Homemade Holiday Gift Idea: Make These Cozy Lavender Handwarmers

These rice and lavender hand warmers are a cozy winter treat. They may seem to lack a certain high powered, high priced, in-demand shiny Christmas present quality, but believe me, they are magical. Because nothing is more comforting when you just can’t get warm. Make them for your office mates, your aunt, your dog walker — everyone will love them. Guaranteed.

• 1 cup Rice
• 1/4 cup Lavender
• 1/2 yard of fabric (I used a fat quarter bundle from the craft store)
• Thread
• Wintery stamp or stencil (optional)

• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pinking sheers
• Pins
• Tape measure

1. Cut out your fabric. I cut 5″ squares because I thought that would be a nice size to hold in your hands to warm up. If you want to fit the warmers in pockets you might consider smaller squares, or various shapes. Just be sure to cut the squares large enough for a 1/2″ seam allowance.

2. Be sure the right sides of the fabric are facing out, and sew the squares shut on three sides, but leave a 1″- 2″ opening on the fourth side. Don’t forget to backstitch!

3. Fill the bag half full with rice, and finish up with a tablespoon or so of lavender. Try not to fill the bag too full because you’ll need to allow for enough room to run the foot of the sewing machine along side to close up the hole.

4. If you desire, add a fun stamp or stencil to the fabric. We used a wintery themed rubber stamp and fabric paint, but embroidery could be a nice touch as well!

4. Use a pin to seal off the open end, match up the stitches and sew the hole closed.

5. Trim the edges of the bags with pinking sheers to prevent fraying.

6. To use: place a bag in the microwave and heat up for 1-2 minutes. Time will vary with each microwave, so it’s best to start off in small intervals — these puppies can get hot! Then carry hand warmers in coat pockets during your brisk commute, or hold on to them at home if you’re house is just a bit too chilly this winter!

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