Make Your Own: Spa Gifts for Teachers!
'Tis that time of year where we always manage to forget some of the most important people in our lives that we rarely see... the kids teachers. Not to mention their bus driver..... and the mail carrier. Those people that do the "behind the scenes" jobs that we are so grateful for, but we rarely see them, so they are easily forgotten in the midst of all the holiday chaos. But not this year!!
This year, we are going to be the family that remembers them! So let's get to making them some personal handmade gifts to show our appreciation!
One idea that I am going to go for this year is a spa package idea, with mostly homemade items and inexpensive items that can easily be found. So here goes!
To make a nice little spa gift set, you can use the following:
- A Mason jar, basket, or any other packaging item that is to your liking;
- A loofah or nice washcloth;
- A nicely scented sugar or sea salt body scrub;
- A handmade soap;
- A handmade lip balm;
- A handmade body lotion;
- A few handmade lotion or massage bars;
- Some relaxing tea bags;
- A few scented tea light candles
And any other ideas that you can come up with!
For the handmade items, DON'T FEEL INTIMIDATED!! Handmade items are very personal, and usually very appreciated because so much thought and work have gone into them. Most of these items are so very easy to make, and won't break the bank, and whatever you don't give away, you can most certainly use for your family or friends.
The following are recipe ideas for the above mentioned handmade items, but feel free to use anything you like!
Lemongrass and Rosemary Sugar Scrub
This lightly scented scrub is perfect as a homemade gift! The olive oil is a wonderful base, and is wonderful for use on the skin, while the sugar exfoliates dead skin, leaving your skin soft and glowing. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils, and you can certainly substitute the scents with any scent you have available or any scent you (or the recipient) prefer!
You will need:
A few small Mason jars
1 cup Rosemary infused Olive oil (made a few days beforehand)
2 cups of white sugar
1/4 to 1/2 ounce of Lemongrass Fragrance or Essential Oil
2 tsp. Vitamin E oil
(To make the Rosemary infused Olive oil, place one cup of olive oil in a sauce pan and add a few sprigs of rosemary. Warm the oil with the rosemary sprigs for about 5 minutes. Store in a sealed container for a day or so to allow for a good infusion)
Combine the Rosemary infused olive oil, Vitamin E oil and Lemongrass fragrance oil or essential oil and mix well. Then add the 2 cups of white sugar, and mix until it has formed into a paste. Put the required amount in the Mason jar and seal tightly. Allow to sit for a few days before use to allow the ingredients to be perfectly combined. Use during shower.
When you are ready to package the scrub for gift giving, place a label of your choice on top with the name, tie some ribbon around the neck of the jar with a gift tag (it may be a good idea to include the ingredients on the label, in case your recipient has any allergies), and decorate as you wish!
Homemade Beeswax Lip Balm
A homemade lip balm is perfect for those dry chapped lips that seem to plague some people during those cold winter months, and offers great protection in the prevention of chapped lips department! I personally love making and using these for my family.
You will need:
Small containers to hold lip balm (You can find these in your local craft store, order them online, or use some Altoid tins!)
1 tbs. grated beeswax
1 tbs. olive oil
1/2 tsp. of Vitamin E oil
A few drops of Fragrance oil or Essential oil of your choice (I personally use peppermint EO in mine!)
Melt the beeswax in a heatproof container (Pyrex measuring cup works perfect!) in the microwave. Do it in 30 second increments; beeswax is flammable and can catch fire if heated for too long. OR you can melt it in a container set in a saucepan half full with boiling water, or a double boiler.
Once melted, mix in the olive oil, Vitamin E oil, and your choice of FO or EO.
Pour into container and allow to harden fully before using.
Handmade Body Lotion
You will need:
Mason Jar, or any container that suits your needs. (Caution: Avoid a pump bottle, as this lotion will NOT pump well)
1/2 cup Olive oil
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Beeswax
1 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
2 tbs. Shea or Cocoa Butter (Optional)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Fragrance or Essential Oil
Mix all the ingredients in a heatproof container and place container in a saucepan half full over boiling water. Allow ingredients to melt, stirring often. Once all ingredients are melted and combined well, pour into container of choice and allow to sit for a while before using.
Enjoy making your creations, as I am certain that your intended recipients will enjoy using them!! Have fun, and don't be afraid to let the kids participate in the creating of the handmade body care products! They'll love it, and it will mean more to them.
