This is a special Thriftmas guest post from our friends at Goodwill Industries International!
If you’re someone who gets a special joy from knocking out about ten holiday gifts in one crafty afternoon, these easy DIY gifts are for you.
Nothing fills us with seasonal spirit more than cranking up the Christmas tunes while making presents for family and friends. The ideas we’re sharing with you today get bonus points for being budget- and Earth-friendly since, to make these, you’ll only need to buy a couple of small items from Goodwill and the grocery store! Chances are, most of the people on your list will enjoy one, two or all three of these perfect little thrifty gifts!
Read on to find out how to make easy DIY gifts for your friends and family this holiday season. You could whip up some candied almond simple syrup for those who like to get creative in the kitchen, a jar of peppermint and rosemary sugar scrub to keep skin soft all winter long or even a pomander stovetop simmer that will make any house feel like a cozy little cabin! Don’t forget that you can double, triple or even quadruple these recipes to make things even easier. Now, let’s get started!
Candied Almond Simple Syrup
This treat will be enjoyed by people who like trying new flavors in their coffee or mixed drinks. With very simple ingredients, we’re positive you’ll have almost everything you need to get started already in your cabinets. Just grab a liquid-friendly bottle (or a few) from Goodwill and a little something to make it feel fancy, like these tiny decorative twigs that we found for just $1.50!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
Combine all the ingredients except for the extracts in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Stir often to prevent burning. When the sugar is completely dissolved, stir in the extracts and turn off the heat. Allow the syrup to cool then pour into a clean, thrifted decanter with a tight cap. As long as this is capped well, it will last up to a month in the fridge, though we’d guess it’ll be consumed long before that!
This tasty syrup makes the most delicious lattes — trust us. You’ll definitely want to try a little yourself before giving it all away! Just call it “quality control.” You can thank us later.
Peppermint and Rosemary Sugar Scrub
If the people on your list live in cold climates, it’s very likely that their skin suffers in the winter months. Sugar scrubs are a great way to slough off dead skin and moisturize those delicate, new layers at the same time. Even if the person you’re giving to doesn’t have to worry about dry winter skin, the delightful scent of this scrub creates a spa-like experience right at home. Plus, it won’t hurt your bank account to whip up!
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp. fresh, chopped rosemary needles
- Heaping ½ cup of white sugar
- ½ Tbsp. peppermint extract
- Green food coloring (optional if you want a little more color)
Warm the coconut oil in the microwave or on the stovetop just until it has melted. While it’s warming, combine the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and massage it between your fingers for a few minutes. This will mix the ingredients and encourage the oils from the rosemary to infuse the sugar with their scent. When the oil has melted, pour it a little at a time into the rest of the ingredients and mix with a spoon until combined.
To use, gift recipients will apply the scrub to their skin and massage it in gently to exfoliate. Then, they’ll rinse it off with warm water and keep the extra stored tightly for several months.
Pomander Stovetop Simmer
You’ve heard about that nifty old realtor’s trick, right? To make a for-sale home seem more appealing, sometimes a real estate agent will set up a stovetop simmer pot to conjure a warm, comforting scent. Think of it as potpourri for the 21st century! This pomander-scented one is perfect for the holiday season and makes an easy DIY gift for a host or hostess.
Ingredients:
- 1 – 2 vanilla beans
- 2 slices of fresh orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 10-15 whole cloves
- 2-3 star anise pods
Use a paring knife to cut your vanilla bean in half widthwise so you have two shorter pieces of the bean. Next, hold the in-tact end of one half of the bean in your hand and slice the long way down the center to open it up keeping the tip that you hold in-tact.
Then, while you hold that end of the bean, carefully scrape the knife away from you through the inside of the bean to shave out all of the seeds. Do this again to the other side of that pod and put the seeds into a clean, thrifted jar (it should be able to seal tightly with a mouth wide enough to get orange slices inside). Do the same for the other half of vanilla bean, then add the bean pod and the rest of your ingredients to the jar as well and fill with water.
Allow 24 hours for the ingredients to mingle. The recipients should use it within a week or two by simply pouring it into a small saucepan and simmering on low. They can reheat it again and again until the scent is gone, adding more water whenever it gets low.
Easy DIY Gifts at Goodwill
And that’s it! Just a trip to the grocery store and your local Goodwill will set you up with all the ingredients you need to batch-make some easy DIY gifts. Through its entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods, Goodwill organizations help communities extend the life of usable items, like these fancy thrifted jars, in environmentally sound ways. Pair that with biodegradable ingredients like oranges and rosemary and you’ve made something special that everyone on your list will enjoy!
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