Presents made with love (and your own hands) are the best kind.

DIY projects are not only a good way to save some money on buying presents, but they are also a great way to show your love for your friends and family by putting in some time and effort on something handmade. Here’s some easy and cost-effective DIY ideas:

1. After Eight Brownie Mix in a Jar

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup of crushed After Eight Mint Chocolate Thins
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• A pinch of salt

Layer the ingredients in a mason jar. Tie with ribbon and download a printable tag with instructions.

2. Clementine Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1½ – 2 cups sugar
• 10 drops of clementine essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a jar, stick on a tag, and your spa in a jar is ready! Remember to write on the tag that you can use the sugar scrub 1-2 times a week in the shower to exfoliate away dead skin cells and make skin soft and glowing this winter.

3. Flavoured Vodkas

Chai Vodka: Combine vodka, cinnamon sticks, candied ginger, black peppercorns, cloves and cardamom pods. Let stand at least 3 days, strain and pour into bottles.

Spicy Citrus Vodka: Combine vodka with grapefruit zest and dried chillies. Cover and let stand for 2 days. Strain and pour into bottles.

Keeps for 2 months.

4. Christmas Tea Tree

This project only requires just a few individually wrapped tea bags. The more attractive the wrapping is on the tea bags, the better. Make sure to include at least a few green tea bags into the mix to highlight the tree theme.

You will also need:

• Styrofoam or paper cones
• Glue gun with glue sticks
• Small paper mache box or some kind of short, round cylinder to use as the “stump”
• Wooden star or other star trinkets for decorating

Instructions: Place a thin line of hot glue along the upper edge of the back of a tea bag, then attach it to the cone, starting at the base of the cone. Using hot glue, attach the star to the top of the tree and paper box to the base of the cone.

5. Gingerbread Bath Bombs

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup epsom salts
• 1/4 cup citric acid
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbs melted coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp molasses

Whisk all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the melted coconut oil and molasses and mix well. If the mixture is too dry, add a drop of water.

Pack the mixture into your gingerbread men mould. Let dry for 24 hours. Take out and store in a dry place. Use 1-2 gingerbreads per festive bath.