Making Christmas Memories DIY Projects for the Season

By Deanna Nichols

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In a world where gifts have become impersonal and convenience often overshadows thoughtfulness, this Christmas DIY ebook invites you to rediscover the joy of handmade giving. Rooted in an old-fashioned mindset, these holistic recipes celebrate the art of crafting meaningful, toxin-free gifts that nourish the body, home, and soul. For me, quality time is the ultimate expression of love, and by investing time and care into these creations, I show my commitment to the health and happiness of my loved ones. These are gifts that go beyond material value—they are acts of love, carefully crafted to enhance well-being and inspire a return to the simple, beautiful traditions of handmade giving. Through these recipes, I hope to spark your creativity and encourage you to embrace the lost art of thoughtful, intentional gifting.

Respect Your Elder....Berries!

DIY Low-Carb Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Elderberry syrup is a popular go-to for supporting immune health, but traditional recipes often call for honey. Since elderberries already contain natural sugars, adding honey can lead to unnecessary blood sugar spikes, which isn't ideal for metabolic health.

Here's my low-carb version, using a natural sugar alternative:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups organic dried elderberries
  • 2 cups organic rose hips
  • 1 cup granulated Swerve (or monk fruit sweetener)
  • 10 cups filtered water

Instructions:

  1. Combine the elderberries, rose hips, Swerve, and filtered water in your Instant Pot. Set it to “Manual” for 20 minutes.
  2. While the syrup is cooking, sterilize 4 pint-sized Mason jars in the oven and heat the lids in a pot of simmering water on the stove.
  3. Once the Instant Pot naturally releases pressure, strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer.
  4. Pour the hot syrup into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace.
  5. Add 5 drops each of doTERRA Clove and Cinnamon essential oils to each jar.
  6. Wipe the rims with a paper towel dipped in vinegar to ensure a clean seal, then place the hot lids on the jars.
  7. Allow the jars to cool completely before storing.

How to Enjoy Your Elderberry Syrup:

  • Take 1 tablespoon daily to help maintain a healthy immune system. Feel free to get creative—stir it into tea, drizzle it over zero-grain, zero-sugar pancakes, or enjoy it however you like!
  • If you're feeling under the weather, you can increase your intake to give your body extra support while it recovers.

This low-carb elderberry syrup is a great alternative to traditional recipes, offering immune support without compromising your metabolic health! Watch video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxEnNgCuGrs/?igsh=d2RpNjVlc3Z1ZW40

Elderberry Gummies

Watch video here:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Elderberry syrup
  • 1/4 cup gelatin powder
  • 1/2 cup hot but not boiling water
  • silicone gummy bear molds

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup cooled elderberry syrup; sprinkle gelatin powder over surface (not in a pile) and quickly whisk in until dissolved.
  2. Add hot water and stir quickly until smooth.
  3. Add remaining elderberry syrup and whisk until completely smooth.
  4. Pour into molds and place in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours until completely firm.
  5. Pop out of molds and store in airtight container with parchment paper between layers.

Enjoy all the powerful benefits of elderberry syrup in a convenient and fun-to-take gummy form!

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup fractionated coconut oil
  • 5 drops cinnamon Bark oil
  • 5 drops Ginger oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
  2. Store in an airtight container.
  3. To use, massage over skin for 30 seconds or until sugar dissolves, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Keto Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened creamy peanut butter (add a pinch of salt if it's unsalted)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 drops Madagascar vanilla essential oil
  • 1 cup powdered Swerve sweetener

Instructions:

  1. Line a loaf pan (8x4 or 5x9 inch) with waxed paper.
  2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter and butter. Stir until melted, then stir in the vanilla extract and Madagascar vanilla essential oil.
  3. Whisk in the sweetener until well combined and smooth.
  4. Pour into the prepared pan and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Blue Tansy Tallow Balm

watch here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDdeSgzNYe6/?igsh=cTZoZmR1Zno5MjRo

This Tansy Tallow Balm is the ultimate skin treat! Crafted with pasture-raised organic beef suet rendered into luxurious tallow, it’s whipped with organic castor oil and infused with my favorite doTERRA essential oils for healthy, glowing skin. This “blue moo-sturizer” is sure to bring smiles on Christmas morning—it’s perfect for stocking stuffers!

The star of the show? Blue Tansy essential oil, my go-to for radiant skin.

Here’s how I made it:

Ingredients:

  • 3 parts rendered beef tallow
  • 1 part organic castor oil
  • 20 drops Blue Tansy essential oil
  • 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
  • 10 drops Copaiba essential oil
  • 10 drops Frankincense essential oil
  • 10 drops Lavender essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Melt the tallow and castor oil together in a double boiler.
  2. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in the essential oils.
  3. Whip the mixture until light and fluffy, then transfer to jars.

Storage: Use within 3 months or refrigerate for longer shelf life.

Treat your loved ones to this DIY skin balm that’s as nourishing as it is delightful! Learn how to Rendering Tallow here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-dUQCNOvoG/?igsh=eHRpNHk1azl6cTlj

Makeup Remover Wipes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 1 teaspoon Verage facial cleanser
  • 1 teaspoon alcohol-free witch hazel
  • 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil
  • 5 drops doTERRA lavender
  • 5 drops doTERRA Tea Tree
  • 3 drops doTERRA Frankincense
  • 2 drops doTERRA Blue Tansy
  • Organic cotton rounds
  • 4 oz. Ball jar

Instructions:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in the jar.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Add stacks of cotton rounds until it absorbs the liquid.

Shaving Cream

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. heavy ball jar
  • 2/3 cup shea butter
  • 2/3 cup cocoa butter
  • 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil
  • 5 drops doTERRA Sandalwood
  • 5 drops doTERRA Peppermint
  • 5 drops doTERRA Tea Tree

Instructions:

  1. Place butters and FCO in double boiler to melt.
  2. Mix in essential oils.
  3. Let shaving cream cool.
  4. Whip with hand mixer.

Spiced Cologne

Ingredients:

  • 10 ml roller bottle
  • 40 drops Bergamont
  • 10 drops Clove
  • 20 drops white Fir
  • 5 drops Lemon
  • 3 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil

Instructions:

  1. Combine essential oils with fractionated coconut oil into a glass roller bottle.
  2. Attach the roll-on cap and shake the vial until the mixture is combined.
  3. Let mixture sit for at least 24 hours before use.

Exclusive full video demonstrations of these recipes are available to paid Instagram subscribers at @dragonfly_meadows_va

Hi! This is Deanna Nichols! Let me tell you why I am passionate about doTERRA essential oils. When I experienced these oils in 2011, I had struggled for 20 years with my health. At this point I had made a lot of changes to a wellness lifestyle but had not seen the kind of improvements I was expecting.

But after using the oils daily for emergencies, to offer extra support for certain body systems, and to help me be at optimal wellness, I saw such improvements in 18 months that it was life-changing and apparent to everyone around me. I just could not keep it to myself! So I began sharing with my family and friends.

Our community has expanded to tens of thousands of families all over world who are using and sharing doTERRA. And I have become one of the top doTERRA leaders and one of the world's largest distributors of essential oils. Every aspect of my life - physically, emotionally, and financially - is better with doTERRA. And I want to help YOU and your family experience that too! This is your life. Live it abundantly. And SHINE ON!

https://www.facebook.com/OilShares

instagram.com/oilshares_with_deanna

https://www.youtube.com/c/deannanichols

Created By
Oil Shares

Credits:

Created with images by bunditinay - "Empty wood table top on blur with bokeh Christmas tree and new's year decoration on window banner background with snowfall - can be used for display or montage your products." • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background" • 2207918 - "Elegant vintage grey Christmas and New year background"