Ideas for easy handmade natural gifts

Tis the season and if you’re anything like me you’ll be dreading the prospect of going out to buy presents for everyone; the stress, the cost, the waste…

Here is a list of some nice little ideas I’ve found online to make thoughtful and beautiful gifts yourself and some lovely eco-friendly wrapping ideas too. Many can be made as batches, saving time.

This is a resource for the workshop I did at the Maxwell Community Centre and Garden, follow us on Facebook or join our amazing Grow Dundee Facebook group to share and learn about growing your own food in Dundee. I hope you all enjoy this and season’s greetings!

MAKE YOUR OWN BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Culinary oil and massage, bath and scented oil

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-make-Infused-Oil/

Bath bombs

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/basic-bath-bomb-recipe-516651

Cranberry orange soap

10-Minute DIY: Cranberry Orange Soap

Face mask

Avocado, Honey and Oatmeal Hydrating Face Mask Recipe

Hair mask

Natural DIY moisturizing hair mask

Tea bath

Pampering Yourself for Pennies: Tea Bath

Lip balm

Make your own coconut lip balm

Hand scrub

https://diycandy.com/cinnamon-sugar-hand-scrub-recipe/

MAKE YOUR OWN HOME SCENTING PRODUCTS

How to make potpourrit

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/making-home-grown-potpourri-1402075

No-sew drawer scented sachets

https://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-no-sew-drawer-sachets/

Flower room spray

DIY: room spray with the last of the summer roses | Funny How Flowers Do That

MAKE YOUR OWN HOME DECORATIONS

Rustic chandelier

d-i-y tree branch and string light chandelier

Branch vase

https://gardenmama.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/08/my-entry-3.html

Flower clouds

Find out how Yoko Negi makes a cloud of flowers | Funny How Flowers Do That

Plant hanger ideas

28 Creative DIY Plant Hanger Ideas | Balcony Garden Web

Paper lamp

http://ideaspaper.selbermachendeko.com/custom-hand-made-drift-wood-and-specialty-paper-lamp-over-pottery-base-on-etsy/

MAKE YOUR OWN TEA BLENDS

Autumn herbal tea

https://www.wickedspatula.com/autumn-herbal-tea/

Deep sleep tea blends

10 Herbs for Better Sleep and How to Use Them {plus 3 “sleepy” tea recipes} (traditionalcookingschool.com)

MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

Rustic pencil holder

https://strawberry-chic.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-tuesday-rustic-pencil-holder.html?m=1

Seed tape (or materials and instructions to keep them busy over winter!)

How to Make Your Own Seed Tape

Terrarium kit

https://web.archive.org/web/20210508150023/https://witandwhistle.com/2012/11/30/diy-gift-terrarium-kit/

ECO-PACKAGING

Natural gift toppers

https://www.shopterrain.com/blog_entries/natural-gift-toppers-nov-2016

Sustainable gift wrapping ideas

https://theurbanbotanist.co.uk/blogs/news/sustainable-gift-wrapping-ideas

https://www.trvst.world/sustainable-living/ethical-gifts/eco-friendly-gift-wrapping/