Holiday DIY: Hot Toddy Kit

Sometimes the best gift is a hand crafted one. They are fun to make and feel so personal. They are also a great option for those not-so-easy-to-shop-for friends on your list. Besides giving gifts to my family and close friends, it’s also great to have presents on hand to bring to the host or hostess of holiday parties you attend this time of year. In my opinion, the best hostess gifts are ones that feel celebratory and ones you can DIY yourself (I always like a handmade gift more than a store-bought one). So, this year, I’ve come up with the perfect DIY gift: A Hot Toddy Kit.

The idea behind this hot toddy kit came to mind because I actually love drinking hot toddies this time of year. They taste like a warm cup of holiday cheer, and it’s easy to make a big batch when you’re having friends over. I also whip up one of these without the alcohol if have a sore throat. It tastes wonderful with or without the booze. You can make yours with rum or brandy, but I decided to make this kit with whisky. So, without further ado, here’s what I put into my cute DIY hot toddy gift box…

DIY Hot Toddy Kit

You will need:

• 1 wooden or cardboard box
• wood or paper shavings for stuffing
• mini honey bear or honey jar (optional: small spoon to go with the honey)
• 1 lemon
• small fabric bags
• stick-on labels
• letter stamps
• stamp pad
• cloves
• nutmeg
• whisky, bourbon or rum
• 1 mug
• twine

Instructions:

Use your letter stamps to stamp your fabric bags to indicate what you’ll be putting inside them. Stamp your labels that you’ll be putting on your mini alcohol bottle and honey jar. Then, simply lay everything in your box in an organized fashion and tie it all up with a bow.

It’s a good idea to include a little hot toddy recipe card when you give this gift. You can copy this recipe below… It’s pretty simple!

How to Make a Hot Toddy

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 fluid ounces of boiling water
• 1 ½ fluid ounces whisky
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 slice lemon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Instructions:

Pour the honey, boiling water, and whisky into a mug. Spice it with the cloves and cinnamon, and put in the slice of lemon. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes so the flavors can mingle, then sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg before serving. Enjoy!

So now that you know how to make a hot toddy and a hot toddy kit, it’s time to start crafting. I hope you all have fun making this cute and easy gift!

What gifts are you DIYing for family and friends this year?

XO Lauren

Photos: Stephanie Todaro for LaurenConrad.com