Every year, at any holiday, there is a mad rush of shopping and most people have no idea what to give someone to show their appreciation. Fortunately, my friends, family, and I have found some great ideas, and so I would like to share with you the three easiest, fastest, most inexpensive gifts that have brought success at the holidays for me and my friends.

Herb salts: this is easy, fast and very cheap. Get some fresh herbs, either from your own garden, your mother’s garden, or a neighbour with a green thumb. Find an attractive jar with a screw top, fill with salt. Put the herbs on top, mush them a little with the back of a spoon, and shake very well. Over time, the herbs will add a wonderful fragrance to the salt, which can be used for cooking, or seasoning, or even as a body scrub.

Herb sugars: made in the same way as herb salts, you can even use the same herbs. Thyme, rosemary, marjoram and oregano sugars add great flavour to tea; lavender sugar adds an unexpected twist to cereal and coffee or tea; mint sugar goes great with any baked sweet, tea or coffee; and again you can make a body scrub from it, too!

Handmade soap: Soap bases are easy to work with; you simply melt them in the microwave and pour into a mold. If you like, you can add green tea leaves, fresh or dried herbs, or some essential oils. Make a soap mold out of a gelatin or butter mold, or even a brownie pan, and cut into pieces.

Whichever you choose, these take only minutes to make and your mother will love them not only on Mother’s Day, but at any time of year. Give one of these to your mother and see for yourself!