Mom and dad surely cooed and smiled as they unwrapped the ashtray/slab of molten lava you'd made in elementary ceramics, or commented on your developing artistic talent as you handed them your rendering of a large purple dinosaur/alien pig. Mom and dad were nice then, but some twenty years later? Give dad a picture of a purple dinosaur/alien pig now, and within two weeks you'll likely find yourself the focus of a parent-sponsored intervention.

But you can impress them. Below we're offering three ideas of gifts you can make (complete with accurate, tested directions) that will not only impress the hell out of family members and friends, but will also fit into any scaled-down holiday budget. If it's not the gift, but the thought that counts, then a great gift made by your own hand should count for double points.

Homemade candles
Although the task of making candles seems daunting, it's actually much easier than it looks. In fact, after you've made them once, you can make enough candles to cover virtually every family member (two each) in just a few hours.

What you'll need
*Blocks of wax, available in the baking section of almost any grocery store. Should run less than $2 per box.
*Food coloring or crayons to color the candle.
*Wicks. Available at any candle shop.
*Molds for the candles. Essentially you need to make sure that whatever container you use is sturdy enough to hold very hot wax, but able to be cut away. In the past we've used frozen juice containers, margarine tubs, sour cream/yogurt containers, and Dixie cups.
*Double boiler or double boiler system. Because you're going to be melting wax in the inner boiler, it's best to use a pan you won't ever use again. Pick up a cheap one at the thrift store, or better yet, use a coffee can.
*Skewers or Q-tips on which to hang the wicks.
*(Optional). Some sort of scent for the candles, either essential oils (patchouli, Nag Champa—available anywhere that sells incense) or candle scent, available at candle stores.

Note: If you're making candles in glass jars, you cannot use normal candle wax, you need to use votive wax, which doesn't burn as hot as regular wax. Votive wax is available at candle stores, but costs more, averaging about $13 per slab.

How to make them
First, prepare the molds by cutting off a length of wick, leaving an extra inch or so. Tie one end of the wick to a skewer or Q-Tip, and set skewer with wick across the top (the open end) of the mold, so the wick is hanging down the middle.

Second, melt the wax in the double boiler. (See note above). Once the wax is melted, add the coloring and scent. (If you're using crayons, use about a quarter of the crayon. Don't forget to peel off the paper. Stir color in as it melts.

Third, pour the melted wax into the mold, adjusting the wick as necessary to keep it as straight as possible. Keeping the wick straight can be tricky, and because a straight wick will lead to a candle with a longer burning duration, we've come up with a few tricks to help. Before pouring hot wax into the mold, try dipping the wick in the hot wax and pulling it straight-when the wax cools, it'll keep the wick straight. Also, anchors for the bottom of the wick are available at candle stores as well, but they're tough to string.

Cool the candle, in its mold, overnight. If you're in a hurry, a few hours in the freezer will do as well. After the candle is sufficiently cooled, untie the wick from the skewer, make a starting cut in the mold with scissors, and peel the mold away from the candle.

A few tips
*Don't overuse the scent. If using candle scent, a very little bit goes a long way. If you're using oils, excess oil will seep out of the candle after the wax is solidified, giving the candle a greasy feel.

*If you have a standard double boiler, make sure to put just enough water in the bottom pan so that the top pan fits into it without the water overflowing or boiling over. If you don't have a double boiler, take one of your regular saucepans and fill with a few inches of water, place your wax into an old metal coffee can, or some other sturdy, disposable container (do NOT use plastic), and set the can in saucepan. As the water heats, it will slowly, safely melt the wax.

*As soon as the wax and color are completely melted, pour it; don't overcook the wax.

*For more wax (and the ultimate economical move) you can melt down and use the odds and ends of old candles; just make sure to dig out the end of the old wick and metal anchor at the bottom.

*One block of wax from the grocery store makes about three votive-sized candles and two medium-to-large pillar candles.

*Make sure that you tell the recipients of the candles to burn your gifts on holders; because the wicks are difficult to keep straight, homemade candles have a tendency to burn erratically, making for a mess of wax.

*If the candle sinks in the middle, add a bit more wax after it cools.

Decorative cooking oil/salad dressing
This is one of the easiest gifts to make, and it gets the added bonus of top-notch presentation—the final product looks like a high-end gourmet cooking oil. In fact, we've even had family members reluctant to use the oil, because it looks so nice on a kitchen shelf.

What you'll need
*Olive oil (we just find the largest amount for the cheapest price).
*Fresh rosemary sprigs (available at any grocery store that carries fresh herbs).
*A few garlic bulbs.
*Whole red and/or black peppercorns.
*A sealable bottle (Cost Plus has an amazing array of shapes and sizes; pick to fit your budget and/or taste).
*Corks to fit the bottles.
*Beeswax (only necessary if you're sending through the mail).

How to make it
Pull three to five cloves of garlic from a bulb. Notch the garlic cloves on both sides (allows the flavor to seep out).

Add a layer of peppercorns to the bottom of the bottle, then add garlic.

Add two-four sprigs of rosemary, preferably almost as long as the bottle.

Fill the bottle with oil, making sure to cover the rosemary completely.

Let sit for one-half hour, to let air bubbles escape.

Seal with a cork.

Set the finished product in a window and allow three weeks for the flavors to infuse the oil. This isn't strictly necessary, but the results are much better.

Tips
*Don't refrigerate.
*You can also add hot dried peppers.
*The recipient can replenish the oil as it's used to keep it fresh.
*If you need to seal it with beeswax, just melt the wax in a disposable cup in a microwave. Tilt the cup and stick the cork end of the bottle inside the cup; give it a few spins, allow a few minutes to dry.

Homemade lip balm<
This might seem a little strange, but it's an inescapable fact that, if you live in the northern or western states, winter will tear the lips right off anyone. Although this one is the easiest, finding containers can be daunting. Be creative.

What you'll need
*Almond oil (about one-half cup).
*Beeswax (about two tablespoons).
*Vitamin E (one to two capsules)
*Flavoring (either essential oils or food flavorings like Orange essence, vanilla, peppermint, cherry—use three teaspoons).
*Double boiler.
*Sealable containers (Cost Plus is again recommended).

Alternate ingredient list
*Olive oil (one teaspoon).
*Cocoa butter (one-half teaspoon).
*Beeswax (one-half teaspoon).
*Honey (one-half teaspoon).

How to make it
Warm the oil, then add the wax and squeeze in the contents of the vitamin E capsules.

When the beeswax is melted, stir in the flavoring.

Let the mixture cool in the pot. After it's cooled, check the consistency. If it's too hard, add a little oil and reheat. If it's too soft, add a little beeswax and reheat.

Once the balm has reached a desired consistency, fill and seal containers.

Also by Dave Chamberlain

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Kelly Hogan's presence in Chicago has been a two-headed beast since she first moved here from Georgia in 1997. First, there's Kelly Hogan the record maker, she of the Jody Grind, Rock*A* Teens and solo records, each with their own unique flavor and angle. Then there's Hogan the live performer, with a voice so affecting and perfect, words can't approach its power.
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CLOSE CALL
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CONTINENTAL REPAST
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