It's that time of year when we get the opportunity to give gifts to those that mean the most to us. Handmade gifts do not have to be elaborate, they can be simple & affordable to make while still being a thoughtful gift. When you make an item by hand you can tailor it to the likes & interest of the person you are gifting it to. Making for a unique and personal gift.
The handmade gift ideas I am sharing today are all bath/shower items. Everyone needs & deserves to take the time for some self care and a nice long bath or shower is a great way to give your brain and body a recharge.
Lavender Bath Tea
The first gift is a lavender bath tea. For this recipe you will need:
1 cup epsom salt
1/4 cup pink himalayn salt
Botanicals of choice(I used lavender buds, calendula petals & rose petals)
The lavender in this bath tea is great for relaxing your mind, body and soothing your skin where the epsom salt and pink himalayn salt are great for relaxing tense muscles.
To make the bath tea simply combine your epsom salt, pink himalayn salt, botanicals and Lavender essential oil in a bowl and stir until well combined. Then scoop this mixture into your empty tea bags & voila that is all there is to it. To use the bath tea, you simple add the tea bag to a warm bath and let it work it's magic. Once you are finished bathing just throw away the tea bag. No mess to clean up since the botanicals are all contained within the tea bag. I have made a label you can print and tie to the tea bag as well so the recipient will know how to use the bath tea.
Bergamot & Cedarwood Exfoliating Massage Soap
The second gift idea is a cedarwood & bergamot exfoliating massage soap. This is a great essential oil combination as the scent is unisex so makes a great gift for anyone on your list. One side of the soap can be used to massage sore muscles while the other side can be used to lightly exfoliate your skin.
For this recipe you will need:
1 Tablespoon walnut shell powder(coffee or apricot seed powder would make great substitutions as well)
Soap Colorant( I used green and brown)
Microwave safe container(s)
Split your shea butter melt and pour into two separate containers. Take your first container and add in your green soap colorant or colorant of choice and melt in 30 second intervals in the microwave until the base is completely melted.
Next add in 10 drops each of Bergamot and Cedarwood essential oils. Stir to combine.
Now pour into your massage bar mold filling each cavity halfway(this well make 3 bars in the linked mold). You will need to let this cool until it has firmed up enough where you can push on top of the layer without breaking through it.
Once your first layer has firmed up add your brown colorant(or colorant of choice to your second container of soap base. Heat in 30 second intervals in the microwave until completely melted.
Now add in 10 more drops each of your Bergamot and Cedarwood essential oils and your Tablespoon of walnut shell powder and stir to combine.
Now carefully pour over your first layer of soap.
Let harden for 4-6 hours before unmolding. If you are giving this soap as a gift I suggest packaging the bars in shrink wrap and then you can place your label right on the bar.
Stress Away Milk Bath Ornament
For the third gift we are going to make a Stress Away milk bath ornament. Milk baths are great for soothing dry skin and the stress away essential well melt all your cares away. You will be placing your milk bath in a clear plastic globe Christmas ornament for the perfect holiday touch.
For this recipe you will need:
3 Tablespoons of milk powder( I used a combination of coconut, goat and buttermilk powder but you can use all of one powder or any other combination of powders you like)
Clear plastic globe Christmas ornament
1 Tablespoon Corn Flower Petals or botanical of choice
To make you will simple place your milk powder in a container and crush out any lumps that may be in the powder. Then add in your Stress Away essential oil and corn flower petals and stir to combine. Next pour this mixture into your globe ornament add your label and voila you are finished. It doesn't get much easier than that to create a unique gift for the holidays.
I hope you enjoy making these three gifts as much as I did and that you have a happy and safe holiday season:)