Easy Holiday Gift Ideas
With the pandemic taking its toll on everyone financially and emotionally, this holiday season is the perfect time for personalized handmade gifts. We’ve compiled a list of easy crafted gift ideas, suitable for even the least artistically-inclined people.
Soup in a Jar:
Soup in a jar is a great gift idea for a chilly day. Simply add dry ingredients and powdered broth into a mason jar, attach cooking instructions and throw on a bow! A cute, personal gift to enjoy on a chilly day- just add water! For givers on a budget, you can also visit your local grocery store and buy in bulk to save money. This idea works well with bean and pea soups: but the only real limit is your imagination.
For inspiration and recipes visit: https://wholefully.com/homemade-soup-mixes-in-a-jar/
Cake in a mug:
Make an easy gift idea with “cake-in-a-mug.” Visit your local grocery store and pick out your favourite instant cake mix. Take the contents and split it into quarters, or halves, depending on the size of the mugs being used. To make it even easier, grab instant cake mixes that only need water. Take the recipe and divide to find the measurements. Put plastic wrap over the top and write your easy recipe on a note to attach. Easy microwavable cake!
For more ideas visit: https://www.skiptomylou.org/chocolate-mug-cake/
Christmas Saltshakers
This incredibly cute art idea is affordable and makes a great centrepiece to a cozy holiday dinner. First, go down to your local dollar store or thrift shop and pick out saltshakers. Then, find some mini Christmas decorations or reindeer figures that are small enough to fit inside your shakers: using more flexible plastic decorations makes things a bit easier! Simply fill the shakers halfway with salt and arrange the mini-figures in the ‘snow’ and voila! Instant festive saltshakers!
Image sourced from Country Living
Bath Tea:
This is an easy gift idea for all bath lovers. Buy or thrift a small decorative jar and a case of Epsom Salts or bath salts to fill the jar with. For something extra, try adding essential oils or dried flowers. Decorate it with a ribbon, and write a nice message with marker or pair it with a candle for a perfect relaxing gift.
Knit Blanket:
Are you crafty and like to knit? Go with a classic and make a knit blanket for that special someone to keep them warm through the cold winter months. Don’t know how to knit? Fear not: there are multiple online sources to get you started, including patterns that teach you how to make chunky knit blankets with your hands! Check out this link that teaches you how to knit an easy blanket without sewing needles:
https://www.instructables.com/Easy-Chunky-Hand-Knitted-Blanket-in-One-Hour/
Mason Jar Spa:
Create an affordable, stay at home, spa in a jar! Visit your local thrift store or grocery stores to find a jar or box and fill it with nail polish, filing boards, face masks, washcloths and bath bombs for a luxurious stay at home spa day.
Recipe box:
Do you love to cook? Find a small box and write down some of your favourite recipes. Fill the box with a small stack of cue cards including recipes from breakfast to supper to dessert. Indicate which are your favourite things to cook! You could even offer to cook one meal with them every time you visit and work through all of the recipes together.
Tea Box:
Do you love to paint? Find yourself a small wooden box that is big enough to fit a few tea bags inside. You can buy paint cheaply at the dollar store, or simply find some ribbon and glitter to decorate. Label the box with the word “Tea” and fill it with all of your favourite blends. The box can then be reused after the tea is gone.