Some ideas for hand-made aromatic Christmas gifts
Herbs, spices and perfumes have traditionally played a major role during the festive season. The power of fragrance is well known for its ability to stir the creative imagination while the warmth of spices can help to ward off any colds and chills over the winter months. Perfumes and incense materials conjure up the magic of the East and the ancient spice trail, where some natural aromatics such as frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon have come to be especially associated with Christmas celebrations. Essential oils including lavender, orange, juniper berry, bay and pine needle plus a whole array of fragrant spices including allspice, cardamom, cloves, ginger and nutmeg also feature prominently in the traditional customs and culinary recipes for Christmas. The rituals associated with Christmas such as feasting, making mulled wine, lighting candles and exchanging gifts between family and friends are also inherent and time-honoured aspects of these celebrations. One of the original aromatic gifts found in the Bible which was offered to Moses, consisted of a unique blend of 1 part of myrrh, 5 parts frankincense and 2.5 parts benzoin.
Aromatic presents can be cost-effective
Aromatic presents, however, do not need to be extravagant: rather you can celebrate your creative spirit by making individually designed presents. Children love making homemade gifts and an afternoon spent making things together can be fun for all the family. Making homemade DIY aromatic presents is also very cost effective since essential oils go a long way, since you often only need to use a few drops per recipe. You only really need to invest in a few essential oils and then they can be used in many different ways – plus friends and family each receive a bespoke and personalised gift.
Here are a few ideas for you to try – but of course the list is endless… You can make anything from lip balms to fragrant soaps, and bath salts to bespoke natural perfumes. You can also simply scent individual gifts, cards or even your home Christmas decorations! There are many DIY recipes available online, or to find in botanical crafting books, such as our friend Angela Maynard’s, ‘The Art of Gifting Naturally’, from where we have taken the candle recipe below.
Decorative Pot Pourris
Autumn and winter is the perfect time for collecting dried seed pods, cones, leaves etc while out for a walk. Flower petals and other aromatic items, such as orange or tangerine peel, can also be dried easily by laying them out on a sheet of newspaper and sliding them under a chest away from the light for up to ten days to add to your blends.
Ingredients:
50g dried rose petals and/or other flower petals
25g dried lavender flowers
25g dried leaves, orange peel, seed pods, cones etc,
1/3 nutmeg, grated
(you can also add dried spices to your mix such as cardamom pods, juniper berries or cloves)
50 drops of essential oil (suggestion: 25 drops lavender essential oil, 15 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops orange essential oil, 5 drops clove essential oils)
Method:
- Measure out and blend the essential oils into a small glass bottle. The ratio to use is 50 drops of essential oil to every (100g) dried plant materials.
- Put all the dry ingredients into a storage container, such as a large glass jar and add the essential oil blend and mix thoroughly.
- Seal the container and leave to mature in a dark place for between two to three weeks.
- Once ready, pack the pot pourris into individual bags or a glass jar and seal with a decorative ribbon to present as a gift.
- (Your essential oils blend can be used to ‘top up’ the pot pourris fragrance after a few weeks if required.)
Hop and Lavender Bags
Depending on the choice of essential oils you wish to use, dried flower bags can be used to promote restful sleep, to ward off moths or simply to fragrance a drawer or laundry cupboard. This recipe makes approximately 4 bags.
Ingredients:
Mini cotton bags (or make your own fabric pouches)
200g dried hops & lavender flowers (can also add dried chamomile flowers)
6-10 drops essential oils of your choice (I used rose geranium, cedrat and lavandin)
Ribbon or string off-cuts
Method:
- Mix the dried flowers with your chosen essential oils in a bowl.
- Blend the oils to your preference and you can choose how potent you wish the scent to be.
- Add the mix to your cotton bags or homemade pouches.
- Add the mix to however full you see fit, depending on the size of your pouch/bag.
- Close up the pouch or bag and decorate with some festive ribbon or string as a gift.
Coconut Sugar, Coffee and Honey Body Scrub
Coffee is naturally a great antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. This scrub can help to diminish the appearance of cellulite, tighten and tone the look of skin and is a great natural exfoliate. It can be used as a body scrub in a warm bath or shower 1-2 times a week. It is best to avoid use on the face.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons finely-ground coffee (I used recycled grounds as this is a great way to use up leftover grounds)
2 tablespoons carrier oil (I used jojoba and coconut)
1 tablespoon sugar (I used coconut sugar)
1 tablespoon local honey.
6-8 drops of essential oil (I used petitgrain and lavender)
(optional) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
Method:
- Stir all ingredients together until combined.
- Blend and add the essential oils of your choice to your preference.
- Store in a sealed jar for up to 2 months before use.
- Offer in a glass sealed container with some festive ribbon or string tied around as a gift.
Scented Candle
Have you considered making your own candles? Candle making is becoming ever more popular as we appreciate the benefits of wholly natural products. There is a wonderful candle making recipe (and in fact many more recipe ideas) in Angela Maynard’s new book ‘The Art of Gifting Naturally’ which I’ve included below.
Time: 30mins (plus setting time) Makes: Five 120ml (4 fl oz) jars
You will need:
Glass jars or tins with a lid (I used 120ml/4 fl oz brown glass candle jars)
5 candle wicks suitable for soy wax and long enough for your chosen vessel (I used 10cm [4 in] soy pre-waxed wicks).
500g (1lb 2 oz) soy wax pellets
100 drops of an essential oil of your choice (I used Eucalyptus)
Equipment:
Wooden pegs
Heat-proof jug
Saucepan
Wooden stirrer or chopstick
Cooking thermometer
For gifting:
Gift tag
Brown string, ribbon or raffia
Cotton pouch
Dried flower stem
Method
As with soap-making, there is a significant amount of work in making candles, so it is certainly worth producing a few at the same time, as you do need to worry about them going off. I suggest making five in one batch. If, however, you are making only one for a specific friend, you will just need to divide the quantities given here accordingly.
- Prepare your jars by positioning the wicks in the centre of the base. I used wicks that stick directly to the bottom of the jar.
- Clip a peg to the top of each wick, resting the peg on the rim of the jar. This will keep the wick in place while the candle sets.
- Measure out your essential oil and set to one side. You’ll need to add it to the wax when it’s still hot to avoid air bubbles forming.
- Decant the soy wax pellets into the jug and fill a saucepan with 5cm (2 in) of water. Place the jug in the pan and gradually melt the wax fully over a medium heat. Use a wooden spoon stirrer or chopstick to help the wax melt.
- When the wax reaches a temperature of 45-50°C (113-122 °F) remove from the heat and immediately add the essential oils. You will roughly need 100 drops for every 500g (1lb 2 oz) of wax, though you can vary this depending on how strongly scented you want your candle to be.
- Using the wooden stirrer or chopstick, thoroughly stir the essential oils into the mixture. They need to be distributed evenly through the wax to ensure a consistent and even scent when burning.
- Once the wax and essential oil mixture is fully combined you can pour it slowly into the jars and leave to cool completely. Leave the candles to fully cure and harden for as long as possible – one or two weeks is a good length of time.
- Once the candles have completely set, remove the pegs and cut the wicks to 5mm (¼ in). This will allow for the best burn.
- The lids can now be placed on the jars to prevent dust and help retain the scent by ensuring the essential oils don’t evaporate. Tie a personalised gift tag to each jar with brown string or cord of your choice. I like to wrap my candles in brown paper or place them along a cotton pouch tied with a ribbon along with decorative dried flower stem.