BRIGHAM COLUMN: Countdown to Christmas DIY gift ideas
I'm getting creative again this year when it comes to holiday gift giving and will be going the noncommercial route.
On the blog this week
Buy two, get two free at Yankee Candle coupon.
Buy one chicken sandwich, get one free at Sonic coupon.
$10 coupon when you spend $75 or more at Toys R Us.
Find these and more at http: //blog.postandcourier.com/savvy-shopper.
I do realize that today is only Nov. 2, but we have only 52 more days left to get ready for the holidays. You can keep track at www.xmasclock.com.
DIY labels
To make labels, you need:
A printer
Card stock
Avery self-stick laminating sheets
Adhesive (craft or spray glue)
Print out circular labels on the card stock. Follow instructions to laminate using the laminating sheets. Attach to lid and/or front of jar with adhesive. Finish by tying ribbon around jar.
Or print the necessary information on one side of an index card or card stock and cut a hole into one corner with a hole punch. Slip yarn through the hole in the label and wrap it around the jar just under the lid threads.
This year, my friends and I have decided to go the DIY route and are having a girls' night of channeling our inner Martha Stewarts. Not only is it much more fun to spend quality time with them, but it also makes us feel all inspired, crafty and creative.
Some upcoming Daily Deals
Be on the lookout for these Daily Deals at charlestonsavvy shopper.com.
Spend $50 and get $120 worth of cleaning services from Cleaning the Nest, a green, environmentally friendly commercial and residential cleaning company based in Summerville.
Get a horseback riding lesson for $25 or six for $60 from The Grass is Greener Riding School LLC, located at The Stables at Stono Ferry in Hollywood.
I've been scouring Pinterest, of course, to get ideas. If you haven't heard, Pinterest.com is a relatively new social media site that is growing in popularity.
The invitation-only social media site launched in 2010 and is basically a virtual pin board, allowing members to share ideas about anything and everything of interest to you. I have gotten so many awesome penny-pinching ideas from this website.
Here is one of my favorite great DIY gift ideas: homemade sugar scrub.
You can find this and other homemade sugar scrub recipes, including lavender and peppermint versions, on our Pinterest board, “Lowcountry arts and crafts.”
There are some other cute ideas on the board, such as homemade picture frames, candles and lots more.
Check out the latest deals, giveaways and freebies or if you have a DIY gift tip, share it with me on the blog at http://blog.postand courier.com/savvy shopper.
Corrie's Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Servings: Yields a 14-ounce container
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; can substitute sweetened almond oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E (cut open vitamin E liquid gel caps)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional (or your favorite citrus essential oil)
1 tablespoon honey, optional for dry skin
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine oil, vitamin E and vanilla. Add the brown sugar and mix well.
Courtesy of Paula Deen/ Pinterest
Packaging ideas
Use glass jars. Mason jars will work. (Check out Michael's Arts and Crafts on Rivers Avenue, which has them for $1.49 each for small size, $2.29 each for medium and $3.99 each for the big ones. Fred's Super Dollar on Ashley Phosphate has them in packs of 12 priced from $7 to $10.)
Use clean, plastic containers with matching lids and no labels
Festive ribbon or yarn
Attach a spoon (metal or wooden) for scooping
Email CharlestonSavvy Shopper@postandcourier.com or follow us on Twitter at @chssavvyshopper, on Facebook at facebook. com/CharlestonSavvy Shopper and on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/lpeditor.
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