This time of year everyone loves to receive gifts.  The act of giving a gift can also be very pleasurable.  I really enjoy making things for my family.  I have the pleasure of thinking about the recipient the whole time I am making their gift.  Plus with some gifts, I have the comfort of knowing exactly what I am giving them.

Two of my favorite gifts to give are homemade bath salts and homemade lip balm.  These two gifts are simple to make and I can choose good organic ingredients so I am sure I am gving something healthy.

For lip balm you will need:

a double boiler or one pan that fits inside another

measuring spoons

3 teaspoons of grated organic bees wax (I use the kind I would chew, it’s harder to grate but still has a bit of honey in it)

5 teaspoons of organic sunflower oil or jojoba oil

Sometime I like to put a teaspoon of organic coconut oil in too.

organic food grade essential oil

organic honey

Place a little water (about 1 inch) in the lower pan of the double boiler (or the larger pan).  Place the other pan on top and melt the beeswax and oil together in the top pan.  Make sure you stir.  Remove from the heat and add 6 drops of essential oil like peppermint, orange, lemon, etc.  Add 1 teaspoon of honey.  Stir and pour into little containers.  Yum, you’re done.

For bath salts you will need:

a bowl for mixing

Organic Sea Salt or Kosher Salt

Food grade essential oils (do not use the aromatherapy oils found in department stores, use real organic essential oil)

Herbs if desired (Comfrey Leaf, Sage Leaf, Lavender Petal, Chamomile Flower, Spearmint Leaf, Elder Flower, Licorice Root, Lemon Peel, Rosehips)

reusable tea bags if you use herbs

To make the bath salts, measure out 6 cups of salt into the bowl.  Add 8 drops of oil, stirring as you add the oil to distribute it evenly.  Add herbs like lavender, sage, and the others listed above sooth the skin.  Add about 1/2 cup to the 6 cups of bath salts and mix thoroughly.  Pour your creation into one or two pretty jars (I look for these at thrift shops).  Include reusable tea bags (you can buy these at most health food stores or make your own) or a tea ball if you have put herbs in your mixture.  Using the tea bags will prevent the giftee from having a mess in the bathtub and herbs stuck to their body when they get out of the tub.  Include these instructions on a nice piece of paper:  Place 1/4 cup of mixture in tea bag (or ball), place in warm or hot bath water and enjoy!

Be sure to make an extra batch for yourself so you can relax and enjoy them. 

Deb