A second invaluable resource is the Sew Mama Sew Handmade Holidays list from last year. Unbeatable.These lists are so great that it seems silly to attempt my own. But I like futile activities -- I have four kids. So here we go.
Hair stuff: headbands, barrettes, curlers, etc. Sew Mama Sew has a great list of hair items to make. I don't need to repeat it.
Cocoa lip gloss. How could any teen girl resist? How could any adult mother resist? Seriously, I want some! Make a lip balm cozy too! (Although, these fit standard lip balm, which is probably not the shape your home-made lip gloss will take).Scented or sparkle-y body lotion. Here's a recipe for body glitter. And one for shimmering body lotion.
To make an all-natural, high quality body lotion:
1) Sterilize your blender by blending boiling water (or some rubbing alchohol) in it.
2) Put about 1/2 cup oil into the blender (choose an oil that is good for your teen's skin type -- olive oil for dry skin, soybean oil or hemp oil for oily or combination skin, coconut oil for anyone).
3) Cut open 3-6 Vitamin E capsules, and the "juice" to the blender. Vitamin E is a preservative, so the lotion won't go rancid as fast.
3) Mix in a bottle of some clear Aloe Vera gel. (Sold with the lotions or with the sunscreen).
4) Add a teaspoon of vodka or grain alcohol to it.
5) Add a few drops of your favorite scented essential oil.
Mix it all together in a blender until it looks all creamy (blend,
then whip).
Not only is the lotion better than what you buy in the store, it's cheaper too, and it's shelf stable. I put it into small canning jars.
A Scarf Hood. I guess these are called snoods? Or scoodies?A Painted Hoodie or Tee shirt.
Handmade jewelry. This can take a lot of work. Here's an easy idea. Buy or make one nice pendant (you can buy them at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, even some Walmarts). String it on a ribbon. Done!
Plushies. That's the new, hip, term for stuffed things. They're somtimes animals, other times monsters, etc. Make a big one and have it double as a pillow. I like this pattern.A portable art case. Totally cool.
I'd better quit and get working on my gifts!
I have a lot of little girls and boys this year too on my list, so next week we'll do a little girls edition.
In case you missed them, here's a list of gifts for teenage boys (all of which would also be fine for girls), and a list of things kids can make. The Crafty Crow also did a list of gifts that kids can make, and it's much better than mine!
These ideas are fast, cheap and they work for me!
The scoodie is really cool! I might make one for my daughter (she's 24), if I can fit it in with all the other handmadies I'm working on, LOL!
ReplyDeleteBTW, a snood is a sort of little net worn around a bun--you see them a lot in pics of ladies from the 1940s, although I wore them when I was younger, back in the 70s. We had little crocheted ones.
Very cool, and thanks for the links!
ReplyDeleteNifty ideas. Thanks! My three nieces who will be getting these gifts thank you, too. :)
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