Homemade Gifts for Men

Homemade gifts have a special touch that you just can't get from a bought gift. This is true no matter who you are giving the gift to but especially for men. Instead of getting the usual gifts like a necktie or a set of tools, why not make the special man in your life something by hand that he can appreciate more than a fancy shirt? We have two quick and simple ways to show your love, no matter what your relationship is. The first is a gift for a romantic relationship, while the second can be for any man on your list, from dad to brother, husband to cousin.

What You Will Need:

• A scrapbook or similar book with blank pages
• Several sheets of coloured and/or patterned paper for backgrounds
• Scrapbooker's glue or other archival-safe glue
• Scissors
• Pictures and other mementos
• Small trinkets and ribbons to decorate your pages

• Clear or white glycerin soap
• Soap dye (optional)
• Liquid soap fragrance (optional)
• Soap or candy molds
• Herbal or exfoliating ingredients (optional)
• Microwave-safe measuring cup
• Spoon or lolly stick for stirring
• Small knife to lift soap from molds

Making the Scrapbook

1. Cut down the coloured and/or patterned sheets of paper to the size of your scrapbook pages
2. Align photos and other keepsakes on the pages and mix with ribbons, buttons, trinkets, sticker, stamps or anything else that you would like
3. Once your items are aligned as you want them to look on the finished page, begin sticking them down one by one using your glue

4. Keep the book open and let the page air dry for several hours before closing

Making the Soap

1. Cut your block of glycerin soap into 2-3 small pieces (or simply separate a few blocks if they are pre-cut)
2. Throw pieces into your measuring cup and cook in microwave according to the package directions. If there are no directions, heat for 20 seconds at a time until completely melted
3. If you want to use any colour or scent, add them now. For colour, drop the dye in two drops at a time and stir using a spoon or lolly stick. Keep adding two drops at a time until it is the desired colour. Remember, you can add but you can't take away! For fragrance, add one drop at a time until it is the desired strength, but remember one drop goes a long way!
4. If you wish to add things like herbs or exfoliants, add them now as well

5. Slowly pour the soap mixture into the molds, careful not to make too many air bubbles. Let sit for an hour and check for firmness. If it is not firm, let sit for another hour.

6. Carefully use your knife to pop soap out of the molds and trim as necessary

Tips, Tricks and Cautions

• For the scrapbook, if you need to cut a picture down but only have one copy, use your photo printer to make a copy or take to a photo print shop and make copies
• For the soap, you can also use a pre-formed bar of glycerin soap such as Neutrogena face soaps
• Good herbal additives and exfoliants include oatmeal, ground peach stones and sand
• Make sure you rinse your measuring cup and spoon/stirrer thoroughly between batches so that the colours and scents don't mix

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