11 DIY Gifts Your Long Distance Bestie Will Obsess Over

Brit + Co
Dec 07, 2016

Interested in making your long-distance BFF something handmade for the holidays, but worried about the journey and the cost it takes to get there? Don’t leave your girl hangin’! Here to help you get it done is our handy DIY gift guide, sponsored by FedEx, which includes 11 gift ideas that are all easy to make AND ship. We’ll recommend which ones to send to your bestie across the country, a few states over or just across the state.

I WANT ALL OF IT. Don’t you?! Scroll down to find links to tutorials for each and every one of these gifts above, organized by distance!

CROSS-COUNTRY

Small, flat, and lightweight objects are the name of the game for long-distance gifting, because they’ll cost much less to ship! If your BFF is all the way across the country, these four DIY’d items are the way to go. Keep on scrollin’ for links to each.

1. DIY Easy Knit Circle Scarf: This light, fluffy scarf is (surprisingly) a cinch to make compared to normal knitting and will be her go-to accessory all winter long.

2. DIY Faux Fur Vest: Omg, you guys. This is the easiest DIY ever. Click over to see how you can make a trendy statement piece with literally just some faux fur and a pair of scissors. You’re welcome!

3. DIY Gold Foil Notebook: Gold makes everything fancy, even this humble little notebook. Draw little doodles of your bestie’s favorite things or letter an inside joke to make it really special.

4. DIY Shoulder Duster Earrings: You likely know her style better than anyone else, so don’t be afraid to pick up the pliers and make a set of custom earrings for her. Get crazy and try mis-matching them too!

All four of these fluffy, flat and teeny gifts easily lend themselves to long distance, because they are light enough to keep your costs low, while still making a nice personal statement.

Shipping Tip: Keep rain, snow and other elements out of your box during the journey by sealing all the flaps and seams, using proper packing tape (no duct or masking tape) that is at least two inches wide, and make the shape of an “H” when taping seams.

Ooooh what do we have here? Cozy, shiny gifts arriving intact and on time for holiday fun!

A FEW STATES OVER

For mid-range distances, say a few states over, you can start to push the boundaries a bit with slightly larger or heavier objects. Read on for the deets!

5. DIY Painted Brushstroke Purse: About to toot my own horn, but I made this one myself and IT’S AWESOME. This little cross-body bag is equally good for winter and spring outfits and all you need is a lick of paint to make it happen!

6. DIY Sequin Mermaid Pillow: This sequin pillow is the business. The key is finding a two-way sequin fabric and then the rest is easily done in minutes (as long as you’re not distracted for hours by all the fun patterns you can make in it!).

7. DIY Agate Slice Coasters: These little slices of gemstone heaven are uber classy for the 10 minutes it will take you to make them! Just grab a paint pen and turn these raw slices into pretty personalized coasters.

Grab some bubble wrap for these guys and they’re good to go!

Shipping Tip: If your item is sturdy or fragile, take a second to prep it before throwing it in the box. If your item is an irregular shape (like these agate coasters), use bubble wrap to “square off” any odd angles to protect them during shipment. If your item is shallow or hollow inside, like the purse above, fill that space to protect it — bubble wrap or firmly crumpled paper will work just fine!

YEEE! Nothing better than receiving all these glam gifts in one package!

IN-STATE GIFTS

Now that you’ve sent off the fluffy, light stuff, save your heaviest gifts for your girl in the same state. This is where a lot of the DIY homewares come in, so get excited and read on for tutorial links!

8. DIY Paint Pen “Chalkboard” Mug: Get the look of chalkboard without actually smudging your beautiful design every time you pick up your drink! We know, genius, and just a paint pen away!

9. DIY Air Dry Clay Planter: Create any shape you want with air dry clay, and add a pop of her favorite color. Finish with an air plant and send it on its way!

10. DIY Dip-Dyed Rope Bowls: These dreamy dip-dyed bowls are like a summer vacation, and I want to go to there. Make your own with just a bit of rope, fabric dye and a glue gun!

11. DIY Wood Burnt Pineapple Cutting Board: Last, but not least, turn any wood homeware item into a personalized piece of functional art with a wood burning tool! Bonus points if you can snag a trendy shaped board to burn your designs onto!

These last few gifts may take a bit more wrapping work, but it’ll all be worth it when they get to their new home!

Shipping Tip: Don’t be afraid to use two boxes to ship a breakable item! Cushion your item with at least three inches of bubble wrap or other cushioning material and seal it in a box. Place that box within a second, slightly larger box with another layer of cushioning. All that added padding may seem like a lot, but trust us — it’s better to be safe than sorry!

OMG, she’s way too cute. And clearly stoked after opening her handmade gifts!

Sponsored by FedEx.

Author: Lee Schellenberger

Photography: Brittany Griffin
 Models: Anjelika Temple, Brittany Griffin, Irene Lee

Collaboration Hacks Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


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I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink At Home – Here's How It Went

When I was working barista shifts at Starbucks over the winter, we'd get Medicine Ball orders every single hour. And not going to lie, I really hated them. Let me get this straight — I didn't hate the drink, but I more so disliked the fact that the customers ordering them almost always demanded their tea between a swarm of thick coughs and countless small sniffles. Yuck.

It truly felt like I was on the fence of getting sick pretty much every time someone stepped up to the register. But, I remained strong and I did what I had to do as a service worker, which in this case, was to pour the peachy-citrus tea into a pool of honey syrup, then top it with steamed lemonade. Coughs and sniffles aside, I often questioned why someone would order the Medicine Ball, based on the cost of the drink alone (up to $6, and that gets expensive when you're ordering it all the time).

Popular during sick season, the Starbucks Medicine Ball (AKA the Honey Citrus Mint Tea) may be good, but it's not good enough to cure you of that semi-flu, or whatever other pathogens might have been floating around in my café. It's also not worth putting someone else's health in jeopardy. Turns out, you can make the Medicine Ball at home — which saves money and effort (and spares others' safety) in the long run.

Scroll on to find out how simple making the Starbucks Medicine Ball really is!

@k.ard Medicine Ball for only $1.69 each! #medicineball#fluseason#coldseason#starbucksdupe#budgettok#SephoraConcealers#DrPepperTuitionContest#halloween#fall2022♬ Halloween - KenZie DarkStar

TikTok always makes recipes look effortless. So, I took this trusty tutorial into our own hands to compare how good an at-home Medicine Ball could really be against the real one from Starbucks.

Ingredients for the Starbucks Medicine Ball Drink

Starbucks

How can I make a Medicine Ball at home?

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Making a Starbucks Medicine Ball at home is pretty straightforward:
  1. Heat 1 cup of lemonade in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute.
  2. Add 1 cup of hot water and stir in 1 tablespoon honey.
  3. Add one bag of Peach Tranquility and one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, then steep for a few minutes.
  4. Enjoy your Medicine Ball!

How I Made The Starbucks Medicine Ball At Home

Meredith Holser

First, I embarked on an ever-iconic Target run to gather my copycat Starbucks Medicine Ball recipe ingredients. Since they were out of the exact Teavana teas I needed to replicate the TikTok recipe, I picked up two similar ones: first, the Good & Gather Organic Peach Honey Tea, and the Good & Gather Organic Mint Tea. I also picked up a jug of lemonade, and planned to use the honey I already had at home. All together, the three ingredients I needed ended up costing me about $9.50.

Step 1: Heat Lemonade

Tara Winstead / PEXELS

I measured a cup of lemonade, and just popped my Starbucks mug in the microwave for a minute.

Step 2: Add Water and Honey

Roman Odinstov / PEXELS

While the lemonade was in the microwave, I set some water on in my electric kettle. Once both liquids were heated up, I measured a cup of water and combined it in the mug with a tablespoon of honey. Yum!

Step 3: Steep Tea Bags

Anna Pou / PEXELS

Then, I put the two teabags in the mixture to steep. The tea wasn't overly hot either, and I steeped them for about 3 minutes before giving my homemade Medicine Ball recipe a lil' sip.

Is the homemade version of the Medicine Ball as good as the one from Starbucks?

Meredith Holser

To my surprise, my homemade Medicine Ball recipe was extremely delicious, and it mimicked the Starbucks one so closely. Before tasting, I gave my tea a sniff, and the smell was pretty much identical to the drink made in stores. The flavor hit the exact same mark.

Overall, I rate my homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball a 4.7/5.

The only detracting factors are the temperature of the drink – Starbucks steams their lemonade to make the drink super hot, and mine wasn't nearly as piping. Of course, this is just personal preference, and next time, I can heat the lemonade for a longer duration, or reheat the drink altogether. Another reason for the minimal point deduction is the drink wasn't as sweet as I expected it to be. Again, this is a personal preference, and you can add as little or as much sweetener you desire!

All of this goes to say, that a homemade Starbucks Medicine Ball is just as yummy as the one you can get at a Starbucks cafe. By following the steps above, you can make a copycat recipe that's going to satisfy your hankering for a citrusy, hot tea!

Looking for more at-home copycat recipes like this Medicine Ball from Starbucks? Browse our site for more DIYs!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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How To Build A Local Community When You’re A Digital Creator

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Rita Suzanne, a marketing strategist for health and wellness businesses who learned to network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build her business online and IRL.

What's an unexpected business challenge that you've had to face and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing for me was my sister passed away and I ended up taking custody of my nieces. I ended up being a single mom of four kids. This is the thing that transitioned my whole entire life. I stopped doing web design and started my podcast Mom Owned and Operated. I wanted to reconnect with other moms and figure out how they were able to run their businesses and raise a family and take care of themselves because I wasn't able to do all three at the same time. Through that journey, I realized that I really needed to connect with other people and how important it was for my business. It helped me to create that community that I was yearning for that I didn't realize that I needed.

What's a recent small win for your business?

For me, the win was just pivoting back to something that I actually wanted to do. Also, I’ve started to say no to things that I no longer want to do.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I have always admired and looked up to Amy Porterfield [author of Two Weeks Notice]. I listened to her all the time when I was starting out. I think that she's amazing and I love her stuff. She just seems like a very genuine person.

Is there a resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I listen to a lot of audio books. One of my favorites that has been huge for me is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I was told when I first started my business, by a friend who was a business coach, that I have a mindset problem. Ten years ago, I had no idea even what “mindset” was. Sincero’s book helped me to see what she meant by “mindset” and helped me adjust that mindset and fix some of the things that I didn't realize were broken.

How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program helped propel your business forward?

There are a lot of things that I have loved about it. There are local networking and training opportunities, and that has been great, and the online training is very valuable. It's a great resource. I find that marketing needs a three-tiered approach, meaning you need to network it locally, socially, and then also have a very comprehensive online approach to your marketing. One of the Verizon Small Business trainings that I took was all about taking advantage of your local resources. I found that to be extremely valuable because often people think they need to just focus on social media. I don't think that people focus enough on their local community.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Rita Suzanne.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

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Um, Gavin Casalegno Is Married!

You might ship Jeremiah and Belly on The Summer I Turned Pretty, but actor Gavin Casalegno is officially off the market. On November 12, the actor hard launched his relationship on Instagram by announcing he had gotten married and the chats went crazy. The Vampire Diaries actor has been keeping things very low-key for over a year, so if this news surprises you, you're not alone!

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Gavin Casalegno's wife.

Is Gavin Casalegno married?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gavin Casalegno (@gavincasalegno)

"FOREVER CAPTIVATED BY YOU🕊️" Gavin and his new wife Cheyanne said in a joint Instagram post November 12. Gavin wore a black tux while Cheyanne wore a gorgeous strapless gown with a gauzy train and separate, lacy sleeves. As for the veil? The bride wore white fabric over her neck over her shoulders. Gorgeous!

Naturally, the comments went crazy. "okay hard launch !!!!!" one reads, while another user says, "DID I MISS A COUPLE HUNDRED CHAPTERS????"

Gavin and Cheyanne have been together since (at least) spring 2023, when Cheyanne posted him on her Instagram stories. Since then Gavin (or at least, his hair) has popped up on her Insta grid — by the ocean, in Paris, and in the car. Even though Gavin never name dropped his SO at the time, he did talk about dating.

"I definitely have just learned to be more private, which is super interesting because I’m always out in public," he told Shondaland in 2023. "I had to really learn to navigate my own privacy and well-being. So, the quick fix for me is just deleting Instagram and all these apps to kind of check out, to be with my family and be with myself, to spend some time with the Lord — that’s really where I thrive.”

He also told Cosmopolitan that he's had to learn “what it means to just mature a little bit in the dating space."

"You’re dating to marry; you’re not dating to just date,” he said. “I think that gets lost a lot of times in younger generations. So I really try to be intentional with everything that I do as far as spending my time and gift giving and flirting and all these things. I really try to be intentional about it.”

Who is Gavin Casalegno's wife?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH GOD (@cheyannecasalegno)

Cheyanne King (er, Casalegno) is a registered nurse who graduated in 2023 from Baylor University, according to her LinkedIn.

How many exes does Gavin Casalegno have?

Gavin Casalegno dated model, dancer, and actress Larsen Thompson (who also has 1.2M followers on TikTok) for six years before the couple split in 2022.

Want the latest news on your favorite celeb relationships? Madison Bailey Got Emotional About Rudy Pankow's Outer Banks Exit Amid Cast Drama Rumors.

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The Best Drugstore Eyeliner Is SO Good — It Didn't Even Budge When I Cried

TBH, I have a roster of all-star beauty products I swear by. From the best cream blush to the lipstick I can't stop buying, my routine has officially become effortless. But, what if I told you I've been using an eyeliner that'll make you want to part ways with your tried-and-true favorite? And what if I told you it's so inexpensive that you won't believe how well it works?

Since I have your attention, let's have a nice girl-to-girl chat about the best drugstore eyeliner that didn't leak when I boohoo-cried over a movie recently. 👀

Amazon

  1. The best drugstore eyeliner: e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
  2. A smudge-proof, felt-tipped favorite: wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liner
  3. A waterproof wonder: Milani Stay Put Matte Eyeliner
  4. For the more detail-oriented: NYX Epic Ink Liner
  5. A runner-up pencil pick: Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil

Okay, what's the tea on the best eyeliner?

Amazon

The best drugstore eyeliner I've been using is by none other than e.l.f. Cosmetics. I've talked about their amazing Power Grip Primer (a dupe for Milk's Hydro version), but this No Budge Retractable Eyeliner deserves it's own spotlight. I've tried other brands that I thought were good, but a funny incident that counted as an early pregnancy sign is what earned this one's place in makeup kit.

I usually never cry while watching sad movies, but a random movie night in May 2020 ended with me running into the bathroom and bursting into tears over a distressing scene. My fiancé and I were still in the dating phase, so he was confused about what happened, but luckily made sure I was okay. He even commented on the fact that my eyeliner wasn't running down my face which I filed in the back of my mind.

So, how is it so different from other eyeliners you've tried?

Jasmine Williams

I'm glad you asked! e.l.f's No Budge Retractable Eyeliner is considered to be the "ultimate eye pencil" because it's not only waterproof, but it's also retractable. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of sharpening eyeliners. It's a personal preference that's led me to something that feels super easy to use.

The other thing I like about it is how smooth it glides onto my water line. I've poked myself in the eye more times than I'd like to admit, but haven't had that problem with this product. It's also incredibly pigmented so I get an amazing color payoff that frames my brown eyes perfectly.

I'm fairly light-handed while applying it because I love a 'softer' look, but you can apply as much pressure as you're comfortable with!

You know I have to ask: how do other customers feel about the best drugstore eyeliner?

Amazon

With other 22,000 reviews on Amazon, this eyeliner has a 4.4 rating where over half of the reviews have given it 5 stars. Why?

  • "I love with this eyeliner that it can be a very thin line or a heavy line. You can smudge it and make it very soft. It's very very workable and I love it!"
  • "This is very easy to use. It's reasonably priced and I can't tell that it's a cheaper product than those you would find at Sephora. I will definitely be purchasing again."
  • "As a 77 year old woman, eye area can be sensitive and I like this eyeliner because it is a softer texture and does not make me stretch my eyes"
  • "For a few dollars, I purchased the Elf eyeliner and it is marvelous! It has the richest pigment! Truly, it is a ten, and 'less than ten dollars' and most importantly, cruelty-free!"
  • "I finally found an eyeliner that doesn't smudge ! I have hooded eyelids and really struggle with makeup coming off because of the way my eyes are shaped. I wore this eyeliner for a wedding and I didn't have any smears! I loved the color too."
  • "Love this Eyeliner! It's perfect and lasts a long time. My new favorite. My other go-tos were letting me down. This is perfect! Goes on smooth, lasts all day, looks good. Worth it!"

Shop The Best Drugstore Eyeliner Here!

Amazon

The best drugstore eyeliner: e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

Hopefully the above raving sealed the deal for you on this amazing eyeliner!

More Drugstore Eyeliners I Recommend & Why

Amazon

A smudge-proof, felt-tipped favorite: wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liner

If I wasn't such a fan of a pencil formula, this breakup proof liner would be my go-to. Someone on wet n wild's marketing team knows breakups and tears go together like two peas in a pod so why not create something that's smudge-proof? You won't experience any flaking or cracking with this product either, just 16 pure hours of sharp lines that could do damage if your ex dared to look in your eyes.

Amazon

A waterproof wonder: Milani Stay Put Matte Eyeliner

This eyeliner's bottle lets you know how long you'll be able to wear it which is an added bonus IMO. There's up to 17 hours of waterproof liquid-to-matte formula in this teeny bottle which says a lot. Ever heard of the saying, "Big things come in small packages?" If not, meet the eyeliner that proves how accurate this statement is.

Amazon

For the more detail-oriented: NYX Epic Ink Liner

Waterproof and liquid liner may not sound like they go together, but NYX has taken great care to make sure they do. Most customers on Amazon end up keeping it which lets you know how good it is, but I don't mind convincing you a little more.

It has a precise tip to help you achieve the cat eye you've been trying to master for years and dries to a matte finish. Just be mindful not to poke yourself in the eye because it's not as forgiving as a pencil formula!

Amazon

A runner-up pencil pick: Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil

Clearly I just said I don't prefer eyeliners that to be sharpened, but I'll only make an exception if the pencil doesn't have a sharp point in the package. You'll still get the same smooth application as e.l.f's No Budge version, but Maybelline promises to give you up to 36 hours of wear with this product. I haven't worn makeup beyond 24 hours so I can't vouch for that, but it lasts throughout a school or work day.

Follow Brit + Co's Amazon storefront for more beauty recommendations!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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