We are closing in on the end of the year. Another whirlwind of a year that has again left us robbed of special times with friends and family. COVID 19 is not going anywhere, and the best we can do is buckle up and roll with the punches. There is at least one thing we can do that is both therapeutic and a way to show we care. DIY gifts have made a comeback, as their value outweighs most impersonal gifts bought at the shops.
Time to get crafty.
Bread in a Jar
© Sunset
A perfectly layered jar with all the ingredients to make a delicious chocolate chip and oat bread. The hardest part of any recipe is measuring and finding the most suitable ingredients. Make the perfect jar gift – ready to use, by easily layering the ingredients in a creative way to make a jar to remember and enjoy.
Add a lovely instructions sticker or homemade card to top it off.
Baking the bread instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the contents of this bottle: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips.
- In a small bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 2 large eggs, and 1/4 cup melted butter.
- Stir wet mixture into dry ingredients just until evenly moistened (batter will be lumpy).
- Scrape into a buttered and floured 9- by 5-inch loaf pan (with a 9-cup capacity), and bake in a 180°C oven until a wooden skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
Faux Agate Coasters
This is a lovely gift and a super fun DIY to try if you have a creative flair for creating sculptural objects. You can get creative with colours and create as many different coasters as your heart pleases. These blue agate coasters are just on-trend and beautiful to look at too.
Jen Woodhouse
Punchy Homemade Syrups
Simply made, infused syrups are a great gift – especially for coffee and cocktail lovers. These syrups pack a punch, and you can gift them individually or bundle a few flavours as one gift for your recipients.
You can make a base syrup real fast by combining one cup of sugar and one cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool. You will infuse your flavours before it cools.
Scented Candles
Scented candles over the holidays are a must. If you have visited colder countries during the festive season, you know all too well, how the smell of cinnamon, cranberry and peppermint can ignite your festive cheer. Sharing this feeling by gifting a homemade scented candle in a mason jar is a whimsical gift to give.
Fruitful and Cheer
A fancy fruit, nut and chocolate basket is a gift of luxury. With perfect produce to bring on the cheer, it also symbolises good wishes for a fruitful new year. This NorthPole fruit box is a clever idea with a touch of class.
The Idea Network
Lime and Mint Soak
Our feet get tired, and we barely take any time to genuinely care of them. They have the difficult job of moving us around all day, and boy, can they feel it after a long day.
An aromatic and therapeutic lime and mint soak is the perfect gift, made with love and ingredients that can make a difference. You can make a soak with any of your favourite flavours and scents.
Slice and Bake Ease
Another DIY gift winner for people who love to pop things in the oven and watch them grow. Choose a few flavours for your dough and make a cookie variety box as a gift. You can gift the dough, rolled up neatly with ribbon, which friends or family can just slice and bake. Alternatively, you can slice the dough and place them decoratively in a present-style cookie box.
Becky Steyner
