I think this Homemade Sore Muscle Soak would make a perfect gift for someone on your list! Or perhaps it would make a great addition to a spa basket you can make up?

I often find myself with sore muscles in the fall. I think it’s because we’re out hiking more and working outside more. 🙂  Because of this, I find it really nice to have a warm bath with some of my homemade sore muscle soak!  This one smells delicious because it uses fresh mint and lavender (or essential oils).  Here’s how you can easily make up your own batch of homemade sore muscle soak:

Homemade Sore Muscle Soak

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• 1 cup of Epsom salt
• 1 cup of baking soda
• ¼ cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped OR 7-10 drops of peppermint oil
• ¼ cup of fresh lavender, chopped OR 7-10 drops of lavender oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by mixing your Epsom salt and baking soda in a bowl. Mix well.
2. Chop your herbs fine and add them to the mixture. Or, add your oils at this time. For the mixture you see here, I used fresh mint and used lavender oil in place of the fresh lavender.
3. Continue mixing well. The moisture from the herbs and oils may cause some clumping. This is not a big deal. Just use your spoon to break through the clumps.
4. Store the mixture in a glass jar with lid or air tight container. I like to let it sit for a few hours before using.
5. To use your homemade sore muscle soak, just pour it into a running bath. The lavender will help you relax and ease muscle tension, the mint will help revitalize, and the Epsom salt and baking soda will help with inflammation and pain.
6. When done, drain your tub as usual. You may wish to remove any larger herb clippings by hand to avoid drain issues.

Here are some other homemade ideas you may like:

• Strawberry Lemonade Lip Scrub
• Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub
• Whipped Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub
• Homemade Lavender Lotion Bars
• Grapefruit Body Scrub

We Make It Beautiful shows you how she recreated a Pillow Mattress for under $20 that she saw online but was selling for way more than $20!  I think this would be a fantastic gift for kids!

Today’s Homemade Christmas gift idea is quick and easy to make! These Homemade Coffee Scrub Soaps are sure to be a hit with someone on your list!

PS: Find a rectangle soap mold here.

Today’s homemade gift idea can’t get much simpler. So, I happen to think it would make a perfect last-minute gift!  Simply head to your nearest dollar store, pick up a fancy dish towel and some ribbon and get started!

Here’s how to create a No Sew Dish Towel Apron that any chef would love to receive:

DIY No Sew Dish Towel Apron

Supplies needed:

• Thick ribbon, at least 1 yard
• Cotton dishtowel
• Iron on fabric tape or fabric adhesive
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Begin by folding your towel into the size of apron you want. You can fold it down to about 8 inches by 8 inches square for a child, or simply fold the towel in half for an adult. If you wish for a longer apron, manipulate the fabric to get the shape you wish. For the sample you see here, I folded the towel once in half, then folded each end in about 2 inches.
2. Apply a strip of iron on fabric tape OR fabric adhesive to the inside of your folded seams. Press and iron the towel if needed. The idea is to use the tape or adhesive to secure the shape of the towel.
3. Apply a length of adhesive tape or glue to the top of your towel. Press the length of ribbon into it. Press and iron if needed. The ribbon should now be adhered to the towel, leaving you two lengths on each side for tying.
4. Once your adhesive is dry or ironed in place, your towel can be used. Simply use the excess ribbon as ties, tying them behind your back to hold the apron in place.

How fun is this gift idea? Create a Snow Day Survival Kit for the recipient to pull out on a cold winter’s day. Find the instructions and printables over at The DIY Mommy.

Homemade Christmas Tree Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are easy to make and are always well received as gifts. They’re made of ingredients that will make your bath water fizz and smell delicious by releasing essential oils. These Christmas Tree bath bombs can be made in just a few minutes, even by beginners! They’re also the perfect size for putting into organza bags to give as gifts over the holidays.

Bath Bomb Ingredients:

• 1 Cup baking soda
• 1/2 Cup citric acid
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• Green food coloring
• A few drops of essential oil (your choice)
• Spritz of water, as needed
• Silicone Christmas Tree mold

Bath Bomb Directions:

1. Combine the baking soda and citric acid.
2. Add in the coconut oil and then the water a little bit at a time and combine to mix using your hands. You want it slightly dense but not soaked through.
3. Add in several drops of green food coloring and use your hand to thoroughly mix.
4. Spoon the mixture into the Christmas Tree mold filling each cavity about halfway. Use your fingers to press down.
5. Spoon the remaining mixture evenly into the cavities and continue to press down.
6. Set the Christmas Tree bath bombs in a cool/dry spot for 24 hours to allow them to set.

*Makes 6 Christmas Tree Bath Bombs

To use them, just drop a bath bomb into your warm bath water. Watch as it fizzes and dissolves before your eyes while releasing the essential oil.

Other Easy DIY’s:

• Whipped Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub
• Vanilla Bath Bombs
• Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

After seeing the Curried Lentil Soup in jars my friend Leslie over at DefinitelyNotMartha.com put together for gifts, I knew I had to do it too! I think they’re perfect for spur of the moment gifts as well as a good idea for teacher gifts. I especially like the fact that the recipient only has to add water and the contents of the jar to enjoy!

I made up these quick labels for the jars if you’d like to use them when you put together the jars.

Here’s a great gift idea for the natural makeup lover!  Learn how to make homemade natural makeup over at Great Oak Circle!

You can find Green Clay powder here.

This would be fun to make (and receive)!

Family Bites shows you how to put together an Ice Cream Sundae Kit!

Here are two great, simple recipes for homemade flavoured salts that would be a perfect last minute gift for the cook on your list!  Learn how to make homemade Seasoned Salt and Italian Herbed Salt over at Eat At Home.

Check out this DIY Recipe Book… perfect to keep those favorite special Christmas Recipes in one place! Find the instructions over at 36th Avenue.

Here’s a cozy gift to gift that will surely be appreciated! Make someone on your list an arm knit blanket! This blanket can be made in less than an hour.

What a memorable gift these would make! Learn how to make simple 10 minute photo keepsake ornaments over at Simple As That.

If you made some of the homemade vanilla I gave instructions to in this post, then you’ll surely have some extra vanilla beans!

I had quite a few left over so I thought I’d try making some vanilla sugar for a bit of a treat when added to coffee or tea!

It’s simple:

• Add granulated sugar to an empty mason jar
• Split one vanilla bean down the middle length wise
• Cut the bean into small pieces over the sugar
• Put the lid on the jar, then shake up

You’ll have vanilla sugar ready for the very next day!

This looks way more complicated than it is to make! Perfect gift idea for the organizing enthusiast. Learn how to create this DIY No-Sew Rope Coil Basket over at Alice and Lois.

Visit Hip 2 Save to learn how to make Peppermint Lip Balm that is sure to be enjoyed by many on your gift list!

If you have a homemade Christmas gift you’d like to share, please send me the link to your blog post or send me pictures and a tutorial to my email.

Now here’s a great last minute Christmas gift idea!  One I’m sure many people on your list would love!  Cookies in a jar!  There are three recipes to choose from:  Cranberry Delight cookies,  Candy Shop Cookies, and Chocolate Overload cookies.

Find the recipes for Cookies in a Jar here.

I might actually have to pull my sewing machine out so I can whip up one of these adorable Hippo Hooded Towels! Cute, right? Learn how to make one over at Crazy Little Projects.

How fun is this Christmas gift idea? 12 Months of Dates! It’s a win for you and a win for your date!

What are some date ideas that you would write down?

I think today’s homemade gift idea would be a fun way to gift wrap a few new books! Learn how to make this statement tote bag over at Knobz.

I happen to think this DIY picnic basket is not only a great Christmas gift, but a perfect wedding present! Learn how to put this DIY picnic basket together over at Lovely Indeed.

Click on the image below to find more Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas:

I’m really digging this gift idea!  So much, I think I might put something together for a couple of friends! Learn how to put together a Hot Cocoa Gift Basket over at The TomKat Studio.

Looking for the supplies for this gift? Here you go:

• Chocolate Syrup
• Disposable paper cups
• Mugs

Whip up some simple fleece ear warmers to keep the ears of your loved ones toasty for today’s Homemade Christmas Gift! I’ll take one in every colour please! 🙂

Sunset has a yummy looking Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread in bottle recipe that I’m sure someone on your list would love to receive!

See more Homemade Christmas Gift ideas by clicking on the image below:

Bakerella shows you how you can put together some Cowgirl or Cowboy cookie mix in a jar!  Might make a great hostess gift or maybe it’s perfect for someone who just enjoys edible gifts!

See more Homemade Christmas Gift ideas by clicking on the image below:

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Create some sweet smelling body spray as a Christmas gift with these easy instructions from Alloy!

Find the ingredients here:

• Witch hazel
• Spray Bottles
• Essential Oils

See more homemade Christmas gift ideas by clicking the image below:

Starting on Tuesday, November 7, I’ll once again be featuring a homemade Christmas gift every day (Monday – Friday) leading up to Christmas day!  I hope to help inspire those of you that want to give meaningful, affordable, homemade Christmas gifts this year!

Not only are they fun and frugal to make, but the recipient will surely never forget something homemade!

I’ll be linking to projects that others have made since I know, I personally, will not have time to make a new project every day.  I do, however, have a few projects in mind though that I’d like to make, so I’ll be sure to include those with pictures.

If you’d like me to feature your project in the Homemade Christmas Gift series, please feel free to send along your link or step by step instructions to me here.

Stay tuned for the first gift idea on Tuesday!

So, are you excited about making gifts this year? What projects do you have in mind?

Oooh, I know a couple of people that would love this gift! It looks expensive, but it’s really not! It’s easy to do too!

Learn how to make an inexpensive chalkboard cheese stone over at Frankie Hearts Fashion.

Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Now here’s a Christmas fudge recipe that will be great for gift giving!  I think it would pair nicely with this Homemade Peppermint Bark!

I’m afraid I’m getting a reputation for only making easy things, but really, if you have to add extra things to your already full calendar, why spend a lot of time creating? It’s the thought that counts, right?  Anyways, this recipe is so easy, it only calls for four ingredients. That, my friends, is how you impress on a budget and use minimal effort and time. 🙂

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 packages of 12 oz Wilton Dark chocolate candy melts
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cans of sweetened condensed milk
• 6 candy canes, crushed

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spray an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Pour the candy melts and the sweetened condensed milk into a large microwave safe dish.
3. Add in the 1 tsp of peppermint extract.
4. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and stir. Heat for another minute and stir again. Heat again in 20 second increments stirring until completely melted.
5. Immediately pour the melted mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes.
6. Allow the chocolate to cool at room temperature. Once it’s cool, place the baking dish in the fridge, covered, to allow the fudge to completely set.
7. Cut into 12 large squares or 24 mini squares.

Print

Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Ingredients

• 2 packages of 12 oz. Wilton dark chocolate candy melts
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 ½ Cans of sweetened condensed milk 14 oz cans
• 6 candy canes crushed

Instructions

• Spray an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour the candy melts and the sweetened condensed milk into a large microwave safe dish. Add in the 1 tsp of peppermint extract.
• Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and stir. Heat for another minute and stir again. Heat again in 20 second increments stirring until completely melted.
• Immediately pour the melted mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes.
• Allow the chocolate to cool at room temperature. Once it is cool, place the baking dish in the fridge (covered) to allow the fudge to completely set.
• Cut into 12 large squares or 24 mini squares.

I sure hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Homemade Peppermint Bark

One of my favourite things to give as gifts is homemade edible goods.  In my mind, it’s the perfect little something.  It’s a treat as well as a gift that won’t take up room in the recipient’s home!

Today’ I’d like to share this recipe for Peppermint Bark.  Not only do I love it because it’s tasty, it’s really simple to make!

How to Make Homemade Peppermint Bark

INGREDIENTS:

• 270g Bag of Milk Chocolate baking chips
• 225g Bag of White baking chips
• 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
• 12 Candy Canes

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the candy canes in a food processor and crush. Or place them in a ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin.
2. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
3. Melt milk chocolate ships in the microwave by heating at 50% for 1 minute and stirring until smooth. Pour milk chocolate chips into the [an and level.
4. Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
5. Melt white chocolate chips in microwave by heating at 50% for 1 minute and stirring until smooth.
6. Add peppermint extract to the white chocolate chips, stir.
7. Pour melted white chocolate chips into the pan on top of the milk chocolate and level.
8. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the white chocolate.
9. Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
10. Break apart into pieces and put the pieces into gift bags for gift giving!

Print

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients

• 270 g bag Milk Chocolate Baking Chips
• 225 g bag White Baking Chips
• 1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
• 12 Candy Canes

Instructions

• Place the Candy Canes in a Food Processor and crush or place them in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin.
• Line a pan with parchment paper.
• Melt milk chocolate chips in the microwave by heating at 50% for 1 minute and stirring until smooth.
• Pour melted milk chocolate chips into the pan and level.
• Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Melt White Chocolate chips in microwave by heating at 50% for 1 minute and stirring until smooth.
• Add peppermint extract to the white chocolate chips, stir.
• Pour melted white chocolate chips into the pan on top of the milk chocolate and level.
• Sprinkle crushed peppermint over the white chocolate.
• Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Break apart into pieces and put the pieces into gift bags for gift giving!

What is your favourite edible gift to give?

Now this is a cute last minute gift idea! An edible so it’s sure to be appreciated. Learn how to put together these snowman donuts over at I Heart Arts and Crafts.

I thought that today’s homemade gift idea would be a great last minute gift…if you can keep from eating it yourself!  I think I’d be making two batches. 🙂

Create some delicious gingerbread caramel corn with the instructions from Heather Christo Cooks!

Looking for more Homemade Christmas Gift ideas?  Click on the image below!

This is such a simple gift idea that is inexpensive and a great way for kids to use their imaginations rather than grabbing for the electronics.  Today I would love to share my Play Dough Gift idea…Candy Cane Play Dough!

You can make the Candy Cane Play Dough and give that as a gift… or you can fill a jar with the dry ingredients and let your recipients make the play dough themselves at home. Either way, I think it’s a fun and unique gift idea for kids.

Here’s how to make Candy Cane Play Dough:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
5-6 drops of peppermint essential oil (or 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract)
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup cold water
Red washable paint/watercolor
White glitter

DIRECTIONS
1.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

2.  Add the extract, oil and water and mix until well incorporated.

3.  Remove dough from bowl and place on a flat, lightly floured surface. Knead until a soft play dough forms (this takes about 3-4 minutes).

4.   Separate the play dough in half. Set aside one half and place the other in a medium mixing bowl.

5.  Add the red paint/watercolor to the play dough in the bowl and mix until your desired color is achieved. I added about 2 Tablespoons of paint to get a rich red color.

6.  Lay both colors of play dough out on your play surface and sprinkle with glitter. Enjoy making candy canes, peppermint “candies”, etc!

There you have it! A fun and frugal gift idea that kids are sure to enjoy! I’m excited to give it to my daughter, maybe we’ll get to enjoy drinking hot coffee on Christmas morning!

A Delightful Home has a ‘delightful’ bath mix that would be enjoyed!  Pair some homemade oatmeal cookies with the Oatmeal Cookie Bath recipe found on her site.

Maybe you could go one step further by adding a candle, lotion and some tea to a gift basket?

Have you got a bearded man in your life? If so, he’s sure to enjoy this homemade beard balm! With only four ingredients, it’s a breeze to put together! Check it out at Heartful Habits.