Making Herbal Gifts - Lip Balms and Bath Bags

Don't forget to check out the Advent Calendar for more recipes and tips available each day until Dec. 25th!


Pampering Gifts

Herby pamper products to give as gifts are sweet, fun and much less expsnsive that the store alternatives.  At a recent workshop I made Herb Bath Bags, Bath Salts, Lip Balms and more.  Here are a few recipes we did not get to try that day.

Chocolate Lip Gloss
This one is simple & easy and you can make it with your kids.  It uses a few simple ingredients from the grocery and a microwave!

2 tsp. petroleum jelly

1/8 tsp. honey

10 mini Hershey's milk chocolate chips

1/8 tsp. shortening

Directions:

1. Carefully mix all ingredients into a microwave safe container.  Make sure they are all clumped together.  Do not put a lid on. 
2. Heat on high power for 30 seconds, stir then repeat until fully melted. 
3. Then pour into a small bottle and freeze for 15 minutes or until solid. 
4. Then you can apply on to your lips.

Store bought salt scrubs can cost a pretty penny these days, but the ingredients to make your very own salt scrub right at home cost next to nothing. This simple body scrub recipe provides a refreshing departure and the delicious scents will invigorate your senses while exfoliating and sloughing away dead skin. Here’s how to make a cinnamon ginger body scrub right at home. 

Cinnamon Ginger Body Scrub

·         1 cup sea salt

·         1/2 tsp ground ginger

·         1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

·         1 cup olive oil (almond oil works well too)

·         Fork

·         Large spoon

·         Small mixing bowl

·         Airtight glass or plastic jars

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the sea salt, ginger, cinnamon and oil. Mix vigorously with a fork until fully combined.
2. Let the mixture sit until the salt has settled to the bottom of the bowl (about an hour). There should be a thin layer of oil covering the mixture. If you need to add more oil, do it now.
3. Scoop the mixture into an airtight container. If you’re selling the scrub at a fair or giving it away as gifts, pick out some cute vintage bottles or wide-mouthed glass jars to store them in. Make sure that the containers you choose seal completely, so the mixture doesn’t dry up.
4. Use the scrub. While in the shower or at the sink, apply the scrub to damp skin and scrub gently. Rinse with warm water. Avoid using salt scrubs on delicate facial skin.

This Bath Truffle is something I want to develop into a product, some day, but for now I only make it for my freinds... Try it with your leftover champagne.

CHAMPAGNE BATH TRUFFLES

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups baking soda
7 Tbls. citric acid
3.5 Tbls. cocoa butter

a little left over champagne
1 tsp. your favorite essential/fragrance oil (optional)
a little gold mica and/or cosmetic grade glitter (optional)

Directions:

1. Melt the cocoa butter
2. Place baking powder and citric in a bowl and mix well
3. Add the champagne to the melted cocoa butter - how much champagne?  Well hopefully you won't have too much left in the bottle, but about a third of a champagne glass is enough.  Don’t add too much or the mixture will be too sloppy.
4. Pour the champagne/cocoa butter into the baking soda/citric acid mixture and mix well.
5. Add your fragrance/essential oil if you are using it and mix again. 
6. Add your gold mica and/or glitter if you are using them and mix again.
7. Place into molds - ice cube trays, little petit fours cases, small cup cake tins - they'll all do.  Leave to set. 

Directions for use:  Run a warm bath, pop a champagne bath truffle into the bath and enjoy.

If you like bath and spa items but do not have the time to craft them yourself, try those made by the Backyard Patch with organic herbs and natural ingredients -- Backyard Patch Bath Products!