Welcome to my final installment of Do Something Sustainable for the Holidays!
If you celebrate Christmas, you have less than a week to put your gifts and treats together, and today's idea is a familiar concept in stocking-stuffer size: hand warmers.
These little gems are a small-sized version of bed warmers, just for your pockets. I took two 4.5 inch squares of fleece per hand warmer, sewed them up like a pillow, then filled with rice and spice (a rhyme, no less!). These I filled with rice and sage, which made my pockets smell a bit like Thanksgiving stuffing; as I've mentioned before, lavender and cinnamon/cloves are also nice additions.
Microwave these for a minute and slide them in your coat pockets for a little bit of warmth while you are out in the cold. I actually wound up walking to my destination one 20 degree day last week, and my hands remained toasty on the entire trip thanks to these little guys. That's why I wanted to recommend them to you as a last-minute sustainable gift!
The Analysis
Fast: I sewed and filled this pair in about 20 minutes. Since they were for me, I seemed the top with the machine; if you are giving them as a gift, you may want to hand sew the top with blind stitch, which will take a little longer.
Cheap: Fleece from the remnant bin, homegrown sage, and bulk rice -- these are literally pennies a piece.
Good: Warm hands made a mile and a half walk pleasant in cold weather.
If that isnt some of the most simple and handy things you could have if you have to go out like that, I dont know what is.
ReplyDelete