Looking for a beauty gift with a twist for a loved one this Christmas? Then check out Plush Folly.

This is all about getting your hands dirty, or rather clean, and making your own cosmetics. Beat the credit crunch by creating your own skincare products to suit your skin.

Sally Hornsey will teach you everything she knows about cosmetics from perfumes and candles to mineral make-up and bath truffles — all out of a workshop at the store in Middlesex.

Now let’s be realistic, not everyone can hop off down South when they choose, so Sally has created distance learning kits, starting at £95, so your loved one can get creative and learn the ropes. There are advanced classes if you decide to turn your hobby into a business.

If your budget is on a smaller scale, treat your loved one to a candle-making session at £55 or simply grab them a voucher, from £10, and they can indulge in a few products.

You can even bag a “make your own hand cream” kit for £9.50. So try something different this winter, because after all, who needs another pair of socks?