Gift Ideas On this page you will find ideas that are quick, cheap and take little effort. There are no quilts, crocheting and knitting projects here for instance, but check the craft page for those. Gifts for all - children, friends and family. Soap Crayons (NON-EDIBLE) 1 3/4 c Ivory Snow; (powder) 50 Drops food coloring 1/4 c Water Mix water & soap flakes together. Add food coloring & put mixture into an ice cube tray. Allow to harden. Break or cut into pieces. Fun to write with on the tub when bathing & face & hands!!! You can make dinosaur eggs the same way. Take tiny plastic dinosaurs - mold the mixture around the dinosaur in an egg shape..Then let it harden..... Simple A simple cookie cutter in a holiday shape can make a great little gift. Lay the cookie cutter in the middle of a piece of clear cellophane. Fill the center of the cookie cutter with tiny candies such as jelly beans. Gather the cellophane and wrap with a bow. Snowman Soup This makes neat gifts for teachers, secret pals and just to have handy for those unexpected guest around the holidays. Its never to soon to start planing. Here's the recipe for Snowman Soup (place contents in a mug and wrap with red cellophane and attach poem): 1 package instant hot cocoa mix 1 candy cane (or other flavored candy stick) 2 Hershey kisses 15 (or so) mini marshmallows or if you want to make your own: Recipe for Snowman Soup (a.k.a. Hot Cocoa Mix) Combine: 4 c. dry milk 1 c. unsweetened cocoa 2 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt Mix it all up and store in airtight container. Individual Servings: Use 1/4 cup of mix to 1 cup of boiling water. Garnish each serving with whipped cream and/or marshmallows. Makes 20 cups of hot chocolate. and here's the poem that goes with it: ~ Snowman Soup ~ I heard that you've been good this year -- well, that's a first for you! (insert smiley face) Then you might want to celebrate, in case that rumor's true. So here's a little Christmas gift, to give you warmth and cheer; For being good has its rewards, at least that's what I hear. (insert another smiley face) The winter weather brings a thirst that cold drinks can't relieve, But 'Snowman Soup' is magical... or so snowmen believe. The chocolate will make you smile; its warmth will brace the chill. You'll stir it with a stick or spoon, add marshmallows to fill. If, God forbid, the flu hits town and you start feeling crummy (insert frowny face) Just mix a cup, then take a sip, soon it will warm your tummy. Now please don't fret the calories cause life's too short for that! Plus all the snowmen drink it, and Lord knows, they don't get fat! When this is gone, just make some more ~ it's real easy to do... Just use the recipe below and you can make it too! Love & Merriest Christmas, -------- That was one of them this is the other one Snowman soup The Soup: 1 package hot chocolate mix 3 Hershey Kisses 15 (or so) marshmallows 1 candy cane The Poem: Was told you've been real good this year Always glad to hear it With freezing weather drawing near You'll need to warm the spirit So here's a little Snowman Soup Complete with stirring stick Add hot water, sip it slow It's sure to do the trick! Stress Relief Sock 1 tube sock the longer the better Field Corn (not popcorn) or Rice Needle and thread. Fill the sock 3/4 way full with rice or corn, and sew shut. Warm in microwave for approximately 2.5-4 minutes in the microwave, turning it over half way You can add drops of Lavender Essential or Potpourri Oil to the corn or rice for even more relaxation. Wrap around your neck, or place it on your forehead and just relax! Think about sewing a tube in festive colours, perhaps, red, green and white. Gift Basket Ideas Some Enchanted Evening Place in a basket, candles, champagne or juice, and champagne glasses. Stay in Bed All Day Place in a basket, a paperback book, a bookmark, a coffee mug, a couple packs of instant hot chocolate or instant coffee. Skin Deep Place in a plastic basket, moisturizing mask, foot and body lotion, body wash, washcloth. Bathing Beauty Place in a plastic basket, bubble bath, loofah, body lotion, candles, washcloth, soap, bath gel. Car Wash Place in a bucket, soap, wax, sponge, tire cleaner, drying cloth Nail It Place in a plastic basket, emery board, cuticle cream, nail clippers, clear nail polish. Home at the Movies Place in a basket, a movie, microwave popcorn, candy, soda. Ready-To-Go-Out Place in a makeup bag, cotton balls, powder puff, lipstick case with mirror, brush, tweezers, nail polish, small bottle of perfume. The Little Artist Place in a tool box, glue, paint, brushes, clay, markers, a ruler, crayons, scissors. Bubble Bath Jelly Jar Supplies: 1 packet Unflavored Gelatin 3/4 cup Water 1/2 cup Clear Liquid Soap or Bubble Bath Fragrance Oils - as desired Food Coloring - optional Small objects (silk flowers, toys, small figures, etc.) 1/8 sheet Cardstock weight Paper Ribbon, Yarn or Raffia (for bow to tie label on jar) Clear container with lid, such as a small glass canning jar Instructions: Empty the packet of gelatin into a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Heat water in a saucepan, until just boiling. Immediately remove water from heat source. Carefully pour the hot water into the large mixing bowl and gently mix with gelatin powder. Allow gelatin to completely dissolve. Be patient! This may take a few minutes. Slowly and gently stir in the liquid soap to the gelatin mixture. Add a drop of food coloring and 5-8 drops of fragrance oil. Be careful not to beat mixture or bath jelly will become foamy. Pour mixture into a clean, clear container. Place your chosen small object inside container, nesting it inside jelly. Refrigerate Bubble Jelly until set (about 4 hours). As the jelly sets, come up with a name for your creation. Then using your cardstock paper and ribbon, make a label for the jar. Attach label to bath jelly jar by punching a hole in one corner of the label. Thread ribbon, cut long enough to tie around the jar, through hole on label. Tie around the jar! (You can also decorate your jar with additional small items or dried flowers, as desired.) To use: Scoop a small amount of jelly (1 - 2 Tbsp.) into your hand and hold under warm running water for a bubbly bath treat! Note: This craft can be made for both children as well as adults! The container and object placed in the jelly can be adjusted to the likes and interests of the person you are making it for. Let your imagination run wild, and you can come up with some very imaginative bath jelly jars! Candy Cane Bath Salts: 2 cups epsom salts 1/2 c. sea salt 4-6 drops peppermint oil 2-3 drops red food coloring. Place one cup of epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil. Place the remaining ingredients in a second bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar. Half litre NayaT water bottles work well because they have the stripes. Tie with a ribbon and some small candy canes. This makes a great holiday gift for friends Chocolate Spoons Get some good quality plastic spoons to start with-no flimsy cheap stuff! Try using gold or silver ones, clear is OK too. Also find some good quality chocolate and different extracts/liquors to make the spoons different flavors/colors. There is no end to the flavors you can come up with! Melt chocolate till it is liquid, watch out that it doesn't scorch... you can do this in the microwave. Add extract or liquor of choice (almond extract, Frangelica, peppermint, anise, Kahlua etc). Then just dip the spoon into the chocolate ...and lay the spoons with their handles over the edge of a wax paper lined cookie sheet till set. You can drizzle white chocolate in a design over dark or milk chocolate...or dip 1/2 of spoon in dark and 1/2 in while. best flavors mocha, mint, plain, raspberry... Don't just dip lightly you want a nice puddle in the spoon part and part way up the handle. I wrap these in clear plastic bags tied with raffia and a tag stating the flavor. These are marvelous with coffee or cocoa and make enough so each family member gets 2 spoons each. They will clamor for more!!! Basic Bath Salts Salt - (your choice: Epsom, Sea or Kosher Salt) Baking soda (softens your skin) Essential oil of your choice Food coloring optional Pour the salt, the essential oils, and a few drops of food coloring into the bowl. Fill the jar. When it's time to use the bath salts, pour the mixture into the bathtub and add warm water. Stir the water so the salt dissolves. Fizzing Bath Salts 1/3 cup baking soda 1/4 cup citric acid crystals 1 Tbsp. cornstarch Mix ingredients and place in an airtight container. Keep salts dry, moisture will cause them to react and fizz. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the salts into warm tub of water. Yield: 1/2 cup. Just as much fun, as taking a bath in a bottle of champagne. Candy Cane Bath Salts 2 cups Epsom salts 1/2 c. sea salt 4-6 drops peppermint oil 2-3 drops red food coloring. Place 1 cup Epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil. Place the remaining ingredients in a second bowl. Mix well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar. Refreshing Bath Salts 1 cup Epsom salts 1/4 cup table salt 1 box baking soda A few drops of lavender oil Completely mix dry ingredients. Add lavender oil and blend well Store salts in an airtight container. Foaming Bath Salts 1/2 cup liquid soap 1 Tbsp. light oil Food coloring (not too much) 6 cups rock salt crystals Mix soap, oil and food coloring. Pour over rock salt. Stir continuously until salt crystals are evenly coated. Thinly spread the salts on a cookie sheet. Covered with wax paper and air dry for 24-hours. Scented Bath Salts 1 cup Epsom salts 1/4 cup table salt 1 box baking soda A few drops of your favorite perfume Completely mix dry ingredients. Add fragrance and blend well. Store salts in an airtight container. Kosher Bath Salts Mix equal amounts of kosher salt and baking of soda, add some glycerin, stir well. Put in a decorative container. Epsom Bath Salts 6 drops glycerin 1 cup Epsom salts Combine ingredients. Mix well. Blue Bath Salts 1 cup Epsom salt 1 cup baking soda 4 drops blue food coloring 3 drops Jasmine fragrant or essential oil 4 drops vanilla 2 tablespoons glycerin Combine dry ingredients, mix well. Add color and scents one at a time. Keep stirring until mixed well. Break up any clumps. Keep mixing until you have a semi fine powder. Add glycerin and mix well. Sand Colored Bath Salts 5 drops yellow food coloring 2 drops red food coloring 4 drops musk oil 3 drops Jasmine fragrant or essential oil 3 cups Epsom salts 1 cup baking soda 2 teaspoons glycerin Combine baking soda, Epsom salt and glycerin until well blended, Add scents stirring until there is no clumps just a fine powder. Divide the mixture evenly into 3 separate bowls. In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second add 3 drops red food coloring and in the 3rd bowl add 2 drops yellow with 1 drop red food coloring Stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors...red first, then orange then lastly yellow. Holiday Scents Bath Salts 1 cup kosher salt 1 cup baking soda 3 drops Pine balsam oil 2 drops cinnamon oil 2 drops cassis oil 2 tablespoons of Glycerin Mix ingredients together blending well. Break up any clumps. Herbal Bath Salts Epsom Salts Sea Salt zip-type bags to mix the salts and oils in Essential oil Potpourri herbs of choice Food coloring (optional) Glycerin (optional) Pretty bottles Ribbon to decorate bottles ( or raffia, yarn, string, etc...) Using approx. 2-to-1 proportions Epsom Salt and sea salt, mix in a big pan. This is your bath salt "base". Measure about 1 cup of the salt mixture into each ziplock bag. Place about 4 drops of essential oil into the salt mixture in each bag. Zip the bag closed and mix the salt and oil. Tear potpourri herbs into tiny pieces and add to the bags ( lemon verbena, rose petals, lavender). Zip the bag closed and mix until you are happy with the proportions. OPTIONAL: Add a drop or two of glycerin to the salts to soften your skin. Instant Bath Salts 1 cup salt 1 cup Epsom salt 1 cup baking soda Add a little of the mixture to your tub for a revitalizing bath. For bubbles, just add 1 cup of shampoo. For a nice scent, add a few drops of fragrance oil. Earth Bath Salts 1/2 cup Epsom salts 1 cup baking soda 1/2 cup rock salt 1/2 tsp. vitamin E 2 tsp. light oil (almond, sunflower...) 20 drops Patchouli essential oil 15 drops Cypress essential oil 5 drops Vetivert essential oil Green Food coloring Mix all salts and baking soda together. Then combine oil, essential oils, vitamin E and a few drops of coloring in a separate bowl. Add liquid to salts and mix thoroughly. You can add more green food coloring if desired, but I find it nicer when it's a very light green as it does not look as artificial. To use: Add a few heaping tablespoons to bath Bath Tea Bags Take a little tulle, a little organza ribbon, some scents and salts, and voila! Instant spa! Steep your stresses away with these nifty little bath bags. They make great gifts too, if you ever get out of the tub... Supplies: 1/4 yd. Shiny Star organza 1/4 yd. Antique Gold organza 2 1/2 yds. Gold 1 1/2 in. Europa sheer ribbon 1/2 yd. Green Europa sheer ribbon Gold thread, needle 1 pkg. Dried lavender 1/4 cup Epsom salts Chamomile tea Aleene's TM Tacky Glue Directions: Cut two 6" pieces Shiny Star organza. Cut four 6" pieces Antique Gold organza. Layer two gold pieces, two star pieces, and two gold pieces. Pin all layers together and sew around all four sides, leaving a 1" opening at top for bath salts. Break up lavender bunches. Mix salts and tea in ceramic or glass bowl, stirring gently until well mixed. Fill bag with mixture. Cut 1 1/2 yd. piece of gold organza ribbon for tie. Fold piece in half, and insert folded edge into tip opening of bag. Sew opening closed, catching ribbon. With remaining gold sheer ribbon, make ribbon rose. Use green organza ribbon to make leaves. Glue to top of bag. Tie a bow at the top of the ribbon. Use this strip to hang your "tea bag" over the bathtub. Fill the tub with water and enjoy! Microwave Playdough (this is the only recipe we use anymore when we're making plain playdough) 2 C flour 1C salt 4 tsp. cream of tartar 2 C water. Mix and microwave on high for 5 minutes, stirring after each minute. Turn out of dish and let cool. Knead. If you want to color this, add food coloring to the water before mixing. SIDEWALK CHALK To make your own chalk: 1 cup plaster of paris 4 tablespoons water Food coloring Mix these ingredients together to a toothpaste consistency. Pour into cookie cutters placed over waxed paper to make fun shapes. To make BIG sticks, pour mixture into toilet tissue tubes that have been covered with waxed paper on one end and secured with a rubber band. Allow chalk to dry thoroughly and remove from their molds. Then watch the faces of your kids light up when you present them with their own special chalks. They'll be the "chalk" of the town! Have fun! Flubber ~SOLUTION 1~ 1 1/2 cups Warm Water 2 cups Elmers Glue Food Coloring ~SOLUTION 2~ 4 teaspoons Borax 1 1/3 cups Warm water Mix solution 1 in one bowl, Mix solution 2 in another bowl. Dissolve both well. Then just pour solution 1 into solution 2, DO NOT MIX OR STIR! It will form all on it's own.. all you have to do is lift it out of the bowl. I made this in my 8 cup Glass Measuring container so that my children could see it form. They have been playing with it every chance that they get They ask me to make if frequently, but I save it for xmas and birthdays, or school holidays, special occasions so they value it.