10 DIY Christmas gifts you can finish before the holidays
Holiday shopping is truly, deeply a drag when you're broke and clueless as to what your cousin/boss/whoever really wants.
Instead of visiting five increasingly expensive stores, do this instead: take one trip to the craft store or supermarket and DIY bulk presents for everyone on your list.
You'll save money and have an excuse to stay in all night crafting instead of out drinking warm beer at a bar in your hometown. Win-win.
1. DIY peppermint hand scrub
A Beautiful Mess's minty hand scrub takes no more time to make than it does to mix a bowl full of cookie batter.
Plus, many of the main ingredients -- coconut oil, sugar, food dye -- are pantry staples that you may already have on hand.
2. Homemade sea-salt caramels made with bourbon
François et Moi's salted bourbon caramels take a little bit of work to make, but feed a crowd. After the caramels are cut into rectangles, wrapping each piece in parchment paper makes for a relaxing group activity.
3. DIY junk food ornaments
These colorful ornaments from Studio DIY are made from easy-to-use model magic clay that dries on its own. Plus, the material is affordable enough to make ornaments for every person on your gift list.
4. Printable 2017 coloring-book calendar
Those looking for a truly effortless DIY should take a page from Damask Love and print out her 2017 calendar coloring book. Each month features a different bit of trivia and illustrations waiting to be colored. Just print, bind and gift. Throw in a pack of colored pencils, if you're feeling fancy.
5. DIY reusable coffee sleeve
For the coffee drinker(s) in your life, follow Dream Green DIY's easy tutorial for a reusable felt coffee sleeve.
6. DIY peppermint hot chocolate spoons
Make a tray full of these hot chocolate spoons from Revenge Bakery, wrap them individually and call it a day.
7. Homemade candied gingerbread pecans
The gingerbread spices on these candied pecans from Pizzazzerie give them a decidedly holiday-friendly flavor. Take a note from her serving suggestion and gift these pecans in individual jars tied with a bow.
8. DIY face planter
For the friend with a green thumb, DIY these cute planters from Oh Happy Day. The accents are made with polymer clay that bakes in the oven so that you can easily customize a ceramic pot of your choice.
9. DIY rosemary and grapefruit candle
This collaboration between Sugar & Cloth and François et Moi makes at-home candle-making seem easy. Pro tip: The tutorial suggests using soy wax because it's a cinch to clean up.
10. DIY paper cactus plant
For the friend who loves plants but can't keep them alive, consider DIYing a paper one. The tutorial for this cute faux Christmas cactus comes from Corrie Beth Hogg for The House That Lars Built.
