By Staff Writer: Eliza Bengala

December. It’s a month full of snow, decorations, good food, and presents. And if you’re anything like the average teenager, you’re pressed for cash, trying to pay for gas, insurance, clothes, and whatever else you may need, while only getting paid minimum wage at your part time job. Now where are you supposed to scrape up the money to buy your family and friends Christmas gifts?

The rough economic times that people have been facing for the past few years has brought about a “homemade revolution”. Things that people would have usually bought at a retail store, such as laundry soap, salad dressing, and Halloween costumes, are now being made with cheap materials that could be found or even grown around the house.

And naturally, if a new revolution is going on, it’s going to end up on the internet, or in this case, Pinterest, the Google of homemade findings.

Accessible to anyone, just type in “Homemade Gifts” in the search bar. Here are some things that you might find on Pinterest:

For guys

Now you may be thinking, “A homemade gift for a guy? That he’ll actually like?” When I was in the sixth grade, I wanted to buy Christmas gifts for all of my teachers, but had no idea what to get the three male teachers that I had that year. My mother told me to give them something that they could eat, so I gave them all zucchini bread. She was right, they all loved it. So here are a few easy Pinterest finds that really can’t go wrong.

• A dad or another special guy in your life may really appreciate this gift. You write out a thank-you card on a large piece of poster board, but replace certain words with candy. Both thankful and tasty!  

• Chocolate dipped pretzels are easy for kids to make. And with some really pretty sprinkles and ribbon they’ll be so pretty that no one will want to eat them!

• This really cool gift could also be saved for a birthday, Father’s Day, or anniversary gift for the Arizona, Mountain Dew loving guy in your life.  And you can stuff it with whatever candy or food he likes, making it easily customizable and even more unique and special.

• And if he likes to grill during the summer, make homemade grill rubs. You can make the rub with simple ingredients that will already be around the house. Cheap to make, and good to eat!

• And if you just can’t make anymore food this Christmas, make some shaving soap instead. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to get used this Christmas.

For girls

Girls can be a bit easier to buy for than guys. But is it just as easy to make gifts for girls as it is for guys? Pinterest says yes.

• When you type “Homemade gifts for girls” in the search bar on Pinterest, this is one of the first gifts to pop up, and for a good reason. And you’re not just limited to a spa theme. Another popular idea is making one up of school supplies for students. Ideas are unlimited.

• What girl doesn’t love candles? Pinterest is full of ideas for homemade candles, from colorful candles to ones that burn natural scents.

• Who says that Christmas gifts have to be winter themed? These adorable rocks are easy and cheap for anyone to paint, and your favorite gardener will love them.

• And you can never go wrong with jewelry.  This is one example of an earring made out of wire.

• This is just one of many ideas on Pinterest that involved something made out of homemade stained glass. (DIY stained glass) Stained glass paint is very cheap to buy, and with the use of stencils, blank mosaics, or just a really good hand, stained glass can make a lovely gift for anyone special.

For kids

Kids are enchanted by all sorts of little play things, and can be easy to buy and make for.

• I haven’t met a kid who hasn’t wanted Moonsand. Thankfully, Pinterest has found another hit gift that is easy and cheap to make, and will delight any child this Christmas.

• Finger paints are a good way to fulfill a child’s unending need to be messy and creative.  And when you make finger paint yourself, you can customize it to create any color under the sun.

• And you’re not limited to homemade finger paints. Homemade play dough is cheap and easy to make too. And when you make it at home, you can make it scented. Even better than store bought!