Is it" It's not even Hallowe'en yet! But for us crafty types, we need to start planning early! If you're a soaper, your busy season started in August to allow for cure times. For the rest of us, if we're ordering ingredients on-line, we should be awaiting our packages as I write.

If you don't believe me, try going into your local supply shop on a Saturday. It's a madhouse! A madhouse! 

If you're new to making your own products, it's not the best idea to try something for the first time a week before you plan to give it. You need to be able to see how it changes over time. Does the fragrance fade" Does it morph into something weird" Does the colour change" How does your preservative hold up over time"

Make small batches. Try 100 grams to 200 grams to start. You will have some failures from which you can learn a great deal, and so it's nice if you don't end up having to throw away every ingredient you've ordered.
If this is your first handmade Christmas, stick to things that don't contain water so you don't have to worry about preserving. You can make all kinds of lovely things from wax tarts and rolled beeswax candles to whipped butters to bath bombs, and more!

Join me over the next little while as we look at a few things you could make for a holiday or birthday present this year!

WHIPPED BUTTERS
These are super easy to make and often only require three ingredients - a butter, a liquid oil, and a fragrance or essential oil.

This vanilla l...