In the lead up to Christmas last year, I was a tad bit broke and a bit worried about what I was going to do for Christmas presents with no money to buy anything. So, I got crafty. I decided I would have a DIY Christmas and make my own presents. Not only was this option easier on my bank account, but it also gave me something fun to do (I’m on uni holidays so I welcome a project!) as well as adding that personal touch that makes giving gifts a bit more special. I’ve always like the idea of giving handmade gifts – it just seems so much more thoughtful than handing over a gift voucher or something generic like that.
So, along with my Homemade Toasted Muesli that I gave out as gifts, I made some beauty products for the girls (my mum and my boyfriend’s mum). Once I had made the soak, scrub and cream I popped them in cute little jars (just from a $2 shop) with pretty little labels (mine are from kikki.K – I am beyond obsessed with that shop!).
Lavender-Scented Milk & Salt Bath Soak, Peppermint-Scented Sugar Scrub and Rose-Scented Hand Cream
Sugar Scrub
The Sugar Scrub was the easiest to make of the three. I adapted my recipe from Martha Stewart’s blog.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups coarse sugar (I used granulated raw sugar)
- 1 cup oil (good quality, low scent)
- your choice of scented essential oil
Method:
- Stir together sugar and oil
- Add essential oils, a few drops at a time until you have reached desired scent
- Spoon mixture into jars
Milk & Salt Bath Soak
Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered milk
- 1 cup rock salt (optional)
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- your choice of scented essential oils
Method:
- Stir together powdered milk, salt and baking soda
- Add essential oils, a few drops at a time until you have reached desired scent
- Spoon mixture into jars
To Use: Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup to bath
Hand Cream
This cream can be used anywhere on the body, I have just labelled it as hand cream. I found this recipe on Patchwork Times via Pinterest (another obsession!). The recipe on the website lists ounces, but I didn’t have a way to measure so I just used cups and adjusted accordingly. I also added some rose scented essential oils, you can add whatever you like.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Baby Lotion
- 1 cup Vaseline
- 1 cup Vitamin E Cream
- your choice of scented essential oils
Method:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl
- Mix together with electric mixer until it looks like icing
- Add essential oils, a few drops at a time until you have reached desired scent
- Pop into jars/containers
What do you think of these products as gifts? Have you ever made anything similar? What are your favourite homemade gifts?
Eleanor x
