Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to think about the gifts we want to give this year. We have literally been wanting for years (years!) to write a post offering simple DIY gift ideas made from reclaimed objects or things that are easy to find.
We have finally realized this wish and, very humbly, we offer you these few project ideas to make at home.
Who said you had to break the bank on expensive gifts to show others they matter in your life? We find that taking the time to craft a small, personalized gift is a wonderful gesture of love.
Looking for more gift ideas? Also visit our post about our 5 handmade cosmetics to give as gifts.
Candle in a maple syrup can
If there is one thing that is easy to give as a gift, it’s a candle. And if there is one thing that is easy to make, it’s our homemade candle recipe! We thought it would be neat to make it in a maple syrup can since it’s a great way to recycle the container, and every good Quebecker goes through at least one a week! Seriously, it will give it a beautiful second life. You can also get creative and pour your candle into a bean can. 😉
Dish soap bar in a thrifted mug
A dish soap bar is truly brilliant. A dish soap bar in a beautiful little mug found at a thrift store? It’s the perfect gift!
Even today, very few people know about dish soap bars. Giving one to someone who has shown interest in consuming differently can be a very good idea. It’s the kind of product that is really fun to discover and changes the way we do the dishes.
Bath salt in a Mason jar
Glass jars—you want 'em, you got 'em at thrift stores like Renaissance!
Why not prepare a simple little recipe and give it as a gift, giving a second life to an old jar while making someone happy? You kill two birds with one stone! It could be a soup mix, cookies ready to bake, hot chocolate powder… We suggest a bath salt with fir macerate!
You simply need to put equal parts of Saskatchewan pink salt and Epsom salt mixed with a hint of fir macerate into a jar, where you can also add dried flowers and/or herbs (we like fir needles, calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rose). And there you have it!
You can have fun layering by alternating salt and plants, or decorating your jar for an even bigger "wow" factor!
Pro tip: to make sure the bath salt is plumbing-friendly, you can pour it into a cotton tea bag, or put a mesh strainer or drain catcher in the drain to collect the residue at the end.
Simmer pot-pourri
Why not prepare little bags of potpourri with your citrus peels? They make such great gifts. Your loved ones will be able to scent their homes in a totally natural way. Want gift ideas? We’ve got 'em!
"Whatever's-in-the-fridge" potpourri
- a handful of oven-dried citrus peels
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 crushed cardamom pods
- 1 star anise
- 1 conifer branch
Put everything in a small paper or fabric bag. When you want to create a festive atmosphere in the house, pour the contents of the bag into two cups of water and let it simmer over low heat. Careful: keep an eye on the water level to prevent it from evaporating too quickly!
Cute little soaps
Soaps are fun to make and make for great gifts. They are among our favorite gift ideas. You can vary the sizes and shapes by trying out different types of molds.
We like to reuse small plant-based cream containers (like Belsoy) to make super cute little square soaps! You can make several types of mixtures and have a nice variety of colors and scents.
