Share the gift of sweetness with fresh baked cookies. Brianna Rodriguez | The Crow’s Nest
By Brianna Rodriguez
The holidays are filled with cheer, cocoa and gift giving. But, as a college student, gift-giving can be difficult on a budget. All of the following gifts are under $5, can be made at home and are appropriate for any age.
Peppermint Salt Scrub
It isn’t easy to make a homemade gift for anyone. This peppermint essential oil in this scrub not only smell good, but also help relax the muscles after a workout or a long day of work.
Ingredients:
1 cup epsom salt
1 3 oz jar of coconut oil
30 drops of peppermint oil
2 small jars
Pour coconut oil in a bowl and place in the microwave for increments of 30 seconds until melted. Then slowly add in the epsom salt. After they are mixed together, add in the peppermint oil. For a stronger scent, add in a few extra drops and combine. Then evenly seperate into each jar.
For this scrub, I bought the jar and the container of coconut oil at the dollar store. The epsom salt and peppermint oil were purchased at Walmart.
Homemade essential oil candles
Who doesn’t love a good-smelling candle? These homemade candles are a great way to impress your friends and family.
Ingredients:
1 unscented candle (you can reuse the wick) or candle wax and wicks
20 drops of essential oil of choice
2 small candle holders
1 paper plate or bowl
Knife
Scissors
Shave off candle wax from the unscented candle and place on a microwavable plate or bowl. Microwave the wax in 30-second increments until it becomes a liquid. Prepare the candle holders with the wick using the scissors. Then, slowly pour some of the wax into one of the the candle holders, along with a few drops of oil. Alternate the wax and the oil until most of the holder is full. Do the the same for the second holder.
I bought the candle and essential oil at Walmart. The candle holders were purchased at the dollar store.
Cookie gifts
There are few times when gifting food can go wrong, especially if it involves chocolate. There are two ways to tackle the traditional chocolate chip cookie. If you enjoy baking, I highly recommend the Minimalist Baker Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you don’t have time or don’t enjoy baking, the premade cookie dough of your choice works just as well.
Ingredients:
1 dozen cookies of choice
1 package of gift boxes
This gift is simply the cookie of your choice presented in gift boxes. Follow the cookie recipe directions. Once cooled, place a few cookies in each box until all cookies are separated evenly.
I bought the gift boxes, which have five per package, at the dollar store and a dozen cookies at the grocery store.
