The season of giving will soon be upon us. Looking for some cute gift ideas for friends, family, teachers, neighbours, or a range of stocking fillers? How about making them yourself? A homemade gift is something special – it shows that you took the time to create something for them, rather than just picking something up at the store. Plus, you know exactly what’s in it. No nasty chemicals and preservatives. Furthermore, some of them are so simple and cheap to create. The art will be in the presentation. Create a hamper full of scrumptious natural body treats for someone special. You can jazz it up with a towel, slippers or natural loofah.
Scented Bath Salts.
These are so incredibly easy, super cute and take just a few minutes. Great last minute gifts for unexpected visitors.
Ingredients: 1 cup of Epsom salt, ½ cup bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda), 20 drops of essential oil or 1 cup of coarse sea salt, ½ cup of Epsom salt, 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda), 25 drops of essential oil – plus optional natural food or soap colouring.
Method: Mix together well and store in a glass container such as a mason jar, and decorate with ribbons, burlap, a sprig of holly, etc. Or get a cute set of mini jars and make a set of different aromas for different functions.
You can even tie a functional scoop to the jar. For added effect add a label (see sites like avery.com or canva.com for free templates).
Which essential oils? You can use whatever you have in your collection, but for some ideas – Relaxation – lavender. A floral feel – rose or geranium. Muscle soother – eucalyptus (ideal for men too). Christmas theme – try 10 drops of frankincense, 10 drops of myrrh and 5 drops orange. The choice is entirely yours.
How to use: Add a couple of scoops to a warm running bath. Lie back and relax.
Pretty Soap
This is a complete cheat and so easy, but looks so effective.
Ingredients: Bar of natural soap such as goats milk, shea or coconut soap, water, essential oil.
Method: Grate the soap, the smaller the better. Place in a double boiler for stove-top (or a microwave safe bowl if you prefer to make it in the microwave), and add water in a 1 (water) to 2 (soap) ratio. Heat until the soap melts, stirring as required. When completely melted, stir in the essential oil (approx 5 drops per 10g of original soap bar) and other optional additions (flower petals, etc). You can also add colouring to – commercial colourings are best, but food colourings and melted wax crayons will also work, although food colouring will only produce a subtle colour and may fade over time. Cocoa powder will also give the soap a nice soft brown colour and a great smell which would work extremely well with peppermint or orange. Continue stirring until the mixture is thick and creamy, remove from the heat and pour into your chosen mould. Silicone muffin moulds work well, as well as chocolate molds or ice cube trays for mini soaps. When the mould is filled, bang it on the countertop to settle the mixture and remove any air bubbles. As the soap starts to cool, you can smooth out the surface with your fingertips. Allow the soaps to set over 2-7 days (it is dependent on how long it takes for the liquid to evaporate). However if you are in a hurry to remove them from the molds, you can cheat and put them in the freezer overnight, and then allow them to completely dry out. Wrap the soap in some pretty paper or add to a straw filled basket and decorate with a ribbon.
Scented Play Dough.
Always a winner with children, it’s also suitable for adults (to squeeze and knead as an alternative to a stress ball). Try adding vanilla to soothe nervous tension, enhance calmness after a tough day, and help with sleep (great for stressed adults as well as children), or lavender to introduce gentle play before bed, calm and relax the child, and promote sleep. For a Christmas aroma, frankincense promotes peace and relaxation and helps to balance the mood, or try the Christmas blend suggested for the bath salts. You can add natural food colouring and even glitter to enhance the play dough if you so wish.
Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1 cup warm water, ⅓ cup salt, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 15-20 drops essential oil. Optional: food colouring, glitter.
Method: Combine the flour, salt and cream of tartar, in a saucepan ensuring that they are evenly distributed. Add the warm water and vegetable oil, stir well and turn on heat to low. Don’t worry about lumps, these will disperse as the mixture gently heats and starts to thicken. Optional: Add food colouring and glitter now and stir well before the mixture becomes too thick. The colouring should be added a few drops at a time until you reach the desired colour. Increase the temperature slightly to a medium low setting and stir continuously. Pay attention to scrape the mixture away from the bottom of the pan as you stir. When the dough comes away from the sides of the pan and isn’t wet anymore, it is suitably thickened. Remove from the heat. This step can take from 30 seconds – 3 minutes. Remove the dough from the pan and place on some waxed paper and allow to cool for approximately 30 minutes. Once suitably cooled, knead the dough in your hands for a few minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Poke some holes in the dough, fill with your chosen essential oils and knead again to disperse throughout the dough. It is recommended to wear gloves for this stage so that undiluted oil does not come in contact with skin. Store in an airtight container. Recipe makes enough to fill a 16oz mason jar. Try adding a set of plastic cookie cutters and a mini rolling pin for a kids gift.
Note: if the playdough dries out over time, knead in a little water to revive it, or knead in some more essential oil if the scent begins to fade.
Chocolate Mint Lip Balm
Wintertime is hard on the lips. The wind and the cold cause them to dry out, crack and chap. Who wouldn’t appreciate this lovely little lip balm to get those lips back in tip top condition and protect against further damage.
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons white beeswax pellets, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons coconut oil, 2 teaspoons sweet almond oil, 2 drops peppermint oil.
Method: Melt white beeswax pellets in the microwave in a small glass bowl (or on the stovetop using a double boiler. Stir in the cocoa powder until smooth, add the coconut oil, sweet almond oil and peppermint oil and combine well. Pour into small containers and allow to set.
Chocolate Mint Sugar Scrub
Relax and unwind with chocolate without the extra calories. It’s a real treat for the skin. Exfoliates, hydrates and refreshes.
Ingredients: 1¼ cups brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, ½ cup coconut oil, 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil, ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil.
Method: Whisk together the brown sugar and cocoa powder. In another bowl combine the coconut oil, sweet almond oil, peppermint oil, then add to the sugar mixture taking care to mix well. Spoon into a glass jar. Add a ribbon and other decorations as required.
How to use: Wash your skin with soap or body wash and rinse; scoop some body scrub out (be careful not to get water into the jar), and apply generously to wet skin. Massage into the skin in a circular motion to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, rinse well and pat the skin dry.
Why not make a chocolate mint gift containing the two above products. Add some mint chocolates, and perhaps some drinking chocolate and a mug, and a scented salt dough ornament to complete. You can also add a homemade cocoa and mint soap and the peppermint foot scrub.
Scented Salt Dough or cornstarch Christmas Tree Ornaments
A lovely keepsake gift. Miniature ones would also add a finishing touch to adorn the jars of your handmade gifts. A great Christmas activity for the kids too.
Ingredients: Salt dough – 4 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup table salt, 1½ cups water, 25-30 drops essential oil. Cornstarch dough (which is an absolute pure white dough and more of a clay texture) – 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, 1 ½ cups of water, 25 drops of essential oil.
Method: Salt dough: Combine all the ingredients (plus food colouring and glitter if required), knead together well, roll out on parchment paper or a silicone mat and cut into shapes using cookie cutters/cookie press. Make a hole in the top of the design for ribbon attachment with a straw or skewer, transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 225 F for 3-6 hours. Add a hanging ribbon. Cornstarch dough: Combine the cornstarch, baking soda and water in a medium sized pot over a medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture begins to thicken (resembling smooth mashed potatoes). Remove from heat and add in the essential oil and optional glitter. Spoon the mixture into a ball, place in a bowl, cover with a damp cloth and allow to completely cool. When completely cool, knead on a flat service until smooth and silky, adding more cornstarch if it feels sticky. Roll out on a flat surface lightly dusted with cornflour until ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes. For some extra sparkle you can sprinkle extra glitter on top of the dough as you roll it out. Make a hole in the top of the design for ribbon attachment with a straw or skewer, transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 175 F for approximately 1 hour, flipping them halfway through baking. Add a hanging ribbon. Note: you can forgo the baking and just allow them to harden for 24 hours, flipping after 12 hours, although they will be a little more fragile.
For a real Christmas scent try cinnamon essential oil, an orange, frankincense and orange blend, or a blend of orange, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla.
Bath Soothers
A quick and easy solution to enjoy an aromatherapy bath.
Ingredients: 1 cup bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda), approx 1 cup water and 10-15 drops essential oil.
Method: Gradually add the water to the bicarbonate of soda to make a putty type paste. Add about 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil. Optional colouring. Place in silicone chocolate molds or ice cube trays and allow to dry (usually 30 minutes plus). Gently remove from the molds and place in a jar or voile bag tied with a ribbon.
How to use: Add to warm running water, sit back and enjoy an aromatherapy bath.
Note: No bath? No worries. These can also be made as shower soothers. And because they are not in direct contact with the skin you can even double the amount of essential oil to make the experience more intense. Try lemon for a morning wake-up boost, lavender to soothe before bed, eucalyptus for cold/flu. Place the soother in a corner of the shower where it is not in the direct flow of water, or even add to the soap dish and sprinkle with water to release the aroma.
Christmas cookie sugar scrub
Exfoliate and hydrate dull, tired or rough skin and reveal younger smoother looking skin, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly cooked Christmas sugar cookies.
Ingredients: 1/4 cup coconut oil (kind that’s solid at room temperature), 1 cup sugar, 30 drops vanilla essential oil, 1¼ cups brown sugar, 1 tablespoon red & green nonpareils (aka sprinkles or hundreds and thousands).
Method: Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave and allow it to cool but not to solidify. Stir in the essential oil and mix well, add the sugar and nonpareils. Optional colour can be added, directly after the essential oil. Spoon into a glass jar. Add a ribbon and other decorations as required.
How to use: wash your skin with soap or body wash and rinse; scoop some body scrub out (be careful not to get water into the jar), and apply generously to wet skin. Massage into the skin in a circular motion to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, rinse well and pat the skin dry.
Sea Salt Foot Scrub
Revive, moisturize and rejuvenate tired, sore or rough feet and heels. Therapeutic for body and mind.
Ingredients: 1 cup coarse sea salt, ½ cup almond or grapeseed oil, 20 drops of peppermint essential oil or 12 drops of peppermint essential oil and12 drops of lavender essential oil.
Method: Combine the almond oil and essential oils and blend well. Place the sea salt in a bowl and gradually pour in the oil mixture, stirring well to mix. Spoon into a glass jar. Add a ribbon and other decorations as required.
How to use: Place feet over a bowl of warm water and place some of the scrub over the feet, scrubbing well. Lower feet into the bowl, and sit back and relax for a few minutes. Rinse the feet well and dry.
Beard Oil
Keeps the beard and the skin underneath nourished, moisturised and in tip-top condition, reducing beard brittleness, patchiness and hairfall, and enhancing growth, plus also acts as a styling agent, and imparts a wonderful fragrance.
Ingredients: 3 tbsp. jojoba oil, 2 tbsp. argan oil, 2 tbsp. grapeseed oil, 4 drops frankincense, 4 drops lavender, 3 drops bergamot.
Method: Place all the ingredients in a glass bottle or jar (dark glass is best) and mix well. Add a label and decoration.
How to use: For best results apply the oil after taking a shower or washing the face in order to seal in the moisture. Place 3-5 drops in the palm of the hand and gently warm the oil between the palms before applying to the beard, also massaging into the skin below. Use a beard comb to ensure that the oil is evenly distributed throughout the entire beard. Style as required.
Mini Wax Melts
Mini wax melts to scent the air and impart their therapeutic benefits. A simpler home made alternative to candles.
Ingredients: 150 g soy wax, 70-80 drops essential oil
Method: Melt the wax solids in a double boiler. When the mixture has fully melted, remove from the heat. Stir in essential oils and blend well for 30 seconds before pouring into silicone molds. Sprinkle some dried flowers/herbs over the to decorate (optional). Allow the wax melts to cool completely and harden, and then gently turn out and place in a jar or voile bag and decorate with ribbon.
Which essential oils? For Christmas gifts try the following: Gift of the Magi: Orange, frankincense and myrrh; Happy holidays: Orange, clove, cinnamon, vanilla; Peppermint surprise: Peppermint, ylang ylang, frankincense; Winter wonderland: Orange, peppermint, frankincense. Alternatively: Calming: Lavender, ylang ylang, marjoram, and chamomile; Reduce stress: Grapefruit, jasmine, and ylang ylang; Romance: Sandalwood, ylang-ylang, patchouli, lavender. Or even better, choose an aroma which has a special meaning to the recipient or represents a particular memory for you both.
So this was just a few suggestions for homemade gifts, so get creative and this year you can gift family and friends with something lovingly created by yourself which is sure to be appreciated. Plus, one thing you can guarantee, their benefits will endure long after the decorations are gone.
