7 minute read
Homemade Gi s
Gift guide for those on a budget
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Emilia Citoler citolemi000@hsestudents.org
The holiday season brings plenty of exciting opportunities to see family, connect with loved ones and also brings the season of giving. For many, gi -giving is a physical manifestation of their feelings towards whoever is receiving the gi . Some relish in the task of nding an object to give, while others nd the task daunting. Not only is gi giving time consuming, it can be considered pretty expensive. “I’ve de nitely spent more than $200 on gi s before,” senior Grace Harley said. “I like nding really special gi s for my friends and family, which ends up being pretty expensive.” Especially for students who have limited incomes, the season of gi -giving can take a stressful of gi -giving can take a stressful turn. With gi exchanges for turn. With gi exchanges for family, friends, and clubs, the family, friends, and clubs, the total can easily rise over $100 total can easily rise over $100 dollars when purchasing each dollars when purchasing each gi . is is where homemade gi . is is where homemade gi s are found to be costgi s are found to be coste ective and a great alternative e ective and a great alternative for those on a budget. for those on a budget. “I may not be the most “I may not be the most creative but I still like to make creative but I still like to make my gi s occasionally,” senior my gi s occasionally,” senior Jack Douthit said. “As cliche as Jack Douthit said. “As cliche as it sounds, it is the thought that it sounds, it is the thought that counts.” Homemade gi s are not only Homemade gi s are not only cost-e ective, but can feel way cost-e ective, but can feel way more personal and meaningful more personal and meaningful than simply clicking “add to than simply clicking “add to cart.” Homemade gi s are cart.” Homemade gi s are also a great way to practice also a great way to practice sustainability and reduce waste sustainability and reduce waste produced from the holiday produced from the holiday season. Plenty of store-bought season. Plenty of store-bought gi s end up shoved in a closet or gi s end up shoved in a closet or thrown away. thrown away. “I love making my own “I love making my own gi s,” senior Hannah Kmetz said. “I nd it so much easier to make something rather than try to nd something that is everything that I want.” Making all your gi s by hand can be a daunting task, as it can be time-consuming and require a good amount of attention to detail. Kmetz advies to start early and keep focus on the end product.
Ornaments
Materials Needed:
- Clear ornament - Picture of choice - Glitter/stickers/ribbon - String - Mod Podge Instructions:
Ornaments If your recipient participates in Christmas, a homemade ornament may be the way to go. Cra stores, like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, have all the materials needed for under $15. Grab a wood ornament and picture of your choosing and you have a heartfelt gi within you have a heartfelt gi within minutes. minutes.
1. Cover the front side of wood ornament with layer of mod podge. 2. Cover with glitter. 3. Once dry, ip the ornament and cover the other side with mod podge. 4. Cut picture to size and place onto ornament. 5. Cover picture in a layer of mod podge. 6. read ribbon through the hole at top and create a knot so that the ribbon forms a loop. 7. Done!
Cake Pops
Ingredients:
- Packaged cake mix of your choice and respective ingredients - 1 bag of chocolate melts - Lollipop sticks - 1 tub of icing - Sprinkles of your choice
Instructions:
1. Prepare box cake mix according to the package. 2. Let cake cool for 5 minutes and then mash. v 3. Roll the mashed cake into balls and place lollipop stick into middle. 4. Melt the chocolate melts and dip the cake balls in, covering the entire surface. 5. Decorate to your liking. 6. Place in fridge to cool for 2-3 hours and enjoy! Baked Goods Baked Goods Baked goods are perfect for Baked goods are perfect for the holiday season, whether the holiday season, whether the mix is store-bought or the mix is store-bought or completely homemade, baked completely homemade, baked goods are almost always goods are almost always appreciated. Before baking, appreciated. Before baking, make sure to know if the make sure to know if the recipient has any dietary recipient has any dietary restrictions. restrictions. “Cakes are super easy to make “Cakes are super easy to make and don’t take too long,” Kmetz and don’t take too long,” Kmetz said. “You can decorate them said. “You can decorate them any way you want and create any way you want and create something beautiful and tasty.” something beautiful and tasty.” Other treats that can be made Other treats that can be made include brownies or cake pops, include brownies or cake pops, adding fun sprinkles or colored adding fun sprinkles or colored icing can add a fun holiday icing can add a fun holiday twist. twist.
Co ee Scrub
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup co ee grounds - 1/2 cup coconut oil - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1 tbsp hot water Instructions: 1. Combine all ingredients b in a bowl and transfer to a b b container. 2. Let sit for 1-2 hours. 3. Done!
Jewelry Jewelry is super easy and extremely customizable, perfect for moms, girlfriends, or teachers. Beads are relatively inexpensive and come in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. Depending on the recipient’s favorite type of jewelry, one can make a necklace, bracelet, anklet, or earrings. Other than the use of stretchy cord, one can up their jewelrymaking game by investing in jewerly pilers, which allows one to add clasps to their necklaces and bracelets. Cra stores like Michaels have all the neccessary supplies, even cheaper options can be found on Amazon. Scrubs An easy and fun DIY gi is a homemade hand or body scrub. Scrubs are great for exfoliating the skin, leaving the user with so and supple skin. With only a couple things needed from the store, this gi comes together in under 20 minutes. e only materials needed are a jar of some sort, sugar and oil of one’s choice. is can be coconut, almond, olive or jojoba oil. To personalize the scrub, nd out what the recipients favorite scent or favorite oil is and incorporate that into the scrub. Another type of scrub that one can make is a co ee scrub; Co ee is a great exfoliante. For this scrub, one will need co ee grounds, hot water and coconut oil.
Jewelry
Materials Needed:
- Cord or elastic string - Beads of your choice Instructions:
1. Adjust length of string to liking, depending on type of jewelry and size of wrist/neck/ankle. 2. Collect beads and organize into desired pattern. 3. String beads onto cord, leaving room at the end for knot. 4. Tie the cord in a double knot.
Candles
Ingredients:
- Wax - Wicks - Container - Fragrance - Color Instructions:
1. Place wick in container of choice. 2. Heat wax on medium tempature, add fragrance and color if desired. 3. Pour wax into container. 4. Use two pencils or popsicle sticks to keep wick in place. 5. Trim wick to size and allow wax to harden. Candles Candles are surprisingly easy to DIY and, with the variety of scents and colors, it is the perfect gi to make on a budget. Candle-making soy wax and candle wicks are readily available at most cra stores. With a wide array of essential and fragrance oils, candles are customizable for any recipient. e wax can be poured into any heat-safe container, like a mason jar or an old candle jar. e outside of the jar can be decorted to add a personal touch.
