Great Homemade Frugal Gift Idea

What woman does not like a combination perfume and powder gift set? Perfumed powder is harder and harder to find these days. We have also been warned about the talcum powder being a factor in ovarian cancer.

I still love to powder and perfume. A lovely scent just so richly enhances my day. Often I will only use a perfumed powder because I like a subtle hint of fragrance rather than a sledge hammer to the nose.

I like to make my own powders to match my colognes. It is a fraction of the cost, if you can find a matching scent at all. I will give you the secret to making your own, too. Make it for yourself or give it as a gift anytime of year. You can use a woman's cologne, or a man's.

When I give this as a gift, I put it in a pretty little box. I pick up these boxes at garage sales and thrift stores. I usually find such bargains as low as 25 cents.

I also make my own powder puff to fit the box. You can use fake fur, or an old velour or velvet housecoat, and some silk or satin.

To make the powder you will need your favorite cologne, a pint mason jar with a lid, cheap dollar store powder or corn starch, and coffee filters.

Pour some powder into the mason jar. (Even if the powder is scented, your cologne will dominate the scent. Corn starch does not have any smell). If you want to have an added element of being slightly deodorizing, you can add baking soda. The negative factor to using an addition of baking soda is that it has a more course texture.

Now, cut the coffee filter into 4 wedges. Place it into the mason jar of powder. Spray or drop cologne onto the filter until it makes a wet 2 " circle . Put the lid on the jar and shake it. Place the jar in an area that you will be reminded often to shake the powder several times a day for 2-3 days. After a couple of days, pour your scented powder into your pretty little box. Add your puff or a cosmetics pad and you are ready to go to town, smelling pretty.

See my funny true story post titled It Just Doesn't Make Scents. Hope you like this craft tip. If you have any questions, I will gladly answer.