Everyone loves pampering gifts for the bath. When they're made at home you know bath salts and powders are free of chemicals or skin irritants.

Make your natural bath salts extra special by adding essential oils to create a delightful aromatherapy experience.

Decorate small jars or canisters with a custom label, .instruction / fragrance information tag, and ribbon, and you've got a lovely home made gift perfect for a birthday, Mother's Day, or to use as a hostess gift.

General Directions

Mix up each batch of Bath Salts or Bath Powder ingredients in a large glass, ceramic or plastic bowl, then pack loosely into small jars or canisters. (You can even use strong, small plastic bags with twist ties or zip tops.)

Jar Preparation

Use small jars with screw-on tops or medium size decorative clear canister jars to package your home made salts after mixing. You can also recycle small food jars such as those from jam, jelly or baby food, or buy them at a thrift shop, or discount store. If you decide to use a larger jar or a canister container, you can include a small measuring scoop, too.

Wash the jars and lids thoroughly, remove traces of old labels and dry well inside and out. Spray paint the lids if desired.

Presentation

Fill jar with bath salts, secure the lid, then tie ribbon around the neck of the jar. By punching a hole in the corner of the Instruction.- fragrance information tag, you can secure it to the ribbon as you tie the bow. Glue a pretty label to the jar. You can add your own special message to the back of the tag..

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Fragrant Sandalwood Bath Salts

Customized labels and tags for you to print. Large Labels - Small Labels (It takes a few seconds to open...)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1 cup tartaric acid
• 1/2 cup cornflour
• 8 drops sandalwood essential oil (a little goes a long way)
• 40 drops geranium essential oil
• 4 drops lemon essential oil
• Sterilized glass jar for blending and storage

Instructions

1. Mix together dry ingredients in a ceramic bowl.
2. Add the essential oils. Be sure to measure out each drop to get the perfect balance and blend of essential oils.
3. Stir as you add the drops.
4. Place mixture into a small jar and screw on the lid.
5. Keep in a dry spot out of direct sunlight for 2 - 3 days to allow the oils to blend. Shake periodically to assist movement of the essential oil through the bath salts and to prevent clumping.
6. Add 3-4 heaping tablespoons of bath salts to running water.

Be aware that the cost of sandalwood essential oil is high because the sandalwood tree in India is endangered. Plantations have been established in various countries, such as Australia, Hawaii, Fiji and Indonesia.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Mandarin Orange Bath Salts

Customized labels and tags for you to print. Instruction Tags - Labels (It takes a few seconds to open...)

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ c. Epsom salts
• ½  c. baking soda
• 3 T. finely ground oatmeal (not quick cooking)
• 6 drops mandarin orange essential oil
• 2 teaspoons liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer)

Directions:

Combine baking soda, Epsom salt, oatmeal, and glycerin until well blended, add essential oil, stirring until well mixed. Store in tightly sealed jars.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Jasmine Rose Bath Salts

Customized labels and tags for you to print. Instruction Tags - Labels (It takes a few seconds to open...)

Ingredients:

• 5 drops jasmine absolute essential oil
• 2 drops rose absolute essential oil
• 5 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
• 1 cups Epsom salts or sea salt
• 1 cup baking soda
• 2 teaspoons liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer)

Directions:

Combine baking soda, Epsom salt and glycerin until well blended, add scents stirring until there are no clumps just a fine powder. Store in tightly sealed jars.

Note: Liquid glycerin used as a skin moisturizer, is a by-product of soap making. Glycerin can be found at health food stores, some drug stores, or major department stores depending on where you live. Its also readily available on the Internet as well.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Effervescent Aromatic Bath Powder

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 tsp. essential oil
• 3-4 drops food coloring (optional)

Mix all ingredients well in a large plastic or glass bowl. Package in a pretty air tight canister or jar with a small measuring scoop; include directions for use on a tag or label.

To use, sprinkle 2 tablespoons into warm bath water to dissolve and activate the effervescent fizzy aromatherapy. Mmmm... heavenly!

back to Articles

back to Projects

back to Gift Basket Ideas for Her

home