Holiday Gift Ideas!
It’s that time again! What kind of Christmas, Holiday, Ramadan, or Hanukkah gifts will you give to your loved ones this year?
I’m the most excited to sit down with some loved ones for a big Christmas feast as last year was lonely and hard. Seeing some of my family and friends is the best gift, and I don’t need anything else!
I still want to purchase or make a few gifts that have meaning. I’d like to share some ideas on things I’ve made or some cool stuff that I’ve received.
Homemade Gift Ideas
There is something extra special about homemade gifts-they have more meaning because you know the time and effort that went into making them. If you are thinking about making some gifts this year, don’t stress yourself out by feeling you have to make a quilt or knit a sweater!!
Every year I say to myself, “wouldn’t it be nice to do some canning and make some jams or tomato sauce for Christmas gifts?” And every year, it doesn’t happen. I have a significant block about it! I always love receiving any homemade canned goodies, so if you are inclined, go for it, everyone will be more than happy to receive them.
I know my limitations. I’ve made body scrubs and bath salts in the past with great success because they are delightful and straightforward.
Body Scrub
1/2 cup regular or organic sugar
1 cup coconut oil
10-20 drops of Essential Oil
Mix ingredients in a medium sized bowl, add melted coconut oil, followed by sugar in small increments, then add essential oil . Mix thoroughly.
Once mixed well, place in a small mason jar. Label and decorate jar. (recipe is for 1 small jar)
A little note on sugar. Regular white or brown sugars work well and if you are interested in purchasing less processed sugar, then consider Turbinado sugar (also known as raw sugar). It’s minimally processed, darker and less fine than granulated sugar and makes an excellent scrub. You can purchase it in bulk at the Bulk Barn.
Bath Salts
Use Epsom salt, or a combination of Epsom and Himalayan salts. Add about 10 drops of essential oil for every cup of mixture (add more for a stronger scent). Mix well and place in a small mason jar. Label and decorate jar. Suggestions for oils-lavender for relaxing, citrus oils for energy. (recipe is for 1 small jar)
Scented Spray
(for home and body)
50-100 ml glass or stainless steel spray bottle (avoid plastic bottles)
Distilled water or filtered water (especially if you are spraying it on you body).
Add 10-15 drops of the essential oil of your choice.
Shake + spray.
Inhale + exhale.
(recipe is for one bottle) You can purchase these bottles from Canadian Tire or craft stores.
DIY Dried Soup Mix
I have never made this, but have received it as a gift. I loved it and all I had to do was place all of the ingredients in a large pot with boiling water and voila, delicious soup!
Quinoa Brittle
I’m not much of a baker and it didn’t matter for this recipe. So easy & delicious. I made a large batch of this last year and dropped a box off for each of our neighbours on Christmas morning to cheer them up during the lock down. Tip-watch closely while it’s in the oven to avoid burning.
Other Ideas
Do you feel like you and your loved ones have everything you could possibly need? I certainly do, and I’ve asked some family members to donate to organizations that are important to me.
Any animal lovers? Then consider a donation in their name to their local humane society or Animal Justice. AJ is a Canadian non-profit organization that challenges our very weak animal protection laws.
Care about the environment? Give or ask others to donate to your favourite environmental organizations or purchase products that are positive for the environment. Check out Hello Good Juju. They are a Canadian company that sells all-natural, plastic-free body and home care. If you’re concerned about how much plastic is wasted on single-use plastics such as shampoo bottles, laundry soap bottles etc, then buy from them and use the code JENNPIKE10 for a discount.
Kiva is an international non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities
More than 1.7 billion people worldwide are unbanked and can’t access the financial services they need.
By lending as little as $25 on Kiva, you can be part of the solution and make a real difference in someone’s life. 100% of every dollar you lend on Kiva goes to funding loans.
For some more ideas, check out Canada Helps Gift Guide
It’s been a tough 18+ months on all of us, and the pandemic has negatively impacted many small businesses. Gift cards can be an awesome gift if they’re from a company that your loved one likes and even better if it’s from a local, small business.
We have a lovely bookstore in Picton, and I haven’t ordered a book from Amazon or Indigo for years. This bookstore doesn’t always have what I want, but they are happy to order whatever I need, and I may have to wait and pay a bit more, but it’s more important to support this small business.
What’s needed in your community? Donate money or food to your local food bank, or support a family by purchasing gifts for their children.
Happy Creating & Shopping!
Peace & Blessings.
Anita
