Those of you searching for the perfect Christmas gift for friends and family should know you’re not alone – especially if, like me, you leave things to the very last minute and then have to fight through hordes of deranged shoppers for that last tin of cookies.

This year however, I’ve decided to kick-start the Christmas present fandango early. For fans of crafty solutions, read through this list of thoughtful gifts you can make at home, which people will actually enjoy receiving.

For those special ladies:

Bathing time is usually a coveted sanctuary for females. The children are settled, the cooking and housework are done, and now you can take a blissful soak in warm water, to soothe out any tensions from the day.

1.  DIY Bath Salts

This is one of my favourite bath time indulgences, and it’s so easy to make!

Ingredients:

2 cups of sea salt
1 cup of Epsom salts
1 cup of dried rose petals, lavender flowers, or rosemary leaves
8 drops of complimentary essential oil (lemon and eucalyptus go well with rosemary leaves)
(optional: add in half a teaspoon of cornstarch or oatmeal which will soften both the water and their skin)

Directions:
Combine the sea salt with the Epsom salt and blend. Add the dried flower or herb petals, and then the aromatherapy oil. Mix well and then pour into a decorated airtight glass container.

Use:  Sprinkle around two heaped tablespoons into the bath, while the water is running.

2.  Body Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup of brown sugar
½ cup of coconut, olive, or almond oil
2 tablespoons of honey
15 drops of an essential oil (eucalyptus for invigoration, lavender for relaxing, orange for soothing, etc)

Directions:

Mix the above ingredients together, and then place the mixture into a decorated airtight glass jar. The mixture usually keeps for around 6 months. Another scented body scrub recipe involves the ingredients listed in the image above – it makes a delightful cinnamon-orange scented body scrub.

Use: Best used in small quantities. Rub gently into the skin, and then rinse it off in the shower.

For those special gents:

It’s that time of year when the sports games, braais, and outdoor fun commences in earnest for males. Along with that comes the chance of pulling a muscle or spraining an ankle. With this handy warmer however, soothing heat will never be out of reach (unless you’re in a microwave-less area).

1.  Hot / Cold Pad

Material:

Sewing kit
An old pillow case
A meter of fabric (avoid floral or girly patterns)
A cup or two of either rice, lentils, or wheat
Dried lavender
Velcro strip

Directions:

Use ¼ of the old pillow case to create a small bag pouch, sewn shut on three sides. Fill this pouch with rice / lentils /wheat and dried lavender, being careful to leave a 3cm gap from the top. Sew the fourth side shut to create a ‘grain pillow’. Use your secondary fabric to create a cover for the pillow; only sew three of the sides shut. Measure out the Velcro and sew onto the top and bottom of the fourth open side. This is so you can remove the pillow with ease when you need to heat or freeze it.

Use: Remove the pillow from the covering and microwave it for around 1 – 3 minutes (as you don’t want to burn the filling or dried lavender, place a small cup of water in the microwave with the pillow). Remember to put the cover back on the pillow once it’s been heated. Alternatively, you can stick the rice pouch into the freezer (sans covering) and use it as a temporary ice pack for bruising and sprains.

2.  Spicy Braai Rub

For those who aren’t sewing fans, head to the kitchen. This simple recipe will take the stress out of trying to re-create a perfect braai rub, every time you braai.

Ingredients

¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cayenne pepper
¼ paprika
¼ salt
2 tablespoons of black pepper (ground)
2 table spoons of thyme

Directions:

Combine ingredients thoroughly and place inside a sealed container.

Use: Sprinkle over chicken, beef, fish, or any type of meat. Simple to do, yet thoroughly appreciated

Let us know if you’ve tried any of the above crafty Christmas gifts.

Crafty Christmas Gifts – Part 2  covers gifts for children of all ages

Crafty Christmas Gifts – Part 3 covers gifts for the home

Crafty Christmas Gifts – Part 4 covers DIY Christmas cards

Crafty Christmas Gifts Part 5 covers some last-minute ideas

Main image credited to shabbyscraps (Flickr)