DIY Christmas Gifts

Well, November is just zooming on by, isn't it?

But it's not too late to get moving on some DIY Christmas gifts.

One of my favorites is Homemade Vanilla.

Nearly everyone in my family loves to bake, so this gift is a no brainer ~

it's easy to make, fun to package, and greatly appreciated.

And if you make it soon, it'll be ready for gift-giving by Christmas!

I make my vanilla individually, but you *could* make up a big batch in large mason jars, 

and then divide it up into smaller bottles at the end.

I buy my BOTTLES on Amazon

My BEANS on Beanilla

and my VODKA ~ just the cheap-o kind at the liquor store

I slice through the center of each bean, drop a couple in each bottle, 

fill to the top with the Vodka, tie up with pretty ribbon, and set aside for 5 or 6 weeks.

And voila!

Seriously, y'all, they make the greatest gifts!

Make some today, and check some people off your gift list!

A DIY Christmas

It's holiday baking season, y'all.
{And gift-giving season as well, don'tchaknow}.
And if you're anything like me, you LOVE to be in the kitchen.

What I don't love? Spending a small fortune on ingredients.
So *sometimes* I make my own :)

It's super easy-peasy.

You should make some too.
And gift some.
Your friends will love you!
 

 

 

 

 All you need is:

* Vanilla Beans {I use Madagascar from Beanilla }
* Glass Bottles from Amazon
* Vodka
{I use the cheapie kind, and I make Jeremy buy it for me}

Just slice the beans down the middle, throw 'em in the bottle, and fill with Vodka.
You'll want to let them sit for a few weeks, and then give 'em to your bestest besties.
{and keep a few for yourself!}


Talk to me about your favorite homemade gifts! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving ~ Gifts from the Heart

It's here! The first day of the Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash from Simply Sweet Home. Jen, from Tatertots and Jello is the first to host. I just love Jen. If ever there was a woman full of amazing crafty talent and ideas, it is she! Today she is sharing homemade gift ideas, and we are encouraged to share our own. What fun!

One of our favorite homemade gifts around here is hair clippies. We're girly girls, what can we say? And with so many girl cousins and friends, we're never short on someone who could benefit from a little hair "candy" :) Sierra, Makenna, and I recently made holiday hair clips, but we enjoy making these all year round for all different occasions.

Click HERE for a hair clip tutorial ;)

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Need a little something to put those clips in?

The other day I was looking for gift boxes for a few necklaces I was making as gifts. Of course, I couldn't find a one! I didn't want to have to order more. For one, I don't need 150 of them {or whatever the minimum order would be}, and secondly, I couldn't really wait for them to arrive. I needed them NOW. I remembered a super easy way to make gift boxes out of old Christmas or greeting cards, or a little cardstock or scrapbooking paper. We used to make these by the dozens when I was in middle school.

{I apologize ahead of time for the quality in pictures AND box. I was in a hurry, so neither turned out well, but I think you can at least get an idea}.

Simply locate an unused card.

Fold each side in toward the middle, and crease. {Fold bottom up to the midway point, top to midway, then unfold. Then fold sides in to midpoint.} Unfold all and lay flat. {I've drawn lines to show where you should see creases.

Next, cut up the each side just until you touch the middle rectangle.

Fold tabs in, and fold middle over {I use a bit of tape to secure}, and voila!

Repeat these steps for the bottom of the box, except fold in just a tiny bit further so that the box is a tiny bit smaller :)

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And what's a gift without a super cute tag to accompany it???

Searching for more heartfelt gift ideas? Go see Jen!