much wax or wicks. Create a bundle of them and they’re the perfect gift.
Everyone in your life could use a little pampering. This peppermint and coconut foot scrub does three things: scrubs and exfoliates tired feet, moisturizes with coconut oil, and leaves a pleasant cooling sensation thanks to the peppermint.
Are you good with a sewing machine? I love making little projects like this, as I can use up my scrap fabric. This hot pad (or tea trivet) is filled with spices and dried herbs to provide a delicious scent once something warm is placed on it. It serves two purposes!
Last but certainly not least is my air plant holder. One of my most popular Pinterest projects, air plants are super cool plants that can flourish in the smallest of spaces. Rather than glue them down, make an air plant holder to go alongside the plant as a gift.
More Homemade Gift Ideas!
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Take a walk through a winter wonderland with this evergreen candle. Made with a combination of evergreen essential oils and a cool ombre effect, this is the perfect gift to make this holiday season for all your candle-loving friends.
Without a doubt, you know someone in your life who is obsessed with candles. In my life, that person is me. So you can imagine I make quite a few candles!
Around the holidays, you can find me making all kinds of homemade gifts for my friends and family. Candles are one of the most well-received gifts and they aren’t that difficult to make.
Let’s talk about how stunning this evergreen candle is! I used an ombre layering effect, a wooden wick (for that real-life crackle), and wrapped it in twine and a cedar leaf. It looks like it came straight from an artisanal holiday market.
You too can make this beautiful, forest-inspired candle for gifts this year…or hold onto it all for yourself!
This post will cover…
A Note on Wicks
Wicks come in many different materials and forms, from basic cotton on a roll to wired and waxed wicks with tabs. No matter which you choose, you need the right size (thickness) for your candle to burn properly.
Wicks that are too small will not melt the wax all the way to the edge of the candle, creating a tunnel in the center. Wicks that are too large will create a lot of smoke. Look for labeling on the package of wicks to see what wax and candle diameter they are appropriate for.
For this evergreen candle, I’ll be using a wood wick. The crackling sound it makes gives me all the cozy vibes for the holiday season!
Wick Tips
If you use a wick that isn’t wood, keep wicks trimmed to 1/8” to 1/4” for best results. Be sure to only trim the wicks once the candles have fully cooled and cured for 24 hours. The best way to trim a wick is with a wick trimmer – it provides the perfect length every time!
Cotton wicks come as a roll of cotton string that has been braided to provide thickness.
Wire wicks have a thin zinc wire in the center that helps to hold the wick straight.
Waxed wicks are coated with wax. If you are making a paraffin coated candle, use a paraffin coated wick. If you are making a soy or beeswax candle, use a soy coated wick (a soy coated wick has proven to perform better than a beeswax coated wick in a beeswax candle).
Wood wicks are flat wicks made of soft wood that sound like a crackling fire when they burn. Wood wicks do not need trimming after they re burned.
Tabs are metal disks (or in the case of wood wicks, they are rectangular) that weigh the wick down and give you a place to glue the wick to the bottom of the container (if appropriate).
Choose whichever wick works best for you!
What Does an Evergreen Candle Smell Like?
This candle smells just like a walk through a wintery forest. Crisp and fresh, this is a great scent to use around the holiday season. When you burn it, you will feel as though you’ve brought the outdoors inside.
For this forest candle recipe, I use a combination of cypress, cedarwood, and sweet birch essential oil. Together, you get a slightly sweet yet woodsy scent. To learn more about how to properly use essential oils in candle making, check out this post.
How to Make an Evergreen Candle
This modern ombre, evergreen candle subtly nods to the holidays, making it a lovely winter gift idea that doesn’t date itself as soon as the festivities are over.
The ombre effect is created with just one colour of wax dye in different strengths to give the candle a decorative graduated colour that adds elegance and interest along with a pop of colour while maintaining a minimalist style.
Materials
See the recipe card at the end of this article for exact measurements
Equipment
Make It
Prepare Wax
Weigh the soy wax and add it to a double boiler on medium heat. While the wax is melting, measure the essential oils into a paper cup. Then prepare the dye chips.
Cut Your Wick
Prepare the wood wick by determining its final height in the candle, approximately 1/4 inch above the tops of the wax. Feed the wooden wick into the metal base and use a dab of hot glue or wax adhesive to attach it to the bottom of the jar at the center.
Make Your Dye
Prepare your ombre colours by calculating how much dye will be needed for the amount of wax. Then, divide the dye chips into three pieces: one large, one medium, and one small.
The larger the difference between the sizes of the chips will mean a greater difference in the colour of each wax layer. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the dye while you’re cutting the chip.
Dye Your Wax
Add each piece of dye chip to a shot glass and top with hot wax. Use a chopstick to stir and dissolve the dye chip completely. If the dye chip doesn’t completely dissolve, you can place the shot glass in the double boiler to heat it up a bit more.
Add Essential Oils
When the melted wax has reached the specified temperature for adding essential oils (see the instructions that came with your wax), pour a third of the wax into a heatproof measuring cup. Add the wax you dissolved the largest dye chip in and pour in one-third of the essential oils. Stir well to combine.
Create Your First Layer
Cool wax to 140°F and pour into the jar. Leave it untouched to set for at least one hour. It could take longer than an hour for the wax layer to set, depending on the temperature in the room that you’re working in.
Add Remaining Layers
Follow steps 5-6 for the remaining two layers, adding the essential oils and the wax with the dissolved medium chip first and then the wax with the dissolved small chip. Pour each layer only when the previous layer is completely set.
Evergreen Candle Tips
You can trim the candle wick after the candle is poured, but you’ll get a cleaner cut if you measure and trim the wick before you pour the candle.
When using a wood wick and a square jar, align the wick so that it is in line with the top of the jar.
Wrap the forest candle with a piece of jute twine and inset a freshly cut sprig of evergreen between the bow and the candle glass. The simple and natural wrapping allows the for the gorgeous ombre to peek through, ready to be revealed completely when the twine has been removed.
The active time for this project isn’t that much more than other candle-making projects. However, it takes a full day to complete this project because of the time for the wax to harden in between each layer. You can scale this project up or down to have as many layers as you would like, but keep in mind that the candle wax needs to harden completely before you pour the next layer
This evergreen candle has a spruce-inspired blue-green colour that adds a modern touch to winter celebrations, but an ombre candle project can be done at any time of the year. Change the colour depending on the season. For the spring, use pretty pastels. For summer, use bold jewel tones. And for wall, use warm colours like yellow, orange, and red. You can also swap out the fragrance to match the seasonal colours.
Homemade Evergreen Candle
You’ll be walking in a winter wonderland with this evergreen candle.
Weigh your wax and measure your essential oils together in one container. Melt wax over a double boiler on medium heat.
While wax melts, measure your wooden wick to be 1/4 inch above where the top of the wax will be. Insert it into the metal base and attach it to the bottom of the container with glue or wax adhesive.
Refer to your wax to see how much dye is required. While wearing gloves, divide the chip into 3 sizes: 1 large, 1 medium, and 1 small.
Add each dye chip to a shot glass or paper cup and top it off with hot wax. Stir using a chopstick until fully dissolved.
Read instructions that came with your wax for adding scents. When your wax has reached the desired temperature, pour one-third of the wax into a heatproof container and add the largest dye chip and a third of the essential oils.
Wait for the wax to reach 140°F and pour it in the container. Leave it until wax has set and cooled, at least 1 hour.
Repeat steps 5-6 for the other two layers. Add essential oil and the medium sixed chip next followed by the small chip and essential oil. Wait for each layer to fully set before adding the next.
Wrap in twine and a fresh evergreen clipping.
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
These are the perfect winter decorations for plant lovers: succulent snow globes! A snow globe is meant as a souvenir for a special place or time, and I can’t think of anything more special to me than the garden.
I usually stay far away from artificial plants, but in this case, I’ve fully embraced them! Of course, living plants would just not do in a project like this. Succulents and cacti would quickly complain about being soaked. Actual water plants need air and quite a bit more water to thrive.
Making your own snow globe is not that difficult, and can allow you to make personal decor and gifts for family members this season. While I’m using succulents, you can fill your snow globes with just about anything you want!
Let’s dive in.
Fake snow made of glitter is what makes a snow globe so special.
Succulent Snow Globe Instructions
I hope that you decide to craft up a succulent snow globe and make it part of your holiday decor this year.
Materials
Makes one succulent snow globe
Make sure your spice jars have a rounded shape.
Make It!
Look for a succulent that will fit through the small opening of the spice jar as well as fit inside the globe. Trim the stem if necessary.
Everything must fit through the small jar opening.
Cut a wine cork into three sections. If the succulent has no stem, glue it directly to the wine cork and allow it to dry. If the succulent has a stem, trim it to size and use the nail to make a hole to set the succulent stem in. Glue the stem into the cork and allow it to dry.
Let the glue fully dry before moving on to the next step.
Next, glue the cork to the underside of the spice jar lid. Be sure not to get any glue on the seal around the inside of the lid. Gorilla Glue expands, so keep it neat, and the seal will not be compromised when it’s filled with water.
Allow it to dry for 1-2 hours.
Don’t get any glue on the lid’s seal.
Fill the spice jar with water, and then add some glycerin and glitter. Choose white glitter that is small but not superfine. It will clump together with the glycerin and look like snow. The glycerin also helps to slow down the glitter’s movement so you can enjoy it for longer.
I don’t have exact amounts to share, as I simply added the glycerin and glitter, then shook up the water to see if I liked the effect. It’s easy to adjust the consistency by adding more ingredients or more water.
Shake it up and adjust as needed.
When you are ready to assemble the snow globe, top the jar up with water so that it is full to the brim. Hold it over the sink and add the lid with the succulent and twist it into place.
Note: Be sure to correctly position the succulent in the jar if there is a “front” to your design. The jar has a flat front/back and rounded sides, so it’s best to test the position before gluing the succulent in for good.
Use a clear silicone sealer around the lid to hold it in place permanently.
More Creative Holiday Projects for Gardeners
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
You know who deserves a treat? The garden protectors. Well, they may also be the garden destroyers at times—digging holes, burying bones, trampling plants, and eating the snow peas—but they are pretty darn good at keeping critters from running amok. So let’s make them some easy, homemade dog cookies!
How do I thank the garden protectors? First, I bark “Hey! Quit all that barking!” and then I (sheepishly) realize that they have done their jobs oh so well by keeping the squirrels away from the veggie garden.
It’s not a perfect system. They probably eat more veggies than the critters could ever stomach. My fig tree and strawberry patch get stripped of all the ripe fruit before I can even pull out my harvest basket. I suppose that it’s my fault for introducing them to the delights of garden-fresh food.
My current dog, Ozzie.
Guarding the garden is a thankless job, mostly. The crows taunt them by stealing their bones and leaving them on the roof of the garage. Skunks spray and raccoons hiss. Overall, they are under-appreciated for standing guard. The least I can do is I make up a batch of these yummy squirrel cookies. They drive them almost as insane as the real thing, but in a good way.
Meatball, whom I originally designed this recipe for, has since passed.
Homemade Dog Cookies
Note: the squirrel cookie cutter was part of a set that I bought at Ikea. Here is the whole set, though I don’t think it’s available anymore. Here is an alternative cookie cutter you can use.
Ingredients
Makes approximately 48 squirrels
2 cups rolled oats
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 eggs
1 cup low-sodium beef stock
Cinnamon
Crunchy bits from leftover dog cookies, crushed kibble, or bacon bits (optional)
Make It!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grind rolled oats in a food processor until you get a coarse flour. Add all ingredients except the crunchies to a large bowl and mix until combined. It may be easier to use your hands to mix the dough because it is very stiff.
I like to add something with a different flavour kneaded into the dough at the end, but it isn’t necessary. You can use the crumbs leftover in the pooch’s cookie jar or kibble bag, or even some bacon bits. They would LOVE that, right?
Form a ball with the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to 1/2″ thick. Use a cookie cutter to make cookies shaped like squirrels, bones, or whatever you choose.
Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for 30 minutes.
Let the cookies cool, and they’re ready to treat the pups for protecting the garden. Or package them up for your furry ones’ pals. They will be a welcome treat for any canine family members!
More Tips and Recipes for Dog Owners
Homemade Dog Cookies That Make Dogs Go Squirrely
Treat your four-legged friend to a treat they will adore, shaped after their arch nemesis…the squirrel!
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Dog treats
Cuisine: Pet food
Keyword: dog treats
Servings: 48squirrels
Calories: 46kcal
Cost: $6
2cupsrolled oats
3cupswhole wheat flour
3eggs
1cuplow-sodium beef stock
cinnamon
Crunchy bits from leftover dog cookies, crushed kibble, or bacon bits(optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grind rolled oats in a food processor until you get a coarse flour. Add all ingredients except the crunchies to a large bowl and mix until combined. It may be easier to use your hands to mix the dough because it is very stiff.
Form a ball with the dough and roll on a floured surface to 1/2″ thick. Use a cookie cutter to make cookies shaped like squirrels, bones, or whatever you choose.
Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for 30 minutes.
Let the cookies cool, and they are ready to treat the pups for protecting the garden. Or package them up for your furry ones’ pals.
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 46kcal
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Dried flower embroidery allows you to preserve the beauty of your garden while also adding your own spin with hand stitches. This is just one of the many gorgeous dried flower art ideas you can do using an embroidery hoop. Let me show you how!
As a serial hobbyist and crafter, I love it when two worlds can combine. I’ve been spending the past two summers focusing on my dried flower garden, growing and testing out new flowers, specifically with the intention of drying them.
So you can imagine, I have quite the stash.
But during the winter, you can find me nestled up watching some TV while embroidering my latest project. My embroidery stash is another pride and joy.
Everyone in my life has both dried flowers and embroidery from me at this point. So, it was only natural that I combined the two into these beautiful, dried flower embroidery pieces. It may just become my next obsession this winter.
Here’s how you can make your own stunning dried flower art.
Use a combination of pressed flowers and dried flowers for more depth.
Dried Flowers for Art
Some flowers dry better than others. Test out which flowers in your garden hold their colour and structure. Since these are often small art pieces, I like to use smaller flowers or branching flowers that can break down into smaller bits.
Here are some of my favourite dried flowers to use in a dried flower hoop:
Strawflower, winged everlasting, and fern.
Other Materials to Include
You can also use pressed flowers for your embroidery, but just note that they will be extra delicate to work with. I like to apply them first, as they work best as a background. The 3D flowers on top give the piece depth.
Don’t be scared to explore and incorporate all kinds of natural materials. Here are some things you could forage for:
Don’t forget about seed pods! They’re also great decorating items.
Dried Flower Embroidery Art Tutorial
How many flowers you use and how long it will take you to complete your dried flower embroidery depends entirely on the size of the embroidery hoop you use. I recommend starting with a smaller-sized hoop and working your way up to larger pieces.
Materials
Don’t have an embroidery stash? I recommend getting white and green thread for this project.
Make It!
Use your flowers and your empty hoop to figure out your general design ahead of time so you know how to properly layer the flowers. Take a picture so you remember your design and can reference it while creating.
Lay out a general design ahead of time so you know where to thread/glue items.
Prepare your embroidery hoop by cutting a piece of tulle and placing it between the wooden hoops. Stretch it tight, but not so tight that the tulle looks warped. It should be taut.
Pro Tip: You can also try using chicken wire instead of tulle. This creates less of a delicate look and more of a rustic look, where you weave the stems in as opposed to sewing them. This works great for bigger pieces.
This is how tight the tulle should look.
To secure your flowers in place, you have a few options:
Embroidery. Using thread, this creates the most delicate look. It also takes some patience and handiwork to accomplish.
Weaving. If your flower has an intact stem and isn’t too thick, you can weave it through the tulle. While the easiest way to do dried flower embroidery, it isn’t as secure as the other methods.
Hot glue. This can be a little messy, and won’t work for the smaller flowers, but it is great for securing larger flowers in place without stems.
Start by adding your flatter, background pieces. For this piece, I used pressed ferns as the background. I used a simple stitch along the main vein to secure the fern in place.
I used green stitching to blend in, but you can also use thread and the stitches as a contrast.
Pro tip: Since we’re working with tulle, you have to keep your stitches fairly clean at the back, as they might be seen. I like to start my knot somewhere behind a flower where it won’t be seen. Start a new thread for each flower so there are no jumping stitches.
Add in your next layer of flowers. I usually like to incorporate my medium-sized and branching flowers at this point.
The last flowers I like to add are my larger flowers, which usually are my strawflowers. For these, I like to glue them in place, adding a large dollop to the back of the strawflowers and then holding it in place on the tulle for 30 seconds while the glue dries.
I glued in strawflower and gomphrena, and stitched the bunnytail.
To finish up your dried flower art, trim the excess tulle. Use hot glue all around the back of the hoop over the ends of the tulle to help secure and hold it in place against the embroidery hoop.
Glue the edges of the tool to the embroidery hoop to help secure it in place.
You can also add some embroidery stitching. Again, you have to be extra careful about how the back of your stitching looks through the tulle.
That’s it! These dried flower hoops make beautiful gifts and unique home décor. Hang it on the wall or in the window as a special, dried flower suncatcher.
More Dried Flower Art Ideas
From Vancouver, BC, Holly is Garden Therapy’s Content Manager. She has a BFA in Writing from the University of Victoria as well as a diploma in Floristry Design from Burnaby CCE. At home, she loves to grow cut flowers and dried flowers for her business, Dirty Daisy Florals, and is an avid houseplant collector and lover of bees. You can find her at @dirtydaisyflorals and @hollyheuversocial.
Without a doubt, the holiday season can get expensive. However, most people don’t need lavish and over-the-top gifts…they prefer something from the heart! This list of DIY gift ideas covers a ton of natural beauty products to give that are beautiful, inexpensive to make, and will make anyone who receives them smile.
Most of these recipes I have spent years perfecting. Once I switched to using natural products, I was never going back. I have made it a mission to make as much of my own natural beauty products as possible.
I’ve shared a lot of beauty recipes on the blog and in my book, Make & Give Home Apothecary, but I wanted to make a nice list of some of my beauty products in one place. That way, you can get started on the holiday season with this curated list of natural beauty DIY gift ideas. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s begin!
Gifts for a Relaxing Bath
One of the best places to relax, adding a little bit of something extra to the bath is one of the best ways to unwind for the day. These DIY gift ideas for the bath are super popular because pretty much everyone can enjoy them! You can cater these recipes to have scents and herbal ingredients your giftee will love.
Add a little bit of herbal relaxation to your bath with your own custom blend. Better yet, it is completely mess-free meaning no tub cleanup once you’re done relaxing.
This recipe is great for soothing dry and irritated skin. It feels like you’re in a spa while soaking in this oatmeal bath, including a ton of aromatherapy relief.
Luxurious and natural, these bath melts smell so good you’ll want to eat them! Best for the bathtub, however, it leaves the skin extremely soft and moisturized.
DIY Natural Soaps
Making your own soap may seem daunting at first, but there are a ton of different soap making methods perfect for any level of expertise. You can make your own artisan soaps that are sure to deliver on the wow factor. People won’t believe you made them yourself!
Cold process is one of the most common ways to make colourful and intricate soaps. Part art and part science, you can create a batch of soap for mulitple gifts. I have over 20 recipes to choose from.
These bars are filled with flowers, greenery, and herbs for beautiful soaps inspired by nature. It uses the melt and pour method, perfect for beginners.
Bring a piece of the ocean into the shower with these sea sponge bars. A natural alternative to sponges, sea sponges help to create a luxurious lather while washing.
Easy to make but super cool looking, this honeycomb soap requires no expensive mold and uses a neat hack to achieve the honeycomb effect.
Gifts for Soothing Skin
As our largest organ, we have to take care of our skin. This section of DIY gift ideas are perfect for skin all over the body, accommodating all skin types due to their natural properties. The result is smooth and glowing skin.
Exfoliating is an important step to a skincare routine. Sugar scrubs are simple to make using ingredients you can find at home, creating a gentle exfoliant.
This is the perfect gift for your honey, harnessing the powerful skincare benefits of rose. It’s extremely moisturizing, and sure to stir up some romance.
Gifts for Smelling Great
While I’d argue that all the recipes on this list smell great, in these recipes, scent takes center stage. These recipes label everything step by step, making the process easy to follow.
Skip the artificial fragrances that can actually irritate the skin more and opt for this herbal beard oil and aftershave combo to soothe irritated skin after shaving.
Gifts for Luscious Lips
No one can have too much lip balm. Seriously, I have one in the bathroom, my car, my purse, and pretty much anywhere else I can put one! These recipes smell SO good and are even better for soothing dry lips.
Christmas isn’t complete without a hint of chocolate. This decadent recipe lets you indulge in chocolaty goodness without the calories.
Ready for the Holidays?
If this list has you overwhelmed, perhaps you learn better by video rather than reading! My Botanical Beauty Holidays Gifts Workshop takes things slow, leading you through each recipe one-by-one with how-to videos and instructions.
Because I love them so much, my goal is to make natural beauty products accessible to everyone and this course is for the visual learner.
Plus, I include some extras include gift wrapping instructions so your gifts can look as pretty on the outside as they are on the inside.
Looking for homemade gift ideas that the recipient will actually use and love? Look no further than this list of over 100 gifts to make this year.
Making gifts for the holidays or another occasion can be a lot of fun, but is the end product something you really would want to get as a gift? In this case, yes!
I have given these homemade gift ideas (and in some cases received handmade gifts) for many a birthday, neighbour, teacher, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentines Day, etc. I’ve put together this list of over 100 homemade gift ideas for gifts you’d actually want to receive.
Jump ahead to a category!
How to Give the Perfect Gift
The number one rule in gift-giving is to think about the receiver’s wants and give them that. No doubt it can be easy to overlook this when you are giving handmade gifts. It’s easy to get caught up in the process of creating and forget whether the final product is really something that will be useful or bring joy to whomever you are giving it to. However, if done right, homemade gifts can be the absolute best!
Homemade gifts allow you to really personalize something for the recipient. Whether you’re gifting it to a friend or saying thank you to an acquaintance, it will mean so much more that you put time and effort into making the gift. And with this list, they will be totally awestruck that you actually made them yourself!
If you are making a large number of gifts for Christmas or wedding favours, then you can personalize it by giving a little bit of yourself in a package. Sharing homemade soap in a favourite scent, a great baking recipe, or even something from the garden are all wonderful gifts given with love.
Looking for gift ideas for teachers, daycare workers, mail carriers, and others whose wish lists are a mystery? The best gifts are always those things that can be used or eaten (yum!). Try foodie gifts like infused vinegar and sea salt, baked goods, and bath products like tub teas or bath bombs. I have a whole foodie list dedicated below that is great for anyone on your gifting list.
Now, if you are ready to get started, here is a whole bunch of links to homemade gift ideas that you would actually want to get. Each one will bring you to the full DIY so get ready to get crafty!
Foodie Gifts
What can I say, foodie gifts are perfect for just about anyone. While you can buy something from an artisan store, when you make it yourself it means so much more. I have some recipes below that are great for your culinary friend to use in their own recipes, or I have others that are great to eat on their own immediately. No matter which recipe you choose, their taste buds will be singing, I promise you!
Gifts for the Home
What I love most about these projects is that they look professionally made. Sometimes when people hear the words handmade or DIY, they picture something that is obviously done by a beginner. Many of these projects are easy to do, but you will end up with an artisanal, personalized gift for the home. In fact, I would argue that most of the gifts will be of better quality than you could buy!
Gifts for the Gardener
These projects have the garden in mind! While great for those who already have a green thumb, most of these projects can be appreciated by many. Anyone who enjoys the natural world and has a little bit of green in their life will love these. Take a look at this list of ways you can incorporate plants into your gift-giving.
Natural Beauty
Beauty products are always a sure hit when it comes to gifting. However, so many beauty products are packed full of unnecessary chemicals, preservatives, and perfumey scents. Natural beauty gifts are usually good for all skin types and safe for everyone to use. Many of these projects are easy to customize, so don’t be scared to get creative and really personalize the recipe based on who it is for. From healing foot balm to amber fossilized insect soap, I’m positive there is a beauty recipe for everyone in your life listed below.
Wearable Gifts
You don’t have to be a seamstress or a designer to make something beautiful to wear. If the person you are making the gift for is really into style and dressing themselves up with something unique, these are some great options.
How to Wrap Your Handmade Gifts
By the way, part of the thrill of giving a homemade gift is the packaging! The last thing you want to do is spend your time and energy making a gift, then hand it in a plastic baggie. Instead, try one of these natural and recycled gift wrap ideas and adorn them with some greenery. They are gorgeous, affordable, and eco-friendly, too!
There completes my list of homemade gift ideas. I hope you found a couple of great ideas that you will find easy and fun to make. Whoever receives your gift is sure to love it!
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
Soap-on-a-rope is more than just a catchy rhyme. It’s a decorative way to display soap that also keeps it from getting soft or sitting in a little soap puddle in your shower or bath.
These rosemary lemon soap-on-a-rope stars come straight from the garden into the holiday gift-giving season. This project is extra special because it creates two types of soap in one: stars and bars!
Stars and bars? Yes! Two kinds of soap come out of this one project. First, you will cut out soap stars, and when that process is finished, you’ll add another soap to fill in the holes and create decorative soap bars. Let’s get to it, shall we?
You can also try this soap recipe using other cookie cutter shapes.
Rosemary Lemon Soap-on-a-Rope Video
Watch this video for a quick overview of how easy this project is, then follow the step-by-step instructions in the rest of this post so you can make these at home.
How to Make Lemon Rosemary Soap Bars
Now on to the recipe!
Materials
This recipe requires both a “clear” soap base and an “opaque” one.
Make it!
Cut up the shea butter soap base into 1-inch cubes and add it to the Pyrex measuring cup.
Soap will melt quickly in the microwave.
Melt the soap base in a microwave or in a double boiler so that it is just melted. You want the soap base to melt but not cook. Remove the soap base from the microwave or the double boiler before it starts to steam.
There may be a few chunks left, but that is just fine. Those will melt if you keep stirring the soap base for a few minutes after removing it from the heat.
Check your soap every 30 seconds in the microwave.
When the soap base has melted, add in half of your herbs, lemon zest, and essential oils to the soap mix. Reserve the other ingredients.
Pour the soap base into the cookie sheet and move the cookie sheet around quickly so that it fills up the entire space. It should be approximately 1 inch thick.
Sprinkle the remaining herbs and lemon zest on the top of the soap. Leave it to set on a level surface. Spray the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Note: work quickly as the soap will dry fast.
Work quickly, as the soap will cool fast.
When the soap is dry—in only about a half hour—use the cookie cutter to cut out star shapes.
Use a screw to create the hole for the twine.
Make the stars into the soap-on-a-rope by using a screw to create a hole and then tying a piece of cotton twine through the hole. The soap-on-a-rope can now be given as a gift or hung in the shower.
The finished soap-on-a-rope bars.
Now, I’ll show you how to make the bars! Melt the glycerin soap base in the microwave or double boiler as you did with the previous batch. Add the remaining essential oils and stir well.
Want more yellow colouring? Add a hint of turmeric!
Spray the surface of the star cutout soap with isopropyl alcohol to encourage the layers to stick. Pour the melted soap slowly and evenly over the star cut-out soap in the cookie sheet. The glycerin soap will fill in the stars and add another layer of thickness to the soap. Spray the surface with isopropyl alcohol again.
Make sure to evenly spread the soap to fill in all the stars.
When the cookie sheet of soap has dried, you can use a knife to gently lift the corner of the soap and pull the sheet up.
Place the soap on a cutting board and cut out rectangles or squares of soap to create soap bars. These can be used as is, or you can punch a hole in them and hang them from a rope just as you did with the stars.
Use as bars or also attach twine to make it a soap-on-a-rope.
I like the idea of wrapping them up and giving them as stocking stuffers or even tying them to the outside of a present. No matter how you decide to give them, this is a fun project to make any time of year.
If you are looking for more gift ideas, be sure to check out my melt and pour soap book, Good Clean Fun!
Good Clean Fun is filled with super simple techniques for crafting artisan soaps at home. You’ll learn how to use botanicals, essential oils, and even wild animals to spice up your soap, giving you finished projects that don’t look nearly as easy to make as they are.
More Easy Soap Recipes
A city girl who learned to garden and it changed everything. Author, artist, Master Gardener. Better living through plants.
There are so many ways you can use fresh herbs from your garden, but this is my new favourite! Herb-infused vinegar gives you practically unlimited flavour combinations that you can use on salads, as dips, or even by the spoonful. Here’s how to make herb vinegar, plus a few of my favourite combinations to get you started.
I love love love herbs. They are a delicious, beautiful, and healing part of my garden that has become integral to my daily life.
I’m always looking for different ways to get more herby goodness into my life, which is why I have started making herb-infused vinegar more and more lately.
These vinegars are amazing to use with cooking, adding so much flavour even long after the herbs themselves are gone. If you have extra herbs and want to preserve their flavour in a fun way, give one of my herb vinegar recipes below.
This post will cover…
You can use all kinds of vinegar and herbs to make custom flavour combinations.
DIY Herb Vinegar
Don’t think I’m the originator of this fabulous idea, however. Herb vinegar is a traditional herbal preparation method that has been used for hundreds of years. Not only will it preserve the flavour profile of the herbs, but it will also keep the health benefits intact as well.
These infused vinegars are a great alternative to an alcohol-based tincture if you want an herbal extract that doesn’t contain alcohol. Plus, these kinds of vinegar are delicious!
There are so many different tasty kinds of vinegar out there and endless combinations of herbs that you can use to create a custom artisanal vinegar blend that’s all your own. I have a few favourite recipes that I’ll share below, but I hope you use them as a jumping-off point to get even more creative with your herb/vinegar mixtures.
These vinegars can be used for cooking as well as herbal recipes and tinctures.
What Kind of Vinegar Should I Use?
In addition to the many health benefits of herbs, vinegar itself can also have positive effects.
It is a good idea to invest in quality vinegars (especially fruit vinegar like apple cider) to get the most healthful and delicious infusion.
Plus, the flavour profile will change immensely depending on which type of vinegar you use as the base. Here are a few options to try:
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples and is often used in natural wellness recipes (such as fire cider).
Rice vinegar is a delicate, lovely vinegar made from…you guessed it, fermented rice! This type of vinegar is commonly used in Asian cooking.
White vinegaris one of the most inexpensive and most-used types around. The flavour tends to be sharp and intense, so I typically will not use this one on its own. You can easily use a 1:1 ratio of this with another vinegar.
White wine vinegaroften gets confused with white vinegar, but this type is made from fermented white wine and is quite a bit sweeter.
Balsamic vinegaris arguably the most popular type of vinegar. This sweet, thick vinegar is dark in colour and pairs nicely with fruits as well as herbs for infusion.
Apple cider vinegar is a great choice to make infused vinegar for salad dressings.
Tips for Infusing Vinegar
It’s best to make your initial infusion in a large Mason jar, then strain out the herbs when pouring it into a sterilized vinegar bottle.
Making infused vinegar is somewhat quick, too. The herbs will start to flavour the vinegar in just 24 hours, but the taste of the herbs will become more prominent after a few weeks.
There’s no rule as to when it must be ready by. Instead, let your sense of taste be your guide when determining if your herb vinegar is ready or not.
Use fresh herbs for your infused vinegar to get the best taste.
Feel free to add a few herbs to the bottles to give it that homemade look, but they are best strained out after a month or so to prevent spoiling.
However, once your custom infused vinegar starts getting used as salad dressing and bread dip, I’m sure it won’t last that long!
Once infused, you can strain out your herbs and place your infusion in a vinegar bottle.
Infused Vinegar Combinations to Try
You can pack really any herbs that you want into the infusion. Some of the combinations that I love are:
Parsley, Rosemary, and Sage Infused Vinegar
Pack a handful of parsley, rosemary, and sage in a jar with ½ rice vinegar and ½ white wine vinegar for a rich flavoured vinegar that’s a bit sweet and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
Fennel and Citrus Infused Vinegar
Add fresh fennel or crushed fennel seeds with the zest of one lemon, lime, and orange to apple cider vinegar. This bright and fruity combination pairs well with a spinach salad with mandarin slices and toasted almonds.
Tarragon and Garlic Infused Vinegar
Fresh tarragon sprigs and garlic cloves are all that is needed to make this fine vinegar, which is usually reserved for gourmet grocery store shelves. Use delicate white wine vinegar to ensure the sweet but earthy tarragon flavour has a chance to shine.
Add a custom label and fresh herb sprig to make this the perfect hostess gift!
Herb Infused Vinegar FAQ
What is the shelf life of herb-infused vinegar?
When using fresh herbs, the shelf life is about six months to a year after you infuse and strain the herbs.
When I give herb-infused vinegar as gifts, I like to add a fresh sprig after I infuse it for aesthetics. However, the vinegar is only good for about a month before it will spoil, so keep this in mind.
Should I store my herb-infused vinegar in the fridge?
You can store it in the fridge to help it last longer, but it’s definitely not necessary. I store mine in the cabinet, and it’s completely fine. It gets used well within the six months.
What is herb-infused vinegar used for?
I use my herb vinegar as salad dressings or as a bread dip. You can also add it to vegetables while cooking, or in place of vinegar any time it’s required in a recipe for added flavour.
As you can see, making your own infused vinegar is a simple DIY that any gardener can take advantage of! Which one will you try first?
Love Herbs? You Might Like These Posts
DIY Herb Infused Vinegar
Use your garden herbs and make an easy herb-infused vinegar. The combinations are endless- here’s how to make a batch of your own!
Have a tree limb that needs removing? Don’t just toss that wood away! Instead, use wood slices to create a set of beautiful, one-of-a-kind DIY coasters! These wooden coasters will quickly become a conversation piece at any gathering…while also protecting your furniture from water rings and spills. Here’s how to make a set of your own.
Sometimes the most beautiful DIYs are the simplest ones. Case in point? Making a set of branch coasters from a fallen tree will allow the beauty of that wood to live on and tell the story in its rings.
When you are out pruning and cutting back the garden, take a look at what you are about to throw in the wood chipper or firewood pile. Wood slices can be turned into many things, but my all-time favourite is these branch coasters that I made a few years back.
I’ve had my cedar coasters now for almost 4 years and have had plenty of questions on the practicality of them. I’ve updated this original article, with some FAQs at the end of the DIY instructions. In short? I still love and use them daily!
This post will cover…
You want slices that are about 1/2″ thick.
How to Make DIY Branch Coasters
It was a sad day when the largest, oldest tree on my street was hacked down and unceremoniously chucked into construction waste bins. The 50’ Western Red Cedar still had a lot of good years left but got in the way of developers’ dollar signs, and no amount of reasoning could sway them.
Neighbours came to say goodbye, walking through the wreckage and collecting a memento or two; tears were shed. It’s amazing the impact a tree can have and the immensity of the sense of loss for one treated with so little respect.
I collected a few thick branches to turn into sets of coasters that I also passed on to neighbours who remember their kids climbing those same limbs many, many years ago.
Even if you don’t have as personal of a tree story, you can still make these wood-slice coasters. Next time you see a tree trimming crew at work, ask the home’s owner if you can have a branch for a project—chances are, they will have no problem gifting you with a branch or two.
The project is simple but it will take some time to cut and sand each piece. The more time you spend getting them right, the nicer the final product will be.
The size of the branch will determine how big your coasters are.
Materials
Make it
1. Using the saw, cut sections of branches that are ½” thick.
2. Sand each section with heavy grit sandpaper, and then use a finer grit to smooth out the surface. Do not sand the bark on the edges.
3. Coat the front, back, and sides with clear varnish and let dry. Untreated wood can also look beautiful as it absorbs the drips and condensation from the glasses that sit on it.
4. They’re as simple as that on the surface, but I’ve gotten many questions about how to make these. I’ve answered many of them in the FAQ section below.
Optional: Add Designs With Wood Burning
While the wood grain is beautiful on its own, you may feel like adding an extra special touch. An inexpensive wood burner, a bit of time, and creativity are all you need to create designs such as these.
Make your designs before sealing your wood with varnish.
Another great option is to turn them into Christmas tree ornaments. I made these ones and hung them up both inside and outside.
I used my same wood burning pen to make these designs on the ornaments.
FAQ About These DIY Coasters
As I mentioned above, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about these wooden coasters since creating this project years ago. I did my best to answer the most frequently asked ones here, but if you have one that’s not addressed, please leave it in the comments below!
My coasters have held up for over four years!
How do you dry the wood? How do you keep them from cracking?
I dried the wood slowly in a cool, dry room before cutting the coasters. Drying in a room that has limited moisture and heat allows the wood to dry slowly and helps to prevent cracking. It took many months as I put them in the basement in the fall and pulled them out the following year. I tested to see if the wood was dry but cutting an end section. Even with this process, a few cracked. I discarded those as I had plenty more to work with.
I can’t give an exact number of months to dry the wood for because it could take you more or less time depending on how wet the wood is, how fresh it is, and the area that you dry it in. The best method is to dry it until it is dry when you cut into it. Test and if it needs more time, then leave it for longer.
What varnish/stain did you use?
I used Varathane clear satin varnish. The varnish was labeled as clear, but it does have a honey color in the can. It made the final coasters look a little darker than the dry wood (like wet wood), which I expected and like.
Don’t they leak sap?
No. Perhaps a different kind of wood could leak sap. But I dried the wood thoroughly and have never seen one drop of sap in 4 years of using them.
How did you keep the bark on the outer edges?
The bark stayed on due to the type of wood, Western Red Cedar. I was careful to not pull it off but it is pretty sturdy. I did varnish the sides around the bark as well.
Did you glue felt or anything to keep the coaster from marking the furniture?
When sanded, they are smooth, so they won’t scratch anything, and they are varnished and dry, so they don’t stain. You certainly could put felt or little feet on them if you choose, though.
What can I do with these wooden coasters?
Of course, you can keep and enjoy them for years at home, as I have. However, if you have extras, these make a lovely gift! Consider gifting a set of these coasters along with a mug and a set of tea or artisan coffee.
There are plenty more ideas and tips in the comments section. Have a read over it and please chime in if you have any advice to share!
More Garden Crafts to Try
DIY Coasters from Wood Slices
Learn how to make your own stunning DIY coasters from wood slices. If you have a fallen tree, this is the best way to preserve and enjoy the grain for years to come!
branchesshould be straight and at least 3.5″ in diameter
If you have ever been curious about the world of handmade soap, chances are you have heard of cold process soap. This type of soap making produces an artisanal-looking handmade soap that can be scented with natural essential oils and botanical elements. Grab a few friends and learn how to make soap!
I’ve been making cold-process soap for many many years. You’ll find a gazillion soap recipes on the blog for all the soap creations I’ve made over the years. Just call me the soap lady.
Cold-process soap is part science and part art. You certainly will need to follow the step-by-step directions carefully, but if you do, you can produce the most lovely bars scented with essential oils and coloured with botanical elements.
These handmade soap bars are a project you can make at home that looks like it came from an artist’s gallery. Plus, cold-process soap has no additives that are bad for the earth and it is gentle on sensitive skin.
If this is your first time making soap, I’ve provided plenty of detail. Once you understand the basics, you can try some of my other recipes for different variations!
Let’s get into it.
I make my soap in big batches to hold onto and gift.
How to Make Soap for Sensitive Skin
Many bath and body “soaps” that are commonly sold are not actually soap. You will notice that they are called a beauty bar or body wash. These are detergents, not soap.
Real soap (such as the cold process soap in this tutorial) goes through the saponification process. This is a fancy term for converting fats, oils, lye, and water into soap and glycerin. After the chemical process has been completed, the soap is completely safe and gentle on the skin.
Even better, the glycerin coats the skin and gives skin a silky, soft feeling.
Handmade Soap Methods
There are many methods to making handmade soap such as melt and pour, cold process, hot process, milk soap, and rebatching.
There are pros and cons to each of these methods. I have made soap all of these ways, and each produces a very different type of soap.
Personally, I like the hot process method for making beer, wine, and tea soaps. I melt and pour for quickly making fun, decorative soaps which you can see some examples of in my melt and pour soap idea book, Good Clean Fun.
How to Make Cold Process Soap
I like cold-process soap the most as my everyday soap. I usually make soap in big batches every year, so I have plenty to choose from throughout the year and plenty more to give away.
Cold-process soap makes a wonderful gift for yourself and others, but it does require following the instructions to the letter. If you are a first-time soap maker, partner with a friend and make handmade soap together—it helps to have a buddy system, and it’s a lot of fun!
If you are an experienced soaper, there are three recipes down at the end for the soap shown in this post:
Lemongrass Ginger Coffee Kitchen Soap
Rosemary Spearmint Energizing Shower Soap
Orange Vanilla Cinnamon Soap
All are made with natural vegetable ingredients, pure essential oils, natural colours, and herbs from the garden. You can feel good about taking care of those who use your handmade soap.
Natural botanicals and colourants can create some seriously stunning soaps.
Ingredients for Cold Process Soap
All cold process soap will have fats and lye ingredients. Start with a basic soap-making recipe such as this moisturizing olive oil soap.
Mix temp 115°F
Oils
Lye mixture
Step-by-Step Soap Making Instructions
If you are not using a kit, the first and most crucial step in cold-process soap making is to weigh the raw ingredients (fats, lye, water) precisely. Prep everything that you will need and lay it out accessibly before you begin.
Soapmaking measurements are done in weight, not volume, so be sure to get a good kitchen scale and weigh out the ingredients.
I weigh everything in grams for my recipes.
Safety reminder: It’s best to wear protection when making soap as lye can burn your skin. Until the oils and lye have turned into soap (48 hours after making the recipe) it’s best to protect yourself. Always wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and keep your work area free from kids and pets.
Heat the Oils
Gently (slowly) heat oils in a stainless steel pot on the stove. Alternatively, use a microwave and heat for two minutes on high, and then at shorter intervals until you reach the temperature listed in the recipe.
Using a double boiler can be useful to help retain the oil’s healing properties.
Prepare Lye Ingredients
Using room-temperature distilled water, weigh the amount specified by the formula into a heat-resistant glass bowl or large Pyrex measuring cup. While stirring, slowly add the measured amount of lye. I repeat, SLOWLY.
It’s important to note that you add the lye to the water, not the water to the lye.
Stir until dissolved. This mixture will get super hot quickly so be mindful of that. Also, the fumes are terrible, so if you can stir from below the fumes (with lye on the counter and you crouching below as you stir) outdoors or at least with windows open, that would be best.
Place glass container in an ice-water bath and cool to the required temperature. For this basic recipe, it’s 115 degrees. Get accurate temperature readings with a candy thermometer in the middle of the solution.
When both oils and lye/water are at the required temperatures (as stated in your recipe), slowly pour lye/water into the oils while rapidly stirring in small circles. Always add lye/water to oil, not the other way around.
Mix first with a spatula, then an immersion blender.
Thicken the Mixture
Continue to rapidly stir the mixture until it thickens to the consistency of pudding (called “tracing”). The mixture is ready to be molded when a drizzle mark from the spatula remains for a few seconds on the top of the mixture.
Speed up the tracing process by using a hand blender to mix. Be careful not to over mix.
An immersion blender will help you get to trace much quicker. Otherwise, you’ll be stirring a LONG time.
Add Essential Oils and Colourants
Add essential oils, natural colourants, and herbs or exfoliants at this stage (see recipes below). Work fast as the mixture will quickly start to thicken.
There are many options for colouring and scenting soap, but I avoid perfumes, fragrances, and artificial colours. I like handmade natural soap scented with pure essential oils and coloured with natural dyes.
As you can see by these three recipes, it looks beautiful and it smells even better!
Pour into Mould
As someone who has been soapmaking for years, I use 42 oz soap moulds and they make things super simple.
For a beginner, you can also use milk cartons. Pour mixture into 1L milk cartons and staple the tops shut.
Wrap the mould (or cartons) in a large towel and set it somewhere warm for 48 hours, like the top of the fridge. The moulds will feel warm and will get hot as the mixture neutralizes and turns into soap.
Make sure your milk cartons are clean and dry before using.
Unmould and Cut
For my moulds, it’s easy to remove the inner silicone and flip the soap out. I then cut the soap into equal pieces.
To unmould your soap in cartons, peel off the milk cartons and cut each full 1-litre carton lengthwise into 3 equal sections for shower soap, and 4 equal sections for hand soap. Flip each section so that it appears to be a square from the top, and cut into 3 equal sections.
Sometimes using a wavy cutter can produce fun rectangular bars.
Cure
Place each bar on a wire rack in a cool, dark place to cure for six weeks. After six weeks, soap can be buffed with a cotton cloth and wrapped for gifts.
Curing allows for the water to evaporate and the soap to become more firm.
Cold Process Soap Recipe to Try
Once you master the basic recipe, you will discover that it’s incredibly versatile! Here are just a few ways you can “dress up” cold-process soap.
Lemongrass, Ginger, and Coffee Kitchen Soap
Add 1 tablespoon dry, finely ground coffee at trace
To get the two-toned look in this soap, I filled half of the milk carton with one color and topped it with another. This makes each of the bars unique. The purple in the above soap was lavender-scented soap coloured with ratan jot and mixed with dried lavender buds.
Don’t be scared to get creative with your colouring and add-ins.
Rosemary and Spearmint Energizing Shower Soap
To get the two-toned look in this soap, I filled half of the milk carton with one colour and topped it with another. This makes each of the bars unique.
Sprinkle dried flowers or herbs on top of your soap to easily elevate their appearance.
Orange Vanilla Cinnamon Soap
There are many natural colourants in your kitchen, like the cinnamon and cocoa powder in this soap.
Even More Handmade Soap Recipes to Try
How to Make Cold Process Soap
This handmade soap recipe will show you exactly how to make a batch of cold process soap at home.
Weigh and measure every ingredient ahead of time. It is imperative that items are weighted and measured precisely.
Wear gloves and safety goggles, and keep your workspace clean – lye can burn skin.
Heat the oil ingredients slowly in a stainless steel pot until you reach a temperature of 115 degrees.
Pour the room-temperature water into a large pyrex measuring cup. Stir, and SLOWLY add the pre-weighed lye. It’s important to note that you will add lye to the water, not the other way around.
Stir until dissolved. Then place the glass container in an ice bath and cool to 115 degrees.
When the oils and lye mixtures are both at 115 degrees, slowly pour the lye into the oil mixture while rapidly stirring in circles.
Stir until the mixture becomes thick, and similar to the texture of pudding.
Add in the botanicals and/or essential oils – see the blog post for ideas.
Pour the mixture into molds (I use 1L milk cartons), and staple the tops shut. Then, wrap the molds in a towel and set on top of the fridge for 48 hours.
Unmold the soap and cut into even sections. Then, place the bars on a wire rack and let them cure for 6 weeks.
Buff with a cotton cloth, and wrap to give as gifts or use yourself!
Making fragrant jars of homemade lavender bath salts couldn’t be easier. In vintage mason jars, bath salts look beautiful on display and make wonderful gifts. Here is a recipe to make your own in just a few simple steps.
There are so many different botanicals you can add to bath salts, and somehow I keep coming back to lavender again and again. The scent is soothing and relaxing, and I find the benefits of the plant to be numerous.
You’ll find me in the tub frequently. My body requires a good soak pretty well every day to manage the aches and pains. While I use my hot tub all the time now, I still appreciate the therapeutic benefits of an Epsom salt bath.
Epsom salt is primarily made of magnesium, and your body can absorb it externally. Combine it with the aromatherapy of lavender, and you’ve got quite a therapeutic combo.
Here’s what you need to know about lavender bath salts!
I use real dried lavender buds for this recipe. I harvest mine from the garden, but they’re also easy to find online.
The Benefits of Bath Salts
After a long day in my garden, I often look forward to a long soak in the tub afterward. For this reason, I make sure to keep my supply of bath salts well-stocked! Bath salts are made with Epsom salt, and some of the benefits include:
Helps with insomnia – there’s a reason a nice soak in the bath will make you sleepy. Epsom salt has magnesium, which can help your body produce melatonin naturally. Combine that with the relaxing effect of soaking in hot water, and you’ll sleep more soundly.
Reduces pain and inflammation – for those who have inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia, the magnesium in Epsom salt can improve symptoms and reduce pain (also consider this magnesium lotion for pain).
Help with sore muscles – athletes are often advised to soak in a tub of Epsom salt after tough workouts. There’s no reason the same benefits can’t be applied to those of us with lesser athletic endeavours!
The Benefits of Lavender
Lavender has plenty of healing and cleansing properties, making it the perfect addition to a jar of bath salts. Some benefits of using lavender, whether dried or in essential oil form, include:
Reduces anxiety – there’s something immediately soothing about the scent of lavender. A recent study showed that science backs this up too!
Helps with sleep problems – the same study also showed that lavender was superior to a placebo when used for insomnia, disturbed sleep, or restlessness.
Stabilizes mood – whether you are in a season or stress, or dealing with depression, lavender is beneficial aromatherapy to employ.
You can grow it at home –perhaps the most fun thing about lavender is that you can grow it right in your own backyard! It also happens to be an excellent way to attract beneficial pollinators to your yard, too.
Lavender is quite prolific, and one bush can provide you with plenty of dried lavender buds.
Tips for Picking and Preserving Lavender
I harvest lavender for crafts and DIYs quite often at my home. I wrote an entire post detailing my process, but here are the highlights of how to harvest lavender for bath salts or any other project:
Use sharp pruners and leave a minimum of 2 leaves on the stem to promote regrowth.
Dry bunches of lavender by hanging them upside down.
Once dry, shake the dried lavender off into a bowl or container.
Lavender buds look beautiful in a clear jar of bath salts, especially if I want to present it to someone as a gift. Sometimes, when lavender dries, it turns gray or brown, but there are a few things you can do to help the buds keep their pretty purple colour.
It’s a good idea to harvest lavender before the buds bloom.
Choose One of These Varieties
Any lavender can be harvested and dried for use, but Purple Bouquet, Royal Purple, and Folgate lavenders hold their colour especially well as they dry out.
Harvest at the Right Time
Cut your lavender from the plant just before the blooms open for the best colour. I like to leave at least some blooms to open in the garden for the bees, though.
Store Properly
I like to keep my lavender (and my lavender bath salts) in a clear glass jar, but exposing the dried buds to light will make them lose their colour, so keep the jar of lavender hidden away in a dark cupboard or drawer.
Store your lavender away from sunlight and heat.
Lavender Bath Salts Recipe
Okay, let’s talk about how to make the bath salts! It only takes a few minutes to make (well, after you dry the lavender, that is) so you’ll be soaking in the tub in no time.
Materials
Don’t worry about having bits of stems of leaves from the lavender make their way in.
Make it
Open all your Mason jars. Set the lids aside, but keep them handy—you’ll need them shortly!
Fill each Mason jar about halfway full of the Epsom salts.
Next, we can add the lavender oil. I have found that 10-15 drops are about right, but if you are making a small container, adjust accordingly. Then, put the lid back on and shake well to combine.
Remove the lid again, and add one tablespoon of your dried lavender flowers. Then replace lid once more and shake to combine.
Add more Epsom salts to fill the jar and then (you guessed it) replace the lid and shake, shake, shake.
Optional: download and print these freebie canning labels to dress up the jars. This is especially fun if you are making these as a gift!
As you can see, making this DIY is simple. You’ll be so glad you gave this one a try!
Add as many lavender buds as you wish!
FAQ About Lavender Bath Salts
Will the lavender buds clog up the drain?
If you have a lot of build-up and use lots of lavender buds, then yes. I find that the buds mostly stick to the sides of my tub. I just wipe them up with a face cloth and shake them into the compost. If you’re looking for a quick cleanup, you can put the bath salts in tea bags, like I do in this post.
Can I make these lavender bath salts ahead of time?
If you’re making these as gifts, they do keep quite well. To maintain the purple colour of the lavender buds, store them in an airtight jar away from sunlight and heat. Feel free to top up with more lavender essential oil when it’s time to use or gift the bath salts.
How can I prevent my Epsom salts from clumping?
You want to keep the moisture out of them as much as possible. Keeping them in an airtight container is your best bet. You can also add in a hint of some jojoba oil or other oil to prevent clumping. You can also try adding in a brown sugar saver, as they absorb moisture.
How much Epsom salt should I use in a bath?
It depends on the size of your tub. I like to use one cup of bath salts for my large soaker tub, but if you’re looking for more therapeutic benefits, add in two.
More Posts with Lavender
Love lavender? Me too! Check out all of the crafts and projects that can be done with just a few backyard lavender plants:
DIY Lavender Bath Salts
It doesn’t get much more relaxing than a long soak in a tub filled with lavender bath salts! Here’s how to mix up a batch at home.
Fill each Mason jar about halfway full of the Epsom salts.
Add just 10-15 drops of essential oil, replace lid, and shake.
Remove the lid again, add 1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers, replace lid and shake (again).
Add more Epsom salts to fill the jar, replace the lid and shake well once more.
If you have a plant lover in your life, trust me when I say this is THE gift to win them over. Show them how much you understand their plant love with this cutie succulent valentines. And hey, if you want to make one all for yourself, no one is stopping you from being your own secret valentine!
This sweet and succulent valentines is just what Dr. Love ordered for the winter blues. It’s a thoughtful and unique way to brighten up someone’s day.
A colourful collection of succulent cuttings set in a heart-shaped candy box will surprise and delight your lucky loved one, and it’s also just the right size to root a collection of cuttings.
Make your own DIY succulent cutting propagation tray for Valentine’s Day, and these beauties will be ready to head out to the garden by the time the frost has passed.
Here’s how I made this adorable heart-shaped plant valentine using succulents.
Sedum, Sempervivum, Echeveria, Aeonium, Haworthia, and Crassula are all great succulents to include in your valentine.
The Perfect Plant Valentine
It wasn’t easy, but I gave up sugar years ago to help reduce the inflammation that was causing me to have Fibromyalgia flare-ups. By “gave up sugar,” I mean that I stopped eating all sugar, honey, maple syrup, and fruit.
When I say, “It wasn’t easy,” it wasn’t just the cravings that were hard. I missed the celebrations that come with eating sugar. Two years’ worth of birthdays without even a bite of cake. Christmas cookies, pumpkin pie, and even cranberry sauce were left off my party plates. Since I love to celebrate, it has taught me to look for other ways to treat myself.
It’s a good thing I’m a gardener because there is no end to the treats found at a garden center! It’s hard to think beyond candy for decadent Valentine’s Day goodies. Of course, there are flowers and cards. I won’t turn down either of those.
I love turning little succulent propagations into the perfect Valentine’s Day plants. Just in case you are looking for the perfect gift for me this February, let me show you the way to my heart with this succulent valentines.
A metal tin works best for this project since water will drain into it.
DIY Succulent Valentines
You might be surprised how easy this valentine is to make. Around Valentine’s Day, it’s pretty easy to find heart-shaped boxes. You can then head to the garden centre and get some small succulents or propagate your own to use as Valentine’s Day plants.
Materials
Make It!
If you don’t have cuttings available, purchase already small succulents or ones you can divide.
When shopping for succulents, look for ones that are growing pups or have multiple stems. You can divide them up and root them for summer projects.
Remove all of the candy from the box and give it away. I won’t judge you if you eat it yourself!
Don’t skip this step! Your plants need drainage to survive.
Use the bamboo skewer to poke a hole in each one of the candy cells to provide some drainage.
Fill the candy tray with cactus and succulent soil mix and water it to give the water time to absorb before planting.
You don’t need much soil to fill the heart.
If you have potted plants, remove them from the pots and shake the soil off the roots. If the roots are long, give them a trim.
See how many succulents you can get out of “one” plant!
Any fresh cuts will need a few days to dry before being stuck in soil.
If you have plant divisions, remove them from the parent plant. Remove a few of the lower leaves to get a good stem to set into the soil. Allow these to dry for a few days before planting.
Play around with shapes and sizes for the best effect.
Arrange the succulents in the tray by varying the colour, shape, and size of the plants. Use a paintbrush to dust excess soil off of the leaves.
Fill in the spaces around the plants with reindeer moss to give the arrangement a finished look.
You can use dried or fresh reindeer moss for this project.
Care Instructions
Your succulent valentines is a great way to root and grow new succulents until they are ready to move to larger pots. Rooting them in the house around Valentine’s Day will mean they will have strong roots by May, when they can be used for a variety of projects.
If you’re interested in the symbolism behind your gift, you will be happy to hear that succulents represent tenacity and endurance due to their ability to survive with little water. So if you want to represent your strong, enduring love, this is a good choice!
How do I care for a succulent?
While drought tolerant, succulents still need regular watering. Water your succulents when the soil has gone completely dry, watering until the soil is damp. Succulents prefer lots of sun, so place them on a sunny windowsill.
Ensure they’re potted in soil designed for succulents and cacti and in a pot with drainage holes.
What succulent has heart-shaped leaves?
There are a few succulents with heart-shaped leaves. A hoya heart is on large heart-shaped leaf. String of hearts is another popular one, with trailing often variegated heart-shaped leaves.
This peppermint lip balm recipe is lip-smacking good, and hey, it smells amazing too! Great to use all year long, this is a super simple recipe that doesn’t take long to whip up. Here’s how to make your own minty, fresh lip balm.
This peppermint lip balm is one of my favourite items to whip up during Christmas time. I call it my candy cane lip balm, and it’s a big hit among friends. They can get tucked inside stockings, alongside gift cards, or as a small token of thanks to acquaintances in your life.
But peppermint doesn’t have to be just a holiday scent. From toothpaste to mojitos, I love enjoying the crisp and fresh taste of peppermint.
Whenever I put this lip balm on, I get a hint of the peppermint taste and enjoy the cooling sensation that comes from the peppermint essential oil.
When it comes to making your own products, lip balm is one of the easiest DIY recipesout there. It’s ideal for beginners and is a very practical item everyone enjoys.
Here’s what we’ll be covering today…
Without a label, these mint lip balms look as clean and simple as their ingredients.
Homemade Peppermint Lip Balm
Now, this would make a great stocking stuffer, wouldn’t it? The recipe below makes 12 tubes, so you’ll have plenty of mint lip balm to keep and gift to others.
Ingredients and Equipment
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.
If you can’t find lip balm tubes, you can also use small metal containers and apply the mint lip balm with your fingers.
Make It!
Melt the oil and waxes in the double boiler. Remove from heat, add essential oils, and stir well.
Line up lip balm tubes on a level surface and carefully pour the melted oil and wax into each tube, filling only halfway (if you pour it all at once, you may get a hole in the top of your lip balm once it cools).
It really helps if you have a double boiler where the top pot has a pour spout. If not, transfer the hot liquid into a measuring cup with a spout for easier pouring.
Once the half-full lip balm has been set, top up the rest of the tube.
If you still get an uneven top when the balm has cooled completely, you can use a heat gun or lighter to level it out. Just be sure not to melt the tube!
I labelled mine as candy cane lip balm since I made these during the holidays.
Custom Lip Balm Labels
To really make this peppermint lip balm fun, I added custom labels. It looks like something you might buy at the store!
You can make custom labels if you have a Cricut machine. Printing onto sticker paper is also an option for those who want to use their regular printer.
For simplicity’s sake, I like to use Evermine to make the labels for my items. I can design right on the platform and don’t have to worry about getting the dimensions right.
Once the label is on, they’re truly ready for gifting!
For a year-round look, make the peppermint lip balm labels green and give it your own unique name!
FAQ About Using Peppermint Lip Balm
Is peppermint lip balm drying?
When used incorrectly, peppermint essential oil can be irritating. It should always be diluted before being applied to the skin. In the case of this mint lip balm, it shouldn’t be drying. Instead, the wax and oils create plenty of moisture while the peppermint gives a cooling effect.
Not everyone is well-suited to peppermint oil. The cooling and tingling sensation will promote blood circulation and give a plumping effect to the lips. However, those with sensitive skin may want to avoid using peppermint oil, especially those with dermatitis and eczema. Stop using the lip balm if it causes any irritation.
Why does peppermint make your lips tingle?
One major component of peppermint essential oil is menthol, which gives peppermint its smell, flavour, and tingling sensation. The skin on your face, including your lips, will process the menthol as a tingling and slightly burning sensation thanks to the nerves in the face. The process is similar to how our taste buds process spicy food.
This sensation is completely safe and can even promote focus and attention. Peppermint oil is FDA-approved for use as both a flavour and fragrance.
Peppermint Lip Balm
This peppermint lip balm is ideal around Christmas time or for anyone who loves a minty tingle. This recipe makes 12 tubes.
In the double boiler, melt your waxes and oil together.
Once melted, remove from heat and add your essential oils. Stir well.
Line up the lip balm tubes on a level surface. Pour the melted wax into each tube, only filling halfway. This prevents a hole from forming up top.
Once the lip balm has cooled, reheat the remaining oils and top up the rest of the tube.
If the top cools unevenly, use a heat gun or lighter to level the top. Careful not to melt the tube!
A double boiler with a pour spout makes it easy to pour into the small lip balm tubes. If you don’t have one, transfer the hot liquid into a measuring cup or other container with a spout to make pouring easier.
Making a fresh wreath has quickly become one of my absolute favourite holiday traditions. Using greenery in your garden and neighbourhood, you can create a beautiful and local wreath to decorate your front door with. Here’s how to make a Christmas wreath for your home.
Every year we like to hang a different Christmas wreath on our front door during the holidays. We’ve amassed a collection of wreaths to match the holiday season trends of red berries, Christmas ornaments, peacock feathers, and square-shaped boxwood, but my favourites are most certainly natural, fresh wreaths.
A fresh wreath makes for an individual work of art that smells as good as it looks. Florists and garden centers are wonderful places to find one to suit any style, but if you are feeling adventurous, a homemade wreath made with garden clippings or purchased greens can be most gratifying.
Given the current popularity of lateral space gardening, supplies are available for all sorts of wreath plantings. Evergreen, succulent, moss, and flower wreaths are beautiful micro gardens that will suit almost any style or climate. Care will vary depending on what type of planting you decide on, but many will last for months, if not years, with a couple of weekly squirts of a spray bottle.
Let’s dive into how to make a Christmas wreath, shall we?
I like to use lots of different foliage for tons of texture.
Watch the Wreath Making Video!
Follow along with me as I make one of my fresh wreaths from scratch.
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
My go-to style is wild and local. I forage for all kinds of greenery beyond the traditional holly and pine (though I like those too!) and incorporate lots of colour in my wreath. The best part about learning how to make a Christmas wreath is that you can truly design it in your own style.
Materials
Make It!
Step 1: Gather a variety of foliage, berries, twigs, pinecones, ribbons, and anything else you want to add to your wreath. Some of the evergreen cuttings that work very well are holly, cedar, cotoneaster, pine, pieris, boxwood, laurel, camellia, fir, cypress, and magnolia.
I like to contrast needles with broad leaves and vary the colour, but a wreath made entirely of one type of foliage can be incredibly dramatic. Also, think about tucking in herbs like rosemary, sage, and lavender into the foliage to add another delightful aroma.
The size of your grapevine wreath will determine the size of your finished wreath.
Step 2: Using a grapevine wreath as your base (you can buy one or make your own), start by choosing a firm branch with a stem that is thick enough that it will not bend easily. Add other cuttings of different foliage on top and gather the bunch in your hand. Snip off any long stems.
Save time by making all your small clippings ahead of time.
Step 3: Using the twine, wrap around the bunch and the grapevine wreath together a few times until secured. For the first bunch, tie a knot in the twine to hold it in place, but do not cut the end of the twine.
Wrap around the bunch a few times first, then wrap the bunch to the grapevine wreath.
Step 4: Gather a second bunch of foliage. Lay this bunch, overlapping the twine of the first, securing the first bunch to the wreath. Wrap twine around the base of the new bunch a few times and set it down.
Overlap in different directions for a more natural look.
Continue adding foliage to the wreath by overlapping the previous bunch and securing it with twine until there are no more gaps to fill.
Use different foliage in different bunches to mix things up.
Step 5: Secure the final bunch by gently lifting the foliage from the first bunch and tucking the stems underneath it. Secure with twine and tie off the final bunch with a few knots.
Use your first bunch to hide the twine of your last bunch.
Step 6: Now, take a last look at the wreath. You can tuck in a few more greens to even out the design or add a few embellishments such as pinecones (using florist wire to attach them), berries, ribbons, or even ornaments. Feel free to prune unruly parts as well.
You can always add more and prune afterward.
Step 7: Hang and enjoy!
Your wreath is ready to welcome guests!
FAQ About Making a Christmas Wreath
How long will a fresh wreath last?
I make my wreath in November, and it lasts until March. I live in Vancouver, so it’s pretty rainy and moist outside to keep the wreath hydrated.
Is there anything you can do to make a fresh wreath last longer?
I don’t do anything extra for my wreath, but if you live in a warm and dry climate, you can try misting your wreath daily with water. Before making your wreath, let your clippings sit in water for a few hours to get hydrated before you trim them.
There are also spray preservatives you can use to help keep your wreath hydrated.
Can I keep a fresh wreath indoors?
It will dry out more quickly indoors with the heat, but you can certainly keep it indoors.
Can you make a fresh wreath using yew?
Yew is toxic and can lose its needles really fast. It’s one of the few I recommend skipping in this post.
Can I use wire instead of twine to make a fresh wreath?
I like twine (it’s compostable!), but wire should also work fine. Use whatever you have on hand.
The final word on making a perfect wreath: just have fun with it. Experimenting with different foliage will allow the wreath to become traditional or modern, contained or wild, themed or every day.
A special thanks to the wonderful neighbourhood gals who provided all the foliage, wine, and treats that go along with the annual wreath-making afternoon.
More Ideas for Christmas Decor
How to Make a Christmas Wreath
Make a fresh wreath using greenery from your own garden and neighbourhood.
Gather all of your clippings and separate them into groups. Holly, cedar, pine, fir, cypress, laurel, magnolia, boxwood, camellia, and pieris are all good options.
Choose a firm branch with a thick stem for the base, and add a couple more different foliage on top. Snip any long stems.
Wrap around the base of the bundle a couple of times with the twine before securing it to the grapevine wreath and wrapping the twine around the wreath. Tie a knot to hold it in place. Do not cut the twine.
Repeat the last step, overlapping bundles all the way around the wreath.
Secure the final bunch by gently lifting the first bunch and tucking the stems underneath it. Secure it with the twine and tie it before cutting it.
Hang the wreath and prune any unruly parts. Add decorations if you want or leave it as is.
Can you imagine how sweet these cinnamon ornaments smell? Rich, dark brown ornaments imprinted with leaves and scented with apple and cinnamon couldn’t be a more suitable craft for the holidays! Cinnamon dough ornaments are very easy to make, and with a few tips, you will have the perfect consistency of dough to transform into decoration.
It’s a shame that you can’t smell these cinnamon ornaments through your screen because the aroma is amazing: tummy-warming sweet spiced apples. It wafts throughout the house as you make them and will continue to scent the Christmas tree for years to come.
I love this cinnamon ornament recipe so much more than the traditional salt dough ornaments. They appear so much more rustic to me, especially with the leaf imprints. Plus, salt dough lacks the key part of what makes these ornaments so amazing…the cinnamon smell!
This post will cover…
I captured the evergreens growing in my garden by rolling them in the cinnamon dough.
Cinnamon Ornament Recipe
If you are looking for a Christmas ornament crafting project this year, you won’t be disappointed. Designed to resemble gingerbread, this cinnamon ornament recipe only requires three ingredients.
Since they are made of only non-perishable ingredients, they will last for many Christmases. But don’t be fooled by the smell! This cinnamon dough is not edible, as this recipe includes glue to help hold them together.
Since you won’t be eating this dough, don’t waste your money on expensive spices. Besides cinnamon, you can also use allspice, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice if those scents are more up your alley!
You can make these cinnamon dough ornaments in all kinds of fun shapes.
Materials
Makes approximately 10 ornaments. See the recipe card at the end of this post for exact measurements.
Try to be precise with your measurements to get the right dough consistency.
Make It!
Mix together the cinnamon and applesauce. Then, add the glue. At first, the mixture may feel dry, but set aside the spoon, get in there, and mix the dough with your hands. The more you mix and knead the cinnamon dough, the better the consistency.
You need to knead A LOT. When in doubt, keep kneading!
Mix the dough into a smooth surface that has a light dusting of cinnamon, and knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Roll the ball out to a 1/2-inch-thick circle.
If the edges are splitting, knead the dough again and roll it out until the edges are smooth. Use cinnamon as you would flour to keep the dough from sticking to the counter or rolling pin.
Roll out your dough while it’s still fresh and warm from your hands.
Press evergreen leaves into the dough and gently roll over them with the rolling pin to get a strong impression.
You can even use flowers here, too, if you have them.
Use the mason jar to cut circle shapes out around the leaf imprints. You could also use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes.
Use any shape you like here, but this Mason jar gave me perfect circles.
Use a straw to make a hole in the ornament for the string.
Set the cinnamon ornaments on the trays of a dehydrator for 6-10 hours. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can dry them in the oven at 200 degrees for a few hours.
Keep an eye on them to make sure they dry and don’t bake. They can also air dry, but it will take much longer. This is a wonderful project to do before guests come over because it makes the house smell Christmassy!
Thread some baker’s twine through the cinnamon ornaments when they are dry, and they are ready to hang on the tree or give as gifts. I like to include them with the gift tag on presents for an extra, delicious-smelling touch. By the way, here are some of my other favourite eco-friendly ways to decorate gifts.
When fully dry, they become hard and sturdy.
Decorating Your Cinnamon Ornaments
I get lots of questions about decorating these cinnamon ornaments. I think the botanical imprint and colourful twine are all I need for my ornaments, but you can decorate them more if you like.
You can paint them with acrylic craft paint, but you can mask the cinnamon scent if you do so. If you want to paint them, you’re better off making salt dough ornaments instead, so you don’t waste all the cinnamon!
I’ve also been asked if you can add glitter to the dough. While you can, I don’t suggest it as it can be harmful to wildlife if they ingest it. Try adding mica for some sparkle instead.
Storing Cinnamon Ornaments
When you’re ready to pack up Christmas, you can store your ornaments to use again next year. I have some ornaments that are 10 years old that still have a cinnamon smell. They really last a long time when stored properly!
While they are fairly sturdy, they might crack and crumble if handled roughly. To store them, wrap and layer them in tissue paper and place them in a Ziplock bag.
You can also place them in a small cardboard box. The tighter the seal, the better the scent will last.
The scent of these cinnamon ornaments lasts for years.
FAQ About Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
I get a lot of questions about these cinnamon ornaments. Here are a few of the most common ones I receive. If you have any more questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
How long do cinnamon dough ornaments last?
Cinnamon dough ornaments can last for years if you properly store them. If they begin to crack or fall apart, you can always make a new batch. I like making a batch every year just because I love the smell. It’s also a fun activity to do with the kiddo!
The scent itself can last for years. I have some that are 10 years old, and they still smell amazing.
How can I re-scent cinnamon dough ornaments?
Over time, you may find that your cinnamon ornaments lose their potency. If you want to refresh the scent of cinnamon, you can use cinnamon leaf or bark essential oil.
Since the scent is quite strong, you don’t need a lot. With a dropper, drop 1-2 drops on the ornaments and let them sit until dry. If you want a scent other than cinnamon, other great options include all allspice, anise, clove, ginger, juniper, peppermint, pine, wintergreen, spruce, vanilla, and frankincense.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
I haven’t personally tried this, so I’m not sure of the results. However, I know the glue dries out, and the dough may be too crumbly and dry when you get to it. I find the cinnamon dough needs to be warm and fresh so it doesn’t crack.
My ingredients won’t combine. What did I do wrong?
It does take some time for the kneading process before the ingredients combine well. There is always a point when I’m making the cinnamon ornaments that I get kneading fatigue and feel like the dough won’t come together, but it always does. Cinnamon is ground bark, so it takes a while for the apple sauce and glue to mix in with all the particles. Warm hands also help!
Why are my cinnamon ornaments crumbling?
It takes quite a bit of kneading to get the dough smooth. If you’ve been kneading for a long time, adding more apple sauce or glue might help, as the glue can dry out quickly.
How do you keep cinnamon ornaments from breaking?
Once you have your dough and it’s the right consistency, you need to dry the cinnamon ornaments completely. If you’re not using a dehydrator, how long it needs to be in the oven at 200 degrees F depends on the thickness, size, spacing of the tray, and many more factors. Check them every hour, and you will know when they’re dry.
When they’re dry, they’re pretty sturdy. You can hang them on the tree without worry. When it comes time to store them, wrap them in tissue paper before packing them, and they shouldn’t break.
But if they do, it’s easy to make another batch the following year!
Colourful twine is the perfect addition.
More Christmas Projects
Cinnamon Dough Ornaments
Fill up your home with the warm smell of cinnamon and apple with these festive and easy to make ornaments. Makes approximately 10 ornaments.
Mix your cinnamon and applesauce. Once mixed, add in your glue. The more you knead the dough, the better the consistency will get.
Dust your countertop with cinnamon. Knead the dough into a smooth ball and then roll it out to a 1/2 inch circle. If edges split, put it back into a ball and re-roll until smooth. Use cinnamon as you might flour to avoid keeping the dough from sticking.
Press evergreen leaves into the dough to create imprints. Roll them gently with the rolling pin.
Use a Mason jar (or cookie cutters) to cut out the shapes around the leaf imprints.
Make a hole for the string with a straw.
Use a dehydrator and set ornaments on a tray for 6-10 hours. Alternatively, place them in an oven at 200 degrees for a few hours. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t dry out or bake.
Thread twine through the ornaments once dry and hang them on the tree.
