Homemade Sustainable Gift Ideas
A homemade gift is something truly remarkable. Instead of buying something store-bought, you’ve chosen to put time and effort into creating something special and unique, making the recipient feel valued. You don’t need to be a talented artist or a DIY wizard; impressive homemade gifts can be exceptionally simple to make.
As we approach the festive period, sustainability often takes a back seat for many households. However, an eco-friendly Christmas is entirely achievable, and homemade gifts could be a contributing factor. Here are some ideas your friends and family will love.
Jams, Chutneys and Pickles
Do you have a tried and tested family recipe for a sweet sticky jam or perhaps a tangy chutney? Homemade preserves and condiments are a labour of love - you may spend all day in the kitchen and emerge smelling of vinegar, but the flavoursome results will enrich any festive spread. Consider repurposing empty jars for your vessels (sterilised thoroughly) and adding a flourish of colour with a festive ribbon.
Wheat Bag
Wheat bags have all the warming properties of a hot water bottle with the added bonus of flexibility. You can easily make your own wheat bag with cotton or flannelette, rice, buckwheat or barley and some basic sewing skills. You could even add dried lavender or a few drops of your recipient’s favourite essential oil for an extra soothing scent boost. Pop your wheat bag in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and use it to soothe any aches and pains.
Balt Salts
There is nothing more luxurious than a long, hot bath on a cold winter’s evening - even better with candles and soothing aromas. Give your loved ones the gift of self-care with some homemade bath salts, known for their muscle-relaxing, stress-reducing properties. Mix together Epsom salts, sea salt and baking soda, and enrich with a few drops of essential oil and dried petals.
Beeswax Food Wraps
Beeswax food wraps are a fantastic sustainable alternative to clingfilm and plastic tupperware. Ideal if you have cotton fabric leftover from other projects, all you need to do is cut it into squares and brush with melted beeswax pellets to create a wipe-clean, biodegradable cover for leftovers and lunch boxes.
Hand Cream
Hand cream is essential for repairing dry, cracked skin during the colder months. With a mixture of natural ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter and sweet almond oil, you can create a soothing balm for hard-working hands. You could even combine some of these homemade gift ideas and make a self-care set by filling a decorated gift bag with homemade hand cream, bath salts and a wheat bag.
Spice Mixes
A homemade spice mix is a great gift for foodies, and with any luck, you’ll already have the necessary ingredients in your cupboard. Combine different herbs and spices to create a smokey barbeque rub, a warming pumpkin spice blend or aromatic Italian herb seasoning. For spice lovers, dehydrate some fresh chillies in a low oven, then pulse to make fiery homemade chilli flakes.
Infused Oils
Why not create some mouthwatering infused oils to go with your spice mixes? Infuse high-quality extra virgin olive oil with chilli, garlic, lemon or fresh garden herbs and decant into tall, slim, corked bottles for an elegant culinary gift set. Great for drizzling on pasta dishes or as an ingredient for marinades and dressings, these oil bottles look stunning on display and taste just as good.
Bird Feeder
If your gift recipient spends a lot of time in their garden, they’ll be privy to the benefits of having a healthy population of birds frequenting their plot. Garden birds help to keep pesky caterpillars and aphids in check, so many gardeners choose to hang up bird feeders as an incentive. Encourage a robust ecosystem and brighten up your loved one’s garden by creating quirky and unique bird feeders out of old decorative cups and saucers.
Plant Hanger
Macrame is the art of weaving and knotting chords to form decorative items such as wall hangings. Perfect for trailing plant varieties such as English Ivy and String-of-Pearls, a macrame plant cradle adds a rustic, bohemian touch to any living space. Although they look intricate, these cradles aren’t too tricky to make - follow along with an online tutorial to master the technique.