This Christmas I really wanted to do lots of home-made gifts. It took a bit of planning ahead and a little extra time, but I'm super happy with how they came out. They really weren't hard at all to make, but I was really proud of them. Here's a couple...
The first are Beeswax Candles. They were the most time-consuming ones, but I had a lot of fun, and I love how the smell isn't over-powering when you burn them. I followed Elsie's tutorial over at A Beautiful Mess, I got the glass cannisters from Hobby Lobby, and the Beeswax from this ebay shop. They weren't all that hard to make, you just had to really babysit the wax while melting it, and it can be a little tricky to get the wax into the jars, but it's really pretty fun!
The vanilla was my favorite to make because it smells so amazing. They took the most planning since they needed to sit for at least two months before they were ready to use, and I wanted everyone to be able to use them right away. I bought the bottles off Amazon, and the vanilla beans from this Etsy shop. I just added one and a half vanilla beans to each jar (slicing each down the middle), and filling them to the top with vodka, and let them sit in a cabinet for 2 months until I was ready to give them out.
The Cocoa were the simpliest, and most fun to make. I got pre-made cocoa mix from our local Amish Market (it's amazing!), and put enough for two servings in a mason jar with some chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows, and put the directions for cocoa for two on the tags.
How was did everyone else's gifts turn out? Do you usually try to make a lot for the holidays?
Such lovely gifts. We too do a handmade Christmas, there was lots of knitting, soap, lip balm and butter body making by me and a little wood working by my husband. We managed to make everything with the exception of some books and craft supplies.
Posted by: Kim | January 8, 2013 at 08:49 AM
Sounds lovely, Kim!
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 8, 2013 at 09:22 AM
All fabulous! I still have the vanilla, I can't bear to part with it even though we can't use it! I just love the smell!
Posted by: Laura | January 8, 2013 at 09:32 AM
Laura - if you can't use the vanilla for edible things, we sometimes put a few drops in our little candle-smell lamps thing: just add a few drops to the water above the candle instead of an essential oil ;)
Posted by: Sera | January 8, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Those are wonderful! Every year I think about making most of my gifts, but usually only wind up making a few small things. Infused oils, artwork, that sort. Mostly dependant on inspiration!
Posted by: Abigail C | January 8, 2013 at 01:48 PM
Lovely gifts!
I made beeswax candles in the beginning of June last year (You can check them out on my blog, if you want to.:)) and I still have a few. Love them!! I used lavender and lemon essential oils to scent (some of) them. :)
Posted by: mariana | January 9, 2013 at 06:29 AM
Ooo! I bet those smell amazing, Mariana!
Posted by: FineandFeathered | January 9, 2013 at 10:06 AM