Don’t we all love something homemade? Going to your parents' house and smelling a freshly baked cake, putting together some friendship bracelets ahead of a Taylor Swift concert, making homemade candles ready to face the chilly weather…
And here's a fun fact - 33% of UK households now say they like to make their own presents for Christmas. This growing popularity for making gifts, decorations, food, and drinks at home is mostly driven by the need to cut costs, but it could also be influenced by an increase in the importance of sustainability, or simply a desire for people to show off their skills.
It's not surprising - in a world where mass-produced stuff is everywhere, handcrafted presents offer something more special. So, why not try making some gifts this year? Here's a few ideas we've put together on what you can make (and how to package them)...
1. Candles and soaps
We all love lighting a candle and having a nice, long bath as the weather gets colder, right? I certainly do, so if you're making Christmas presents for me at all this year... try some soy wax candles infused with essential oils like lavender, vanilla, or peppermint, and when you're done place your candle in either a lid and base or flat packed candle box, or pour it directly into a tin! Or, create some soap bars using natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and again, those essential oils. And there are plenty of pretty flat pack soap boxes out there to choose from for your packaging - pop in your bar and tie the box with twine or raffia for an organic, minimalist feel.
2. Knitted scarves
Cosy and timeless, knitted scarves are also great gifts that will be used all winter long. Knitting them yourself means you can make them whatever colour and pattern you want, and you can also make matching hats, gloves, and blankets! Put these in kraft gift boxes with a bit of festive tissue paper for added luxury, which also has the bonus of being eco-friendly.
3. Homemade jewellery
Jewellery is another really lovely handmade gift - whether you’re stringing together beads or crafting with metal. Think those friendship bracelets again, or remember those locket necklaces we all had when we were 16? Either way, they're lots of fun to make. To package, try a pretty cotton bag or perhaps a pillow box - both great for keeping dainty items safe.
4. Photo scrapbooks
Or, how about you create a scrapbook with photos, mementoes, and little notes from shared moments? Pop this in a kraft gift box that could be decorated as a keepsake, with say a pretty hand-drawn pic or some stickers. Or you could fill a tin with small notes, each recalling a fond memory, or perhaps some jokes! (Like who hides in the bakery at Christmas? A mince spy!)
And if you're a small business selling handmade products...
Whether you’re making gifts for loved ones or running a small business, packaging plays a key role in presenting your homemade creations. Kraft packaging in particular looks great for any handmade products you're selling this Christmas as it gives off that charming, rustic aesthetic - and it's also a solid choice as we fall (ahem) into autumn. (Speaking of, check out our blog on spicing up your packaging with autumn trends here!)
It's also a great choice if you're a small business worried about sustainability. If brands not being very green is what's driving more consumers to do-it-themselves, making sure you're being as green as possible means they won't be driven away from you. Using reusable containers (like tins) for your products is another big win - let your customers know how they can use them again and make them love you even more!
And whatever packaging you go for, it never hurts to add a personalised message. This could be on a note card or gift tag, or written on the box itself. So, whichever way you go about it, try getting crafty this Christmas!