Looking for DIY stocking stuffer ideas that don’t suck? Well we’ve got seven ideas that you (and your recipients) will love–especially since they come with a focus on green living.

If you’re like me, then being at a loss for cool stocking stuffer ideas is a yearly occurrence, which is why we’re here to mix things up. Don’t waste money and pollute the environment with a bunch of junk from the dollar aisle that will just get tossed out the following week. Instead, make some extra special from-the-heart gifts that your friends and family will actually enjoy receiving. From lip scrubs to cute hand warming sachets, you’ll have as much fun making these as you will giving them away!

1. Reusable Baggies

These cute (machine washable!) baggies are whipped up in just a few minutes with the use of a sewing machine, some velcro, and the oil cloth fabric of your choice. They’re perfect for your lunch-packing eco-friendly cohorts, and will quickly eliminate the need for all of those plastic baggies. Not only can these be used for more than just lunch food, but you can also pre-fill them with goodies before placing them in the stocking. Check out the tutorial from The Chic Site.

2. Peppermint Lip Scrub

As far a stocking stuffer ideas go, this one is a winner. This peppermint lip scrub from A Little Glass Box is easy to whip up using household ingredients, looks great when delivered in a cute glass jar, and is apparently very inexpensive compared to buying retail. Not only that, but this gift is from the heart, and your lucky recipients will know exactly what the ingredients are.

3. Hot Chocolate Spoons

I have been wanting to make these for, like, ever, and The Nerd’s Wife blog has finally sealed the deal. Who wouldn’t want to receive a hot chocolate spoon? I, mean, really? These are easy to make and they look like so much fun, too! What’s great is that you can make these with vegan chocolate and gift with vegan marshmallows, or keep the recipe as-is. As far as wooden spoons go, check out this all-natural version here, or consider going thrifting for some unique silver spoons, give them a good scrub, and dip those instead.

4. Seed Bombs

For truly unique stocking stuffer ideas, look no further than this awesometastic seed bomb DIY project from Rae of Sparkles. Beautiful, customizable, and earth-friendly, this is a handmade gift that you’ll love to receive as much as you’ll love to give. Whether you use wildflower seeds, or something that’s worthy of a kitchen window herb garden, all you have to do is mix up the ingredients and wrap with some fabric or burlap, and your favorite ribbon.

5. Mini Planter Magnets

If you (or your recipient) love wine and succulents, and we’re betting you do, then this DIY stocking stuffer is the perfect little handmade project. Round up those wine corks, and follow the instructions from Upcycle That to craft this adorable gift. Not only is it good for the environment, but it’s such an unexpected and economical stocking stuffer. I would suggest making these closer to gift giving time and then wrapping them up (plant and all) in a cute square of fabric or gift wrap just before you’re ready to present.

6. Upcycled Hand Warmers

These are attractive, functional, easy to make (no sew! woot!), and small enough to squish into a stocking. Gather up those old sweaters, unused fabric, or cruise the thrift stores aisles looking for some ugly Christmas goodness, and make these nifty hand warmers that also double as excellent stocking stuffers. Blogger Rachel Talbott uses vanilla and lavender essential oils in hers which, in my opinion, takes these DIY handwarmers to the next level.

7. Lemon Peppercorn Soap

An exfoliating bar of soap is a great way to slough off that dull winter layer of skin. These beautiful bars of soap are easy to make, can incorporate natural and organic ingredients, and fit neatly into a stocking. Burkatron has the tutorial you need to pull these off. We love the simple twine bow, but you can get as fancy as you’d like.

Homemade gifts can be elevated and awesome, so skip over the dollar aisle this year and make a few of these awesome presents for your lucky loved ones. If you’ve enjoyed these stocking stuffer ideas as much as we do, then hop on over to the EcoSalon Facebook page and share your favorites!

Related on EcoSalon

5 Impressively Simple and Chic Homemade Hostess Gifts
7 Simple KItchen DIY Ideas You Can Actually Accomplish Before the Holidays
7 Warm and Inviting Eco-Friendly Home Decor Pieces You Won’t Want to Miss

The post These 7 Easy DIY Stocking Stuffer Ideas Don’t Suck (for Gifts or the Planet!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

There are a lot of cool toys and gifts for girls out there, but sometimes, the choices at stores are limited. If you want to diversify your daughter’s toy chest, we’ve got some DIY gifts for girls that any little lady would love to play with.

Marvel (among other toy producers) have yet to create a vast array of female superhero and character toys. So, one hardworking and incredibly creative mom took matters into her own hands and decided to make her daughter a one-of-a-kind Black Widow doll. Her kid liked it so much, she made a few other DIY female superhero dolls, too. That mom’s inspiring actions lead us to think up a few more gifts for girls that are not store-bought, but totally inspiring.

1. Store Bought Doll vs. DIY Doll of Your Choice

If you want to gift your kid a doll that can’t be bought in a store (we’re thinking a real superhero here — maybe Malala Yousafzai or Rosa Parks), recruit yourself, or a creative sister or friend, to hit up the local craft store. Get some dolls and paint, and make a gift that is in that hero‘s likeness.

2. Garden Tool Set vs. Female Farmer How-To Gift Pack

Yes, there are plenty of garden tool sets out there, but none of them come with added inspiration for budding girl farmers. So, what’s a mom or grandma to do? Invest in a colorful garden tool set (we like that Growums features boys and girls on its kits), include a book about girls who farm in the gift, and add on a trip to a local organic farm that features female farmers. (A great place to find female farmers is at the local farmers’ market.)

3. Princess Bag vs. “Explore Your Interests” Book Bag

Girls need to know that they can study whatever they want. And while no one at school is telling your daughter or friend’s kid that she can’t be a scientist, the CEO of a fashion house, or the president, girls aren’t always encouraged to study things that allow them to rise to the top. Encourage the little girl you know to do whatever she wants by buying her a gender-neutral color book bag that’s filled with books about girls doing amazing things. If she picks an interest, such as construction, put together a starter carpentry kit, and get building.

Related on EcoSalon

9 Fun Things You Shouldn’t Stop Doing Just Because You’re a Grown-up

5 Adventure Jobs Women Make Look Totally Easy (and Awesome!)

Jamie Oliver Just Got Serious About Healthy Food for Kids [Video]

Shutterstock image of girl playing

The post 3 Empowering Gifts For Girls Moms, Friends, and Aunts Should ‘Remake’ appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s the season of giving–a time of year when we turn our attention away from ourselves for a bit and focus on those we love and care about. Although giving to those you have never met is also welcomed. And if your bank account won’t allow you to blow it out, don’t fret. We’ve got some tips for giving on the cheap. Here’s how to give rather than receive this holiday season.

1. Give your time.

Not sure how to give without money? Consider volunteering. Studies have shown that those who volunteer their time tend to be happier than those who don’t. Consider making volunteer time a permanent part of your holiday tradition. Whether it’s at a soup kitchen, animal shelter, or helping your friend paint their bathroom, whatever the task, your time can be worth its weight in gold.

2. Make a friend a personalized feast.

Having a friend over for dinner is nice but to make it extra special this holiday season, personalize the meal. Choose a menu of their favorite foods to serve up. Make a signature cocktail that you know they will love.

3. Infuse some holiday cheer.

Have you ever noticed that many of the high-end flavored liquors taste like a medicinal Jolly Rancher? For natural homemade flavor, you’ll need to make your own–and it’s a great gift. I reported on our sister site Organic Authority about how to infuse your own spirits. And it’s a great way to add holiday cheer.

4. Make your friends granola.
Package some wholesome love in a simple mason jar with a hemp string bow and gift your favorite health nut friends. This recipe for DIY granola rocks. And it’s a treat that doesn’t cause guilt (like a batch of cookies).

5. Give homemade beeswax candles.
We all love candles. They add warmth to rooms, soothe our moods, and they smell great. But candles can be pricey and seemingly extravagant. That’s why they’re the perfect gift to receive. It’s even better if you make your own, like these homemade beeswax candles.

6. Monogram a journal to add a special touch.

Buy an inexpensive journal at the book store and then jazz it up with a personalized touch. A stamp kit may be your wonder tool here. Here’s how to get started.

7. Offer to house sit a pet.

It’s the holiday season and everyone is headed out of town. People need someone they trust to take care of their pets. It’s a HUGE weight lifted for the pet owners of the world (I‘m one of them).

Related on EcoSalon

9 Creative Wedding Gifts for the Bridemaid on a Budget

Get Your Holiday Gifts With EcoSalon’s the Box

The Ultimate Clothing Swap

Image: Official US Navy Page

The post 7 Tips for How To Give Rather than Receive this Holiday Season (On the Cheap!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

Another clever device DIY’d out of salvaged wood.

Get yourself back to the dumpster, claim your piece, and get ready to drill. It’s time for another handy woman project. Quite literally, in a small amount of time you can make this makeshift clock, (ten minutes tops). Useful side note to add here: clock bits can be found at craft stores, usually for about $10.

Supplies:

Plank of wood, drill with 3/8” bit, clock parts, spray paint (optional).

Step 1. Wipe down the plank with a cloth and some wood soap and remove any old nails.

Step 2. Drill one hole centered in a position where you would like the clock hands to be.

Step 3. Spray paint the clock hands the color of your choice. The ones seen here were gold, thus not easily discernible against the blue wood. They have been sprayed red.

Step 4. Screw the clock hands on the front to the battery pack on the back.

Step 5. Lean it on a wall.

If you want to hang it, you will have to attach some picture wire to the back.

One of a kind.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

The Perfect DIY Gift: Mason Jar Photo Candles
DIY: A Holder for Sunglasses You Can Make in 10 Minutes
DIY Alternatives to Traditional Gift Tags

The post DIY: A Clock You Can Make in 10 Minutes appeared first on EcoSalon.