Here’s something a little different this week. The holidays are  here, so you might want to gear up to get your presents ready. While expensive watches and other gifts are well received by all, why not surprise your loved ones with a nice homemade gift this year?

You can make your own range of holiday gifts using essential oils. Everybody is a fan of scented oils, soaps, perfumes and other scented body products. So, why not gift your loved ones something that smells wonderful but it is free from all sorts of harmful chemicals? Here is a list of holiday gifts you can create using essential oils:

Homemade Orange Blossom Body Spray

There’s nothing like the tangy smell of oranges. Your friends are going to love this easy to make body spray. Here’s what you need.

Ingredients:

2 oz Amber glass bottle

1 oz of distilled water
70 to 90 drops of orange essential oil
½ tsp vegetable glycerin

Method:
Mix all the ingredients well and transfer to a mist bottle! Gift wrap and then give away.

Herb and Citrus Soap

There’s nothing like the sweet misty smell of a nice homemade herb and citrus soap.

Ingredients:
Assorted herbs and citrus like basil, rosemary and mints
Orange and lemon essential oils
Glycerin soap block
Cooking spray

Method:

Melt the glycerin soap blocks using a double boiler. Melt the soap in small intervals and stir the big chunks into small pieces until the melted mixture is smooth. If you’re in a hurry, you can use a microwave for this step.

When the glycerin has melted, add all the ingredients and mix it together.

Transfer the mixture in a soap mold.

Freeze the mixture.

Enjoy!

Lavender Rosemary Candle

Everybody loves candles. Here’s how you can make your own lavender rosemary candles right at home.

Ingredients:
4 cups of soy wax flakes
30 drops of lavender essential oil
30 drops of rosemary essential oil
½ dried lavender and rosemary (optional)

Supplies:
2 jars
2 washcloths
2 wicks with a metal base
double boiler

Method:
Pour water in the bottom of the boiler and wait for it to boil. Then add the soy wax flakes into the top boiler. Turn down the heat a little and allow the soy wax flakes to melt. With the help of a spoon, start stirring until the lump are all melted and the soy wax flakes have turned into liquid.

Dip the metal wicks into the wax (the soy flakes mixture). Place the ends at the center of each candle jar. You can use chopsticks to secure the metal. The wax acts a glue to secure the position of wicks at the bottom of the jar.

When the metal end has set in the candle wax, straighten the metal wick and secure it fixed at the mouth of the jar.

Add the essential oils to the wax.
Pour the wax onto the jars carefully.
Add herbs to the mixture if necessary and stir slowly with a chopstick.

To prevent the wax from cooling too fast, use a warm washcloth and wrap it around the jars. This helps the wax set properly and prevents cracks.

Let the candles set for a day.
Trim the ends of the metal wicks.

Yes you still have time to create any one of these items, so Gift away!

T’is the Season …

Have a Happy!

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care