Instead of buying cheap, mass-produced gewgaws to give out this season, show your loved ones you care with a little DIY. During Grist’s 12 days of DIY gifts, we’ll share some crafty projects, with instructions that even we can follow. There’s sure to be a whatsit or wowsit for everyone.
If you know someone with perpetually cold feet, hands, or just an insatiable urge to cuddle warm, inanimate objects all winter long, these homemade rice bags are just the thing. Pick your fabric, pick your flavor, and get sewing.
1) Enough rice to fill the bag, and a bowl for it to go in.
2) A piece of cloth to sew into a bag (washcloths are great for this).
3) Essential oils. Some good oils for aromatherapy are: lavender, mint, pine, rosemary, sage, cedar … but choose your oils accordingly! Base them on the tastes of your gift receiver.
4) A needle & thread, or if you’re really crafty, a sewing machine.
Put the essential oil into the rice & stir well. Let sit for 24-48 hours to let scents mix with the rice.
Sew up the washcloth or fabric of your choice on three sides, leaving the top open.
Pour the rice into the bag. Make sure there’s enough room left at the top so that it isn’t overfilled.
Sew the top of the bag closed (be sure to do it well; you don’t want rice spilling out all over the place).
Your awesome DIY aromatherapy rice bag is now finished and ready to be gifted to a certain clammy-handed someone.
Click below to get the
