Greyston Harding’s Top 10 best DIY gifts of 2017

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‘Tis the season of giving, It’s also the season of not knowing what to give! Here are the top ten ways you can make a thoughtful gift within the comfort of your home, and without spending a ton of cash!

10: Homemade layered candles

You will need a 2 ounce glass, different colored crayons, and a candle wick, which can be found at Walmart. You could also add scented oils if you have them. To create the candle, you melt the crayons one at a time in a pan on low heat, and layer the melted wax into the shot glass. About halfway through the layers, place the appropriately sized candle wick in the center of the wax, then carefully continue the layering process. Once the candle is layered to your desire, let the wax cool until completely firm.

9: Scrabble ornaments

For this gift you will need Scrabble letter tiles, ribbon, scissors, and a hot glue gun. Think about what words you want to use for your ornament. Holiday words are the most practical. Using your hot glue gun, glue the desired scrabble pieces together to form a word. Allow the ornament to completely dry before moving on to the next step. Glue a piece of ribbon to the back of the Scrabble letters and now you have a homemade ornament!

8: Christmas Potpourri 

Who doesn’t love the smell of Christmas? You will need 1 orange, 1/2 a cup of cranberries, 3 cinnamon sticks, and a pinch of grated nutmeg. Wrap all of these items up in some clear plastic wrap and tie it off with a bow to send it on its way! To use this gift all you have to do is pour the contents into a pot with warm water and wait for the aroma to fill up the entire house! Simmer the pot on your stove-top on low heat.

7: Candy cane dip

For this simple yet decadent treat, all you need is 8 ounces of cream cheese, 13 ounces of marshmallow creme, and 5-7 candy canes. Crush up the candy canes and mix all of the ingredients together to make a yummy Christmas dip! Dip graham crackers, cookies, brownies, or anything sweet into this Christmas treat!

6: Homemade peppermint Oreos

For the cookie batter you will need 1 box of chocolate devil’s food cake mix, 1 egg, and 1 stick of softened butter.

Combine the ingredients until the batter is completely smooth. Roll the dough into balls until your desired amount of cookies is achieved. Place the balls of dough on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

The frosting will need 1 stick of room temperature unsalted butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and some Andi’s crushed peppermints.

Mix the butter with the milk, peppermint extract and vanilla extract. Then slowly add the powdered sugar and beat the mixture until fluffy.

To assemble the Oreo, frost the bottom of one cookie, and place another cookie on top. Voila, homemade peppermint Oreos!

5: Peppermint brownie mason jar

For this gift you will need 1 cup of sugar, 2/3 cup of cocoa powder, 1 cup of chopped Andes mints, 1 and 1/4 cup of flour, and a pinch of salt. Layer these ingredients into a clear mason jar. Tie a ribbon around the sealed jar and this gift is ready to be made into delicious brownies! This way the recipient can make their own brownies!

4: Spa in a jar

For this relaxing gift you will need nail clippers, a nail file, travel size lotion, travel size shampoo and conditioner, travel size face cleanser, a small candy of your choosing, chapstick, and a disposable razor. Place all of these items into a clear mason jar and tie it off with a ribbon!

3: Hot cocoa bucket with marshmallow dippers

For this sweet treat you will need, hot cocoa mix, clear plastic bags, twist ties, small cellophane bags, tall plastic skewers, marshmallows, a bucket, and baking twine. Spoon the cocoa mix into the plastic bags and tie them off with a twist tie, then push the marshmallows into the skewers. Wrap each individual marshmallow with the cellophane bags and tie it off with baking twine right below the marshmallow. Arrange the bags of cocoa mix at the bottom of the bucket, then place the skewers in-between the bags so that they are sticking upwards.

2: Peppermint sugar scrub

This gift needs 2 cups granulated sugar, (divided) about ¼ cup of almond oil, (divided) 2 drops of red food coloring (or raspberry juice) and 8-10 drops of peppermint oil.

Get two separate bowls and fill each bowl with one cup of sugar. Distribute the almond oil to each bowl evenly and stir well. Take one bowl and set it aside, then take the other bowl of sugar and add two drops of red food coloring and mix it together to make a light pink color. Add 8-10 drops of peppermint oil to the pink sugar and mix it well. Take a clean container and add a layer of pink sugar using a large funnel. A paper funnel works well so the sugar can easily slide into the jar. Follow with a layer of white sugar. Continue until the layers until the jar is full.

1: Coffee mug mixers

For this gift you will need a set of spoons, melting chocolate chips, melting white chocolate chips, candy canes, sprinkles, and really any kind of topping you’d like!

Melt the chocolates in two separate bowls. Once the chocolate is completely melted, dip the spoon into the chocolate until completely covered. Keep dipping the spoon until a thick layer of chocolate covers the spoon. Next, while the chocolate is still melted, add toppings! For example you could add crushed candy canes, caramel drizzles, sprinkles, anything your heart desires! Once the spoons are to your liking, place them in the freezer until completely solid. Once solid, cover the spoon in cling wrap, and tie it off with a ribbon! To use this sweet treat, just make some coffee or hot chocolate and stir the beverage using the spoon!

If you’re stuck trying to figure out what present to get someone for the holidays? Try out one or two of these do it yourself presents and you won’t be disappointed by the results!

If you want to read more in depth into these wonderful gift ideas, go to this website and browse even more awesome gift ideas!