7 Teacher Gift Ideas (or gifts for other people in your life)

Teacher do a LOT for our kids. They really do go above their paygrade to teach, nurture and care for our kids. 

So don't forget the teacher when putting together your Christmas list!

Today I am sharing 7 ideas for teachers (or other people in your life). 

DIY Spa Kit! Lush Knock Offs

Is there someone in your life you would love to treat to a spa day? But they're expensive! Why not make one for them to take home.

Today I am showing three DIYS that require minimal effort, time and money. They would make great last-minute gifts for the people in your life that need a little extra relaxation.

Okay let's go.

Lush inspired Gel Soaps

Lush is known for it's unique products made from natural ingredients. You can easily make these soaps at home.

You will need:

1/2 cup castile soap

2 packets Knox gelatin

3/4 cup BOILING water

pinch sea salt

25-30 drops essential oils. I used orange

silicone mold pan

Steps:

Combine your gelatin and water in a bowl and whisk until clump free.

Add in your soap and oil and whisk.

Pour into mold pan and chill for about an hour.

Pop out and store in glass container. You will need to store them in the fridge to keep them 'gel' like.

I put mine in a pretty jar with a label.

Wax Melts.

These were so simple and were inspired by the pricey "Scentsy" melts. 

You will need:

A candle (I used three that I had left over)

And a silicone mini muffin pan or candy mold.

Put your candle on a candle warmer to melt the wax or submerge in a pot of boiling water until melted.

Then pour into the mold and let harden. Pop them out and put them in a pretty container or jar.

Coconut sugar scrub

This is so easy and my favorite DIY beauty item. This scrub leaves my skin feeling amazing it moisturizes and exfoliates and uses just natural ingredients.

You will need:

Four tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons organic coconut sugar (or regular table sugar)

Optional: a few drops essential oils. I used lemon.

Simply spoon out your oil into a bowl. Add in your sugar and essential oils (if you're using them) and mix.

Then I spooned the mixture into a small containers and attached a label.

To print your own labels click here!

It was all so simple! So tell me, are you making and DIY gifts this year? Tell me in the comments below. I can't wait to hear about them.

Coffee Coconut Sugar Scrub

I love body scrubs. They feel so luxurious and refreshing and usually smell amazing. But they can be pricey. So I learned how to whip up my own coffee body scrub. It's a great exfoliate, and is supposed to be good for cellulite. 

This recipe contains sunflower oil and coconut sugar. (Note: those are affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here. 

To get started you will:

About 1 cup coffee grounds (wet)

2-4 table spoons sunflower oil 

1/2 cup - 1 cup coconut sugar

Combine the coffee and oil and stir. Then combine your sugar. You might want to add more or less oil depending on the consistency you desire. 

Store in a sealed container in your shower. 

Do you make any beauty products at home? Leave me a comment below! 

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Bath Bomb DIY with free gift tag printable (DIY gift under $1)

Christmas is just six weeks away! (Give or take...) I don't know about you, but I could use the gift of relaxation. Wouldn't it be nice to give the gift of relaxation? Well you can. I made this bath bombs last week and they were the bomb dot com. (Forgive my late 1990's humor.) 

These homemade bath bombs require minimal effort and are just as good as bath bombs from places like Lush, for a fraction of the cost. I made 24 mini bath bombs and 10 full size bath bombs for around $8. Yup, a DIY gift under $1 each.

Plus, I made you a little gift tag

you can print

to give your own bath bombs. 

What you'll need:

2 cups baking soda

1 cup corn starch

1 cup

citric acid

 (this is an affiliate link. Please read my

disclosure policy

for more info)

5 drops essential oil

3 tsp olive oil, or coconut oil, or sunflower oil

2-5 drops food coloring (optional!)

spray bottle with water

Step 1. Combine your dry ingredients and stir. 

Step 2. Next add your essential oils and oil (like evoo, sunflower or coconut) and stir. 

Then add your food coloring if so desired. 

Give everything another stir. 

Step 3. Next, spray the mix with your water until it feels like wet sand.

Then mix with your hands. 

Use a mold or your hands to form to desired shape. 

Let sit for a couple days. 

For more cute ideas visit, Romance on a Dime for Take it On Tuesday. 

Care Packages, Fun to give, fun to receive

Last week we talked about encouraging new moms. Earlier this week I took a friend a new mom care package. It was filled with stuff just for her. 

Care packages are fun to give and certainly fun to give. 

I used a bucket I had left over from my sweet boy's birthday party. These buckets were purchased by my mother-in-law's sister for $1 at the Dollar Tree. 

I then took the bucket and filled it with popcorn, peanuts, tea, hot cocoa and some candy I put inside one of my homemade mason jar tumblers. 

I also put in some soap from bath and body works and some lip gloss I had gotten from CVS using my Extra Care Bucks. 

Here are some tips for giving a care package:

Think about what the receiver needs. You don't want to give things a person doesn't want or would never use. 

Fill the care package with snacks and goodies. Whether it's a new mom, a college student, or a soldier who has been deployed, we all LOVE snacks!

Keep it simple. There is no need to imitate Pinterest. 

It doesn't have to be expensive. Load it down with all those great samples you get in the mail. 

Include a sweet note. I included a note from my son that said, "Baby boy thinks you're doing a great job and wanted you to have some goodies."

Use encouraging words. I included some Bible verses I find encouraging. 

Long ago the Lord said to Israel:

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. 

Jeremiah 31:3.

What would you put in a care package, or want to receive in one?

For some really great ideas visit Betsy at Romance on a Dime for Take it On Tuesday!

Coconut Sugar Face Scrub

Hello! How is everyone? The boy and I have returned from our baby swim class and he is now wearing nothing but a diaper, using a bottle as a teether and not napping. But he sure is cute. 

I've been feeling a little stressed at moments lately. I think I have been trying to do too many things at once. In the past that was fine, I managed to do multiple things and keep sanity. That's how I functioned. But now I just can't anymore. 

I decided to take a few minutes a few weeks ago and treat myself to a homemade face scrub. I think this has changed my life. 

Some ladies at the gym were talking about how they put coconut oil on their face. I just put coconut oil in cakes! So I decided to try this out. 

I found a jar online for $40. Seriously? $40??? What is wrong with you? It's sugar and coconut oil. You could make a jar for less than a buck!

At any rate. I took a baby food jar and put in two spoonfuls (big soup spoonfuls) of coconut oil. Then I added a couple tables spoons regular refined white sugar. 

Then I scrubbed my face with it. Magic! It left my skin soft and smooth and not the least bit oil and I didn't have to put on moisturizer. It is said to have vitamins A,B,C and E in it and is a natural antioxidant. Who knows? It smelled good. 

Note: My household is trying to get off sugar. And I did have to fight the urge to lick my own face. 

Don't forget to head over to Romance on A Dime for Take it On Tuesday. There are always some great ideas over there. And be sure to check out other blogs and leave comments. 

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. I do get a commission if you make a purchase. I am not asking you to, I am just trying to be up front with you guys.

Tumbling over- A Mason Jar Tumbler

Mason jars, they aren't just for canning tomatoes. Well, according to Pinterest anyway.

Since all my garden has yielded is spaghetti squash and I now own more canning jars than a girl should. It borders on hoarding.

Okay.

Mama with no makeup at 7 a.m. Not cute. Notice the piles and piles of laundry behind me.What'll need:

A 12 oz Mason jar

A 7.1 mm grommet

1/2 inch drill bit

Wire cutter or file (a file works better)

Chalk board paint, optional

Don't you love my husband horrible shoes?Step 1. Leaving the lid on the jar, drill a hole in the lid. You will need to tap the drill into the lid first, to give the drill some grip.

Step 2. File down any sharp edges. You can use wire cutters, but a file is easier.

Step 3. Shove that grommet down in the hole of the lid.

Terrible paint job.Step 4. Optional, pain a part of the jar with chalk board paint so that later you can write you name on it at parties and such.

I used a reusable straw that I got as a promotion. I love it. Now girl, go get you some pink lemonade!

 Don't forget to hop on over to Take it On Tuesday and look for some more great projects. And if you stopped by from there, welcome. Look around. I am happy to have y'all.