Recipes, crafts and so much more!
I know, I know. It’s barely October and I’m already talking about Christmas. But if you’ve ever tried to make homemade gifts in the second week of December, you’ll know exactly why I’ve started early this year.
Handmade gifts take time. Some of them need weeks to infuse, some need a quiet afternoon at the kitchen table, and all of them need a bit of love. There’s something so special about handing someone a hamper you’ve filled yourself, knowing every jar and bottle was made with them in mind.
So this year I’m filling wicker hampers with a mix of homemade drinks, pamper treats and kitchen goodies. I’ve been sharing them over on Instagram as I go, and so many of you asked for the details that I’ve pulled them all together here. Grab a cuppa, and let’s get making.
Every good hamper starts with the basket. I’ve gone for rich brown wicker baskets this year, including a little cottage-shaped one with tiny woven windows that I completely fell in love with.
To dress them up, I’ve tied each one with a big, floppy bow in deep red velvet ribbon. It’s such a simple touch, but it instantly makes them feel festive and a bit luxurious. (You lot loved those bows on Instagram!)
The best bit about a wicker basket is that it’s a gift in itself. Once the goodies are gone, it can live on as storage for blankets, toys or craft bits.
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If you only make one thing on this list, make this. Homemade vanilla extract is a baker’s dream gift, and it couldn’t be simpler: vanilla pods and vodka in a pretty swing-top bottle. That’s it.
This is the one that needs the most time, so start it first. It’ll turn a lovely deep amber as it infuses, and it only gets better with age. Add a little tag suggesting they top it up with more vodka as they use it, and it’ll keep going for years.
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This year I wanted to make something a little bit different, and this is it. Sweet, juicy peach, rich toasted pecans and warming bourbon – it’s basically autumn in a glass.
It makes a gorgeous sipping drink on a cold night, or try it in an Old Fashioned (my Blackberry Old Fashioned recipe is here if you want a starting point).
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Link: The Blackberry Old Fashioned post
These are the fun ones! A couple of simple pairings:
Just drop the sweets into a clip-top jar, pour over the spirit, seal and shake. Give it a little time for the sweets to dissolve and infuse, then decant into smaller, pretty bottles with a cute label. I’ll be making more sweetie flavours towards the end of October, so keep an eye on Instagram for those.
And honestly? The sound of those sweets hitting the jar might be my favourite part.
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Affiliate link: mini swing-top bottles
A little note: please gift alcohol responsibly, and only to adults who’ll enjoy it.
Another Christmas hamper gift ticked off the list! This homemade coffee body scrub couldn’t be easier, and it’s a brilliant way to use up out-of-date coffee grounds too.
That’s genuinely all there is to it. It’s a simple little handmade treat that looks lovely in a hamper, and it smells absolutely gorgeous. Add a tag reminding them to use a dry spoon or dry fingers, so no water gets into the jar.
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Affiliate link: sweet almond oil Affiliate link: small glass jars
Rose petals, Himalayan pink salt and a gorgeous blend of botanicals, portioned into little jars and finished with ribbon, ready to pop beside the bath.
This one is perfect for a little bit of self-care, as a thoughtful handmade gift, or simply for making an ordinary bath feel a little more special.
My top tip: tuck a couple of reusable muslin bags into the hamper alongside the jar. Spoon the soak into a bag and drop it in the bath, and there’s no handful of petals left floating around afterwards!
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Affiliate link: Himalayan pink salt Affiliate link: dried rose petals Affiliate link: muslin bags
The weeks are flying by, so this was one of the first gifts I got started on. Coarse sea salt mixed with dried herbs, spooned into clip-top jars – it’s the kind of gift that gets used every single day.
A post shared by Deborah (@countryheartdeb) Affiliate link: clip-top spice jars
The secret to stress-free homemade gifts is making them in the right order. Here’s how I’m pacing mine:
Affiliate link: crinkle paper hamper fill
There’s something so satisfying about making homemade gifts, and I’ll be adding to these hampers right up until Christmas. Would you make these for yourself, or as gifts? Which one would you try first? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to see how each of these came together, come and say hello on Instagram at @countryheartdeb. I’m sharing every gift as I make it.
And if you’ve found this useful, pin it for later so it’s there when the Christmas making mood strikes.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
