Let me tell you a secret: Christmas is not, in fact, around the corner. It is actually many corners away.
Yet every year, it seems that shops put up festive decorations earlier and earlier. Dread creeps in – the year is nearly over, and I haven’t achieved half of the things I planned. So I ignore the sensory overload, dismissing Christmas completely – there’s plenty of time.
And then? An angelic voice carrying a doomed fate - Mariah Carey starts calling out in stores and it's too late. I need to think up and buy 6 billion gifts (when did my family get so big?) in stores that are full of THE WORLDS. SLOWEST. PEOPLE. and I didn't prepare nada. Zilch. I am stressed, Linda, SEND HELP!
But you know who is never stressed about gifts? My Auntie Mildred. Throughout the year she is stocking up, catching deals, so that when the time comes she can just divide her personal stock. That beautiful lady is a genius. Now, it may be too late in the year for random deals, but often the hardest part about gift-giving is simply thinking of what to give. This guide should assist in that quest and possibly even get you to DIY'ing a gift yourself :)
Why DIY a gift?
Gifts are 80% gesture, 20% product.
Don't get me wrong, store-bought gifts can be great but most things that you can get in a store many people will have been able to buy themselves. That is why gifting is hard - what do you get someone who already has everything?
What a DIY gift has is effort, intention and care. With help from Essentially Natural you could even customise it to be Organic, Vegan, Cruelty Free or Eco-Friendly.
A DIY gift means much more than it's store-bought counterparts - and despite what it may seem like, DIY does not have to be hard.
MAJOR ALERT - SOAP
Soapmaking is simple yet fun, and with the right molds and botanicals you can create a variety of beautiful designs. You can add Rose Petals, layers, you can make it nourishing and gentle for sensitive skin, you can make it skin brightening or extra foamy but you know what you cannot do with with soap?
Rush it.
Soap needs AT LEAST six weeks to cure - and sometimes (particularly with white soaps) you might feel like you need more time. So if you are a procrastinator - your procrastination clock has struck twelve my good friend. You've got to strike now.
Types of Soap to try making:
- Starter Soap - With these foundational recipes you can choose to make your soap more conditioning or more stripping.
- Buttermilk, Honey & Oatmeal Soap - Interesting gift but slightly advanced in soap making.
- Tea Tree & Shea Healing Soap - Great for problematic skin.
- Yogurt Soap - Ultimately nourishing, moisturising and also is an interesting gift.
- Clay Soap - Very gentle and fine soap.
- Activated Charcoal & Tea Tree Soap - Skin-Detoxing and cool looking.
- If you have a specific soap idea that you would like to try - Comment below and we'll see if we can help you out.
Before you get overwhelmed:
Before you is a large variety of options. One great approach is to create a unique gift for each family member. But I have at least eight cousins - on my dad's side - some of them with a couple of kids - so in short, I will not be doing that. Instead, pick a theme or look for overlap, for example:
- For all the kids I like the idea of bubble baths.
- For the ladies and gentlemen maybe very pretty soaps with rose petals or lavender blossoms - one soap mold does come with many cavities anyway.
- For my brother Siberian Ginseng so he can WAKE UP and have the energy to do something for once in his life.
A quick word on safety:
What do people love? Celebrations! What do people tend to love more than celebrations? Not dying. So please, follow recipe guidelines about health and safety.
- Preservatives are not suggestions when included in recipes.
- Measurements should be as precise as possible. Measure with a measuring cup, not your heart, please.
- Some products are not advisable for the pregnant/ nursing or may interact with medication. This will be advised on their specific pages. Whenever this is brought up please do take it seriously and let the person who is receiving the gift know about health warnings.
General Gift Guides
What gifts to buy for men
When buying men gifts consider their hobbies, interests and lifestyle. If you know them well enough, ask yourself what would improve their daily lives (like grooming products, hormone stimulators, tech or fitness products for those inclined that way). Men's version of self-care tends to be more outcome minded and optimisation focused than appreciating a general experience.
DIY gifts for men:
- Beard Oils: Perfect for men with beards; adds a thoughtful, grooming touch and there's a high probability that though they don't buy it, they will use it and they will love it.
- Whipped Soap Base: The ultimate all-in-one for those men who buys one cleanser to wash their face, body, hair and sins away.
- 5 Minute DIY Gift: In here is a simple yet effective aftershave that helps with itchiness and irritation.
- Activated Charcoal & Tea Tree Soap: A good option for the men in your life with oily, acne-prone or combination skin.
- Solid Perfume: Great as a subtle, personalised fragrance.
- Shower Steamer: Very convenient for men who prefers quick showers over baths. You could include Essential Oils that are great for men's health like Sandalwood, for the Steamer to become more functional.
- Crafted Infusions: For if you have that fun uncle who enjoys a good drink. Add a healthy yet unexpected twist to it - see lower in the article for possible different herbs to add.
- Himalayan Salt Muscle Soak: A thoughtful option for the men in your life who would appreciate muscle relief after a hard day.
What gifts to buy for women
Pamper her but also be heartfelt. Emotionally manipulate her, for if not now - when? Try gifts that promote relaxation and self-care like skincare products, opportunities for deep unwinding, or even just cozy blankets. Emotional touches like personalized gifts or notes can make the gesture even more meaningful.
DIY gifts for women
- Velvet Hand and Body Cream: A staple in Christmas gift giving, but when it's home crafted just for her it's so much more special.
- Easy Nail and Cuticle Oil: Easy to make and ideal for ladies who need a little extra hand care from daily tasks.
- Bath Salts: A deeply relaxing option for moms needing a break - through a bath or foot soak.
- Preservative Free Honey and Pink Clay Mask: Maybe there's a lady in your life who loves self-care but avoids preservatives (and is generally anxious about the ingredient label), this would be a great option.
- Facial Roller Blend: For that beautiful Aunt who clearly takes care of their perfect skin.
- Clay Soap: If you maybe have a sister that has sensitive skin, this is a great opportunity to make her something pretty that actually helps (as clays soaps are gentle).
- Cramp Counter Actors: This is a risky move, but if you know that this lovely lady in your life has a hard time at *that time of the month* - and you are sure that she will not become offended (which she might) - this could be a thoughtful gift.
- Body Oil: Great for a sister who loves a pamper or generally struggles with dry skin.
- Lotion Bar: A very simple yet practical gift for Grandma who might be struggling with dry hands.
- Foot Balm: Wonderful for grandmas on their feet often - you can pair it with the promise of their grandchild giving them a foot massage.
What gift to buy for kids
Look out for gifts that allow the kid to be imaginative, playful and will get them excited - don't overthink this one. Aim for age- appropriate toys (like nothing mouth sized for a 1 year old), DIY kits (maybe they could make a product themselves) or things that they might find fun and interesting - for example as a child I loved snakes so I loved the book on snakes that my dad bought.
DIY gifts for kids:
- Aromatherapy Play Dough: This can be fun and soothing for younger kids.
- DIY Modeling Wax: If this kid outgrew play dough but still enjoys the creativity of building - modeling wax may be a great opportunity for play with semi-permanence.
- DIY Wax Crayons: Not necessarily a great gift for the kid per se, but if you know the mom is trying her best to avoid toxins with her young one, this is an opportunity for you to show her appreciation for that.
- Teething Assistance: If the baby is young... really young. There's not much DIY available but you can do the baby a favour and help with teething - it's a rough time. Trust me. I was a baby once.
- Foamy Gifts: Perfect for kids (or adults with a kid nature... me, I am talking about me) who enjoys playful, bubbly experiences in the bath.
- Lip Balms: Great for young Girls. We've seen how often girls love cosmetics the moment they turn five. This is close enough and can also be made natural or vegan if she is so inclined.
- Lip Oils: I was going to say that Lip Oils are more for girls but when I came home with Lip Oils one day from work - the boys loved the convenience just as much as the girls did. This can be made visually striking depending on whether or not you decide to add a Botanical.
- 5 Minute DIY Gifts: Lots of quick and small gift ideas.
Other Gift Categories
DIY Gifts for your partner
- Foot Scrub: A thoughtful gesture, especially when paired with a foot rub.
- Soy Wax Massage Candles: A romantic option with double utility as a massage oil
- Shimmer Body Oil: A fun choice for a partner who likes a bit of a glow.
- Bath Bombs: Perfect for Self-Care together, or even just relaxation in winter time.
- Bubble Bath: A great intimate gift, and can be paired with soothing and luxurious products.
DIY gifts for foodies:
-
Oil Macerations: Easy and great for those people who are culinarily inclined and haven't played with infused oils yet.
NOTE: These may take some time so start now. - Herbed Salt: Combine simple ingredients and gift a Gourmet Salt to someone you know will use it well.
- Crafted Infusions: A great opportunity for someone with refined taste buds, who appreciates craft cocktails and infused ingredients.
DIY gifts for Vegans and the Eco - Friendly:
- Handmade Chocolate: Vegan friendly chocolate that is both thoughtful AND delicious.
- Lip Balms and Lip Oils: Great for vegans who are exhausted of researching into every products cruelty history or carbon footprint - gift them guilt free beauty, they'll love it.
- Soy Wax Candles: Candles are a classic gift, this just makes it vegan and natural.
- Body Butter: Nourish your friends skin.
Shampoos, Soaps and even Pet Shampoos are available to be made vegan and eco-friendly - these could be gifted as appreciation of your friends lifestyle.
DIY gifts for a quick laugh:
- Hot Oil for Hair Growth: If you have a nephew whose beard is patchy or sister who is always complaining about her hair being too short two weeks after she impulsively cut it - this may be a fun opportunity to playfully poke at them.
- Himalayan Salt Scrub: For the perpetually barefoot family member with a note: "Take this. Your feet needs a scrub."
- Calming Teas: For that frantic cousin that needs to chill out.
- Essential Oil Blend for Sinus: For the family member who is ALWAYS struggling with the changing of seasons, always having a flu or always in some sort of battle or health crisis.
Myrrh or Frankincense is a fun opportunity to gift a pregnant woman as a way to invite laughter with reference to the birth of Jesus and Christmas - maybe with a note "For the coming Messiah: Save me a seat in Heaven, I got you gifts first!"
- Also, Myrrh and Frankincense resin thrown into fires smell amazing - which is why it was thought to be spiritual. Try it at a braai, unexpectedly - pleasantly surprise your guests.
An easy gift opportunity in bases:
If your family member has a specific preference, like loving the Lavender scent or needs a protein cream to strengthen damaged hair - you do not need to make the entire cream yourself. You could purchase the base, add their specific preference to it and still say that you made it (well... you did, but to what extent you did can remain a secret between us friends).Types of bases we house:
Click here to find out how to use Bases.A note on these categories:
To a large extent these categories rely on stereotype. Though somewhat accurate for the symbolic man or lady we all carry psychically - the real deal stands before you.
- If that man loves Baths - get him the Bath Salts (and tell him that Andrew Huberman said the salt is great for his neurons).
- If your mother is not into luxury but is more efficiency inclined and you know that this is why she showers "because baths are a waste of time, a waste of water and I don't want to lie in dirty human soup" - maybe get the Shower Steamer and include an Essential Oil that's great for Sinus, so that if she finds herself with a cold, she could shower using your gift and it should help her out.
Helpful? Check.
Practical? Check.
Creative? Check.
Attentive to your giftees needs? BIG CHECK.
I'm sorry? Is that a Bingo? I believe that is a BINGO BABY!
