DIY the Halls

Channel Santa's Workshop this season with DIY’s!

With the Holidays approaching, it's time to start thinking of gifts. As a college student, I always look for ways to save money and add personal touches to gifts. Making a DIY gift is great because it shows how much you care and helps you save a little money. You can also check out the thrift store to find different materials to make your gifts.

Crafting Comfort

A tie blanket is one of my favorite crafts to make for the holidays. I love it because it requires no sewing but holds up well. Here are a few tips for making a super comfy tie blanket.

First, pick out two pieces of fabric. Remember the recipient’s favorite colors and size to make it even more special. I went to Walmart and chose a fleece Auburn print for one side and navy for the other. I got one and a half yards because I like big blankets. Consider how tall the person you are giving it to is and ask for those measurements.

Now that you have your fabrics, lay them on top of each other (if the fabric has a design on only one side, be sure to face that out). Once they are aligned, start cutting small, evenly-spaced slits along the edges of the fabric. I do mine about an inch apart and four or three inches long. Keep the fabric aligned through this process so you do not run into issues when tying. I know it's usually bad advice to cut corners, but not with this project! The blanket will require you to cut the blanket's corners and tie them together. Now, tie the rest of the matching top and bottom slits together in double knots. Once all sides are completed, you have the best blanket ever made!

Scented Sips

Another cheap and easy DIY is a teacup candle. To make this, you will need a teacup, candle wax, wicks, and scents. Thrifting a teacup is perfect because is it cheap, good for the environment, and totally unique.

To begin your project, sturdy the wick in your teacup by putting a pencil across as seen above. Melt your candle wax in a cooking pan over medium heat and wait until the wax is no longer opaque. The bag of wax will have specific heating instructions based on the wax type. Once the wax is melted, you can add your favorite fragrance, oil, and a touch of color dye. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is well mixed. Finally, take the melted wax and let it cool before carefully pouring it into your teacup. A funnel is helpful in this step to avoid splashing and spills. Make sure the wick stays in place and let the wax harden completely. Now you have the perfect homemade candle!

Budget-Friendly Beauty

Chances are you have all the ingredients for this DIY in your kitchen already. This DIY body scrub will have people asking you to make it again and again. First, find the container you want to use – you can thrift this too. I personally like to reuse old jam jars, but any sealable container will do. The ingredients are brown sugar, an oil of your choice (coconut, olive, almond, avocado, and jojoba all work), and essential oils. Pour half a cup of oil into your chosen container, and mix in half a cup of brown sugar. You can add more oil or sugar depending on the consistency you want. When you are satisfied with the consistency, add a few drops of essential oils. Consider who you are giving the gift to, and what their favorite scent is when deciding what to add.

These are just a few ideas on how to take your holiday gifts to the next level. Whether it's a custom blanket or a body scrub, these thoughtful gifts will definitely make the season special. So, don’t be afraid to get creative with these and add your own personal touches!

Merry Craft-mas and…

Be Well, Auburn