DIY Father’s day gifts

I’m huge on DIY gifts since they’re unique and can easily be customized for the person you’re gifting it to. They can be elaborate, but I usually like to keep it simple and easy, otherwise I’m not likely to follow through. Sometimes, you just don’t have time, or materials on hand, so I’ve also included some natural and eco-friendly items you can buy for the crunchy dad in your life.

Bay rum aftershave

One of the biggest issues with men’s aftershave is that overpowering, chemical smell. It reminds you of a teenager’s cologne on prom night. This bay rum aftershave uses pure essential oils, not fake chemical fragrances to tighten, tone AND moisturize skin for all in one skin care. Because what guy routinely uses facial lotion?

Make DIY Bay rum aftershave.
Buy Bay rum aftershave here from my bodycare shop.

Herbal tea and mug

If you can’t tell by the site’s name, I’m a huge herb lover. You can use them for everything from herbal salves, to replacing toxic products in your medicine cabinet. One of the simplest and most delicious ways to use herbs though is in a tea. I love the tea blends over at the Bulk Herb Store. They offer organic blends that taste great and improve your health to boot. A few tea blends, a nice mug and bam… Father’s day gifts done.

• Apple pie tea
• Doctor cinnamon tea
• Ginger snap tea
• Black spice chai tea
• Find handcrafted stoneware mugs here

Beard oil

My husband has had a beard for close to two years now. I honestly can’t even remember what his face looks like under there, but I love the look just the same. Many guys ditch the beard because it can get unruly, patchy, and the skin underneath gets irritated or flaky. With this beard oil they’ll have a kissably soft beard, and skin that’s nourished and vibrant.

Get beard oil here and choose from:

• Cedarwood Bergamot beard oil
• Earthy Patchouli beard oil
• Citrus Spice beard oil
• Beard Ultimate beard oil

Or get the DIY recipe for beard oil here

Wooden hair comb

Several years ago we discovered the wonders of wooden combs. They don’t snag and break hairs like plastic combs do, and they infuse the hair with the scent of the wood. My husband has a sandalwood mustache and beard comb that he loves, and a larger wooden one for his hair. I just can’t get over how good the sandalwood smells!

Get a wooden comb here

Solid cologne

Men work hard, men get stinky, men need cologne. It’s the natural progression of life. While it goes without saying that showers are the first step to smelling good, a natural cologne really gives you that signature scent. This Sticks and Stones solid cologne has a woodsy smell to it, and comes in a convenient tin that’s easy to travel with and doesn’t make a mess.

Get Sticks and Stones blend solid cologne here.

Get the DIY recipe for solid cologne in my e-book, Body & Skin – DIY bodycare gifts 

Dark chocolate salted cookie dough truffles

This DIY is a delicious one. Be sure you make extra for yourself, or you’ll end up eating your whole Father’s day gift! Package these truffles in a cute little treat box like this one, or repurposed tin to make this gift stand out.

Get the recipe for dark chocolate salted cookie dough truffles here

Recycled belt

Did you know that about 290 million tires every year make their way to landfills? There are literally piles the size of mountains cluttering the earth! One way to help solve the problem, is to used items made from recycled tires. This eco-friendly belt is actually made from a recycled bicycle inner tube. My husband has this belt, it’s held up for years and he loves how well it works.

Get a recycled belt here

Honey homemade face wash for blemish free skin

There are so many bodycare options out there, that it can quickly get overwhelming. I like keeping it simple with this honey facewash. It contains essential oils that can be customized for someone’s exact skin type, while soothing skin and keeping it blemish free and smelling great. Put it in a super cute mason jar soap dispenser, and you’re all set.

Get the DIY for honey homemade facewash here

Lotion bars for working hands

Lotion bars are a convenient way to moisturize without the mess of liquid lotion. They can be infused with skin healing herbs like calendula and dandelion to restore health to hard working hands. Use skin soothing essential oils like sandalwood, frankincense, cedarwood or vetiver for a manly scent dad’s sure to love.

Get the DIY recipe for lotion bars here

Steak seasoning

I have fond memories of backyard barbecues with my dad flipping hamburgers on the grill. Help dad make the perfect main dish with this diy steak seasoning. Most spice blends at the store are full of the neurotoxin msg, artificial colors and flavors, but it’s really easy to make your own. You can put the steak seasoning in one of these reusable metal tins or these spice shakers. Dress it up with your own diy labels.

Get the recipe for Steak Seasoning here

Flavored popcorn

My dad is obsessed with popcorn. We had it several nights a week growing up, and I remember helping him make it over the stove when I was so little, that I needed a step stool to reach the stove. Now that I’m grown up, we make flavored popcorn with natural ingredients. If you pick up a bottle of popcorn seasoning at the store, you’ll be shocked at how much junk is really in it. Skip the junk and get all of the flavor by using these natural blends instead.

Get non-gmo, organic ranch seasoning here
Get the recipe for “bacon and cheddar” popcorn here.
Package non-gmo popcorn kernels in a tub like this and attach these fun labels that say “for the best pop!”

Homemade card

A homemade card can be a great gift on its own, or partnered with another gift. Make your own homemade paper from junk mail to use as a card or gift tag. Add a personal message or drawing written on it for that special touch. This project is a great one for kids, since they can have fun getting a little messy while making dad’s gift.

Get the DIY for homemade paper for cards and gift tags here.

Essential oil roller bottle blends

Help dad chill out and relax with these essential oil roller bottle blends. To help him wake up, boost mental awareness and increase energy make this invigorating blend. And to help him relax sore muscles after a tough day of work, make this muscle tension blend. The essential oil quality does matter here. Cheapo oils will give you cheapo results.

Muscle tension essential oil blend

• 3 drops White fir essential oil
• 3 drops Wintergreen essential oil
• 3 drops chamomile or lavender essential oil

Invigorate essential oil blend

• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops orange essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Put the essential oils into a glass roller bottle and fill the rest of the way with your carrier oil of choice. Sweet almond and fractionated coconut oil are my favorites.

What are you giving for Father’s day this year? Let us know in the comments, and share this post with the buttons below!

The post 15 Natural and DIY Father’s Day gifts for the crunchy dad appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

With Christmas right around the corner you may be starting to enter into panic mode. What can you get for everyone on your list that they don’t already have and that they’ll actually use? Of course you don’t want to spend oodles of money or get just another big box store item that’s impersonal. This Handmade gift guide will give you DIY gift ideas for everyone on your list this year.

Many of these items will appeal to multiple genders and age groups, but I’ve broken it down to make browsing easier. You’ll find a mix of handmade bodycare and various DIY gifts.

The recipes below in bold without a link  can be found in my new e-book, Body & Skin – DIY bodycare gifts. I’ve attempted too many DIY recipes on Pinterest that just didn’t work, so I tested and re-tested the recipes in my book until they were perfect. There are a total of 18 recipes for everyone on your list, including lip balm that doesn’t feel waxy, body butter that doesn’t leave you greasy and a lip scrub that tastes like gingerbread!

My brothers are getting some of the homemade woodsy beard oil for their newly sprouted whiskers. Though honestly, my youngest brother is still working on converting that peach fuzz into something manly. And my sister-in-law is getting some sleepytime bath soaks for the two little girls that like to drive her crazy sometimes.

DIY Gift Guide

Little girls

Whether it’s for a game of dress-up or a night at homecoming, this shine boost lip gloss will make any girl feel more glam. The color is optional, making it appropriate for a variety of ages.

I used to love all of the different scents in the skincare aisle at the store. This orange creamsicle body scrub smells just as good as the toxic conventional versions, but won’t leave you feeling guilty.

They fizz, they make noise, they smell great and bonus points since they help knock out toxic chlorine found in treated bath water. Floral bath bomb fizzies are an indulgent way to enjoy a nice hot bath.

If you know a little girl who loves playing baby dolls, then she’ll love these doll cloth diapers and wipes. She can pretend to be a crunchy mama right alongside her own crunchy mama.

Older girls

Moms and women do a lot during the day and it can take a toll on the feet. Refresh tired tootsies and exfoliate unsightly skin with this invigorating peppermint foot scrub.

Every day needs some chocolate. This orange white chocolate whipped body butter smells divine and it won’t go to the hips like some other treats. It’s a heavy hitter for winter skin, but won’t leave a greasy feel.

Every morning should start with a good facewash. These citrus floral cleansing grains do double duty by cleansing and exfoliating for glowing skin. They can be mixed with honey or water for an intense skin clearing face mask, or as an everyday face wash.

The cold winter weather calls for a cup of flavorful spiced chai. You can create your own Chai tea kit to put in a unique mug. Don’t forget to include some gluten and dairy free chocolate almond biscotti for dunking!

Boys

Boys are harder to buy for, but you can skip the electronics and foster their creativity with some scented Play dough. Here are recipes for holiday scents, including eggnog, gingerbread and gingerbread play dough. You can even add vetiver and lavender to a batch for one that’s calming for stressful days, or use lemon and orange for a mood boosting version.

If your little one loves playing superheroes, then he’ll love having his very own superhero cape. You can get the easy tutorial here.

Perfect for snowy days after a run on the sledding hill, this real food hot chocolate mix will warm them up. Don’t forget the homemade marshmallows for a protein and collagen boost.

Men

Boy toys just get more expensive with age. Fortunately there are plenty of diy options your man will love, like this bay rum aftershave that will leave their skin toned and moisturized.

Men can get a little overzealous with their cologne, but this natural version won’t leave your eyes watering. The scent of this forest blend solid cologne lingers for hours and smells woodsy, without being overpowering.

If you know someone who’s sporting a beard, or trying to, then this woodsy beard oil is a great fit. It helps tame unruly beards and soothes the irritated skin that can often accompany it.

Babies and Toddlers

As cute as your baby is, sometimes they need a little help unwinding at night. These sleepytime bath salts will help them relax and fall asleep with calming magnesium and lavender faster than you can say “I haven’t had a shower in a week.”

Bubbles make bath time more enjoyable, and they make great toddler beards. This coconut lime bodywash can also be used as a bubble bath for little ones. Like all soap, be sure to avoid getting it into little eyes.

Get messy with DIY, edible finger paint. Since you’re using  food for natural colors, it won’t hurt little ones if ingested.

Grandparents

As they age, older adults have drier skin. These portable lotion bars provide deep moisturizing properties for more mature skin.

Give grandma an elegant gift with this solid perfume in an aromatherapy locket. It has a citrus floral scent that also helps calm the mind and uplift the body.

Help grandpa rock that vintage ‘do with this homemade hair pomade.

Ready to get your DIY on this Christmas? Get Body & Skin – DIY bodycare gifts here

The post DIY Gift Guide for Last Minute Gifts appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.