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Making your own gifts can be a good way to save money and add a personal touch, but not all of us have the time or the talent to create complex projects for presents. The good news is that even if you aren't a whiz at knitting or a skilled seamstress, there are easy items you can make to a high standard of quality. Here are a few ideas for great gifts you can make quickly and easily:

1. Bath salts.

A decorative jar of bath salts is a classic gift, and one that is very simple to make. The main materials needed are a box of epsom salt and a bottle of fragrance such an essential oil. The epsom salt can be found at any drug store or discount store, and the essential oil can be purchased at a craft store with the soap-making supplies. You can also add a drop of soap coloring- not food coloring!- to your bath salts to make them more attractive or to match the decorations on the jar.

2. Poured glycerin soaps.

Soap pouring is a hobby that can be as complex or as simple as you want to make it. Some crafters make soap pouring an artform by adding herbs, making intricate loaf soaps, and using embeds. However, you can make an attractive gift soap in just a few minutes with some simple materials.

To begin, you will need an interesting rubber baking mold. These are intended for baking cupcakes, but they are a good size for poured soaps and are much easier to use than stiff plastic molds. Rubber baking molds come in any shape you can imagine, from hearts and teddy bears to roses and snowflakes. You can usually find a rubber baking mold at a discount store, but if not then you can buy one online or from a specialty store such as Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Hobby Lobby.

Next, you will need to make a trip to a craft store to get the glycerin soap. Either the while or the clear soap will work for simple projects, so pick whichever you like the look of. You should also choose a scent and a color. Be sure to choose scents and colors especially designed for soaps, since these are safe for skin.

At home, you will simply melt your soap, add your color and scent, and pour the soap into the baking cups. After a few hours at room temperature or as little as one hour in the freezer, invert your baking mold and take out your soaps. Wrap them in clear plastic wrap and- voila!- you have a professional-looking gift soap.

3. Hot cocoa mix.

This is an excellent gift for giving in the fall or winter. Mix four parts nonfat dry milk, two parts sugar, one part cocoa and one part powdered non-dairy creamer to make a basic hot cocoa mix. Three to four tablespoons of this mix can be added to a cup of hot water to make a delicious mug of cocoa. Pour your dry mix into a mason jar. With pinking shears, cut a square of decorative fabric and drape it over the jar. Tie a ribbon over the fabric and around the rim of the jar, and you have a homey, attractive gift.

4. Beaded jewelry.

Stringing beads is a simple, relaxing hobby, and a beaded necklace or bracelet can be a treasured keepsake. Choose semi-precious stones or convincing synthetic beads; either way, you'll have a piece that makes a lovely fashion statement. When giving jewelry as a gift, consider the recipient and what kind of colors and styles she likes to wear. You can string together many identical beads for simple elegance or combine different materials and color for a more eclectic look.

Learn more about this author, Raven Lebeau.
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