last minute gift Archives - Soap Deli News

DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Romantics

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January 30, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or simply Galentine’s Day, this beautiful collection of 18 DIY Valentine’s Day gifts is sure to delight!

If Valentine’s Day reminds you of romance, hearts and roses then you must make one of these gorgeous DIY Valentine’s Day gifts! Each of these Valentine’s Day gift ideas are thoughtfully made so your Valentine will not only be pleased with the quality of your gift, but is sure to get the warm and fuzzies too!

DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

DIY Personalized Bathtub Tray via The First Cut

This beautiful, wooden DIY bathtub tray can be personalized with your favorite phrase to remind your Valentine how much you love her! Find the tutorial here.

Natural Rose Body Balm Recipe via Soap Deli News

Crafted using tea seed oil, rose wax and shea butter, this luxurious rose body balm is completely natural and requires just three simple ingredients to make! There are even free printable labels making this body balm perfect for your DIY Valentine’s Day gifts! Discover the recipe and free printable labels here.

Red Velvet Fudge Recipe via Cravings of a Lunatic

Are you extra sweet on someone this Valentine’s Day? This easy heart shaped red velvet fudge recipe makes great DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for all of your Galentine’s! Get the recipe here.

Conversation Heart Petit Fours via Brite & Bubbly

These conversation heart petit fours make delicious, edible DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetheart or Galentine! Learn how to make them here.

Rose Bath Salts Recipe via Everything Pretty

These gorgeous DIY rose bath salts are the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your bath and beauty loving Valentine! Learn to make them now!

DIY Rose Bath Melts via Amy Green

These DIY rosebud bath melts are crafted with natural skin nourishing ingredients like cocoa and shea butters and coconut oil. The addition of dried mini-rose buds give them an extra feeling of love and romance make them perfect to give as DIY Valentine’s Day gifts. Grab the recipe here.

DIY Valentine’s Day Lip Duo via Country Hill Cottage

This DIY lip scrub and lip balm duo make fabulous DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for her! Plus there are free printable labels for your completed products. Get the recipes to make these natural beauty products here.

Love Notes DIY Valentine’s Wreath via Tauni + Co

This DIY Love Notes Valentine’s Wreath is the perfect alternative to Valentine’s Day cards. Not only will this beauty avoid the recycling bin, but it makes a beautiful home decor piece that your Valentine or Galentine can enjoy into spring and summer! Find the tutorial here.

DIY Conversation Heart Soaps via Soap Deli News

These DIY conversation heart soaps are not only a snap to make, but they’re also perfect for gifting! Easily craft these DIY Valentine’s Day gifts in multiples for classmates or coworkers using a melt and pour soap base, then gift them inside candy treat bags! Find the tutorial here.

DIY Ombre Heart Jars via Make + Tell

These DIY Valentine’s Day treat jars are not only pretty, they’re also perfect for gifting Valentine’s Day treats and candy! Learn more here.

DIY Rose Milk Bath Bombs via The Nerdy Farm Wife

Craft these natural DIY rose milk bath bombs as DIY Valentine’s Day gifts! These beautiful heart-shaped bath bombs are naturally colored with rose clay and scented with a relaxing blend of essential oils, while creamy cocoa butter and milk powder are added for their extra skin-loving benefits. Find the recipe here.

DIY Solid Lotion Bar Hearts via The Nourished Life

Craft these DIY solid lotion bar hearts to give to your Valentine (or Galentine!) this Valentine’s Day! Made using a simple combination of natural ingredients, solid lotion bars are a wonderful and mess free way to protect and nourish your dry skin. Discover this DIY here.

DIY Hanging Basket via Apple Green Cottage

The pattern for this beautiful DIY heart hanging basket makes practical DIY Valentine’s Day gifts! Not only is this sturdy canvas hanging basket useful but it’s also a lovely home decor piece. Get the free pattern here.

DIY Matcha Green Tea Butter Bars via Soap Deli News

These DIY matcha green tea butter bars are made with skin nourishing tea seed oil and matcha green tea. Perfect to gift for DIY Valentine’s Day gifts, these solid lotion bars absorb quickly and won’t leave skin feeling greasy. Learn how to make them here.

DIY Herbal Massage Melts via The Nerdy Farm Wife

These DIY herbal massage melts for pain relief make delightful DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for your active Valentine. They are perfect for anyone who needs a little extra pampering at the end of the day. Learn to make them here.

DIY Heart Shaped Earl Grey Macarons via Indulge with Mimi

These heart shaped DIY Earl Grey Macarons with Mouth-watering Lemon Swiss Buttercream are the perfect alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day box of chocolates! Get the recipe and heart shaped template now.

Geode Soap Tutorial with Hearts via Soap Deli News

Create truly unique DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetheart with this geode soap tutorial! Inside each soap geode you’ll find a glass-like heart nestled inside. Check out this love inspired soapmaking tutorial here.

Natural Rose Body Butter Recipe via Soap Deli News

This rose body butter recipe if perfect for DIY Valentine’s Day gifts! Made with only natural ingredients, this vegan moisturizer nourishes skin without leaving it feeling greasy. Learn to make it now.

Want even more great DIY Valentine’s day gift ideas? You may also enjoy my other DIY Valentine’s Day gifts you can make and gift. Or find more fantastic DIY gift ideas on my DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts Pinterest board here.

You can also find and follow me on G+, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram. Or subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Gift Guides, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: crafts, gift idea, gift ideas for women, heart, holiday gift, homemade gift, last minute gift, romance, rose, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gifts

The Must Have Subscription Beauty Box That Never Disappoints

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

December 22, 2017 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Whether you need an amazing last minute gift idea or are simply dying to try the hottest new beauty products for yourself, GlossyBox is about to become your new favorite subscription beauty box!

The Must Have Subscription Beauty Box

If you’re over beauty boxes that promise a mix of luxe beauty samples and full size products only to be disappointed down the road as sample sizes shrink and brand quality drops, then make the switch to GlossyBox! Boasting rave subscription beauty box reviews from happy customers on their website, GlossyBox sends out five amazing luxury beauty products every month in their signature pink box.

Founded in 2011 and located in ten countries, GlossyBox is dedicated to introducing you to the newest beauty trends and the latest products before anyone else. Utilizing their team of 150 beauty enthusiasts, GlossyBox strives to bring you some of the best beauty trends, not just from here at home, but also from every corner of the world. Products and trends are scouted from locations that include Paris, Milan, Tokyo and New York.

Some of their past beauty boxes have included beauty conscious and premiere brands such as Kat Von D, Laqa & Co, Tarte, Jafre Cosmetics, Lancôme, Burberry, Pure Cosmetics and Evelyon Iona.

You can check out some of the amazing products from the December GlossyBox in this video unboxing from their Facebook page.

In addition to their subscription beauty box, GlossyBox also regularly offers limited edition beauty boxes as well as giveaways and GLOSSYCredit. GLOSSYCredit can be redeemed on over 14,000 of your favorite beauty buys when your refer friends, review products and participate in brand surveys.

Grab Your GlossyBox Subscription Beauty Box!

So what are you waiting for? Discover the latest beauty trends, tips and treats with a monthly, quarterly, biannual or annual subscription to GlossyBox! Or gift a GlossyBox subscription to a friend or family member!

(All images are courtesy of GlossyBox and are used with permission.)

For more great product recommendations as well as DIY beauty recipes be sure to follow my boards on Pinterest. Also be sure to check out some of my other DIY gift ideas at Soap Deli News blog here. Or subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Shopping Tagged With: beauty, beauty box, cosmetics, gift idea, last minute gift, makeup, shopping, skin care

The Ultimate Last Minute Homemade Christmas Gift – No Bake Bourbon Balls!

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

December 24, 2013 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Last Minute Homemade Christmas Gift Idea - Homemade Bourbon Balls!

It’s Christmas Eve and you’re still looking for those last minute Christmas gifts, consider making some! Homemade bourbon balls make the perfect last minute homemade Christmas gift and they are super easy to make! I found a homemade bourbon ball recipe on the Etsy blog(as contributed by Kimberley Hasselbrink.) Since there’s no baking required, they are pretty fool proof even if you’re a slacker in the kitchen like I am. I tweaked Kimberley’s recipe a bit since I’m not a huge fan of nuts and doubled it so I could get more gifts out of it in one shot.

For my first batch I used gluten-free Mi-Del’s Ginger Snaps. They crush really easily which makes them almost worth the extra $1.50 even if you don’t need gluten free bourbon balls. However, one bag will only make you one batch. For my second batch I used regular grocery store brand gingersnaps and had a heck of a time crushing them. I actually took a hammer to the outside of the bag at 9am – my neighbors upstairs will forgive me I hope once I gift them a bag of the results – and still ended up with some whole cookies left in the bag and lots of large chunks.

I also used fewer nuts – as I am not a huge fan – and I used baking nuts which were much cheaper than buying whole nuts from the nut aisle. (Plus it was the only way I could find them unsalted.) Also, be sure to choose your bourbon wisely. The better the booze, well, the better the ball!

I’ve also included some printable labels for gifting!

Homemade Bourbon Ball Recipe - Last Minute Handmade Christmas Gift Idea

Homemade Bourbon Ball Recipe

adapted from Kimberley Hasselbrink’s recipe on Etsy

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups ginger snap cookies, crushed
1/2 Cup pecan baking chips
1/2 Cup confectioners sugar, plus some for dusting
1/4 Cup Woodford Reserve (or bourbon of choice)
2 Tablespoons baking cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons raw local honey
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract

Instructions:

Crush the ginger snap cookies as much as possible then combine in a large bowl with the other ingredients. Mix well with a spatula then place in freezer to “chill” for about an hour.

Once your bourbon balls have chilled, roll into about 3/4″ balls and then roll in confectioner’s sugar to coat thoroughly until all “dough” has been used.

If you’re gifting these, I placed about 8 balls in a zipper sandwich bags then inside a glassine bags and labeled with stickers I made {Download the Printable Bourbon Ball Labels here} and a strip of “date” washi tape on each with the “eat by” date. These keep for a week in the fridge so don’t make them too far ahead. You’ll also want to keep them refrigerated when you’re not munching on them.

For more last minute homemade gift ideas, be sure to browse and follow my boards on Pinterest!

Filed Under: Food Recipes, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bourbon balls, Christmas gift, crafts, diy, easy, food, food recipe, gift idea, holiday, homemade gift, last minute gift

DIY Mustache Wax for Men

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

June 10, 2013 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Coming up with a great handmade Father’s Day gift can be hard. So I’ve created a functional DIY Father’s Day gift that Dad that’s sure to be used year round. Granted, it’s only a great gift for dad if he has a mustache, but if your dad – or the man in your life – sports a ‘stache, this is a gift that’s sure to be appreciated. I had my boyfriend give it a test drive first to be sure and he really enjoyed the feel and scent in his mustache. (P.S. This makes a great homemade Christmas stocking stuffer gift as well!)

DIY Mustache Wax Recipe

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons Beeswax, recommended or ( 2 Tablespoons Carnauba Wax)
3 Tablespoons Palm Kernel Flakes
3 Tablespoons Grape Seed Oil
3 Tablespoons Jojoba Oil
40 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
40 drops Pine Essential Oil

Directions:

Using a Tablespoon measurement, measure out level Tablespoons of the Beeswax or Carnauba Wax and Palm Kernel Flakes and place into a glass Pyrex measuring cup. Heat at reduced power in the microwave – I have a 1200 watt microwave and heated at 80% power for 3 1/2 minutes – until melted. Watch this closely to be sure your waxes don’t burn or boil. (In warmer climates you’ll need to increase palm kernel flakes to 4 Tbs. Also note that beeswax will offer more hold than carnauba wax as it’s sticker. Carnauba is simply offered as a vegan alternative.)

Now measure out the Grape Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil using a Tablespoon measurement and stir into your waxes – a knife works great for this! Add your essential oils, stir again, then pour into metal tins and allow to cool.

For my mustache wax I upcycled a metal tin with snowflakes on it that I had from Christmas. I simply decorated it with washi tape by wrapping it around the tin and then applying it onto the top of the lid and cutting off the excess.

You can also pair this gift with my DIY Natural Beard Conditioner for Men. For more great handmade gift ideas for men, be sure to follow my Father’s Day Gift Ideas board on Pinterest.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath tutorial, crafts, diy, easy, Father's Day gift, gift idea, gifts for men, guy gifts, hair care, homemade, last minute gift, men, mustache wax, natural, recipe, recycle, stocking stuffer, upcycle, washi tape

DIY Natural Beard Conditioner for Men

I may receive compensation from links on this site. See my disclosure policy.

May 18, 2013 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Looking for a homemade Father’s Day gift idea? Then try out this easy DIY natural beard conditioner recipe for men!

This DIY natural beard conditioner is the perfect Father’s Day gift for Dad’s unruly beard. This natural beard care product keeps Dad’s beard from feeling prickly. It’s also great at preventing flaking so Dad’s chin, just like his scalp, stays in top condition. After all, no one wants beard dandruff.

Perfect for full beards or those in still stubble stages, this DIY natural beard conditioner conditions beards and adds a fresh natural scent.

Men’s DIY Natural Beard Conditioner Recipe

Ingredients:

Directions:

To create this DIY natural beard conditioner, you will need to use a different graduated plastic transfer pipette to measure out each ingredient.

Start by measuring out 16 ml of grape seed oil into an amber glass bottle.

Then add five drops of vitamin E oil.

Next, add the essential oil blend of your choice – based on your preference of essential oil blend 1, 2 or 3 – to the grape seed and vitamin E oil. Cap and shake.

Then label or decorate your bottle of natural homemade beard conditioner for gifting.

To use, simply add several drop to the palm of your hand, and massage into your beard.

For more handmade Father’s Day gift ideas, be sure to follow my new Father’s Day Gift Ideas board on Pinterest!

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, beard conditioner, beard elixir, crafts, diy, easy, Father's Day gift, gift idea, gifts for men, guy gifts, hair care, last minute gift, men, natural, recipe, stocking stuffer, washi tape

DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Romantics

DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

DIY Personalized Bathtub Tray via The First Cut

Natural Rose Body Balm Recipe via Soap Deli News

Red Velvet Fudge Recipe via Cravings of a Lunatic

Conversation Heart Petit Fours via Brite & Bubbly

Rose Bath Salts Recipe via Everything Pretty

DIY Rose Bath Melts via Amy Green

DIY Valentine’s Day Lip Duo via Country Hill Cottage

Love Notes DIY Valentine’s Wreath via Tauni + Co

DIY Conversation Heart Soaps via Soap Deli News

DIY Ombre Heart Jars via Make + Tell

DIY Rose Milk Bath Bombs via The Nerdy Farm Wife

DIY Solid Lotion Bar Hearts via The Nourished Life

DIY Hanging Basket via Apple Green Cottage

DIY Matcha Green Tea Butter Bars via Soap Deli News

DIY Herbal Massage Melts via The Nerdy Farm Wife

DIY Heart Shaped Earl Grey Macarons via Indulge with Mimi

Geode Soap Tutorial with Hearts via Soap Deli News

Natural Rose Body Butter Recipe via Soap Deli News

The Must Have Subscription Beauty Box That Never Disappoints

The Must Have Subscription Beauty Box

Grab Your GlossyBox Subscription Beauty Box!

The Ultimate Last Minute Homemade Christmas Gift – No Bake Bourbon Balls!

Homemade Bourbon Ball Recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

DIY Mustache Wax for Men

DIY Mustache Wax Recipe

Ingredients:

Directions:

DIY Natural Beard Conditioner for Men

Men’s DIY Natural Beard Conditioner Recipe

Ingredients:

Base:

Essential Oil Blend 1:

Essential Oil Blend 2:

Essential Oil Blend 3:

Directions: