This year I thought I’d be the most thoughtful person and make bath products for those I care about. Lots of $$$ later and I’m in deep. I thought, “This will be great gifts for cheap”. Not necessarily! If you are going to make homemade items, either already have the items on hand, find them cheap, or go into this with a plan!!

I started with the candles! Hey, you just melt wax, add some color, I might add some cool flavoring like WINE and really accentuate my gifts. Wrong… I buy the wax, the glasses, the alcohol, the wicks, the coloring and I have boring gifts that can’t hold color and smell like wax. I did some research but I wasn’t thorough or prepared. I thought I could wing it and trust me; you do not want to do that. Follow recipes and instructions! Use what works and make sure that what you buy, you can use. I now have to find a way to get rid of all the excess or find something to do with it.

Then there were the bath bombs, sugar scrubs, coffee scrubs, lip scrubs, chap sticks, shower melts, bath melts, etc. There is a list that goes on and on and flavors that can last you for days! There are too many options and you have to have containers, flavors, scents, different kinds of oils and sugars, you need molding material. I have probably spent hundreds on this “project” and I choose it because it would be the cheapest option!! Yes, the gifts are meant to mean more because I took the time and effort to make them myself. However, being in my tight situation with the $$, I tried to save myself some credit.

There are also other traps… the additives. Every category of need is filled to the brim with options and you will want them all but you have to stick to the plan. Pick the shape, the color, size, smell, etc. and stick with it! Each person may have something different but try to keep it simple. They will love it because you made it!

Another problem, often when you are making these things, you will begin to want them for yourself. Plan ahead and save the extra for you or make your own batches when the time comes for it so you aren’t dipping into other people’s shares.

Now, I must admit, it’s pretty fun. This week I have been making lip and sugar scrubs. I have made 10 flavors and it’s pretty amazing. Earlier I made coffee scrubs and the house smelled like heaven for a day! The bath bombs weren’t the easiest thing in the world because, for me, they continue to break apart when not handled gently. I have to find the right ingredients that will work for my project.

In the end, I know everyone will love their personalized gifts and it will have been a fun experience and yes I will do it again! But, I will have a plan, not take on too much, and count my pennies. For each person, find the specific recipes you want for them and plan ahead. Go to sales and get % off your item! I used Amazon Prime religiously (student fee) and it saved me! I have been experimenting and I’m sure my gifts will be great but maybe when you all start this up, you don’t want to make my mistakes.

I must say however, that’s not the only plan you have to stick to. I had decided that for certain people, the bath products were all I was going to do, yet every time I’m online or in a store, I see items I would like to get for them! This is a huge issue for me. I want to shop, shop, shop till I drop and I have to refrain from going anywhere near the stores! You have to stop and remind yourself that now is not the time! There will be other times when you are less financially obligated and can afford the pleasures of buying whatever you want for whomever. Right now, it’s eating or buy presents. That’s what I’ve come to.

Obviously, I ended up changing all my plans, as always, but I am pretty sure everything would have been a lot simpler had I just stuck with the plan in the first place. the simple one. Not the extravagant one.

It’s nice to get things for others, but if they are truly as amazing as you believe them to be, they will understand the cheaper yet equally heart felt gifts you made for them. Sometimes that’s even better. Sometimes… Do yourself a favor. Spend wisely this Christmas!