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    Home » Best Of

    15 Eco Friendly Gifts You Can Make This Weekend

    Sarita Harbour.
    Modified: Oct 8, 2025 by Sarita Harbour · This post may contain affiliate links·
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    Ready to create something special without buying anything new? These people pleasing pickle recipes will make thoughtful, eco-friendly gifts your family and friends will actually use. Each idea uses upcycled or natural materials and skips harsh chemicals, making it gentle on the planet and on your budget. Let’s get started with gifts that feel personal, practical and totally doable this weekend.

    Easy Natural DIY Gardeners Soap Recipe

    Two rectangular bars of soap, one wrapped with twine and paper, placed on a wooden surface with coffee beans scattered around.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Gardeners Soap gives hardworking hands a deep clean using coffee grounds and vanilla without harsh chemicals. This inexpensive bar uses natural ingredients to scrub away dirt while staying gentle on the skin. It makes a charming homemade gift that shows care without cost. You can wrap it with twine or reuse jars to up-cycle packaging. Making this soap keeps things simple, natural and family friendly.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Natural DIY Gardeners Soap Recipe

    Peppermint Foot Scrub Recipe

    A glass jar of pink sugar scrub with a wooden spoon on a wooden surface, next to a peppermint candy and a red and white ribbon.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Peppermint Foot Scrub refreshes tired feet with sugar, melted coconut oil and peppermint essential oil for an invigorating at-home spa feel. The recipe stays reliably easy and frugal to mix in mason jars and makes a thoughtful gift. Its natural blend contains no harsh additives, only familiar ingredients you likely already have. Dry sugar provides gentle exfoliation, while the peppermint stimulates and soothes. It’s a practical way to pamper without chemicals.
    Get the Recipe: Peppermint Foot Scrub Recipe

    DIY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers: Eucalyptus and Peppermint

    Three pastel green, intricately shaped soap bars on a wooden surface.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    You can make Aromatherapy Shower Steamers in under 40 minutes using simple ingredients like sugar, flour and essential oils to turn your shower into a soothing escape. These small tablets cost very little to make and you can gift them in reusable jars or tins for a more personal touch. The steamers use natural fragrance instead of overpowering synthetic sprays. They feel luxurious without requiring anything store-bought beyond basics many of us already own. The project works well for families and older kids too.
    Get the Recipe: DIY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers: Eucalyptus and Peppermint

    Easy Homemade DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe Without Lye

    Three white, flower-shaped soaps in a woven basket on a dark marble surface.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    The Shampoo Bar Without Lye is a gentle, solid hair cleanser that skips chemicals and bulk bottles. This recipe uses a melt-and-pour soap base, nourishing oils and essential oils to clean without stripping. It’s inexpensive compared to many commercial shampoos, especially if you make several bars at once. The result is travel-friendly, compact and long-lasting. You can personalise the scent and ingredients without using harsh substances.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade DIY Shampoo Bar Recipe Without Lye

    Eco-Friendly Hand Warmers

    A hand holds a small handmade pouch made of black and beige plaid fabric, with uneven edges and visible white stitching, over a wooden surface with scattered grains.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Eco-Friendly Hand Warmers let you stay cozy while reusing flannel scraps and grains instead of buying single-use warmers. These soft, microwaveable pouches cost next to nothing, especially if you already have fabric and rice on hand. They produce no synthetic waste and offer gentle warmth without chemicals. You can gift several pairs in cloth bags or tuck them into kids’ mitts. This is a practical comfort item that keeps both bodies and planet warm.
    Get the Recipe: Eco-Friendly Hand Warmers

    Easy Homemade Coffee Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

    A glass jar filled with dark coffee grounds sits on a blue and white patterned plate.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Coffee Brown Sugar Scrub blends used or fresh coffee grounds with brown sugar and olive oil to smooth dry skin naturally. Its rich texture and aroma make it feel luxurious without needing fancy packaging. The scrub is mildly exfoliating, budget-friendly, and uses ingredients that might otherwise be composted or under-used. It's simple to whip up small batches for home or gifting. The result is glowing skin with minimal fuss.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Coffee Brown Sugar Scrub Recipe

    Handmade DIY Chicken Feed Bag Tote

    A tote bag made from a repurposed feed bag, featuring an image of chicks and the text "Country Road Chick Starter Grower.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Feed Bag Tote repurposes an old chicken feed sack into a sturdy, reusable bag that’s both functional and charming. This easy project keeps plastic out of landfills and costs almost nothing to make. With a few simple cuts and stitches, the result is a durable tote for groceries or gardening supplies. It’s a frugal, upcycled idea that turns waste into something practical and beautiful. A handmade gift that’s as eco friendly as it is useful.
    Get the Recipe: Handmade DIY Chicken Feed Bag Tote

    Homemade Traditional Fire Cider

    A clear jar filled with yellow pickled vegetables, including slices of lime and herbs, sits on a wooden surface against a rustic background.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Traditional Fire Cider combines raw apple cider vinegar, garlic, hot peppers and herbs for a robust herbal tonic that supports seasonal health needs. Brewing your own batch costs far less than buying commercial equivalents and gives you control over ingredients. It avoids additives and lets you adjust potency to your comfort level. Packaging in recycled jars makes this gift both thoughtful and planet-conscious. The mix is familiar, rooted in folk tradition, and surprisingly easy to manage.
    Get the Recipe: Homemade Traditional Fire Cider

    DIY Tic Tac Toe Board

    A wooden tic-tac-toe board with a grid made of wooden strips. Red and black blocks with Xs and Os are placed in the grid; red O wins diagonally. Extra blocks are on the side.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    The DIY Tic Tac Toe Board uses affordable items from dollar-stores, recycled materials or scraps to build a simple game board. This project encourages creativity and reduces the need to buy new toys. Its low cost and clear instructions make it a great parent-child craft. The resulting board is charming, reusable, and built to last. It makes a thoughtful, homemade gift without excess.
    Get the Recipe: DIY Tic Tac Toe Board

    Mason Jar Pancake Recipe: Easy Homemade Gift

    A jar with a red ribbon, a whisk, and a bottle of syrup are placed in a wooden bowl next to a patterned kitchen towel.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    These Mason Jar Pancake Mixes layer dry ingredients into jars for a ready-to-use breakfast gift anyone can shake and make. The mixes are inexpensive to prepare and easy to personalize with extras like nuts or chocolate chips. They store well, use recyclable jars, and bring joy with minimal prep. Label with instructions and tie with ribbon for a rustic touch. A warm breakfast gift that’s simple, practical and lovingly homemade.
    Get the Recipe: Mason Jar Pancake Recipe: Easy Homemade Gift

    Homemade DIY Oregano Oil Recipe

    A glass jar filled with green pesto sauce on a kitchen counter, with a metal scoop and fresh herbs in the background.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    DIY Oregano Oil infuses dried oregano in a carrier oil like olive oil to create a multi-purpose remedy you can use internally or topically. The process is simple, requires only basic supplies, and avoids preservatives or unnecessary chemicals. Storage in mason jars keeps costs low and supports re-use. The finished oil can be added to natural first aid kits or used for respiratory help. It’s a versatile, natural item you can feel good about giving or using.
    Get the Recipe: Homemade DIY Oregano Oil Recipe

    Homemade Calamine Lotion

    An open jar of thick, creamy chocolate spread sits on a wooden surface, with a spoon in the background.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Homemade Calamine Lotion mixes kaolin clay, baking soda and herbal elements to soothe itchy bug bites or mild skin irritations without synthetic agents. The dry mix stores well; you can prep small portions into paste when needed. This creates a chemical-free alternative to typical over-the-counter itch relief. The method is straightforward, uses familiar ingredients, and allows you to control consistency and scent. It’s a gentle, effective option for families.
    Get the Recipe: Homemade Calamine Lotion

    Sugar Scrub Soap Recipe

    Five geometric, faceted white heart shapes arranged on a red surface.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    You can make a Sugar Scrub Soap Bar by combining goat-milk or melt-and-pour soap with sugar to get gentle exfoliation built in. This approach uses natural body-friendly ingredients you control, rather than relying on commercial foamy cleansers. Small batches work well and let you test scent or texture tweaks. Wrap finished bars in recycled paper or cloth to complete the gift package. It’s soap that buffs and cleanses in one step, without harsh additives.
    Get the Recipe: Sugar Scrub Soap Recipe

    Easy Homemade Beeswax Salve Recipe

    An open tin of balm on a wooden surface, surrounded by two band-aids and two packets labeled "CUARD.Pin
    Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Beeswax Salve offers deep moisture using beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils for dry skin, cracks or winter hands. This natural balm is simple to mix and containerize in small tins or jars. It avoids synthetic elements, giving you a clean, soothing option made from familiar ingredients. The recipe is flexible so you can adjust scent or strength to your liking. It’s a thoughtful and useful gift that helps people take care of themselves naturally.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Beeswax Salve Recipe

    Homemade Lemon Soap

    Pin
    Homemade Lemon Soap. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

    Lemon Soap brings a refreshing scent and gentle exfoliation using lemon peel and a melt-and-pour base without lye handling. The bright, clean smell suits anyone who likes fresh, simple soaps, without synthetic fragrance. You can make bars quickly, customize them, and wrap them in reusable packaging. The soap stays mild on skin while still feeling spa-like. It’s easy enough for a beginner, yet polished enough to give.
    Get the Recipe: Homemade Lemon Soap

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    About Sarita Harbour

    Sarita Harbour is a long-time freelance writer, blogger, and homesteader who has been creating online content for over 15 years. She’s the founder of An Off Grid Life, where she shares practical advice on self-reliance, homesteading, off-grid living, and homeschooling based on her 11-year adventure living in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories.

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    Sarita Harbour.

    I'm Sarita. My family and I lived off the grid for 11 years in Canada's far north. If I did it, you can too.

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