Inexpensive Christmas gifts

Working in a newspaper printing company has really opened my eyes to the extent that people go to spend money during Christmas season. The sheer mass of advert increases in the months of November and December just proves the fact that the Christian society of people that celebrate Christmas are conditioned to accept the fact that they are going to spend exorbitant amounts of money this holiday. Well I am here to say that it doesn't have to be that way!

Yes we all love to eat and drink more than we would any other time of the year, and that's okay, but spending ridiculous amounts of money on Christmas presents for every friend and family member is unnecessary. I have always found that the more sentimental a gift is, the more memorable it is, and those DIY or well-thought out gifts are better than costly electronics or jewelry if you ask me (shocking, I know). We all go on about how Christmas is more about our religion and less about presents, so why not prove it by scaling down? Lets instead put more time and energy into gifting this year- I know I am! Here are some gift ideas that are both creative and inexpensive.

Homemade pillows

Even if you are as unskilled with a sewing machine as I am, making pillows is possibly one of the easiest things to do. All you need is two pieces of square of rectangular fabric of your choice, and pillow stuffing (this can come loosely or pre-packed at any haberdashery/fabric store).

• Placing the two pieces of fabric together inside out against each other, pin three sides around the edges
• Sew the three pinned edges together carefully as you can
• On the fourth open side, pin and then sew only three quarters of the section, leaving a small gap, and then turn the pillow right side out again.
•  Squeeze the pillow stuffing inside the pillow through the gap that you have left
• Once the stuffing has been placed and adjusted inside the pillow, neatly tack the last small gap closed by hand with a needle and thread.
• Helpful hint: Make sure that the thread you are using matches at least one of the colours on the pillow to ensure it looks more professional
• Alternative: If you want to make a wheatie bag instead of a pillow, follow the same steps but add beans or a bag of wheat instead of the pillow stuffing. Put it in the microwave for a minute and use it to soothe headaches or cramps

Image from handymen.me

DIY Herb containers

This is the perfect gift for someone who likes to cook and use fresh ingredients. DIY herb containers are so easy and so adorable! They can be placed on a window sill in the kitchen for easy access, or even replanted in the garden.

• Empty and clean out tins/cans, remove the lid completely and smooth the sharp edges
• Cover the outside part of the tins with decorative wrapping paper and strong glue or paint
• Poke a few holes in the bottom of the can if desired
• Fill the containers half way with good quality soil from the garden, and plant the different herbs in each container
• Fill the rest of the container with soil
• Write the names of each herb on the outside of the container or add a label

Image from diychichome.com

Photo frame

I personally find photo frames underrated. In this digital age, everything is on laptops and flash disks, and people don't make enough effort to print and frame photos. Why not find a really good quality photo of yourself and the person you are gifting it to, or a photo of them and a family member, get a large print of it and put it in a really nice photo frame. Add a personal touch by writing a message on the back or adding font to the actual photo. You could even do a collage of photos and stick them to hard cardboard.

Image from shanty-2-chic.com

Spice jars

Spice jars are like the gift that keep on giving, because they are fun and easy ways to store spices, which aren't used to quickly in the kitchen. All you need is small jars of any shape, and labels marking what spice is inside the jar. Buy packets or bottles or spices from any supermarket, and simply transfer them to the decorated homemade jars. 

Image from naturallyella.com

Body scrub

This is one of the easiest things to make! You can swap and change ingredients to get the desired scent and consistency, and the natural ingredients ensure that your skin is soft and radiant. Since I started making my own body scrub I have not used any store-bought versions!

Ingredients:

• A few scoops of coarse salt or sugar granules
• Half a cup (125ml) of any type of natural oil such as tissue oil or olive oil
• A few drops of essential oils (rose/lavender/lemon grass)
• Add alternatives such as a spoon of honey, dried flowers or coffee granules
• Place mixed ingredients in mason jars with a decorative label or ribbon

Image from wolvesinlondon.com

DIY Wine bottles

To add a custom finish to a wine bottle as a gift, stick a plain white sticker with a personalized message, or cover the middle section with Christmas wrapping paper. To make the gift slightly more elaborate, place the bottle of wine in a wooden box or crate with one or two bought wine glasses and cover in hessian or raffia.

Image from bhg.com