Homemade Christmas Gifts

Lovely, homemade Christmas gifts can be a thoughtful, inexpensive alternative to store-bought. It won't take much time or money, it's fun and the recipient will feel special because you took the time to make something just for them. Try it this year and see the difference. Here's one to get you started.

Homemade Herb Scented Candles

These are not difficult. If you don't have candle molds, use tin cans or milk cartons, or pour wax into a decorative jar that can withstand the heat of a candle flame. Paraffin is easily obtainable at the supermarket in the canning section. Wicking can be found at craft stores.

Ingredients:

- 2 lb. paraffin wax, broken into small pieces
- 2 cups dried herbs or 1 fl. oz. essential oil
- 2 wax crayons for colouring (optional)
- candle wicking
- petroleum jelly
- pencils

Directions:

Melt the wax slowly in a bowl placed over a sauce hot water. (I have used a double boiler instead, on very low heat) Stir in crayons if desired. Remove from heat and add herbs as the wax cools. Coat molds with petroleum jelly. Drop one end of wicking to the bottom of each mold and wrap the other end around a pencil resting across the top of the mold. This keeps the wick centred as you pour in the wax. When the wax resembles a gel, pour into mold or container. Allow candles to set overnight, then remove carefully.

*** I have used things from my garden to put into the candles, but you have to watch as they may catch fire. I think that using essential oils is safer. *** Annie

Try giving homemade Christmas gifts this year. Fun to make, fun to receive.

Uniquely Canadian Christmas Gifts

In keeping with the theme of this blog, here are some Christmas gift ideas with a uniquely Canadian flavour. Click on any of the pictures for more information on Canadian Christmas gifts.





What could be more Canadian than maple syrup? This is a gift that you can get away with spending only $10.00. Sweet gift idea!

Another typical Canadian symbol is the moose. You can get Canadian Moose beanie babies, minted coins, books, antique posters, tapestries and more. These are definitely uniquely Canadian Christmas gifts.

For the coin collector, there are of course, mint condition releases of commemorative issue coins available for sale, as well as coin jewellery.

Don't forget about the other animals that we're known for - the Canadian goose and the beaver. The same goes for these two as far as gift selection goes. There are several things available.

We can give gifts that are truly representative of Canada. Hope this short list helps stimulate some good ideas for the recipients on your list that you wish to give uniquely Canadian Christmas gifts to.

More on the World's First Christmas Stamp

Further to the previous post about Canada issuing the world's first Christmas stamp, I found it put in a far more interesting way, HERE.

This article explains how it came to be - and why.

Canada did not issue another Christmas postage stamp until the 1960's. I'm not sure why, but 62 years is a long time between Christmas stamps.

First Christmas Stamp Was Released Right Here in Canada

World's 1st Christmas Stamp

Yes folks, that's right. We released the first Christmas postage stamp back in 1898. Personally, I'm pretty proud that we can boast that fact.

According to Wikipedia, it was a mistake. It was originally intended to be released November 9th to honour the Prince of Wales. Apparently, Queen Victoria's reaction to the idea was not favourable. The release date (and subsequent title) was changed, thereby making it the first issued Christmas stamp. I'm not sure if you can read the "XMAS 1898" on the bottom or not.

Regardless of how it came to be, Canadians did it. I can live with that.