Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts

Making your own Christmas gifts for friends at work or even your family at home is always fun. You can be creative and make the person feel like you took extra time just to make something for them. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Cookie Mix Jar

Find a glass jar or at least one you can see through. If you want, you can decorate it with stickers, gel pens, colored glue or anything you have around the house. Look up a great cookie recipe like chocolate chip or oatmeal. Add all the dry ingredients in layers to your jar. Put the lid on and then get a piece of colorful or themed paper to write the recipe on. Use a hole punch to make a whole in your recipe and then tie it with a ribbon to the jar.

2. Photographs

If you have a good camera then go outside and take some beautiful pictures. Its best to use nature and natural landscapes. Take a few and then see which ones you like best. If you have a 4 mega pixel or higher digital camera then you should be able to make prints at least the size of 8x10. If you use a film camera use the lowest speed of film possible, such as 200. Once you have the pictures printed you can buy the frame from the store. If you want to make it extra special you can buy a plain colored frame and then decorate it yourself. If you can draw or sketch skip the photographs and use your own artwork.

3. For your Pets

You can't forget your furry friends on Christmas. Of course they would like a new toy from the pet store but they would also love some yummy treats. You can make your own dog biscuits or cat treats at home. Go here to get some recipes

Dog Treat Recipes

Cat Treat Recipes

Make a batch and then put a few in their Christmas stocking (yes pets should have one too). You should have enough from one batch to last several days.

4. Homemade Bath in a Jar

Buy several colors of bath salts or powders. Layer them in a glass jar and add a small loofah or sponge at the very top. To make your own bath salt simply use Epsom salt and then any essential oil you have on hand or go out and buy some. Mix the two together and that's it. I love using oils like lavender, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus and spearmint. Tie a pretty ribbon on your jar and then add a decorative card or piece of paper with the person's name on it.