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By: Next Apartment
Lifestyle, Your community, Apartment living, Christmas , Gifts , Family

DIY Holiday Gifts

With the holidays around the corner, many people are starting to stress out about the exciting tradition of gift giving. If you are not sure what to do this year, why not try some heartfelt homemade gifts? 

You could easily show your loved ones how much you care and make gift giving simpler by making your own gifts this holiday season. We have found some sweet and simple ideas everyone can do from the comfort of their home. 

Got a bookworm on your list? Then, cross them off with a few homemade bookmarks and a local bookstore gift card. With several different ways to make your own bookmarks, you can customize them to suit the recipient. This is also a fun gift kids can help you with. Why don't you have your child draw or write a note on each as a sentimental gift for family members? We also recommend laminating your designs by adding clear packing tape to each side and trimming the edges.

Handmade holiday ornaments are also perfect for family, friends, and even teachers. Salt dough ornaments can be made easily and once baked and decorated, you can add a coat of clear semi-gloss spray paint or Mod Podge to protect them. Alternatively, these cinnamon ornaments offer a seasonal sweet scent, perfect for the holidays. Because they're made from cinnamon, applesauce, and white glue, these ornaments last year after year and so does their scent, even if you paint them.

Another great idea would be to give the gift of relaxation with bath tea. You can create your own bath tea with Epsom salts, essential oils, herbs, and dried flowers. Start by layering the ingredients in organza bags, then place them in an airtight Mason jar. When wrapping with ribbon, you should include a card as well to contribute a personal touch. All the recipient needs to do is drop it in their bath water. Because most of the items you need come in bulk, you can make several bath tea gifts with minimal cost.

Finally, another soothing DIY gift is sugar scrubs. Sugar scrubs remove dry skin while moisturizing and soothing your skin. Creating your own sugar scrub is easier than you might think. You should start by mixing half a cup of white sugar with a cup of coconut oil, then adding in orange, lemon, or grapefruit zest (use a fine cheese grater against the peel). Zest will add extra texture, but you can also use essential oils instead. The present is then ready to be gifted to your loved one.