It’s a few days before Christmas and that nagging, “I forgot something” feeling is rising in the pit of your stomach. We’ve all been there. It’s easy to forget to grab a gift for a particular person. But who wants to brave the stores just days ahead of the holiday? And who has a million bells and whistles for homemade gifts? Here are some DIY last-minute gift ideas you can turn to in the eleventh hour that won’t require any extra shopping since they make use of common household items.
1. Potpourri
What you’ll need:
- Oranges
- Cranberries
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Star anise (optional)
- Lemons (optional)
- Rosemary (optional)
Slice up some oranges and lemons if you’ve got them and put them on a baking sheet. Do the same with some fresh cranberries. Bake the fruits low and slow, setting your oven to 200 degrees for 2-3 hours. As you build your potpourri, layer the dried fruits with cinnamon sticks, cloves, rosemary, and star anise in a jar or container. Be sure to include directions, explaining how to add the mix to water and simmer it in a pot to get the most out of the aroma.
Instructions: Country Hill Cottage
2. Handwritten Recipe Book
What you’ll need:
- Index cards
- Hole puncher
- Binder ring or ribbon/string
- Pen or marker
Grab a few index cards and write your favorite recipes. Connect them together with whatever you have on hand and you’ve got a makeshift recipe book.
Want money-saving tips and hacks in your inbox? Sign up for our free newsletters.
3. Hot Cocoa Mix
What you’ll need:
- Mason jar
- Powdered sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered coffee creamer
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Chocolate chips (optional)
- Crushed candy canes (optional)
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
You can’t go wrong with a hot cocoa mix around the holidays, and if you’re a baker, all of the fixings are likely pantry staples.
Recipe: Sprinkle Bakes
4. Bath Salts
What you’ll need:
- Mason jar
- Epsom salt
- Coarse sea salt
- Baking soda
- Essential oils
Giving the gift of relaxation is easier than you might think. Just mix together some epsom and sea salts, add in baking soda along with a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and put it all in a jar.
Instructions: Elizabeth Rider
5. Homemade Treats
What you’ll need:
- Cookie/candy/brownie ingredients
- Disposable container
When in doubt, bake or make a treat to gift. Use whatever you have in the cabinet and find a recipe that fits, and it’s as easy as that. No holiday gorcery-store horror story required.
Trending on Cheapism
6. DIY Planters
What you’ll need:
- Soil
- Any household item that can work as a plant container
- Part of an existing houseplant
If you have an old tin, watering can, or even a boot that can be reused and repurposed into a planter, spruce it up for a homemade gift. And if you have houseplants you’re able to propagate — specifically those that you won’t have to put in water and wait for roots to grow before planting them in soil — you can elevate the gift that much further.
Tip: Some of the easiest plant to propagate include Tradescantia, spider plants, snake plants, pothos, and even a Christmas cactus.
