HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Make-'em-Yourself

Low on funds this holiday season? Don't be a scrooge and skip the prezzies! Instead, put your creative juices to the test and whip up a little somethin' somethin' straight from the heart! These super fun and easy DIY crafts are the perfect gifts that won't break the bank. A quick trip to your local craft store or just a peak around your kitchen cupboards is all you need to wow over your friends and fam. Get to work Ms. Crafty Claus!   

Gingergirl Body Scrub
This scrumptious gingerbread scrub smells good enough to eat (but don't).

What You Need

• 12-ounce jar
• 3/4 cup each fine sea salt
• Granular brown sugar
• Almond oil
• 1/2 tsp each cinnamon and pumpkin-pie spice
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• Few drops vanilla

What You Do

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and transfer to a clean jar. That's it!
2. For a sweet finishing touch, cut a gingerbread shape from a brown paper bag, and glue it to the lid of the jar. A ribbon is the icing, honey!

Sweet Striped Soaps
Whip up a batch of these for all your beauteous buds.

What You Need

• Brick of glycerin soap
• Essential oils
• Soap dyes
• Small plastic rectangular container
• Sharp knife
• Clear cellophane
• Colored ribbons

What You Do

1. Cut two blocks from soap, and heat each in large Pyrex measuring cups at 30-second intervals until melted.
2. Add a few red soap-dye drops to one bowl and green drops to the other. Add several drops of essential oils to each as desired (we used eucalyptus and rose).
3. Pour red soap into rectangular container to make a 1/4-inch line. Let sit until firm-soft, at least 20 minutes. Drag the knife over the top, making stripes across the surface (this scoring keeps the layers together).
4. Pour a half-inch layer of green (you'll need to re-melt) over the hardened red, let dry and score the top as you did with the red. Repeat this process, alternating colors until the container is full. Do not score the top layer. Let sit several hours or overnight.
5. Pop the soap out of the container, and use the knife to slice it into thick bars. Wrap like a present in cellophane, and tie a ribbon 'round it.

POSTED ON 12/2/2007 2:00:17 PM