As the Holiday Season approaches, time is slipping away to discover those perfect, thoughtful gifts that show you care. Fortunately, the ideas I’m about to share are not only simple to assemble but also will impress your loved ones all year round. If you’re on the hunt for affordable yet luxurious gifts that can be made in a flash, you’ve come to the right place! Don’t fret if you’re a novice at making homemade beauty products; I assure you that these recipes can be put together quickly and easily.
You might even find that you have some, if not all, of the necessary ingredients at home already. If you don’t, they’re definitely worth picking up, as each ingredient can be utilized in several other recipes for skin and body care featured on my blog.
To make this process as straightforward as possible, I’ve created a downloadable file that includes all the recipes mentioned in this post, along with beautifully designed labels and matching gift tags. You can find them in the FREE Resource Library. Don’t have the password yet? Signing up is quick and easy, and your password will be delivered to your inbox in no time!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience, meaning that if you purchase something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure policy here.
Feel free to repurpose jars you already have or explore your local Dollar Tree store, my favorite spot for all kinds of sturdy and affordable glassware. Not long ago, I found my favorite jars there:
It’s hard to believe they were only a dollar, right? I particularly love jars with air-tight lids for these projects. While they can be a bit more challenging to find during the Holiday season, I recommend purchasing them whenever you see them. You won’t regret it! If you prefer to stay in, these pint-sized canning jars are an excellent alternative and are handy for many different uses.
LUXURIOUS GIFTS YOU CAN MAKE IN NO TIME
Soothing and Relaxing Bath Salt
This incredibly simple recipe is one I’ve been using for years. It’s wonderfully relaxing and calming, making it perfect for a warm bath right before bedtime! All the recipes mentioned here are also available in a printable format in the FREE Resource Library.
Let’s dive in! To create my soothing and relaxing bath salt, you will need just three basic ingredients. This recipe yields 1 1/2 cups of bath salt, which is the exact amount we typically use for two baths:
- 1 cup Epsom Salt – easily found at any drugstore or stores like Walmart and Target
- 1/2 cup Baking Soda
- 10-15 drops of high-quality essential oils, such as lavender, lemon, cedarwood, or geranium – I buy mine here
Optional: dried lavender buds. If you happen to have some on hand, they add a lovely touch to this recipe. Epsom salt also comes in a lavender version. While I usually prefer to buy the plain variety and add my own oils, feel free to choose what suits you best!
Mix all the ingredients in a clean, dry bowl until well combined. Using a fork or your hands works best to break up any lumps and ensure the essential oils are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Once mixed, scoop the bath salt into your clean, dry jar, and you’re done!
Pampering Sugar Scrub for Hands, Feet, and Body
The next recipe is just as easy, I promise! A sugar scrub is one of those sweet indulgences that won’t add inches to your waistline. Sugar has wonderful exfoliating properties, and you probably have it in your pantry right now. The oil in this scrub gives it its deeply moisturizing quality. You can use your favorite oil; for this batch, I opted for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is organic and easy to find. I’ve also made this scrub with grapeseed, avocado, and almond oil, or even a blend of several oils. The choice is yours!
Here is the basic sugar scrub recipe:
- 1 1/2 cups of organic cane sugar
- 1/2 cup organic oil (extra virgin olive, avocado, grapeseed)
Optional add-ons:
- High-quality essential oils – about 15-20 drops
- 1 tsp dried lemon peel powder
For this batch, I added lemon, peppermint, and lavender essential oils, along with lemon peel powder. I often save organic lemon peels after enjoying lemon water, drying them to use in recipes like this. Since you’ve paid for the whole lemon, it makes sense to use all of it, right? Grind the dried peels in a coffee grinder or zest the lemon peel before drying to save on grinding later.
Combine all ingredients in a clean, dry bowl, mixing until it resembles coarse wet sand. Pack the mixture slightly with a spoon as you fill the clean, dry jar. If the scrub is too runny, add a little extra sugar; if you prefer more moisture, add a touch more oil. After trying various oil and sugar combinations, I found that a ratio of three parts sugar to one part oil works best. Just ensure the scrub is well mixed before adjusting any ingredients. To use, scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and massage it generously onto your hands or feet. Rinse well and pat dry. Be cautious, as it can make your feet slippery if used in the shower! Note that this scrub is not suitable for delicate facial skin due to the coarse sugar crystals.
Emollient Hand and Body Balm
Every season presents its own challenges for keeping skin moisturized, and having a great natural moisturizer is an excellent way to fight dryness year-round. This last recipe is adapted from my favorite lip balm formulation, which I’ve been making and using for years—and I know you’ll love it too!
Here is the basic recipe:
- 1 1/2 cups of oil – I used avocado oil for this recipe
- 1/2 cup beeswax pellets OR 1/4 cup candelilla wax for a vegan alternative
- 2 tbsp shea butter (you can substitute mango butter)
- Optional: 20-30 drops of essential oils
Even if you don’t typically keep beeswax or shea butter on hand, consider picking some up. Both have excellent properties that make them skincare standouts. Plus, like many other ingredients mentioned, they’re versatile and can save you a lot of money in the long run. Think about it—you’re saving money by creating your own gifts right now!
This recipe requires warming the mixture to combine the ingredients, but my goal is to make it as simple as possible. The good news is that this recipe is not more labor-intensive than the previous two. To melt the ingredients, you’ll need a double boiler. The bottom pot should contain gently simmering water. To streamline the process, you can combine the ingredients in the jar you’ll be using for the balm, as long as it’s heat-proof. I recommend adding only about half of the oil initially until the beeswax pellets are fully melted, then add the rest of the oil. This will speed up the melting process significantly.
After the beeswax and shea butter are completely melted, carefully remove the jar from the double boiler (use oven mitts!). Let it cool slightly before adding your chosen essential oils. I opted for a delightful mix of tangerine essential oil (15 drops) and spearmint essential oil (5 drops). There’s just something refreshing about that citrus-mint combo!
Allow the balm to cool completely, and then all your luxurious homemade gifts are ready to be enjoyed! The amount I created filled my jar perfectly. If you have any leftover, pour it into a small jar for your personal use—you’ll definitely want to make more!
And here they are, all together! These adorable and practical gifts can be enjoyed well beyond the Holiday Season.
To adorn my jars, I used inexpensive ribbon from the Dollar Store and attached one of my printable labels using hot glue. Feel free to get creative with your jar decorations! Don’t forget to print out the easy-to-follow instructions from the FREE Resource Library, so you have them handy for the next time you need a quick, thoughtful gift that truly shows you care.
You can do this! Creating cute and heartfelt gifts shouldn’t be stressful. I’m confident your friends and family will appreciate a lovely gift, especially one that’s a treat without the extra calories.
If you love homemade beauty products and treatments, be sure to check out these posts:
- How to Create Homemade Soap like a Pro
- A Simple Awesome Face Mask Recipe
- Naturally Moisturizing Lip Balm for the Whole Family
Let me know if you try these recipes, and feel free to share your beautiful results in the Witty Gritty Life Facebook group!
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