Christmas is over; the presents unwrapped. The holiday bills will soon begin to show their not-so-friendly faces in our mailboxes. So it’s time once again to get back to basics.

Many of you received a reed diffuser for the holidays. You know the kind I’m talking about, with the little sticks coming out of a jar of perfumed liquid. Bath & Body Works sells various kinds, as well as Kohls and most other department stores. These diffusers are popular because they give off a nice subtle scent without being overpowering.

I had one for about a month before the liquid evaporated. Then what? Most stores want you to buy a refill, or replace yours with a new one, but we’ll show you how to make your own homemade version. It’s so simple and inexpensive.