Do-it-yourself gifting is a huge trend, thanks to all the gorgeous Pinterest and Instagram inspiration, and DIY gifts done well truly make the most meaningful gifts, because they have the potential to be extremely personalized, luxurious, and festive.

It’s great to give a nod to whichever season or holiday you’re creating the gift for, but with so much inspirational temptation out there, it’s easy to overdo it with too many bells and whistles.

There are certain things to consider to keep your gifts decadent without crossing the line into commercialized holiday overload—unless your recipient is Clark Griswold. Then by all means – add more tinsel!

Plus you want to be mindful of how your recipient will actually use these items once Christmas, Hanukkah or whichever holiday is over with. Not everyone wants to smell like a pine tree on a daily basis, or at other times of year.

Why making skin care is the perfect gift

First, DIY skin care for the holidays is the perfect gift for people who are conscious of the green beauty and safe skin care movements.

Thankfully it’s become a popular alternative to the toxic, chemical-ridden skin care gift sets from the mall.

Second, we know that a handmade gift goes isn’t just about the actual present itself, but it also represents something special about the relationship between the giver and receiver.

5 ways to give your DIY skin care gifts some seasonal snap for the holidays —without going over the top

 

1. Choose a theme of one or two seasonal ingredients, and use those ingredients in your products.

Pumpkin and cranberry seed oils make lovely carrier oils for balms, salves, body butters, massage oils, and even body scrubs.

[Read: 7 Natural DIY Skincare Ingredients You Should Never Use]

 

2. Choose an essential oil blend to naturally fragrance your products that reflects your recipient’s personality and lifestyle, rather than the season.

Many essential oils like cinnamon, fir, peppermint, clove, and vanilla are associated with the winter holidays, and they might seem like the obvious choice for a seasonal skin care gift—but remember you want your recipient to use their gifts year-round.

 

3. Keep the products themselves season/holiday-neutral, and add those festive seasonal touches to your labels, gift tags, and packaging instead.

4. Keep accessories useful.

While a little Santa figurine might look cute in a skin care gift package, it might end up at the bottom of the holiday tchotchke box in the attic. Think about how your recipient will use the gift, and offer an accessory to complement that.

For example: a high end shaving brush and razor make the perfect accessory for DIY shaving cream and aftershave.

5. Go easy on the shiny stuff.

A little bit of sparkle on a gift tag or a metallic ribbon on your gift basket gives just enough shine without blinding your recipient. Too many metallics can visually overstimulate your recipient before he or she even opens the gift.

Focus more on soft, rich textures and a well thought out color scheme to gently entice your recipient to experience your gift.

Try: velvet, cork, raffia, dyed muslin, terry cloth, and gossamer, as they all provide subtle visual and tactile stimulation.

A DIY skin care gift can be the most special gift you give and your loved ones receive. Every time they use your product, they’ll think of you.

The hallmark of great DIY skin care holiday gifts are those made with consideration to the recipient’s unique personality, tastes, needs, and lifestyle in mind—and it carries with it the positive energy, thoughtfulness, and careful attention the giver adds while crafting and assembling the gift.

Choosing ingredients, accessories, and packaging best suited to their uniqueness—rather than focusing on holiday flair—makes your gifts keep giving year-round.

Have you ever made skin care as a gift before or are you going to give it a shot this year? Let me know in the comments below your DIY strategy!