Cassie Bustamante

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Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts

November 21, 2011 by Cassie 24 Comments

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It’s my goal this year to have about 75% of the gifts I give be completely homemade.  I’ll let you know the week before Christmas how I have done; or maybe I won’t have time to let you know because I will be cramming to get them all done!  Anyhow, I’ve been working on some of the smaller items I plan to give teachers, neighbors, and friends.

Last year I created sheet music themed gifts for teachers.  You can read about it by clicking the link, but here is a visual reminder…
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As you can see it contained sheet music magnets and decorated candles.  This year, I am going in a different direction but using magnets and candles again!  After all, they are both gifts that people can always use!

This year for the magnets, I again used glass gems.  I painted the flat side of the clear gems with Mod Podge, and then sprinkled glitter onto them.  Once that was dried, I added 3 more coats of Mod Podge as I wanted to be sure the glitter was really sealed in there.  Once that was dry, I used my hot glue gun to glue a magnet to the glittered gem, and voila…. sparkly magnets!  I just bought some other colors of glitter, too, so plan on making more.  What is also really great about this project is that with its level of ease, it’s something you can do with your kids.  Emmy helped me glitter them, and that way she is now involved in creating gifts for her teachers, which I love!

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Now, last year, I purchased some candles I found at Marshall’s and just decorated the glass piece.  Well, yesterday I mentioned a new hobby.  What is that new hobby?  Making soy candles!!!!  It is something that I have wanted to try for a very long time, and I am sure I will write more about it later, but I am totally burnt out on painting furniture at the moment, and needed to try something different, and give myself a break.  What better way to try something different AND relax by inhaling wonderful essential oils while you work!   I have always wanted to make them in teacups, but worked with what I had on hand.  Saturday afternoon I tested it out and made myself one candle to make sure it worked well before I made them for gifts.  I purchased soy wax that was microwaveable, but I have to tell you when it comes to making most things, I tend to be very old fashioned.  I paint all my furniture with a brush.  So I used the double boiler method for melting my wax.  I melted the wax, added the scent (I added lavender and vanilla together) and then waited for it to cool to 125 so I could pour into my slightly heated jar.  I used a vintage “Crown” Jar that my friend Gail had given me.  I didn’t have enough wax to fill the jar, which is large, but since it was just for me, I didn’t care!  I let it cool a little more til I could visibly see the wax starting to coagulate, and then I added the wick.  I let it set overnight.  This morning I cut the wick down and lit it.  And I have to be honest…. I was so nervous because concentrated the scents do not smell as good!!!  Here is my candle…

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And yes, it smelled lovely!  So I got to work yesterday making some to use as a gifts.  Here are the containers I used just after I poured the wax…

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I used some glass spice jars, a vintage jar, and a couple other vintage dishes.  I can’t wait to get to work on more!

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Comments

  1. Kate says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    So neat! That little sugar bowl is going to be such an interesting candle!

    Reply
  2. Meredith says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    That’s awesome Cassie! I actually have supplies to try candle making this year too! I saw the idea at BHG.com I think, but I’m glad to see a real person try this project with success because you never know how those “magazine” projects will turn out in real life.
    Great job!
    Meredith @ Welcome to Heardmont

    Reply
  3. Rita says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    I love it!! was just telling Brianna that I need to make do it yourself presents for Christmas this year since the funds aren’t quite up there. This gets the ideas flowing!!

    Reply
  4. Emily says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    oh i cant wait to make some! and can you send something good smelling over here? im sure you know exactly what this place is smelling like right now : (

    Reply
  5. Lisa @ Turning Tables says

    November 21, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Oooooh…..one thing that I’m not sure I admitted when you were here (or maybe I did) was that I am a TOTAL candle-aholic!! I took a small hiatus in the beginning of being pregnant (any smells at that time were awful – lol), but am back ‘on’ and have a candle lit practically at all times. I am so excited about your new endeavor!!! 🙂 I bet they smell amazing!

    Reply
  6. laxsupermom says

    November 21, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Love the glitter magnets! I’m trying to make a bunch of my gifts this year, too. I have my knitting supplies out for the trip up to Rochester and back for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I’ll be able to knock out a few on the road. Love the idea of the soy candles in the vintage dishes. So pretty! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Renee @ where the grass is greener says

    November 21, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    Great ideas. Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  8. 17 Perth says

    November 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Oohh—-I love soy candles! I bet they turned out great.

    Reply
  9. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    November 21, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Cassie, I love the idea of using old sugar bowls for candles – so clever! I’m going to have to raid my mom’s house for sugar bowls and tea cups to do this!!!

    Reply
  10. Suzanne@Meridian Road says

    November 21, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Those will be some really nice gifts! I like the idea of using old china for the candles!

    Your house is going to smell wonderful!

    Reply
  11. Karen says

    November 21, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Love your glitter magnets and I think teachers would love them too:)God bless x

    Reply
  12. Andi @ Jane of all crafts says

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    love the sugar bowl candle!!! And I totally would not be mad if one of those ended up in my stocking this year 😉 just sayin’.

    Reply
  13. Anna@Directions Not Included says

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Great minds think alike!! My sister and I just ordered a batch of soy wax flakes to make gifts for Christmas this year too. So glad you are happy with how they turned out. I can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
  14. andrea says

    November 21, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    Wow, all I can say is – you go girl! I would be exhausted making all those presents, but people really do appreciate the love behind handmade gifts! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  15. Lesley says

    November 22, 2011 at 12:06 am

    Wonderful idea for gifts. I don’t do teacher’s gifts anymore. Once your kids are older, that comes to an end. 🙁 Oh well…

    Reply
  16. Ali Richardson says

    November 22, 2011 at 12:13 am

    Yipppppeee for yummy smelling fun crafts! Good work friend 🙂 xo

    Reply
  17. Allison says

    November 22, 2011 at 1:45 am

    Those will make wonderful gifts! How fun to make your own candles. Good for you! Lavender and vanilla sounds yummy! Love the glitter magnets, too.

    Reply
  18. Jacqueline says

    November 22, 2011 at 1:57 am

    This sounds like a great idea! I’ve never made candles…where can you buy soy wax?
    I’m making a lot of handmade gifts this year as well and this seems perfect.

    Reply
  19. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    November 22, 2011 at 4:22 am

    I love your candles and I bet they smell yummy! And I love that you are mixing it up and trying new things!

    Reply
  20. Red Gate Farm says

    November 22, 2011 at 4:31 am

    I think I need to add this to my “project” list! I love the idea of candles in all sorts of containers!

    ~Chris

    PS and I LOVE the glitter-y magnets… I will be doing this one for myself 🙂

    Reply
  21. Andrea says

    November 22, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    I love this idea. The containers you used are so unique. My kids would love to get in on this action too. Think I may give it a try.

    Reply
  22. The Painted Parlor says

    November 22, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    haha, so I’m not the only one burnt out on painting furniture!!?? i might have to try out this soy candle thing!! what a great gift to give neighbors, teachers, and friends 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!!

    Reply
  23. Mod Podge Amy says

    November 22, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Super cute glitter magnets – love those!

    Reply
  24. ayshwariya says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:22 am

    interesting blog. It would be great if you can provide more details about it. Thanks you

    Christmas Gifts to Chennai

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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