Make your own homemade hostess gifts to say “thank you” this holiday season.

Every holiday season you vow to make homemade gifts to gift to friends and family who open up their homes for all those holiday parties, dinners and get-togethers. You realize that because your family and friends hosting these get together means that you don’t have to! And that’s huge. You don’t have to clean your home in preparation, make tons of food, come up with a holiday cocktail to wow guests or clean up a huge mess after everyone leaves. You get to have fun instead. The hosts of all your holiday fun really do deserve a sweet thank you gift for all their trouble, don’t they?

To make your life easier, we have put together a roundup of easy ideas for homemade hostess gifts that you can make ahead of time for the hosts of your holiday parties. They can also double as gifts for all your regular giftees as well. And don’t forget your child’s teachers and coworkers!

9 Homemade Hostess Gifts for the Holiday Season

1. Cranberry Lime Infused Vodka – The perfect holiday hostess gift for those adult holiday parties. Crantinis, anyone?
2. DIY Terrarium Kit – A clever gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Gift to a plant lover.
3. Teacup Candles – Use vintage thrift store teacups for a twist on homemade candle gifts.
4. Homemade Vanilla Extract – It’s actually pretty simple to make your own homemade extract, but it’s also pretty impressive. Don’t forget to gift it in a pretty jar.
5. Natural Branch Coasters – Everyone needs coasters and you need creative ways to use those branches you cut off this fall.
6. Infused Olive Oils – Make and gift your own lemon, garlic, chili and rosemary infused olive oils and make the day of your foodie friends.
7. Pumpkin Spice Bar Soap – Make your own pumpkin spice soap for gifts in under 10 minutes according to this how-to.
8. Photo Magnets – Use photos of family and friends to make meaningful photo magnets.
9. Homemade Heating Packs – Fill these homemade heating pads with lavender for a thoughtful and great-smelling gift. They can be used to warm sheets on a cold night.

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Top Image: myofficeaz.com

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Getting you ready mentally, emotionally and physically for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast.

You’re going to be in the kitchen a lot this upcoming week peeling, sauteing, basting and baking your way to a rounded Thanksgiving meal, so you’d better have something inspiring to work to. Try out our 8tracks playlist titled Rocking Out In The Kitchen: Songs to Cook To and dinner will be ready in no time.

In-laws joining you for dinner this year? An estranged brother? Well, time to bulk up on courage and backbone. In The Grand Pep Talk: Decide to Rise (Refer to This When in Doubt, or Sick & Tired), Danielle LaPorte, cheerleader for the soul weary, will have you receiving people with open arms.

Wine? Whatever. Maybe you can try something different this Thanksgiving with the refreshing taste of Kombucha. In Foodie Underground: Should Kombucha be Your Party Drink? we give you three recipes to surprise your family and friends with and a way to avoid alcohol bravery talk which is always bad at family gatherings.

What are you going to wear for Thanksgiving? Have you really thought it through? How many bowls of mixed nuts, chocolate covered cherries, double helpings of organic turkey (or Tofurkey) do you think you’ll eat? I bet a lot. Best to plan ahead with stylish, stretchable clothing to acommodate your temporary lax good eating habits. In Looking Good, Downward Dog, we give you some fashion forward yoga clothing options that will take you from a tryptophan heavy dinner, straight to bed.

Hostess gifts anyone? Well, if you’ve got the week off, have fun with a little DIY with One Woman’s Trash is Another Woman’s Treasure. Writer Sofie Sausser will have you making presents that for real, you’ll be inspired to do.

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