Merry Pinsmas: Pinterest Christmas DIYs for meaningful presents on a budget

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Posted December 19, 2019

When the most wonderful time of the year rolls around, finding the perfect gift without breaking the bank requires some serious skill — especially on a babysitting budget. We’re here to give you a guide on how to make meaningful, inexpensive and Pinterest-inspired gifts. So without further ado, Welcome to Pinsmas.

DIY Slippers

Noelle Griffin | The Harbinger Online

The DIY slipper gifts are filled with candy, face masks and other small gifts

Nothing says winter like cuddling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a nice pair of comfy slippers — I mean seriously, who wouldn’t want that as a gift? But bland, plain slippers don’t impress anybody when it comes to gift exchanges like white elephant and secret Santa. DIY slippers pack a unique punch and are perfect for anyone you’d like to surprise, so grab a pair of slippers and some dollar-section goodies and fill them up with holiday cheer. The best part about this fun footwear is that you can personalize them to family and friends liking. Do they like self-care? Fill them up with face masks, makeup and lotion — finish it off with a ribbon and you’re good to go.

Brownie Mix in a Jar

Everyone loves sweets during the holiday season, and if they don’t, they’ll be getting coal in their stocking. This DIY brownie mix-in-a-jar is easy to create and makes last-minute holiday party sweets a breeze. Start with a Mason jar, and add 3/4 cup cocoa powder,1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 cup chocolate chips into the jar. Layering them on top of each other creates a layered design on the outside of the jar. Simply finish the jar off with a festive label or ribbon so it looks like it came straight out of Santa’s workshop.

Snow Globe Tree Decor

Noelle Griffin | The Harbinger Online

Grace flips the DIY snowglobe so the trees face upwards.

Looking for a fun, at-home way to spice up your centerpiece at the dining table? This DIY snow globe is the perfect option. After a simple run to Hobby Lobby or Walmart to get a miniature toy Christmas tree and a Mason jar, start by gluing the tree to the inside of the Mason jar lid and fill the jar up with water. After the glue dries, screw your lid back on and give it a shake — you can even add other decorations like fake snow and glitter or add food coloring to the water for a creative touch.

Sugar Scrub

The holidays can be a stressful time for some, from searching for the perfect gift to powering through awkward family gatherings. But through it all, this Christmas sugar scrub is the perfect way to kick back and relax when you’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re in need of a little pick-me-up, this is just for you. Combine sugar and coconut oil, mix it in a bowl and add something extra like peppermint extract or sprinkles. Mix it up and maybe save some for yourself before gifting it away!

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Author Spotlight

Grace Allen

Grace Allen
Entering her third and final year on Harbinger, Senior Grace Allen is a Photo Mentor and Social Media staffer and couldn’t be more excited to help new photographers on staff and learn more about photography. Outside of Harbinger, Grace is very involved at East with lacrosse, DECA, and Student Store. She also works and babysits during her free time as well as hanging out with friends and family. »

Allison Talge

Ally Talge
Sophomore Allison Talge is excited to be starting her first year on Harbinger as a staff writer and a designer. She has been involved with SHARE, SME soccer, and SME volleyball. She hopes to continue working on harbinger in future years to come and wants to start more activities at East. »

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