How2Day: Special Homemade Gifts

From dream catchers to scarves, homemade gifts can be the perfect way to create a memory for you and the recipient. dreamcatcher isolated on white background image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
You want to find the perfect gift for a special friend or family member. Purchasing a piece of designer clothing, gourmet food items or brand name accessories can be pricey. Homemade gifts offer several benefits to store bought presents. Not only are homemade gifts budget friendly, they offer a personal way for you to customize and create a gift specially tailored to the recipient.

A scarf relies less on skill and more on patience and quality yarn. smiling man with the scarf image by Denis Babenko from Fotolia.com
Scarves are one of the easiest things to knit, and require only two knitting needles, yarn and your time. Choose the recipient's favorite color. You can even use two separate spools of yarn and knit twice at once to create a multicolored piece. The time and effort spent on the scarf can remind the scarf wearer every time they put it on that you thought they were worth it.

Stamps and ink can personalize a scrapbook. scrapbooking image by Philippe MICHAUD from Fotolia.com
Scrapbooking is a great way to compile memories and keep mementos of cherished times. In a scrapbook, combine copies of letters you've received from the recipient, tickets to events you've both attended, photos, and even receipts from special meals. All of these artifacts can work together to create a book full of memories and serve as a great gift and memory holder for years to come.

Bath salt and herbs can provide therapeutic and muscle relaxing qualities in a comfortable bath. fresh olive branch and bath salt image by joanna wnuk from Fotolia.com
Putting together a bag of fragrant bath salts, hand towels and bubble bath mix in one package can create a spa-worthy present, all for much less than an average store bought bath kit. Salt Works, a sea salt company, suggests adding 15-30 drops of essential oil with 16 ounces of bath salt. Once the salt is dry, you can adds herbs like lavender, spearmint, or oregano. You can purchase bubble bath gel inserts at any beauty, grooming or bath supply store. Dollar or discount stores often sell these inexpensively.

A personal puzzle doesn't even have to perfectly fit together, as long as the overall picture is coherent. puzzle image by Nathan Walls from Fotolia.com
Decoupage compact, high quality cardboard with a picture that inspires memories. Once the image is on the board, use a razor or craft knife to cut puzzle pieces out. While time consuming, creating a personal puzzle can be a satisfying and fun way to pass down memories that are individually tailored to the recipient.

A wide assortment of spices can provide a wide assortment of colors in an aesthetically pleasing gift basket. spice image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
Many kitchen connoisseurs know how to use the right spice to add impact to dishes. For the chef at heart, use an inexpensive basket to hold a small kitchen towel. This will act as your base and provide a splash of color. Arrange a wide assortment of spices in the basket and wrap the whole thing with tissue paper or colored plastic and top with a big bow. For the truly crafty, put the spices in personalized jars first.

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