So instead, to save my recipients and myself, I turn to handmade gifts for the holidays. Handmade gifts are awesome. They are unique and can be personalized to let everyone on your list know you really were thinking about them. And most importantly, they are fun to make, give, and receive. But deciding just what to make can be difficult. Homemade fudge is a classic, but if your recipients are trying to eat healthy and watch their sugar intake, that thoughtful gift becomes torture. Likewise, with bath salts and body butters, is your uncle really going to draw himself a hot bath and pamper his skin with that beautiful homemade body butter? Yours might, but mine definitely won’t. So, in the interest of helping you keep your sanity while still delighting everyone on your gift list, I present to you Natural Grocers’ favorite handmade holiday gifts!

1. For Chocolate Lovers

This one is great for everyone, because who doesn’t love chocolate?  Superfood Dark Hot Chocolate is more than your standard cup of cocoa—it hides a little superpower within its delicious chocolatey goodness in the form of three super herbs: turmeric, a potent inflammation modulator; maca, which supports healthy hormone balance and a positive mood; and reishi, to support a healthy immune and stress response.

Superfood Dark Hot Chocolate Mix

Makes about 2 cups of mix (enough for 10 servings)

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Coconut Sugar
• ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Ground Organic Cocoa Powder
• ½ cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• ¼ teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Brand Orsa Salt
• 1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Ground Turmeric
• 1 teaspoon powdered maca
• 1 teaspoon powdered reishi mushroom (from capsules), or sub your favorite powdered medicinal mushroom

Instructions

In a food processor, process the coconut sugar until it is a fine powder. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the chocolate chips are mostly powdered. Transfer the mix to an airtight container. To make hot cocoa, warm one cup (8-ounces) of your favorite milk until steaming. Place 3 tablespoons of the mix in a mug and add 1-2 tablespoons of the warm milk. Mix well, until no lumps remain, before adding the remaining warm milk and stirring well. Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, or whipped coconut cream if desired.

2. For the Health-Conscious Foodie

Sweets and holiday cookies are timeless classics for gift giving, but at Natural Grocers we like to make things not only delicious but good4u too. These cleaned up holiday favorites are sure to be devoured—guilt free!

• This spiced nut recipe is irresistible; you’ll want to make a double batch so you have some healthy treats on hand to keep you fueled all holiday season too.

• Toffee made with honey?!?! Yes! This super yummy honey toffee recipe pays tribute to the bees and one of our healthiest natural sweeteners.

3. For Your Favorite Weekend Warrior

Playing hard is hard work and can lead to sore, tight muscles. Give the gift of muscle relaxation with this homemade magnesium body butter. Magnesium helps relax muscles, and when applied topically, helps bring much needed relief to aching muscles.

4. For Your Bearded Loved Ones

Help the bearded men in your life look their best with this homemade beard oil recipe. Beard oil can help moisturize the skin underneath, helping prevent itchy, flaky skin, while improving the overall texture and appearance of the beard.

5. For the Yogi in Your Life

Yoga mats get dirty and tend to pick up icky smells. This easy yoga mat spray recipe has three variations so you can really customize it. The yogis in your life will think of you with every downward dog.

6. For Your Loved Ones Who Need a Little Pampering

For any one on your list that needs a little “me” time, or just loves to pamper themselves, handmade body care products are the way to go. They can easily be incorporated into any routine and are guaranteed to induce feelings of well-being while helping the skin look and feel its best. Handmade body care products are like a daily hug for your loved ones.

• This homemade whipped body butter looks gorgeous and will keep your loved one’s skin feeling soft and supple all winter long.

• Even the sleepiest morning person is sure to perk up after using this energizing coffee and cacao nib body scrub. It smells like a yummy latte and will exfoliate the skin, leaving it soft and moisturized.

• Help the bath lovers in your life kick the relaxation up a notch. This mineral bath salt recipe has mineral-rich Epsom salts to calm the mind and body. This recipe calls for lavender essential oil but you can also use chamomile, rose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, or orange essential oil to suit your recipient’s tastes.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect gift for everyone on your list, set to work making them. This is especially fun to do with a group of friends or even on your own with a steaming mug of tea and your favorite music. Package each handmade gift in repurposed (and sanitized) glass jars adorned with ribbons and hand-written tags and you’re ready to give!

Have fun and happy holidays!