Natural Toys, wool roving, herbal handmade gifts for mom and children

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Do you want to make some last minute gifts but don’t know where to begin?

You can make some felted toys for the children and herb baskets for both the adults and children in your family.

The entire family will love herbal baths, if they don’t enjoy baths (hard to believe- but there are a select few that just don’t enjoy baths) the bulk herbs are also great for teas!

Herbal Gifts:

I use herbs that I harvested during fall or buy in bulk at Mountain Rose Herbs to make my tea and herbal bath baskets. Buying herbs in bulk is a lot cheaper than buying ready made teas from the supermarket.

Simply use a recycled basket and arrange the herbs inside (you can scoop herb blends into the muslin bags for your friends or simply add instructions on how to use the herbs). You can add a nice handwritten note to your basket (example – you are amazing, you deserve to take this time for yourself!)

Don’t forget to add instructions on how to use the herbs. Add other natural items to your basket (or perhaps a bottle of wine for the adults).

Some great herbs for bath are:

Comfrey Leaf (external use-not internally for teas)
Lavender Flowers
Valerian Root
Spearmint
Rosemary
Calendula
Hibiscus Flowers -the flowers will change the color of the water:)
Chamomile

…and many others- read more about easy bath herbs on my other blog The Herbalist’s Path! Simply add to an old clean sock or some muslin cloth tied at the top (don’t let the loose herbs spill into the tub or it could clog your drain), connect to the faucet and let the water run over the herbs- enjoy your herbal bath!

Felting:

I like to use all natural felt- you can find some locally or ebay and etsy also have great deals on felt. I really love the book Wool Pets: Making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle I used this book to learn how to make some really cute felted animals, my first attempt was a turtle, the kids still love playing with it! I like the book because it has great step by step instructions.You will want to use wool roving to needle felt, here is an example.

Click Here For Some More Great How To Earthschooling Craft Videos!

The above picture is one of my first attempts at making hand made squirrel puppets, I would post the turtle, but after daily play it has become quite ragged and needs some needle touch-ups:)

Below is a how to felting video from A Little Garden Flower

Need last minute natural toy gift ideas? I did a quick search around the web and thought I would share these resources with you. Happy Holidays!

Mothering Magazine: Best Natural Toys of 2010 | Waldorf Education …

These six natural toys from Bella Luna Toys are featured in Mothering magazine’s holiday issue as the Best Natural Toys of 2010.

Publish Date: 11/08/2010 3:0

Money Saving Tips For Making Your Own Waldorf Toys For Creative …

Waldorf toys are playthings that complement the educational philosophies of the early twentieth century innovator, Rudolf Steiner. and probably quite a few other things your children will invent. Even so, the fundamental goal …

Publish Date: 12/03/2010 23:07

http://albertjason.nwmomsonline.com/2010/12/04/money-saving-tips-for-making-your-own-waldorf-toys-for-creative-play/

Home for the Holidays: Bella Luna Toys gift certificate — Simple Kids

Owned by experienced Waldorf teacher and author, Sarah Baldwin, Bella Luna Toys carries “Waldorf toys, wooden toys, and natural toys to nourish the senses and inspire the imagination.” If you were to visit my house, you’d find that many …

Publish Date: 12/01/2010 21:01

http://simplekids.net/bella-luna-giveaway/

Slow Parenting: the joy of handmade toys | Jorg and Olif – The …

Children have a very special relationship with their toys, and many of us still have a treasured doll or teddy bear hidden away somewhere — 0ne that’s seen us.

Publish Date: 04/09/2010 0:00

http://jorgandolif.com/discover/slow-parenting-the-joy-of-handmade-toys-2/

Twelve Crafts Till Christmas: handmade holiday tips

Avoid the long lines and waiting lists for the must-have toy of the season. Handmade toys can increase imagination and encourage creativity. For example, my children love to pretend that they work in a post office. …

Publish Date: 12/15/2010 18:00

http://twelvecraftstillchristmas.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-holiday-tips.html