Home made gifts- great ideas for 2013
Try these do-it-yourself Christmas gift ideas and a photo of your final product to us.
Why not try these DIY Christmas gifts this year?
Festive home-made gift ideas
There’s something extra-special about giving a gift that you’ve made with your own hands. It really is a personal touch. Whether you’re the crafty-type or not, we’ve gathered some easy do-it-yourself home-made gifts for you to give a bash.
Mini succulent garden
Makes: One gift
Total time: 15 minutes
What you need
Ceramic bowl (at least three inches deep and five wide)
Small pebbles
Dishwashing gloves (for protection)
Soup spoon
Cactus potting soil
Five to seven small cactus and succulent plants of different heights and shapes (an odd number will look better; the festive plant with the red top, shown here, is a ruby-ball cactus).
What to do
Cover the bottom of the bowl with a layer of pebbles.
Add a thin layer of soil over them.
Wearing gloves, gently remove each little cactus from its pot. Group the tallest plants together and fill the remaining space with the others, allowing a space between each. Use the spoon to surround each one with soil; the root ball should be completely covered.
Level the top of the potting soil at the base of each plant. Cover the surface with pebbles. To water, start with a half cup and continue to add until the topsoil is damp.
When gifting, tell the recipient to let the soil dry out between waterings.
Infused vodka
Makes: Two gifts (one litre in all)
Total time: Five minutes (plus one week for infusing)
What you need
One litre vodka
Flavourings, such as 1,5 cups fresh pineapple chunks, four vanilla beans, or three halved and seeded jalapeños
Glass bottles with tight seals.
What to do
Divide the vodka and desired flavourings among the bottles.
Refrigerate until the vodka reaches the desired level of infusion, at least 3 days and up to 1 week. Remove the flavourings after one week or instruct the recipient to do so. Keep refrigerated for up to two months.
How to package your gift
Divide the vodka among glass bottles with tight seals.
Tie a ribbon around the neck of each and attach a gift tag.
Braai rub (large batch)
Makes 1,3 cups
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup paprika
3 tbs brown sugar
3 tbs dried oregano
3 tbs ground coffee
4 tsp salt
1 tbs black pepper
Directions
Combine the ingredients and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Decorate a glass bottle.
Instructions to include with your gift: Up to two hours before cooking, coat ± one kilogram of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood with one tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with two to four tablespoons of the rub. Cook as desired.
