25 Crafts 'Til Christmas Blog Series - Making Homemade Vanilla Extract

Okay, so we've all been there. It's about a week before Christmas with a few more people on your list left to buy for, so you turn to Pinterest. What is easy enough to make but thoughtful enough where they will actually like their homemade gift, right? It happens to me every year, and ironically it's the same handful of people that I always struggle to buy for. And then you see it, the perfect gift with a homemade touch.... oh but wait, you either don't have enough time to order the supplies, or enough time to actually put it together. 

This has been my setback each and every December. For the last two years, I have scoured Pinterest like nobody's business, and my timeline just falls short. I've wanted to make homemade vanilla extract every year to give as gifts, but every year I always forget that you'll need at least 8 weeks prep time. (that's not gonna work when you are searching the week before Christmas, lol). By some crazy Christmas miracle, I was amazingly on top of it this year. (which is a shocker considering my brain has been mush taking care of our newborn the last 4 months, lol). In the beginning of October, the lightbulb went off and I ecstatically exclaimed to my hubby that I can make homemade vanilla extract for Christmas gifts this year because I still have plenty of time! 

I immediately began my research and online shopping. The best vanilla beans, the best bottles, the best vodka to use... it was such an awesome feeling to feel prepared. My old girl scout leader would be proud.  After a few days of continuous googling and buying, I was ready. Here's what I bought... (click the items listed to purchase!)

Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Any Cheap Vodka (80-90 proof)- I used Svedka
4 oz Boston Round Bottles
​Stainless Steel Funnel

(and no, I don't get paid any type of money if you click these links.
I'm just guiding you if you are interested in using the products that I used.)

When purchasing your vanilla beans, there are many to choose from. These Madagascar beans had wonderful reviews, and I'm a sucker for good feedback. Fortunately, they arrived just as they said they would... extremely fragrant, moist, and flexible.  

I used the general rule to use approx 2-3 vanilla beans per bottle. I cut each bean down the center, while leaving about 1/2" together at the end. Because my bottles were small 4oz, I had to also cut the beans in half length-wise so that they would fit. 

 

I had 25 vanilla beans and 10 bottles, so I put 2 1/2 beans (5 halves) in each bottle. After the beans were cut and divided into the bottles, I used the funnel to fill them up with the vodka. **It's important to put the beans in before filling with vodka because you don't want any vodka overflowing** (cheap or not, you don't want to waste it, lol). When you fill the bottle, make sure to fill it slightly past the beans so they are fully immersed. They will dry out if they are not covered completely.

When you have your all of your bottles filled, it's important to find a cool, dark place for them to be stored, but also where they can be easily accessible, as you'll need to give them a good shake a couple of times a week. I keep the bottles in the same box they came in, and in the back of the pantry.

 

I started making my vanilla extract about four weeks ago, and I have my phone alarm remind me to give them a shake for approx 30 seconds, 3 times a week. It gets the vanilla beans all turned up, and allows the vodka to soak up the vanilla flavoring. This is what one of the bottles looked like today after giving them all a good shake. The vanilla aroma is strong even with the caps on while shaking them!

 

Now it's time for the really fun and creative part - designing the label! I anticipate giving these out as gifts to friends and family during the holidays, and a creative label is how how I put my own personal touch on gifts. After measuring the bottle's height and circumference, I designed a simple label in PowerPoint. (Very similar to how I explained designing a water bottle label in a previous post.)

 

I printed them out on full page shipping label sticker paper, after trying many different brands and options, this works best for me for most projects. And then just to take it up one more notch, I put clear shipping tape over the labels before cutting them out. This gives the label a more professional look (and makes the label waterproof and last longer!). Then I cut them out and stuck the label on a test bottle just to see how it would look.

I'm really happy with how the test bottle came out, and looking forward to dressing up the other bottles nice and pretty when I'm ready to wrap and give them as gifts for the holiday. Homemade gifts are so much fun, because not only is your creativity being used, but the personal touches are so endearing... just as long as you have enough time. *wink*

 

This blog post is the first of my new "25 Crafts 'Til Christmas" Blog Series. Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you can follow me on my crafting countdown! 

 

One down, 24 more to go! Happy Crafting!

<3, heather