It can be a time to create a lot of wrap, garbage and wasted time and money on gifts that are unappreciated or unused, or with a little effort and thinking ‘outside of the box’, it can be a great opporutunity to have some fun and spread some true Christmas cheer.

If you like to reuse, recycle, and care about the planet, here are some ideas that might help.

 1. Instead of giving a tangible item, give an experience A gift of this nature will not require boxes, wrapping paper, or other wasteful materials. Give your friends individual or season tickets to something that interests them – you may be able to get a season pass for the local skating rink, gym for working out or swimming, or a gift certificate to a restaurant – even a gift certificate for the local pizza place can be a wonderful thing. You will be helping to build memories, save time and your recipients won’t have to find a place for yet another gift item. There are many more things you can do like this, your imagination is the limit.

2. Pamper your friends. Arrange for a massage therapist to come to your friend’s house, or give him/her a gift certificate for a relaxing massage. From pedicures, facials to haircuts, giving such a gift will be a real treat. Who wouldn’t want to be pampered a bit during the busy holiday season – and beyond?

3. Home-made gifts mean a lot. When you make a gift for someone, you have to think about who they are and what they’d like. People really appreciate this time and effort that is evident in a home-made gift. Are there any foodies on your list? Buy a vintage container, mug or cup at an antique store (tea cups are usually to be found in abundance in antique stores) and fill it with home-made candies or cookies. You can also make your own gourmet cocoa mix using sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and powdered milk. That goes well in a handsome mug, as does attractively wrapped loose tea and an infuser (avoiding the waste of tea bags).

4. Food is always appreciated Aside from the usual cookies and candy, there are practical and meaningful food items you can give the people on your gift list. Bake them a loaf of home-made bread (thus skipping that pesky plastic wrapping on store-bought bread), or even an entire meal. You can bring it to them or invite them over.  This is especially awesome for new mothers (and old ones too!!)

5. Give something living. Sprout some culinary or medicinal herbs in your windowsill and give your friends a useful, living gift. Nothing brightens the darkest days of winter like growing plants, and this is one gift that is truly green! Want to spruce it up even more? Put it in a unique container and/or paint it or decorate it yourself. Even a small, simple painted on picture can really jazz it up and make it personal.

6. It doesn’t have to big. Something small that is just up their alley can be far more appreciated than something large that doesn’t interest them. My sister recently bought me a cup with an insert to infuse tea and a lid. It’s one of my favourite things, I use it all the time.

7. And of course homemade skin care items, pamper and spa baskets are always appreciated. You can make them big or small by making a themed basket or a single item in a small gift bag. You can even make that yourself by decorating a small paper bag or cutting one to size and stamping it or tieing it with ribbon or jute. If you need some quick ideas to ‘make it special’, you can get them here.

DIY Gift Giving Ideas and Everything Christmas.

Related posts:

1. Saturday Surprise Special – Make It Special Christmas Edition
2. Make It Special – DIY Gift eGuide is ready
3. Make It Your Self Christmas eGuide – Looking Good!

I'm happy to say that our newest eGuide is ready.

And so is my rear end after spending far too long sitting in this chair the past weeks getting it ready!

It seemed to grow on it's own, so now totals 4 eGuides in one, all for the same low price of 8.99.

If you're stuck on something easy to make for Christmas, there are recipes and pictures.

If you want to do something different this Christmas, there are more than enough resources all in one place to give you plenty of ideas about how to make it special this year.

I've really enjoyed putting it together and plan to get a lot of use from it myself.

I'd like to give special thanks to all of the contributors who took time from their busy schedules to "make it special", and to Lisa and Sahrina, for helping me to put it all together.

 
Make It Special – a DIY Guide to Gift Giving… the natural way.

Give The Gift of Beautiful Skin

Make It Special – A Make It Yourself Gift Guide – 8.99

INDEX GUIDE ONE

Before We Get Started…

Safety First What About Making Soap?

Ingredients

Preservation or Antioxidant?

Measuring and Converting Recipes

Essential Oil Dilution Chart

GIFT RECIPES – Give the Gift of Beautiful Skin In The Tub – Just Say AHHHH!

Fizzing Bath Silk

Muskoka Snow/Balls

Handmade Bath Beads

Bath Bombs

Scrubs and Masks

Winter Wonderland Body Polish

A Day in the Life of a Sugar Scrub – a true story

Balms and Salves

Christmas Kiss Lip Balm

Solid Perfume

Essential Oils

Make Your Own Essential Oil Blends

Christmas Time Essential Oil Blends

The Finishing Touch

Packaging to Perfection

Shipping Your Gift

Selling Your Bath Items at Craft Bazaars etc.

Make It Special Christmas Resources

More Handmade Christmas Gift and Decoration Ideas

Free Christmas Printables, Tags and Downloads.

Get Organized this Christmas

INDEX GUIDE TWO

Special Contributors

Sunfeather Soaps

Brambleberry

Mountain Rose Herbs

Soap & More

Eugenia Aukete – Ghana Shea

Nature's Gift

DIY Skincare Resources and Supplies Directory

Labelling

Packaging

Soap Supplies – US and Canada

Essential Oils

Of Interest

INDEX GUIDE THREE

Presentation and doing Christmas Craft Sales and Bazaars

My notes

My pictures

INDEX GUIDE FOUR

More Christmas Ideas

Creative Gift Basket Ideas

Christmas Cookie Swap

Unique Christmas Cookie Packaging

Christmas Wreaths

Christmas Card Organizing and Displays

Affordable Holiday Gift Ideas

Homemade Christmas Cards

Holiday Handmade Gifts

Holiday Decorations

Gift Packaging/Wrapping Ideas

Edible Gift Ideas for the Holidays

KID STUFF

Family Christmas Eve Traditions

Homemade Gifts for Family

Keepsake Crafts

Homemade Wreaths to Make with Kids

Kids Crafts that Double as Gifts

Gorgeous Centerpieces Kids Can Make

Food Crafts

Fun Nativity Crafts

Fun Santa Crafts

Family Christmas Traditions

BONUS – 25 WAYS TO MAKE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Traditions with Your Family

Christmas Decorations You Can Make With Your Kids

Cute Ornaments You Can Make with Items Around Your House

How to Make a Gingerbread House

Unique Christmas Tree Ideas Small Space?

How to Decorate for Christmas When You Don’t Have Much Room

Popular Christmas Tree Themes

Make a Baseball Theme

Christmas Tree Decorating Your Tree on a Budget

How to Make a Personalized Christmas Ornament

Ways to Save Money on Christmas Gifts

Ways to Make a Christmas Wreath

Santa Craft Ideas for Kids

Reindeer Craft Ideas for Kids

Planning a Christmas Cookie Swap

Making Wrapping Paper with Kids

Family Time: Make Christmas Cards with Kids

Decorating Your Yard for Christmas

Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Christmas Treats to Send to Your Kid’s Class Christmas Party

Ideas for Kids Christmas Party Ideas for Adults

Christmas Décor Ideas for Kids to Make

Easy Christmas Gifts in a Jar

Make It Special – A Make It Yourself Gift Guide – 8.99

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1. White Christmas Sale Extended and Christmas Hours
2. White Christmas Sale, How To Wholesale, DIY Christmas Guide Contributions
3. Making Custom Gift Basket Ideas