We mentioned this inexpensive, easy DIY idea in our Holiday Gift Guide, but this particular project is so simple and charming it deserves its own post.
While browsing some high-end aroma diffuser kits (you know, the ones that include oil, a glass vessel and reed sticks), we wondered if we could recreate the same effect on a budget. The answer was yes. One pack of $1 bamboo skewers from the grocery store, a small vase we already had (picked up at a discount store for a few dollars) and a fragrant liquid…
…quickly became a stylish little aroma diffuser:
You can trim the skewers to the desired length with wire cutters if they’re too long. Fragrance oil in large bottles is easy to find at dollar stores, so this whole project — which also makes a lovely handmade gift — can be completed for around $5.
Because we’ve been paying more attention to indoor air quality lately, we decided to avoid synthetic fragrances that can irritate some people. Instead we opted to use a small amount of naturally scented Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner in Lemon Verbena. It might sound odd to pour a cleaning product into a vase and call it a room scent, but the essential oils in the cleaner gently perfume the air with a fresh, grassy-lemon aroma. It provides a pleasant, natural scent without the worry of harsh chemicals. Every so often we flip the sticks over to refresh the fragrance, and the scent can last for weeks.
We liked our little DIY diffuser so much we made two—one on the kitchen windowsill and one on the open shelves in the living room. Each time we pass by, the rooms smell clean and inviting. Do you have favorite tricks for keeping your home smelling great? We’d love to hear them.
Update: You can view a collection of favorite holiday décor finds — many priced under $15 — in our curated list.