Whether it's the fact that the high cost of Christmas creeps up on you like death, or you've just been far too busy, forgetful or nervous to commit time to Christmas shopping, it's dangerously close to Christmas and quite possible that you haven't purchased gifts for people in your family yet.

Don't fret, it happens. Moreover, it's downright expected. But rather than hurrying out to battle the onslaught of other busy and/or broke procrastinators, stay home instead. Prepare gifts for family and friends using things that you already own... and no, you won't have to re-gift your toaster.
Instead, you're going to be creative and innovative. You're going to fish through you kitchen and bathroom cabinets, you going to search through your pantry and you're going to scour that drawer where you all the miscellaneous items that don't normally use, and you're going to use those spare things to create fierce and unforgettable gifts.

The kitchen, in particular is great for the creation of Christmas gifts. Not only can you simply make a tray of cookies or a jar of your famous coquito for family, you're also have all of the ingredients necessary to make all natural homemade beauty products for family and friends.

And if you have mason jars or any re-sealable clean containers, you're already more than halfway there, because creating facial scrubs, body wash and moisturizer can be that easy.

Luxurious Sugar Scrub Recipe (wellnessmama.com)

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup sugar (white sugar or brown sugar)
  • ¼ cup oil (olive or coconut are great)
  • Optional: essential oils

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight jar.

Use 1 tablespoon as needed in the shower. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse well. It will leave your skin feeling like silk.

Popular variations:

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Coconut Oil Honey Hair Mask (madincrafts.com)

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts coconut oil, melted
  • 2 parts honey
  • 1 part apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

Mix together and pour into a microwaveable jar. The hair mask will naturally separate in the jar, Re-melt and stir before each application.

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DIY Exfoliating Oatmeal Body Scrub (alyssaandcarla.com)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
  • 2 chamomile tea bags

Instructions:

1. Add the cup of oats to a food processor. Grind until the oats are broken up into dust (or very small pieces).

2. Transfer oats to a bowl and add coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and the contents of the two tea bags. Stir well until mixed. (If your coconut oil is too solid to measure, run the jar under some hot water or heat up in the microwave to make it easier.)

Notes:

1. To use the scrub, apply at the very end of your shower. You'll want to get out right after so that you don't rinse away all of the moisturizing oils.

2. Stir your scrub before using. Scoop out a small handful and rub all over clean skin. Rinse with warm water, using a washcloth if you prefer. Careful in the tub- it will likely get slippery!

Apply a lotion or body oil once you've towel-dried for maximum moisture.

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Jersey Knit Bracelet (instructables.com)

Materials:

  • Old, clean t-shirts
  • Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
  • Clip

Instructions:

Cutting the Strips

1. Using scissors or a rotary cutter, remove and discard the hem from the bottom of the t-shirt.

2. Cut up along the seam several centimeters, then begin to cut strips about 1-2cm wide along the bottom. For thinner material cut wider (2-2.5cm) strips Once cut, grab the ends and pull, this will result in the material curling at the edges.

3. You will need two strips about 4 feet long so you will likely need to combine several strips.

Combining Strips

4. Cut a small slit near the ends on both strips.

5. String the slit-free end of one strip through the hole of the other strip then it's own slit, forming a loop.

6. Pull the ends to tighten the loop.

Weaving the Bracelet

7. Take the two strips of fabric ~4ft long and fold each in half. Clip together at the fold giving you four strands (in my example two blue and two white).

8. Take the two strands on the right (white) and fold them over the two strands on the left (blue) then loop back under the blue and over the white. Tighten the knot.

9. Take the blue strands and fold them over the white, then loop back under the white and over the blue. Tighten the knot.

10. Repeat, alternating colors and making sure the knots are tightened evenly. Continue until it is long enough to wrap around your wrist.

11. Remove the clip and feed the free ends through the loops and knot a couple of times. Cut off the excess strands.

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Red Grapefruit Whipped Body Lotion (dailysqueeze.com)

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup virgin coconut oil, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons raw shea butter, at room temperature
  • 1/8 teaspoon pure almond extract or 2 drops almond oil
Zest
  • 1 Paramount Citrus red grapefruit
  • 2 teaspoons tapioca starch

Instructions:

1. Place the coconut oil, shea butter, almond extract and zest in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium for 30 seconds.

2. Turn to high and whip the lotion for about 4 minutes, until it is light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the tapioca starch and mix for 30 more seconds.

3. Transfer to a jar with a lid and store at room temperature for up to a month.

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Pumpkin Spice Coffee Body Scrub (tattooedmartha.com)

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup pureed pumpkin
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbs coffee grounds (fresh coffee grounds will have more caffeine and antioxidants)
  • 2 Tbs coconut oil*
  • 1 Tbs honey
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. *Coconut oil melts at about 78 degrees F (approx: 25 degrees C) so if yours is still in solid form just submerge the jar in hot water until it starts to melt.

2. Combine all ingredients in a sealable glass or plastic container and stir until completely mixed.

3. Apply to skin (avoiding your face) in a circular motion for 1-2 minutes. Rinse mixture completely off with warm water and pat dry. Keep any leftover scrub sealed up, in the refrigerator. It can keep up to two weeks. When ready to use it again, just submerge jar or container in hot water for 5 minutes so it's not icy cold!

Teeth Whitener (food.com)

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 3 -5 drops hydrogen peroxide, 3%
  • 1 drop mint extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix to make a paste, apply to toothbrush and brush teeth.

2. Please be sure to take note the sodium does not count it does not get ingested.

3. As stated above in description to be used 1-3 times a month. Even once a week is fine.

Paper Clip Earrings (sunntvanillla.blogspot.com)

Materials

  • embroidery floss
  • earring clips
  • paper clips
  • Fabri-Tac {any clear, quick drying glue will work}

Instructions:

Make sure to add your earring clip before securing the two ends together.

Take a little tape and secure those ends together. This will make it a lot easier once you start to wrap it with embroidery floss.

Tie a knot on one end and glue in place. You'll want to run a dab of glue along the entire base of the paper clip to hold the strands in place. This will take some finesse!!!!! Keep adding glue to the edges as you go along to keep the floss in place.

Instagram Coasters (foammagazine.com)

Materials:

  • 4-inch round, flat cork pieces
  • Modge Podge glue
  • Card stock paper
  • Instagram print-outs
  • Foam or felt mounting dots

Instructions:

1. Using the cork piece, trace a circle onto the card stock and the picture print to make sure the size of the materials match.

2. Spread a thin layer of the Modge Podge onto the cork, then place the card stock on top.

3. Do the same with your Instagram shot, and seal with another thin layer of the glue.

4. Stick four mounting dots on the back.

Also, try the Reversible Coffee Cup Sleeve, the DIY Multi-Strand Staff and the Spoon Rings. ALSO, instead of spending tons of money on useless wrapping paper, be green and use old newspapers and magazines to wrap your last minute gifts!

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