I like handmade things. Handmade gifts especially. Every Christmas I feel like between the many gifts I buy for others, the ones I create with my own hands are the most special and most appreciated. I’ve been putting together a cookies mix in a jar to give as gift to my favourite people the last few Christmasses – just a fun way to share my favourite recipes with them, but this year I thought I’d change things up a bit and have put together a bit of a different couple of handmade gift ideas!

These are great if you’re after a last minute DIY gift idea, or are planning to go for something made with your own hands this year! They both only require simple, easy to trace down, natural ingredients and make for festive little gifts perfect for wintertime!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix

Ingredients ::
2 teaspoons grated hot chocolate
1 teaspoon white flour
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
Smashed peppermint candy canes

Place the ingredients in the previous proportions in a small 150ml jar repeating the same doses until the jar is full, then smash the candy canes and add them to the jar as well. Use a small teaspoon to stir all the ingredients together into the jar so that they’re all well combined. Download the labels here (or write them yourself!) and tie one of them to the jar with your red and white twine!

Rosemary + Lemon Sea Salt Body Scrub

Adapted from The Simple Things‘ body scrub recipe.

Ingredients ::
450g coarse salt
juice of 2 lemons
7-8 tablespoons olive oil
zest of 1 lemon
2-3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Measure out the salt in a small bowl, add the olive oil and lemon juice, then grate the zest of 1 lemon and chop the rosemary leaves. Mix all the ingredients together until nicely combined. Spoon into small 150ml jars until full, then seal the lid and add a hand-written gift tag tied with your red and white twine. Suggest to keep in the fridge on the back of the gift tag!

Homemade Hazelnut Brittle Sachets

Ingredients ::
Follow my recipe here

Brittle is extremely quick and easy to prepare! Follow my recipe here, then cut little squares of parchment paper and place each brittle piece between two foils, then pile them up, so that the singular pieces don’t stick together. Place them into transparent food sachets and tie with a red bow, add a small gift tag, and you’re done!

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