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DIY Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVWC chapter.

Christmas is just around the corner and if you’re anything like me, you haven’t finished shopping for gifts yet and you’re beginning to stress out. But fear not; I’m here to help, collegiette! Here are five quick, easy and inexpensive gifts you can make yourself and that your friends and family are sure to love:  

1. Candy-Cane Body Scrub 

Materials:

  • Jar
  • 1 Cup of Sugar
  • ½ Cup of Coconut Oil
  • Red Food Coloring
  • Peppermint Essentials Oil (optional)

What to do:

  1. Mix the sugar and coconut oil in a bowl.
  2. Separate into two separate bowls and add a few drops of red food coloring into one of the halves.
  3. If you want to make the body scrub a little more fun, add a few drops of peppermint essentials oil to give it a festive scent!
  4. Layer the body scrub into your jar, alternating between red and white to create the look of a candy-cane.

2. Sharpie Mug 

Materials:

  • Mug
  • Sharpies ( regular Sharpies work fine, but oil-based markers work better)

What to do (p.s. this is probably the simplest gift ever):

  1. Draw absolutely anything on your mug with your sharpies. (Need a few ideas? Write a quote, doodle, monogram or literally anything your heart desires.)
  2. Let the mug sit for at least 24 hours.
  3. Put the mug in the oven before you turn it on, set temperature at 450 degrees, bake for 30 minutes, and then leave it in the oven until it is completely cooled.

*DO NOT put your mug in the dishwasher! The design will last longer if the mug is hand washed!

3. Hot Chocolate in a Jar 

Materials:

  • Jar
  • Hot chocolate mix
  • Marshmallows
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Crushed peppermint

What to do:

  1. In a jar, layer hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, chocolate chips and crushed up peppermints.
  2. Put on the lid and decorate the jar if you’re feeling a little extra creative!

(Side note: This is the perfect gift to give with the mug you just designed!)

4. Picture Frame 

Materials:

  • Picture frame (you can find cheap and cute frames at Goodwill)
  • Twine (or some sort of string)
  • Mini or regular sized clothespins
  • Pictures

What to do:

  1. If you think the frame is too plain or boring, decorate it!
  2. Attach twine across the back of the frame, making a few rows.
  3. Print off pictures and attach them to the twine using clothespins.

5. Photo Collage Letter 

Materials:

  • Cardboard or wooden letters (can be found at Walmart, Target, or any craft store)
  • Pictures printed on normal paper
  • Mod Podge
  • Paint brush

What to do:

  1. Cut out pictures to fit on the letter.
  2. Using Mod Podge, glue the pictures onto the letter.
  3. Once the letter is covered in pictures, paint Mod Podge over the entire letter as a sealant.

 

Ta-daaa! Five simple Christmas gifts perfect for any gal in your life! 

DIY and John Mayer enthusiast. I watch Elf year-round, eat bdubs way too often, and sing way too loudly. I'm a psychology major at West Virginia Wesleyan College, my home among the hills. 
Maty recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC), and she couldn’t be more excited to return to the Her Campus family as a member of the Community Team.  Maty’s passion for writing has guided her through most of her adult life, and it eventually brought her to to the Her Campus Chapter Network as a Style Blogger for Her Campus WVWC. Maty would go on to become Campus Correspondent of her chapter, as well as an intern for Her Campus National and a Chapter Advisor.  Through her different roles at HC, Maty quickly fell in love with the mission and purpose of the Her Campus Chapter Network—and in her new role, Maty has the rare and coveted opportunity to do what she loves on a daily basis by working with a growing network of 360+ college chapters.    When Maty isn’t at the office, she’s usually out exploring, cooking some random recipe she found on Pinterest, or cuddling with her adorable corgi, Winnie.  Follow Maty on Twitter and Instagram !