1.
Lavender Handcream
Lavender Essential Oil, 20 drops Patchouli Essential Oil, 3 drops
Jasmine Essential Oil (3% in jojoba oil), 5 drops 100g jar of
unscented Base Cream
2 x 500 iu Vitamin E capsules (de Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate - natural
source)
1/2 tsp. wheatgerm oil
Lavender Water (optional)
Glass or plastic spoon or spatula Pin
Pierce the Vitamin E capsules with a pin and squeeze the contents
into a jar of base cream. Add the wheatgerm oil followed by the
lavender, patchouli and jasmine oils. Stir gently, thoroughly, with
a spoon or spatula, ensuring that all of the oils are completely
mixed in. Place the lid on the jar and store in a cool place away
from direct sunlight.
2. Bath Salts - Combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup
citric acid, 1/4 cup cornstarch,
3/4 tsp fragrance oil and 2 to 3 drops food coloring (optional). Mix
well, so that the oil is thoroughly distributed thru the dry
mixture.
3. Lemon Bath Tea
2 parts lemon balm or lemon verbena
1 part lemongrass
1 part lemon peel
1 part peppermint or rose
1 part green tea
Lemon or peppermint essential oils
Directions to make: Prepare a clean work surface. Pour the loose
herbs into a wide mouth bowl. Combine thoroughly. Then, simply place
the loose herbs inside the bag and seal the opening closed with a
hot iron for about 10 seconds. Each heat seal pouch can hold about
.4 oz. of herbs.
Directions for use: Simply place them in a tub of hot, running
water and fill bath half way, let steep for 10 minutes, fill the
bath with cooler water to the desired temperature and enjoy your
herbal bath! Can be re-used if set out to let dry.
4. Candy Cane Bath Salts
Ingredients:
2 cups Epsom salts
1/2 c. sea salt
4-6 drops peppermint oil
2-3 drops red food coloring.
Place one cup of Epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl or
resealable plastic bag. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil. Place the
remaining ingredients in a second bowl. Mix all ingredients well.
Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar. Tie with a
ribbon and some small candy canes.
5. Cranberry Lip Gloss
1 tablespoon sweet almond oil 10 fresh cranberries 1 teaspoon
honey 1 drop of
vitamin E oil
Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for a couple of minutes or until the mixture just begins
to boil. (Bowl may also be heated in a pan of water on a stovetop).
Stir well and gently crush the berries. Cool mixture for five
minutes and then strain through a fine sieve to remove all the fruit
pieces. Stir again and set aside to cool completely. When cool,
transfer into decorative containers and tie with a ribbon.
6. Glycerine Soaps
Glycerin blocks
Liquid food coloring
Petroleum jelly
Cotton swabs
Ice cube trays or soap molds
Cut glycerin into chunks, then place in a microwavable bowl. Melt
the glycerin in the microwave on HIGH, stirring at 15-second
intervals. About halfway through melting, add a drop or two of food
coloring. With a cotton swab, coat the inside of the ice cube tray
with petroleum jelly. Pour melted glycerin into the molds, filling
each section almost to the top. Let cool at room temperature for
about 2 hours. The soaps will come out easily. Tie them in
cellophane or place in a gift box.
7. Bath Cookies
2 cups finely ground sea salt
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons light oil
2 eggs
5-6 drops essential oil of your choice
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine all of the above
ingredients and then take a generous teaspoon of the dough and form
it into a ball. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake the cookies
for about 10 minutes, until they are lightly browned (do not
overbake). Allow the cookies to cool completely. Wrap in cellophane
and give as gifts.
To Use: Drop 1 or 2 cookies into a warm bath, allow to dissolve.
These gift ideas first appeared in the 2004 issue of 'Celebrating
Christmas PDF Magazine', a freely downloadable magazine, and
is an excerpt from the feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'.
