Here are some instant gifts to make and give away. But you may want to keep them for yourself!


Bath salts
Place Epsom salts, a few drops of essential oils, and colouring (if desired) into a paper bag and shake well. Pour the salts into corked jars or bottles. To decorate the bottles, corks and stoppers, hot-glue on fabric or dried rosebuds, lavender or flowers.

Bath oils
Place dried flowers into a decorative glass bottle. Add 50 drops of an essential oil to 100ml sweet almond oil. Replace the cork and shake to blend. Decorate the bottle (as above).



Flower water
Make a tea using a handful of fresh flower heads and 300ml boiled purified water. Leave to infuse, strain and cool. Pour into bottle, add sprigs of lavender or rose petals. Tie a bow around the neck of the bottle and decorate.

To seal the bottle, safely melt some candle wax and carefully pour over the cork. Trim the wax with a sharp knife.


Essential oil recipes

Romance: 20 drops ylang ylang and 15 drops each of patchouli and orange.

Restful sleep: 30 drops lavender and 10 drops each of sandalwood and frankincense.

Stimulating: 20 drops lavender and 15 drops each of grapefruit and bergamot.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Christmas 1999