GirlsLife.com - 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

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and transfer to a clean jar. That's it!

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

Cut two blocks from soap, and heat each in large Pyrex measuring cups at 30-second intervals until melted.

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).

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).

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.

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

MOD MOD MOD MOD!

I need help....one of my guy friends that ive nkown since the begginning of school this year just asked me out on Friday(our last day of school) through one of my long time friends. I dont know what to do.....should i givee him a chance? Lets just say hes not the most popular guys at school.....well how bout we call him alex. And the kid I liked Garret. Garret and I have known each other since we were really little....but we were split up as kids because he went to one school and i went to a different one. But we met back up in middle school.

I like alex but i like him like a friend not a boyfriend. But Garret likes someone else, but he wont tell me.....Oh and did i mention alex doesnt have a cell phone?

I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!! ANYONE WHO IS READING THIS PLEASE HELP TOO!

Don't go out with guys you don't like, it not fair to the guy and usually the relationships end up badly because giving the guy a chance doesn't usually work out in most situations (there are exceptions but they are rare). And if you like someone else its really not for to the guy. I hope that helps!!!
Toodles,
Lissy

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD!
Okay so for the gingerbread scrub is there any subsitutes you can use insted of the almond oil? Thanks a bunch in advance(:

Hey girl,

Try canola or vegetable oil. They're basically the same in texture (light) but just aren't infused with that almond scent. No biggie, as long as they work the same, right?

Lauren C.

by cottoncandy_xoxo on 10/13/2011 3:26:38 PM

what is modding
also have any good ideas for thing to do with your old clothes and and DIY spa recepies

by allycat1998 on 3/13/2010 6:52:59 PM

I really want to make the body scrub but I don't know where/how/when to get the almond oil

can it be replaced with another oil??

by soccer girl210 on 12/23/2009 5:35:23 PM

MOD MOD MOD MOD

sorry! but i am still confused:
it says 3/4 cup each fine sea salt
granular brown sugar
almond oil

can u explain what it means by that and like how much for the brown sugar and almond oil?

Thanks sooo much!

*=)

by soccerlovaforev96 on 12/4/2009 4:23:00 PM

MOD MOD MOD MOD
it says it right here.

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

by soccerlovaforev96 on 12/1/2009 9:09:56 PM

MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD MOD
3/4 sea salt for EACH jar of body scrub?
And how much Granular brown sugar and
Almond oil ?? Sorry,!! i ask to much questions!!!
*=)

Hey babe! Not sure where you saw sea salt...but use 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of almond oil, and 2 tablespoons milk.

Megan R.

by soccerlovaforev96 on 12/1/2009 7:07:49 PM

MOD MOD MOD
Hey! For the ginger body scrub, what does it mean when it says 3/4 cup EACH fine sea salt?
Thanks!
*=)

Hey girl! I just checked it out...it just means adding 3/4cups worth of sea salt to ginger body scrub recipe. Nothin' extra

by soccerlovaforev96 on 11/29/2009 6:24:18 PM

Lissy,
thanks a bunch! Your a lot more helpful then my friends. lol just kidding. well no not really, but thanks! I really appreciate it!

Well im off to make those adorable body scrubs!
good night,

by joy on 12/22/2007 8:57:32 PM

by joy on 12/22/2007 8:48:39 PM

Sorry, spelled these wrong

by Jamie on 12/15/2007 10:07:30 AM

Theas crafts ROCK!!!

by Jamie on 12/15/2007 10:03:26 AM

hi ppl

by harrypotterrox on 12/6/2007 8:35:21 PM

******MOD**********
how much almond oil do i need???!!!!
thx
*****MOD***********

I'm actually not sure...probably just a bit?

♥ Alli

by harrypotterrox on 12/6/2007 8:32:31 PM

I made the sea salt scrub 2 years ago for my friends. Wow i really recommend it. It feels so nice and it smells and looks christmassy!! Great job GL and thank youu!

by Abby on 12/6/2007 7:16:48 AM

***MOD***
when alot of girls flirt they are totally selfabsorbed and i want to flirt but not become one of them
got any tips?

Check out the Flirting 101 Guide.

<3 Jessie M.

by Kelseygirl12 on 12/5/2007 10:38:49 PM

hiii i was just wondering, all the ingridients for the scrub are dry ........ exept almond oil and vanilla ........ so its like a dry body scrub? hmmm.. strange ....... but ....... kinda cool.

by alesia on 12/5/2007 3:26:35 PM

I am soooo not crafty. lol. =) cute ideas though.

by Hannah on 12/5/2007 9:26:46 AM

i made the ginger scrub stuff like 2 years ago from GL!!!! IT IS AWSOME!!

by Kaitlyn on 12/4/2007 10:52:05 PM

***MOD***
Hey i have a boys question
alot of boys like be as a really good friend, how can i get them to think i can be more than just that

Hey girl,
If there's a boy in particular you like then you should talk and flirt with him more so that he knows you like him. Basically, just pay more attention to the boy you like.
~Kristin

by Kelseygirl12 on 12/4/2007 9:56:20 PM

love it!!! making things are wayy better than just buying them

by molly on 12/4/2007 9:03:45 PM

these ideas r really awesome cause this year ive got a ton of ppl to give. thanx! ;)

by amandapanda on 12/4/2007 7:51:49 PM

hey

by kylie on 12/4/2007 7:13:31 PM

chocolateee: You could bake them each a few of there fav cookies!!!

by Kpanda on 12/4/2007 4:09:13 PM

These ideas are nice to give to girl friends, but what about the guy friends?? There favorite food/dessert will do the trick!!!

by Kpanda on 12/4/2007 4:06:29 PM

I luv these ideas!!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

by Bailey on 12/4/2007 7:19:43 AM

but i do think the body scrub would be fun but rubbing salt and sugar on ur body......?

by candy on 12/3/2007 10:29:55 PM

i wish there were more than two!!!!!!!!!!!

by candy on 12/3/2007 10:28:45 PM

only 2??

by surfergrl on 12/3/2007 9:44:03 PM

wow, i am way low on funds this year and this totally helped me out! Thanks! Really great

by Molly on 12/3/2007 8:49:49 PM

Ha, I feel dumb now. hee....

by Riahroo on 12/3/2007 8:36:12 PM

WOOOOO! It posted!

by Riahroo on 12/3/2007 8:35:05 PM

i have no idea how to use this. Are u gonna post it?

by Riahroo on 12/3/2007 8:34:47 PM

I like the ideas, but I'm afraid to use it. I dont want my friends to like break out in hives or anything

by Riahroo on 12/3/2007 8:33:03 PM

anybody on?

by jersey girl on 12/3/2007 8:29:34 PM

I tried the scrub(on me) and I just love the scent! Make more blogs like this!

by horsegirl on 12/3/2007 8:16:13 PM

I'm going to make that Gingerbread scrub for all of my friends! They'll LOVE it!

by April on 12/3/2007 7:03:39 PM

hey, isnt the girlslife mag supposd 2 update thier
advice collums on fridays? why wasnt the
colums updated 4 2 weeks?

hey babes, it was thanksgiving 2 weeks ago so people werent at the office to update it. Idk what happened last friday, I would just keep being patient, it will be up soon xoxo JANA

by Fantom Phreeke on 12/3/2007 6:45:41 PM

luv 2 talk-u
me 2!! i chrocet baby blankets 4 the childrens
hospital,
and i luv spa stuff.
evry trimestr, my gal pals and i have a spa day to rid
all the stress of the trimestr!!

u gues out of skull r luky,
i liv in southrn CA so its always shine here.

ahh! im failing algebra!!

by Fantom Phreeke on 12/3/2007 6:44:00 PM

did u know? heres anothr scrub.
1/3 cup of sugar (any kind)
and 2/3 cup of olive oil.
mix togethr, and wham!
u got scrub.
and, if u want, u can decorate a spoon and add some
extra sented stuff

by Fantom Phreeke on 12/3/2007 6:35:43 PM

I think ill make the ging. scrub 4 my mom 2,
but we both already have tons (im not kidding)
of spa and body stuff

by Fantom Phreeke on 12/3/2007 6:31:54 PM

cool, but shouldn't there b at least 3?

by Fantom Phreeke on 12/3/2007 6:31:04 PM

those sound good but i only have 6 dollars for 4 friends wut to do

by guyluver on 12/3/2007 5:38:01 PM

i think im gonna make the body scrub

by BraceFace on 12/3/2007 4:14:09 PM

HELP!! Im a 7th grader....and i like an 8th grader.......i think he likes me 2...but im not sure....wat should i do??

by bballgal on 12/3/2007 3:57:25 PM

Legally-Brunette~
If you come back on here... But do what I do!! I go shopping with my mom, and I'll have her go to another part of the store until I pick it out and buy it. If you tell her you're buying a secret, she'll let you.

by vanillaBabe on 12/3/2007 7:30:26 AM

Ooo, I love the ideas! In fact, last year I made the same exact soaps, except they were white and red (like candy-canes), plus, they smelled like scrumptious peppermint.
On the other hand, I can't figure out what to do for my friends this year. The ginger-bread body scrub just might make the cut as the perfect holiday gift...

by InkSpirit on 12/2/2007 7:59:58 PM

I might do one of those for my mom. its hard to shop for her because she is the only 1 i go shopping with.

by farm girl on 12/2/2007 7:53:55 PM

These are pretty cute, but I already bought my presents. I got them on the day after Thanksgiving with all the sales!

by Miss~America on 12/2/2007 7:14:29 PM

who's modding?

Alli

by Miss~America on 12/2/2007 7:13:13 PM

pretty cute......

buts thats a lot of stuff to buy, maybe i'll look up moore on the web

by pink_is_sweet_but_green_is_better♥♥♥ on 12/2/2007 6:38:46 PM

Allie S.

is modding

Caroline M.

is modding

Hannah M

is modding

Lynae P.

is modding

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Make-'em-Yourself

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