Holidays are just around the corner, and it is time for you to start thinking about gifts. Especially if you have a ton of people you love and wish to gift something to, the time is right to start thinking up some gift ideas for all your near and dear ones.

1. Homemade Hot Cocoa Jar

There is no better expression of warmth than sipping on hot cocoa on a frosty Christmas Day. You can create a hot cocoa jar complete with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and peppermint. All your loved one would need to do is pour hot milk over it, and voila! Warmth and satiation are ready for them to consume.

How to make it:

• Gather the ingredients you love – cocoa powder, hot chocolate powder, marshmallows, and practically anything (dry) that you like in your hot cocoa.

• Grab a jar the size of a 350ml mug, and layer your ingredients, keeping the marshmallows at the top.

• Seal the jar with an airtight lid and tie a ribbon at the neck. You can include a holiday message if you like, and the gift is good to go!

Remember, use only dry ingredients to maintain good shelf life for your gift and to keep it consumable.

2. DIY Scented Candles

Christmas is associated with lights – lots of lights! Why not light up your loved ones’ homes with homemade candles? They look pretty, and you can make them in any shape or size you wish.

• You will need silicone molds of any shape you prefer, candle wax, some color, wicks, some craft sparkles in any color you like, and aromatic oils or candle scents.

• All you need to do is set up your molds with the wicks and decorations placed inside.

• Now, melt the wax, and mix your favorite colors and scents into it. Stir with a skewer or stirrer to mix it well.

• Pour the wax into the molds, careful not to spill or disturb the setting of the wicks or your decorations.

• Let the wax set, and your gift is ready to be wrapped!

Tip: you can also get gel wax to make see-through candles

3. DIY Potpourri

If you have a knack for collecting pinecones and dried herbs, you can make a fitting Christmas gift out of them. Herbs are aromatic and medicinal; nothing expresses your goodwill better than wishing for good health for your loved ones.

• You will need organic sachets that let the aroma permeate, dried herbs and flowers (lavender or starflower, for example), and ribbons.

• You must carefully snip your dried herbs and flowers aesthetically and place them in the pouches or sachets you bought.

• Use the ribbon to close the mouth of the sachet in a pretty bow. You can also sprinkle some earthy essential oil to enhance the aroma (for example, lavender or musk).

Tip: you can color-coordinate your flowers and sachets.

4. DIY Happy Moments Calendar

Creating a calendar today from the happy photographs of your family gathered to have fun is extremely simple. All you need is a laptop, a printer, some card paper and lots of pictures!

• First, you need to download an application that lets you create calendars. Canva is a good option, but you can browse the internet if you prefer something else.

• Shortlist at least 14 photographs – 12 for each month on the calendar, one for the cover and one for the back.

• Create your calendar using the pictures and the app you downloaded.

• Print it, wrap it, and gift it!

Tip: you can also make the calendar by hand. It takes more time and effort but expresses better.

5. DIY Funny Coasters

Funny coasters are great if you plan Secret Santa gifts for your friends. All you need is a set of blank cork coasters, and you can start making your funny moments gift.

• Start with writing down all the funny, crazy moments you had with your friends.

• Create artwork for each coaster that describes these moments. You can add doodles if possible (pictures work great as well) and scan them all. Edit these images to the size of your coasters.

• Print these artworks on glazed paper or photograph paper.

• Paste the photographs on the coasters and finish the surface with a coat of varnish or resin to preserve it.

Final Words

There is no better gift for the holidays than the one you make yourself. Make your loved ones feel cherished by gifting them one of your own creations - warm or funny, happy or wacky!