We’ve reached that point in the year when many people’s thoughts turn to the holidays and the best gifts to give to their family and friends. Here are 10 quick and easy DIY essential oil recipes that make great holiday gifts.
1. Hair Serum
Hair serum made with essential oils is the perfect gift for any friend or loved one interested in thickening or strengthening her hair.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Castor Oil
- 10 drops Rosemary essential oil
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
Directions:
Pour castor oil into a dark glass dropper bottle and add each of the essential oils. Place lid on bottle tightly and shake vigorously until all oils are thoroughly mixed. Use dropper to apply serum to the scalp every morning. Wait 20 minutes and then wash hair as normal.
2. Exfoliating Body Scrub
I have found this recipe to be particularly good for removing dead skin cells and leaving skin looking bright and healthy.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Raw Olive Oil
- 1 cup Sea Salt
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Frankincense essential oil
- 5 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
Directions
Pour sea salt into a glass bowl. Using a metal spoon, mix in olive oil followed by each of the essential oils. Fill a glass pot with essential oil mixture and store in a cool dry place. To use the scrub, remove a silver dollar sized amount of the mixture and rub onto the skin. Repeat weekly for best results.
3. Lavender Linen Spray
This recipe is perfect for creating a relaxing and peaceful sleeping environment.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Witch Hazel
- 15-20 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 ounces Distilled Water
Directions:
Add witch hazel, lavender essential oil, and distilled water to a glass spray bottle. Replace lid and shake vigorously until mixture is well combined. Spray onto pillows and bedding before bed.
4. All Purpose Salve
This recipe can be used as a hand lotion or as a soothing solution for irritated skin.
Ingredients
- 5 drops Lemon essential oil
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil
- 5 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 2 ounces Raw Coconut Oil
Directions
Place raw coconut oil in a small glass bowl. Using a metal spoon, mix in all essential oils. Pour mixture into a glass lotion pot. Apply salve to irritated skin as needed.
5. Bath Salts
This recipe makes a particularly good gift for athletes and other physically active people because of its pain relieving qualities.
Ingredients
- 10 drops Panaway and/or Aroma Siez
- 5 drops Copiaba
- 1 cup Epsom Salts
Directions
In a large glass bowl, mix the Epsom salts with the essential oils using a metal spoon. Pour mixture into a glass pot and store in a cool dry place. To use bath salts, scoop 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the mixture into warm bath water as needed.
6. Peppermint Citrus Sugar Scrub
Peppermint Citrus Sugar Scrub provides a refreshing and invigorating way to remove dead skin cells and enliven your skin.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 1/4-1/3 cup oil of your choice: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Apricot Oil, or Avocado Oil (or a combination of these)
- 2-4 tablespoons Orange or Grapefruit Zest (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Glycerin (optional)
- 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 10-15 drops Wild Orange essential oil (Lemon or Grapefruit oil also works)
Directions
Mix together sugar, oil, zest, and vegetable glycerin. Add in the essential oils until the mixture reaches the desired scent. Store the sugar scrub mixture in a glass container with a tightly closed lid. To use the sugar scrub, rub a small amount of the mixture onto the skin and rinse with warm water.
7. Whipped Body Butter
Whipped body butter is the perfect gift for anyone who experiences dry skin often associated with winter weather.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Shea Butter
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil
- 1/4 cup Sweet Almond Oil
- 10-20 drops of Essential Oil (choose your favourite scent)
Directions
Combine shea butter, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil in a double boiler or small pot. Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture has melted into a liquid. Remove the pot from the heat and let the liquid start to set. Before the mixture has completely set, add essential oils and mix with either a hand or stand mixer until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Store the finished body butter in a glass container and use on dry skin as needed.
8. Hand Cream
Dry hands will be a thing of the past with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Shea Butter
- 1/8 cup Sweet Almond Oil
- 1 tablespoon Beeswax
- 10 drops Myrrh essential oil
- 10 drops Cedarwood essential oil
Directions
Heat shea butter, sweet almond oil, and beeswax in a double boiler until it melts. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Stir in essential oils and pour mixture into glass jar. Allow mixture to harden completely.
9. Room Spritzers
Your friends will love the wonderful and fresh scents created by these room spritzers.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Vodka, Rubbing Alcohol, or Real Vanilla Extract
- Essential oils of your choice
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a 8-ounce spray bottle and shake well.
10. Aromatherapy Playdough
Even the kids can join in on the essential oil fun with this homemade playdough recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Salt
- 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
- 1 cup Water
- 1.5 tablespoons Liquid Cooking Oil
- Food colouring of your choice
- 6-8 drops of essential oils of your choice
Directions
Stir together flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a sauce pan. Mix in water, cooking oil, and food colouring. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until the mixture forms a ball. Remove the pan from the heat once the mixture becomes the consistency of Playdough and allow it to cool. Gently knead essential oils into the mixture before placing it in an air-tight container.
