Last Minute Gifts in Mason Jar Ideas for Caregivers
It takes a village! We've all heard the phrase before. Have there been any special people in you and your child's live this year to help with their care? As a single mother who works from home, my son spent two days of almost every week this past year at my dear friend's house where she graciously played, fed, and loved on him. I can never repay her for all of those hours spent caring for my child when I needed to get some work done! Whether it's your child's teacher, grandparent, parent, or simply a kind friend... making sure we can gift them something special for the holidays is a must! They work so hard to help make sure our babies grow up happy and healthy.
If you are like me, then you love to gift handmade and from the heart! Below I have listed a few fun ideas that you can easily make in less than a day, even the little ones can join in.
Beeswax + Soy Wax Candle
Did you know that beeswax can purify the air? It's the most amazing tool to help clean your home! The negative ions released when burning react with the positive ions floating in the air such as pollen, dust, dirt, and other pollutants. Their positive charge is what causes them to float, but the beeswax turns them neutral and either sucks them back into the candle or drops them to the ground! Soy, though all natural, does not have an amazing cleaning property like beeswax. It does, however, create an even burn to your candle which beeswax has trouble doing alone! Making your own beeswax and soy candles is incredibly easy!
Supplies (to make 4 candles):
- 1/2 lb 100% filtered beeswax
- 1/2 lb 100% soy wax
- candle wicks with metal bottoms
- vessel of choice to hold candle (mason jar, teacup, etc)
- In a makeshift double boiler (old soup pot for candle making only!) or crockpot (also for candle making only!), melt the beeswax and soy wax together. This will take a few minutes.
- While the wax is melting, position your wicks within their vessels. I always seem to use mason jars to make my candles as I tend to have them on hand! You could use any vessel you choose, though soy seems to work best in a glass container. I use wicks with metal bottoms. To position them, dip the bottom of the metal into some melted wax, and stick to the bottom of the vessel. Allow to harden and straighten the wick as much as possible.
- Once the wax is melted, using an old soup ladle, pour the candle over the wick and into the vessel. Straighten the wick if it has moved.
- Allow to cool until solidified, about an hour or two.
- Decorate with a cute ribbon or some twine!
Lemon + Rosemary Sugar Hand Scrub
I have gifted this to friends and family more years that I care to count! It makes such a great gift for anyone. Upon opening, they'll receive the most delightful scent of fresh lemon and woody rosemary. I just think rosemary makes the perfect winter-time herb! You'll be surprised how incredibly easy and fast this recipe is!
Supplies:
- 1 1/2 cups fine sea salt
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 tbsp Vitamin E oil or almond oil
- 2 tbsp natural lemon hand soap
- 25 drops tea tree essential oil
- zest of one lemon
- zest of one orange
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
- In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Mix all ingredients until well incorporated. If you find the mixture too liquid-like, add more salt. I wanted mine a bit more creamy, but you may like it to be crumbly. Choose whichever suits you!
- You can also substitute the sea salt for epsom salt, but this can be a bit course and rough on your skin. Because this scrub is very fresh, it should only last a month or two. Please be aware that it can go bad due to the use of the liquids! I would also say that this scrub is fine enough to use on the rest of your body (avoiding private and sensitive areas, of course). I might try it on my arms and legs!
- Place in a pretty glass jar with a seal and tie with a piece of twine! All done!
Simmer Pot in a Jar
I love a good simmer pot! I think I would just cry if someone gifted me one all packaged up cute in a jar. This is the simplest gift you can give to someone, especially if they are trying to create less waste in their life and gain less things. You can quickly fill up a mason jar with the ingredients, tie it with some twine, and write a little tag that lets them know how to use it. Everything can be composted inside and the jar can be reused for other things!
Supplies:
- 4 star anise
- 2-4 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 cup allspice berries
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1-2 sprigs fresh evergreen trimmings
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- 3-4 slices of dried oranges and/or applies
- Jar with an airtight seal
- Place all ingredients in the jar in the order listed above.
- Seal the jar, tie with twine, and add a slice of dried orange for decoration!
- Write them a tag that says the following: "Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and cover with water. Add a teaspoon of vanilla if desired. Heat to a simmer and allow to sit for as long as you prefer! Place in the fridge to use again up to 2 more times."
I hope you enjoyed these simple, handmade gift ideas! There is nothing I love more than watching the expression of others who receive a handmade gift. It's almost as if they've never experienced it before these days! I think you could really surprise someone this year by gifting handmade. Plus, it's so much less expensive!! Wishing you a happy holiday season (:
xoxo Kayla
You can find more DIY ideas and recipes on my blog at underatinroof.com