Even More Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas!

Hello again everyone! Aren't you shocked, This will make 3 blog posts in 2 days. I think that's a new record for me. Give me a second while I pat myself on the back....Ok now that's that's done let's get into what today's post will be about. If you couldn't tell by the title I'm here with a few last minute gift ideas for Christmas. I know Christmas is just 2 days away. I'm sure someone is looking for some last minute DIY Christmas gifts. As I told you in my DIY Whipped Peppermint Pattie sugar scrub post, this year we had the theme of "Homemade Christmas". So here is what all we gave the women. A gift of an assortment of homemade goodies(plus one of the items we made for the men). 

I already have a whole blog post on how you can make this scrub. Check it out here.

Healing Honey and Clay Mask
What you need:
3 tablespoons all natural Bentonite Clay*
3 1/2 tablespoons water, or apple cider vinegar
1-2 Teaspoons raw honey*

What you do:
Mix all of the above ingredients together in a glass bowl. Once they are well mixed scoop them to a nice container. We got this small jar on sale 50% off at Hobby Lobby. Add a label and some ribbon and you're all ready to gift.

Directions for Use:
Apply Healing honey and Clay 
mask generously to face or other
area. Let it dry for 5-10 minutes
for delicate skin, and 15-20 
minutes for normal skin. Remove 
mask by rinsing with warm water 
or by using a warm damp washcloth. 
Slight redness is normal and should 

disappear in 30 min. 

*You can get bentonite clay and raw honey at any health food store.

Body Powder/Dry Shampoo
What you need:
2 parts cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1 part baking soda
a couple drops of your favorite essential oil(I used orange oil)

What to do:
Mix together cornstarch or arrowroot powder with baking soda. Add in a couple drops of essential oil. Stir all ingredients together. Sift if there are any lumps. Then pour the mixture into a salt shaker. Add a label, some ribbon and you're ready to gift.

Note: If you are making this as a dry shampoo, and you have dark hair. You can add in some coco powder to darken the mixture.

Peppermint Lip balm 
What you need:
3 parts bees wax
2 1/2 parts shea butter(you could also use coco butter)
1 part almond oil
several drops peppermint oil

Solid Cologne, or Perfume
What you need:
3 parts bees wax
2 parts coconut oil
1 part almond oil
your favorite essential oils like sandalwood, and clove 

The preparation is the same on the lip balm, and solid cologne/perfume. 

Place all of your ingredients in heat safe container. We found that a glass measuring cup worked best because the pour spout make it easier to pour the lip balm into the tubes. You can either melt your ingredients on the stove in a double boiler like we did. Or you can microwave them. If you use the double boiler method always put the glass measuring cup into cool water. Glass has to heat up slowly or it will crack. We filled the pot 1/3 of the way with cool water, placed the measuring cup with the ingredients into the pot. Then we turned the stove top onto high heat and waited for our ingredients to melt. Stirring it along the way.

While waiting on your mixture to melt lay down some wax paper where you will be pouring the lip balm into the containers. This makes it easier to clean up any possible spills. When your lip balm mixture has melted, carefully pour it into your lip balm containers. You can get lip balm containers online, or at a craft supply store like Hobby Lobby. 

We also put small a bag of homemade hot coco, and a bag of the dry ingredients for my favorite brownie in a cup  along with their directions into the gift bags. I hope you find this helpful. All of these items are very easy to make, and who doesn't love a homemade gift, right? These gifts would be great for any occasion, not just Christmas. Now, while you still have time get to making some homemade Christmas gifts! Like me on Facebook to see more from me. If you love animals check out A&A Pet Grooming. I'm also on Instagram and Pinterest, and Twitter . Check out my other blog for all things nails. 
Have a Merry Christmas,

Last Minute Christmas Gift: Whipped Peppermint Pattie Sugar Scrub

Hello again everyone! I know it's been a while. So, are you ready for another DIY post? I hope so! This year we chose the theme of "Homemade Christmas". All of our gifts exchanged were homemade. This was a little tricky, but here is one of the gifts we made for the lovely ladies in our family. I love sugar scrub, and this one is chocolate! What woman doesn't love a good chocolate sugar scrub?! I know I already did a post on sugar scrub, but this one is a bit different. Plus this scent is perfect for a last minute Christmas gift! Also, this scrub is all natural! So you don't have to worry about nasty chemicals, and other bad ingredients. So, let's get into it. 

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I have a video tutorial here if you'd rather watch that.

What you need:
1 Cup coconut oil
1 1/2 Cups sugar(granulated or brown will work)
1 Tablespoon almond oil
2 Tablespoons coco powder
1-2 Drops peppermint oil
A mixer
A container to put your scrub in
(I also added labels and ribbon)

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Step 1:
Add your sugar. The more sugar the more abrasive your scrub will be. If you feel like you added too much sugar, simply add more oil. 

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Step 2:
Add your coconut oil. 

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Step 3:
Add you almond oil. You could also use olive oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil. 

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Step 4:
Add your coco powder. The more coco powder the stronger the chocolate smell will be. Keep in mind, adding more powder will change the end result. It might not whip up as well if you add too much.

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Step 5:
Add your peppermint oil. Be careful this oil is very strong. You only need 1-2 drops. If you add too much peppermint oil it will overpower the coco.(I know, I made this mistake with the first batch I made)

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Step 6:
Mix all of the ingredients together on a slow speed. After all of the ingredients are well mixed, switch to a high speed and watch it whip up. 

*it might take a couple minutes to whip up your scrub, just keep an eye on it. 

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Once your scrub is to a whipped consistency that makes you happy, it's time to package it.

Step 7: 
Using a large spoon or ladle gently scoop your scrub into the container. Don't pack it in, gently place it into the container. If you pack it in you will remove all of the air you just whipped into it and it won't be fluffy anymore. We got this cute little glass jars on sale 50% off at Hobby Lobby. Mason jars, or plastic Tupperware will work as well. We also found Christmas plastic Tupperware at Dollar Tree in 2 packs. We put some scrub in those for the kids. 

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Add some ribbon and bows, and it's ready to gift. 

Or, if you would like to add a little something extra you can label your scrub. I used a little innovation to make these labels. I used paper, and packing tape. Since it was "Homemade Christmas" I was trying to make as much as I could. I simply printed the labels out that I whipped up in Photoshop. I cut them out. Then I laminated them with the packing tape. Used a little of the packing tape to attach them to the jars, and they were all finished. If you'd like to know more about making your own labels just leave me a comment and I can make a whole post on it. If you'd like to make your own labels here are the directions I put on mine, feel free to use them.
Directions for Use:
Gently apply to wet skin 
in a circular motion, 
concentrating on dry 
patches and rough areas 
of your skin.Rinse skin 
clean with warm water 
and then massage in oils
left on skin for a soft, 
silky finish.

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I hope you've enjoyed this DIY tutorial. I love making these, and really need to work on more of them. I'm going to try and get a couple more up before Christmas( I know I only have a couple days). So, look for more posts from me in the next couple days.  Like me on Facebook to see more from me. If you love animals check out A&A Pet Grooming. I'm also on Instagram and Pinterest, and Twitter . Check out my other blog for all things nails. 
Have a Merry Christmas,