Handmade holiday gifts

The holiday season can be really stressful, especially when you have a lot of things happening. These DIY fashion gifts are great ideas for when you don't have a lot of time but you want to give people something special-- but don't want to spend a lot of money either.

I have curated 5 fashion gifts that you can make on your own. I have also included shops that sell natural and eco-materials. If you are running out of time, and you can't buy your materials online from small businesses, I included corporate companies that carry these material items.

You may wonder why I support mainstream companies. I support mass-market companies, for one, because they have kept people (the poor and middle class, especially) alive. The majority of the population can afford mass-market products. Also, there is nothing like going into a store and shopping.

People need to shop in physical stores too, it is like therapy. These large retailer stores like Target, Walmart, and TJ MAXX are giving people a product they can afford, and a lot of space to walk around and "shop therapy." It is the experience people get when they go into a store and can see and touch everything. I love online shopping, but I also love visiting stores and window shopping.

5 fast, easy, cheap fashion gifts to make for the holidays:

Photo: Los Angeles Apparel

1. Masks

Before I get into the mask ideas, I have a little fashion news about a company I want to share. The photo above are masks made by LA APPAREL. They have made over 10 million masks. 80% of the masks produced were made for the government. I personally love their apparel product, they are a very modern and trendy company. I am going to be showcasing their fleece teeshirt soon, and some of their other fashions. They have produced so much plant-based fashion--comfortable, athleisure-like styles.

Los Angeles apparel had over 375 coronavirus cases and 4 deaths. This was not good, but this company has over 2,290 employees. The problem is, I don't believe Mr. Charney, the founder of Los Angeles apparel is to blame. Los Angeles, as a whole, has had a high coronavirus outbreak. Also, I think they were trying to do a good thing, and save millions of lives, because they made over 10 million masks! They have probably saved many lives.

Fabrics I would personally use to make the masks are organic, plant-based fabrics with plant-dyes, or low-impact dyes, or undyed fabric. You could also use the surgeon's medical-grade mask fabric. This material is designed in an ergonomic way. They really are not that disposable. You can hand-wash the disposable surgeon-mask fabric with hand sanitizer, and/or soap and water.

80% of the fabric masks produced, I personally would not wear. Most fabrics, in general, are fine, but people are breathing in all kinds of fibers, microfibers, chemicals, dyes, and synthetic detergents etcetera, which may not be healthy. For example, it is true that there are sunglasses currently produced and sold made with a type of plastic that is toxic.

Companies are putting warning labels on their products, saying that they are "carcinogenic and could cause cancer and be a hazard." So we cannot believe that all fashion products are safe to wear. There are signs being put up in the retail shops, stating "Warning: this product may cause cancer or reproductive harm."

Mask ideas

• tie wrap mask

• scarf-like mask

• bandana-style mask

• neck warmers-- tube mask

Where to shop?

All fabric stores

Photo: Etsy

2. Tassel accessory key chains

These key chain tassels are for both men and women. They can be added to a backpack, luggage, purse, or another accessory. They can be added to keychains and other accessories too. The tassel shown above is from DEBROSSE NYC.

These charm tassels are really cute, and they can be made in many different types of materials like chording, faux leather, embroidery thread, gold metallic yarns, and other materials like metal hardware and beads.

Another key chain idea: this leather key chain accessory by CUYANA is modern and trendy. It has two, black leather fringe tassels and a little leather tag attached to it. You can engrave or embroider something on the tag. A tassel keychain with two tassels is an adorable key chain idea. Another example: A set of 5 tassel key chains in multiple colors Like HAUTE PINK FLUFF'S tassel.

To make your keychains extra modern you could add:

• geometric beads (like the one shown above)

• Swarovski crystals

• prism crystals

There are really not enough people carrying around weapons. People can be attacked at any time, and need to feel protected and safe. You could always add a cute can of pepper spray or a mini pocket knife to the key chain. They also have cute mini flashlights at the Dollar Tree.

A few other things to add to create a modern + stylish tassel key chain:

• pom poms

• dog tags

• braids

• macrame

• charms

• wood materials

Where to shop?

Fabrics stores, Hobby Lobby, Target, Michaels

Photo: Anthropologie

3. Botanical perfume rollers // essential oil perfumes

Many are very sensitive to chemicals, and they use essential oils as an alternative to perfume. I would like to make my own perfume with botanicals. The synthetic chemicals and added synthetic fragrance in the synthetic perfumes sold can be irritating to my skin and lungs.

Essential oil perfumes are not that expensive to make. Large bottles of essential oil can be bought at Walmart or TJMAXX, or any small business online! You only need to add a few drops to the roller or spray bottle. (20-40 drops or so, it depends on how strong you want it.)

For the blended-oil-infusions: jojoba oil and rosehip oil can be added to the bottle, or just add water and alcohol. HELLO GLOW has all-natural men's botanical cologne scents for men, and she explains how to make them. Using natural botanicals and herbs makes the scent become more healthy, inspiring, and makes the person feel good emotionally.

I personally like a blend of pine, cedarwood, and anise seed for men. I have an all-natural odor eliminator spray, and they used this herbal blend. I love spraying it in the air and around me because it has a strong masculine scent to it (but it doesn't keep me smelling like a man because it is an odor eliminator spray).

You can add a few things to the perfume and cologne roller or spray bottles:

• gemstone chips: like rose quartz + jade

• dried flowers: like rosebud + lavender

• herbs: like mint + rosemary

One great idea is to buy vintage perfume and cologne bottles at thrift stores. Additionally, natural food stores have cheap little glass bottles for DIY beauty and hygiene products. You can use either the glass roll-on bottles for essential oil and oil blended perfumes, and/or a perfume/cologne made with alcohol in a spray bottle.

Where to shop?

Tjmaxx, Walmart, Target, natural food stores

Photo: Alabama Chanin Scarf

4. No-sew knit stretch fabric scarves (from fabric scraps)

The scarf shown above is very easy to make and very stylish and comfortable to wear. All you need is fabric scissors and jersey knit fabric. When jersey knit fabric is cut, the edges of the fabric do not fray. The fabric edges just roll over-- so, it has a natural, stylish rolled-edge. I have made these before, and they can really enhance a look. Also, just wrapping plant-based fabrics around the neck is very therapeutic. Add some essential oils to the scarf, wrap around the neck, and it feels really relaxing.

Jersey knit stretch fabric can be found at just about any fabric shop. Two online fabric stores that sell scraps by the pound are Hemp Traders and Organic Cotton Plus. Fabric scraps are cheap, and they come in different sizes. These fabric stores always have a few larger pieces where you can turn them into scarves.

Scarf Ideas:

• You could also add a fabric label, and use a fabric pen to write your label or name on it. You can hand-sew the label on the scarf like in the photo above.

• Some scraps I have bought were not dyed fabric, and I hand-dyed them myself with plant dyes.

Where to shop?

Hemp Traders, Organic Cotton Plus

Photo: 527 Photo

5. Framed fashion quotes

I love the idea of giving people an inspiring quote by a fashion icon, or fashion designer. Framed fashion quotes can be hand-written or printed out. There are hundreds of printables on Etsy that have fashion quotes and fashion illustrations that can be printed and framed. Fashion quotes or fashion images really make a room look modern.

Framed fashion quotes are for both men and women. Quotes, from fashion people especially, can really make people feel empowered. One colored print at Office Max is only a few dollars, and you can buy a cheap frame at TJ Maxx or Michaels for under $5. If you have a colored printer, you can even print them out at home.

A few ideas to embellish the framed quote:

• stencils

• stickers

• gem stickers

• copper wire

• metal hardware

• painting the frame gold or silver

• adding fake plants + flowers

A few of my favorite fashion quotes you could use:

• “I loathe narcissism, but I approve of vanity.” – Diana Vreeland

• “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.” – Ralph Lauren

• I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it.”– Elizabeth Taylor

• “A great dress can make you remember what is beautiful about life.” – Rachel Roy

Where to shop?

Joanne's Fabric, TJ MAXX, Hobby Lobby

So, these are the 5 handmade fashion gift ideas for the holidays.

1. Masks

2. Tassel key chains

3. Essential oil perfume + cologne

4. Knit jersey scarves

5. Framed fashion quotes

I hope that you can have some time to create this holiday season. I know I will be drawing some holiday-inspired fashion illustrations this month to share with you all, and I will be making my own essential oil blends. I would like to make all of these fashion gifts listed if I could! I love the idea of being able to make a trend-driven product, something I can find at a store but make myself. It is very rewarding to design and make products as holiday gifts.

Want to read more articles? Check them out here: HIGHLIGHTS