Christmas time has morphed into a monster of consumerism. It can seem that presents rule this special time. As my family has experienced more and more holiday stress, we have decided to go minimal with our gift-giving. Whether it is for a community gift swap or a family gift, give something meaningful, resourceful, and homemade rather than purchased. Here are some recommendations for meaningful handmade gifts you can give from things you can make on your homestead!
Homemade Soap
Soap is something everyone uses every day. As the years go by, I get sick of stuff cluttering around my home. When I get a gift, I appreciate it the most if it is handmade and useful. What is more useful than soap?
I don’t know anyone who has a homestead and hasn’t dabbled in soap making. If you have tried soap making before, you understand how simple, and fun it can be! We have a complete guide here that you can reference if you are interested in making your own soap.
Soap makes a great gift for a bunch of reasons. As we said already, it’s useful. Second, you can make custom scents or colors depending on who your gift recipient is. You can use your homemade extracts, herbal blends, and, if you have them, the resources from your bees. This is a classy and elegant gift that can make your friends and family feel pampered.
Lip Balms or Hand Balms
As a stocking stuffer, this gift is perfect. If you have a teenage girl, or a hardworking woman in your life, these balms can be a great way to pamper yourself.
Lip balms are surprisingly easy to make. Follow a simple 1:1:2. One part natural beeswax, one part cocoa butter, shea butter, or another butter of the same consistency, and two parts edible oil like grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or almond oil. Choose an essential oil of your choice, and grab some beetroot powder if you want to add a pink or red tint!
- In a double broiler over medium-high heat, melt the beeswax, butter, and oil until liquid. Mix thoroughly.
- Remove from heat and add the essential oil of your choice (optional) and stir. Essential oils can evaporate in high heat so allow to cool a bit before adding, but not until solid.
- Add beetroot powder until you get the color tint you are looking for. (Optional)
- While still hot, pour into containers of your choice. Do not place caps on yet.
- Allow to completely cool on counters, then add lids or caps to containers.
Hand balms are another similar way to keep yourself moisturized while staying sustainable. Homemade balms and lip balms are highly valued in my family. My hand balm doesn’t last me more than a month! If you are looking to make a hand balm to give away this year, see our DIY guide for more information.
Jams and Jellies
Jams and Jellies are so easy and so fun to make. There is nothing I love more than when my aunt gives me a jar of her homemade cherry jelly. If you are gardening and growing, what better resource for a gift than the things you’ve grown yourself?
Christmas Jams, Jellies, and Butters are delicious and easy. See our full article on Jams and Jellies for more information. These are perfectly sized for a stocking, making an ideal stocking stuffer! A little bit of festive ribbon and a handwritten note can take this
Herbal Tea Blends
In the winter months, we like to get cozy and stay warm with hot drinks. For my family that means hot chocolate and herbal teas. There are lots of tea blends you can find online or at the store, but consider making your very own tea blend to gift. To me, the aesthetic of dried herbs in a jar feels like Christmas. Make a custom tea blend for the person in your life who needs it. Like the Jelly and Jam jars, these tea blend jars can be decorated with festive ribbon and sent with a lovely handwritten note to make the gift more special.
Herbal blends are easy to make, easily customizable, and delicious. Plus, you get to show off your awesome herb garden! Never made your own herbal tea blend before? This winter is the time to start! See our full guide on herbal tea blends for more information.
Homemade Candles
Candles are a holiday favorite. Not only can they be used to make your home smell and feel amazing, but they can also be used in religious celebrations for those of us with non-christian friends and families. Candles are easy and fun to make. If you’ve got bees and you’re making candles, those candles are extremely valuable. At a farmers market, homemade candles go for between 30 to 80 dollars. The time, effort, love, and craftsmanship that goes into each candle makes it difficult to place a monetary value on it.
Color, shape, size, and scent can all be customized, so each gifted candle can be personal. Homemade candles are the way to go this Christmas season.
Body Scrubs
Body scrubs, sugar scrubs, and everything in between. If you can make it, you should. In general, bath and body products tend to go over well with most gift recipients. Here are 5 Non-Toxic Bath products you can make from home with the things you likely have around your homestead.
Christmas doesn’t have to be a financially stressful time. Make the people you love gifts that come from the heart and help us preserve our beautiful planet. The time and effort you put into your homestead year-round make these homemade gifts far more valuable than anything store-bought.
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