The Best Christmas DIY: Christmas Smudges
They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and it may be cliche. But I think so too. This is one of my favorite holidays, and I love to celebrate with fun, eco-friendly DIY projects. So this year, to celebrate Christmas and spread some eco-friendly joy we’ve decided to make some DIY Christmas smudges.
Don’t these make for the cutest handmade gifts?
So many Christmas decorations and DIYs often involve plastic and waste materials. Think of all the plastic-based wrapping paper that ends up in landfill every year—close to 2.3 million pounds according to earth911.com. And a large majority of that comes from Christmas. That’s why I love these Christmas smudges. They’re festive. They’re sustainable. They make great last-minute Christmas gifts. And who doesn’t need some extra stress relief around this time of the year?
To make your Christmas smudges, you’re going to start with collecting your materials. Keep in mind that you can choose to add whatever you want to your smudge to personalize it a bit, but I love how festive this one feels when you burn it.
Simple and easy Christmas DIY!
Materials:
Cinnamon sticks– I know the base of most smudges and sages is palo santo. However, I wanted to make this smudge holiday-themed, so I chose to use all-natural cinnamon sticks. When you burn this smudge, be prepared because your house will smell like you just pulled some fresh-baked snickerdoodles out of the oven. The cinnamon sticks are also a great base because they burn slowly just like palo santo.
Eucalyptus—Sometimes the holiday season can be a lot: buying gifts, making holiday plans, seeing all of your extended family. So, I’ve added in some eucalyptus for extra stress relief. Eucalyptus is known for its stress-relieving and anti-anxiety qualities. It can also help relieve some cold symptoms according to healthline.com which is great because it always seems like someone in my family gets sick this time of year.
Christmas tree branches—This wouldn’t be a proper Christmas smudge without a branch from a Christmas tree. I love the idea of using part of your Christmas tree for a smudge. It smells amazing when you burn it. The spearmint smell of the Christmas tree branch pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the burning cinnamon. And, using the branch from a Christmas tree that’s already in your home really feels like you’re preparing to get in the holiday mindset.
Dried oranges—The addition of the dried orange is great for the aesthetics of this smudge. It adds a nice balance of color, and really pulls the smudge together to make a pretty gift. However, the dried orange slice isn’t just for looks. The dried orange releases a nice, citrusy aroma when burned. Plus, it adds a nice contrast to the smell of the other materials in the smudge.
Quartz crystal—No smudge is complete without a crystal. But I love using quartz for its healing and calming properties. Plus, the color of the crystals I used reminds me of ice and makes the smudge all that more festive.
Baby’s Breath—I love using Baby’s Breath in all of my smudges. First of all, it’s such a pretty flower. It definitely adds to the aesthetic of any smudge. And secondly, Baby’s breath is known for its detoxing qualities which of course, is perfect for every smudge!
Twine—The last material I used in my smudge is twine to tie it all together—pun intended. Just make sure when you’re buying your twine that it’s made without plastic. Burning plastic twine not only smells bad but can release noxious gases in your home.
Instructions:
I don’t need to go on and on about how to make this smudge. Once you’ve got all the materials, it’s pretty simple. You just tie everything together. Remember you can add whatever you want to personalize your smudge. Next, all you need to do is burn it and wave it around your home to invite holiday energy and good vibes!
