DIY Christmas Gift Ideas!

If your gift list is long and your budget is small this Christmas season, consider surprising your friends and family with these fun handmade gifts!

Happy gifting!

Homemade Gumdrops

You will need:

• Four tablespoons of unflavored gelatin
• About a cup of cold water
• 3 cups sugar
• Flavored food coloring
• Non-stick baking pan

Instructions:

1. Add gellatin into the cup of cold water and allow it to congeal. While solidifying, add two cups of sugar
2. Add two drops of flavored food coloring
3. Pour the mixture onto the pan, and allow to sit in the fridge overnight
4. Cut the soldified mixture into small cubes and use the remaining cup of sugar to cover them
5. Allow the gumdrops to crystallize for about a day

Teacup Candles

You will need:

• Tin can
• Candle wax
• Wick
• Teacups
• Tape
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Put chunks of wax into a tin can.
2. Place the tin can into a saucepan of boiling water (make sure the can is not completely submerged in the water).
3. Cut a piece of wick slightly longer than the teacup. Tape one end to the bottom of the cup and wrap the other end around a pencil or pen.

1. When the wax has melted pour it into a teacup.

1. Let the wax cool for at least 2-3 hours and then cut the wicks to a desirable length.

1. Optional: While the wax is cooling, I added a little nutmeg on the top for the tin for an aroma.

Scrabble Ornaments

You will need:

• Scrabble letters and Scrabble trays.
• Hot glue gun
• Twine or ribbon
• Drill with a small drill bit

Instructions:

1. Start by making your words
2. Mark the spots of the letters on the scrabble tray, then cut it to size with a drill.
3. Glue letters in place

Peppermint Body Scrub

You will need:

• 1cup of sugar
• 1/3 cup of mineral oil (hypoallergenic baby oil)
  
• 2 T of corn syrup
• 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract
• 1 drop of green food coloring

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients mentioned above together, once the mixture has become smooth pour it into a container
2. Once it is poured into a container, allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before using.

Bow Belt

You will need:

• Cotton fabric
• Steam/dry iron
• Sewing materials (a needle, and thread)

Instructions:

1. Measure your waist and add 2 inches to that length. The width of  the belt should be 5”. For example, if your waist is 28” you would cut a piece of fabric 30” x 5”.
   Iron the fabric after cutting it.
   
2. Fold in half the long way and sew along the long side. Leave both shorter ends open for now.
   
3. Fold over one open end and hand stitch one side of the snap into the inside.
   Now sew that opening shut (the belt is still inside out).
   
4. Flip right side out now.

1. Once it’s right side out, measure it around your waist. The short side that is sewn shut should have the snap on the outside now. Mark with a pencil where the second snap should be. It will be underneath the other piece so you won’t have to worry about the stitches or hem showing.
2. Now sew the second snap on through both pieces. Trim the end, fold and sew along the fold.
   
3. Making the bow: For the bow cut a piece of fabric 6” x 10”. Fold in half and sew along the long side. Iron the seam flat.
4. Turn it inside out and move the seam to the middle. Iron flat.
5. Sew the ends together as shown.
6. Making the Middle Band: The middle of the bow is a piece of fabric 3” x 4 ½”. Fold it in half and sew as you’ve done the other two pieces. Turn inside out as well.
7. Take this small piece and fold it around the middle of the band. Sew where you’re pinching, you want it tight but you’ll be sliding the bow in it, so not very tight.
8. Pinch the bow and pull it through the middle band  you’ve just sewed together
   
9. Straighten and fluff your bow

Reindeer Root Beer Bottles

You will need:

• Pack of Rootbeer
• Googly Eyes
• Red Pom-Poms
• Brown Pipecleaners
• Hot glue

Instructions:

1. Shape the pipcleaners into antlers, and hot glue tham to the top of the bottle
2. Glue the pop-pom on as a nose, and add the googly eyes above

… And Hot Chocolate Mix!

You will need:

• Hot cocoa (powdered)
• Mini marshmallows
• Piping bags
• Red Pom Poms
• Brown Pipe Cleaners 
• Googoo eyes 
• Circle Sticky tabs to adhere the red pom poms

Instructions:

1. Fill your Piping bags with 2 cups of hot coco powder
2. Place marshmallows and chocolate chips above the powder
3. Tie the piping bags in a know
4. Wrap your pipe cleaner around the knot to make them look like antlers
5. Using double-sided tape, or sticky circles tape the googoo eyes, and red pom poms to your bags