DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

Body Powder

You will need:
* a round piece of cotton fabric (20-30cm diam)
* 10cm+ a length of ribbon
* 2-4 table spoons dried lavender flowers or rock salt
* a jar with lid (an empty JOLI moisturiser container works well)
* 1/4 cup bi-carb soda
* 1 tablespoon corn flour
* essential oils (optional) – such as lavender, cypress or mandarin

Place the lavender flowers in the center of the fabric, bundle up the fabric ends and tie it up with the ribbon to make a round powder puff (see above picture). Place the bi-carb and corn flour in the jar with a few drops of essential oils. Place the lid on the jar and mix gently by giving a shake. If using essential oils stand for 24hrs and shake again gently before use.  Use the lavender flower powder puff to apply the powder to your underarms and body.  Do not use on babies or small children and do not apply to raw wounds - powder may sting cuts.

Age Fighting Facial Mask

• 2 teaspoons plain yogurt
• ½ teaspoon honey (or Agave Nectar)
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 capsules of vitamin E (from health food shop)

Open vitamin E capsules or pierce with a pin and squeeze contents into a bowl, discard capsule shells.  Combine remainder of ingredients with vitamin E in a bowl and mix well.  Apply mask to face and leave to sit for 15 minutes before thoroughly cleansing your face.

Recipe to be made immediately prior to use.  Discard any leftovers.

Carpet Deodoriser

·     ½  cup bicarb soda

·    2-10 drops scent of choice i.e. lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree.

Drip a few drops of oils into the bicarb soda, using only a few drops at first - you can add more later if you feel the scent is not strong enough.  Mix the oils into the bicarb with the back of a metal teaspoon making sure to blend the bicarb and oils thoroughly until there are no clumps of oil droplets.  Find a container with holes in the top useful for sprinkling your carpet deodorizer onto your carpet.  Sprinkle and leave for a few minutes before vacuuming.  Also deodorizes the inside of your vacuum.

Natural Scented Bath Oil

You will need

·         Vegetable oil with a low scent, such as caster oil, olive oil (not extra virgin olive oil which has a strong scent), macadamia oil, sweet almond oil, soya bean oil, avocado oil.

·         Natural additives such as: coffee beans, vanilla pod, scented rose petals, mint geranium leaves, lemon verbena, mint, orange peel, lavender etc.

·         Glass jars, cleaned and sterilized in boiling water.

Place your additive(s) in the bottom of a glass jar (you can blend additives if you like or keep them separate).  Pour your vegetable oil over the top of the additive(s) until just covered.  Place the lid on the jar.  Attach a sticker to the jar noting your creation, i.e. coffee beans in olive oil, and date it.  Sit the container on a sunny window sill for 2 to 4 weeks.

To use, drizzle some scented oil into your bath to moisturise your body while you relax.

From left to right:

apple; mint geranium; mandarin (bottom); cinnamon (top); carrot, vanilla (top), coffee (front).

Home Made Leg & Body Wax

You will need

·         ½ cup sugar

·         15ml lemon juice

·         15ml water

·         strips of cotton

·         a plastic knife

Place all ingredients in a small pot and simmer until sugar is dissolved.  Bring to the boil and boil for around 5 minutes until liquid gets to soft ball stage (see picture, on the spoon).  Allow to cool then pour into a 100g glass jar.

To use: heat in a microwave for 10 seconds until liquid is runny but not hot.

Apply to area with a plastic butter knife (metal knives can be too hot) and use natural cotton strips to peel off and remove hair.

Sugar is a natural preservative so this wax should last a good while.  Though it will eventually crystallize.

PLUS: Home Made Chocolate Bath Bombs
 

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Present all these wonderful DIY gifts in pretty jars with ribbons and tags and you have some wonderful gifts to give your family and friends this Christmas!!