Disclosure: I was given products in this post for the purpose of review. I was not paid in anyway to write this review, all opinions are my own.
I love shopping and getting my loved ones purchased gifts, but I also love giving them stuff I made with my own hands.
This post is part of my 2014 Holiday guide! Over the next few weeks I will be posting amazing companies, recipes, deals and so much more to help make your holiday easier, fun and exciting. If you wish to learn more or see all the other great holiday content please click the photo above to be taken to my Holiday Guide home page.
Now the past several weeks I have shared with you gift ideas, most of which can be purchased in stores. Today I want to share another kind of gift with you and that is the handmade kind :)
As the holiday approach I find myself wanting to add my own personal touch to things. Gifts, my home, sending treats to school with the kids and I even go as far as making my Christmas cards with my little guys.
I love shopping and getting my loved ones purchased gifts, but I also love giving them stuff I made with my own hands.
This year Nielsen-Massey Vanillas is helping me do that with their
Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar is a flavorful blend of gourmet baker's sugar and the pinnacle of all vanillas, Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract. Use it in any recipe where vanilla and the sweetness of sugar are desired. Vanilla Sugar is ideal for baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pies and pastries where it can enhance the vanilla flavor, sprinkled in beverages, such as coffee, cocoas or smoothies, or as a sweet topping to pancakes, fruit or cookies.
This can be used to make several DIY gifts!
Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
Decadent Holiday Fudge
Cinnamon Vanilla Candied Almonds
Gourmet Blueberry Vanilla Granola
Sweet and Spicy BBQ Rub
Chocolate Coffee Biscotti
Vanilla Body Sugar
Lip scrub
Feet Scrub
or even a super yummy DIY air freshener.
Now I plan to share 2 with you, one was shared with by the lovely Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Company. I am so in love I want to also share it with you and another is one my aunt taught to me. The DIY air freshener.
Vanilla Body Scrub
1 cup Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 or 2 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus, etc.
Decorative, waterproof container
Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
Spoon into a decorative, waterproof container.
Wrap in decorative paper.
Instructions for use: Apply a small amount to damp skin while in shower or bath. Gently scrub skin with a soft washcloth. Rinse thoroughly
In place of the essential oil I used Vitamin C and it came out the same of the photo above :). Sugar scrubs are the perfect exfoliate and if you skin is anything like mine in the winter it can use all the help it can get :)!!
This gift is perfect for moms, sisters, aunts and I wont fib my dad even asked me to make him a batch!
Next I will share my aunts super easy DIY air freshener. You need 4 things
1/2 cup Water
teaspoon cinnamon
tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar
pot
Place everything in a small pot, put on your oven either on sim or low and be prepared for your entire house to smell of lovely cinnamon and vanilla sugar!
Yes I swear it is that easy.
Just watch your water if it all evaporates just add more water to the pot :)
My hubby swears our house smells like cookies whenever I do this. When you are hosting you holiday parties wouldn't it be nice to have your home smell like holiday cookies!
Now I shared with you a DIY gift and a DIY home air freshener. I want to mention these are only 2 of many ways to use Nielsen-Massey Vanilla. And the product I used is one one of the many items they offer!
To learn more please click my link below: