12 Handmade Gifts for Christmas - inspiration from Budzi Nas Las

Christmas is the perfect time to gift loved ones with something special and from the heart. At Wake Us Forest, we believe that the best gifts are those in which we put a piece of ourselves - our own creativity and time. Handmade gifts have the incredible power to bring joy not only to the recipients, but also to us, the creators. That's why we've prepared a list of 12 simple but effective DIY gift ideas that anyone can make at home.

From sweet cookies and relaxing bath accessories to decorative candles and holiday baubles, these offerings combine aesthetics, functionality and personal touch. Regardless of the age or taste of the recipient, everyone will find something special. Handmade gifts are a way to show loved ones how much we care about them, through the time and heart put into their creation.

So get your favorite tools ready, gather some materials, and start creating gifts that will bring smiles and warmth to the holiday moments!

1. Soy candles with your favorite fragrance

Materials needed:

• Soy wax

• Candle wicks

• Essential oils (you can choose your loved ones' favorite scents - e.g. lavender, vanilla, eucalyptus)

• Small jars

How to make:

Melt the wax, add fragrance oils, and pour into jars with a wick. Allow to harden. Such candles are great for a gift - they fill the house with a warm scent and create a cozy atmosphere.

2. Bath bombs with a touch of luxury

Materials needed:

• Baking soda (1 cup)

• Citric acid (1/2 cup)

• Epsom salt (1/2 cup)

• Coconut oil or olive oil (2-3 tablespoons)

• Cosmetic dyes (optional)

• Essential oils (e.g. rose, citrus, lavender)

How to make:

Mix dry ingredients, add some oil and a few drops of essential oils. Press the finished mixture into silicone molds, let it dry. Bath balls wrapped in cellophane will make a beautiful, fragrant gift.

A little tip: Before gifting bath bombs, make sure the gifted person has a bathtub - otherwise it will be a gift that... won't do the job! ;)

3. Homemade spiced teas

Materials needed:

• Sipped tea (black, green or rooibos).

• Extras: cloves, lemon zest, cinnamon, dried fruit

• Small jars or pouches

How to make:

Mix tea with the additives of your choice and pour into jars or pouches. Such a tea with a unique flavor is great for winter evenings - you can create a citrus, spice, ginger or gingerbread-flavored blend.

4. Glycerin soaps with additives

Materials needed:

• Glycerin base

• Dried flowers, lemon peel, ground coffee, cinnamon

• Essential oils

How to make:

Melt the glycerin base, add the additives and fragrance oils of your choice, then pour into silicone molds. Once solidified, remove the soaps and wrap in pouches or decorative paper - a perfect gift for the bathroom.

5. Christmas style chocolates

Materials needed:

• Chocolate (bitter, milk or white)

• Extras: nuts, dried fruits, sprinkles

How to make:

Melt the chocolate, pour it into small molds and sprinkle with your choice of toppings. After the chocolates have set, you can pack them in a decorative box. Such homemade chocolates are a simple way to make a sweet gift that will please everyone.

6. Jars of ready-made baking mixes

Materials needed:

• Jars

• Ingredients for cookies or brownie (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, candy or chocolate)

How to make:

Layer the ingredients into the jars, creating decorative layers. Include instructions with recipe and baking time. This is a practical gift that allows the recipient to prepare tasty baked goods at home without shopping.

7. Natural sugar scrubs

Materials needed:

• Sugar (1 cup)

• Coconut oil or oil (1/2 cup)

• Extras (e.g. grated citrus peel, cinnamon, ground coffee, ginger)

How to make:

Mix sugar with oil and additives, then put it in a jar. The scrub will be a great gift for lovers of homemade skin care - the skin is smooth and moisturized afterwards.

8. Handmade baubles with dried flowers or spices

Materials needed:

• Transparent baubles for decoration (available at thrift stores)

• Dried flowers, twigs, cinnamon, small pinecones, glitter

How to make:

Open the baubles and fill them with dried flowers, spices or small Christmas decorations. Close and tie with a ribbon. Such baubles will be a charming and elegant Christmas tree ornament or interior decoration.

9. Homemade cookies in festive shapes

Materials needed:

• Ingredients for your favorite cookie dough (e.g., gingerbread or shortbread cookies).

• Molds in the shape of stars, hearts, Christmas trees

• Sugar markers or glaze for decoration

  
  

How to make:

Bake the cookies, then decorate them according to your own ideas. Transfer to cellophane bags or metal tins and tie with a ribbon. This is a tasty homemade gift that will please any gourmand.

10. Hot chocolate set in a jar

Materials needed:

• Jar

• Drinking chocolate (powdered)

• Mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, grated chocolate

• Small bag of vanilla sugar

  
  

How to make:

Layer in drinking chocolate, marshmallows, chocolate chips. Add a bag of vanilla sugar. Attach a note to the jar with preparation instructions (e.g., “Add hot milk and stir to make delicious hot chocolate”). Such a jar is a simple and cozy gift for cold evenings.

11. Natural bath salts

Materials needed:

• Epsom salt or sea salt

• Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, lemon)

• Extras: dried lavender flowers, rose petals, grated citrus peel

• Small jars

How to make:

Mix the salt with the oils and additives, then transfer to jars. Add a label with the name and brief instructions for use (e.g., “Add a handful of bath salts and enjoy relaxation”). Bath salts are a simple way to make a nice relaxing gift.

Remember our little tip, which you can find by the bath balls ;)

12. Decorative cup holders made of wood or cork

Materials needed:

• Cork or wooden coasters (you can buy ready-made or cut from a slice of wood)

• Acrylic paints or waterproof marker

• Brushes, stencils or painter's tape for patterns

How to make:

Paint the coasters in patterns of your choice, such as geometric shapes, snowflakes, lines or dots. You can make a set of four different or similar coasters. After the paint dries, wrap in gift paper and tie with string. Such a gift is practical and suitable for everyday use.

Handmade gifts have something magical about them - they are not only objects, but also memories that can be kept for a long time. With these 12 ideas for handmade Christmas gifts, each of us can create something special that will please the recipient and give a personal touch to the holidays. It doesn't take much - a bit of inspiration, a few simple materials and a moment of free time are enough to conjure up gifts full of warmth and care that you won't find on store shelves.

By Budzi Nas Las you can give your loved ones more than just a gift - authentic gestures that will stay with them for a long time and remind them of the moments spent together.