Black Friday’s in the rearview mirror and we are pedal-to-the-metal plowing into the last-minute shopping time of the year and the stressful joys of the Holiday Season that come along with it. Someone diffuse some Serenity, ‘cause you know we all need it by now! While it may be easy to just do your shopping online, there’s something to be said for the care that people take when they make a gift for you. And what I know is that essential oil gifts are not only amazingly special and supportive to overall self-care, but they are also incredibly cost-effective! I’m so excited to share my favorite DIY Holiday Creations with you this year.
#1 – HAND (OR TOE!) WARMERS FOR THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST
Is there a man or woman in your life who works, plays, or who basically lives in the outdoors? Sometimes you have someone on your list who is just plain impossible to shop for or impress, so why not go practical? Something they may find useful, even if they don’t see it as a gift, are hand warmers! These little DIY warmers are microwavable and adding essential oils gives them an extra boost, whether you add an outdoorsy scent with some Cedarwood that will also repel bugs, or if you go for a soothing scent of Lavender to calm and relax. Heat them up and tuck them in your coat pockets before heading outdoors, or tuck them into your sheets before going to bed for warm toes!
DIY EO HAND WARMERS
Ingredients:
Flannel or fleece fabric (patterned or plain)
Matching or complementary thread
Flax seed (about 1 cup per warmer)
Essential oils (3-5 drops for each cup of flaxseed)
Directions:
Mix flaxseed and essential oils in a glass bowl, and set aside for at least 5-10 minutes. Cut 2-4×4” flannel or fleece fabric squares, one for every hand warmer you plan to make. If there is a pattern, flip it to the inside so you are sewing it together inside-out. Sew around the edges with a sewing machine, leaving 2 inches open on one of the sides. When finished, flip the warmer right-side out and fill with your flax seed/EO mixture and then sew the opening shut. To use, simply microwave for 30 seconds and then allow to cool for 30 seconds. Shake to revive the scent and equally distribute heat before tucking in your pockets or under the sheets! Reuse as many times as you desire! Note: Be sure not to overheat, as this will burn the flaxseeds and ruin the scent of your warmers.
#2 – DIY TERRA-COTTA AROMATHERAPY JEWELRY AND MORE!
One recipe that makes many gifts? I know, I know. It sounds too good to be true, but this is my go-to recipe for making a bunch of unique gifts all at once or for hosting a DIY crafting party around the holidays. Used for everything from aromatherapy jewelry, ornaments, air fresheners, key chains, pendants, earrings, and more, it never ceases to impress your friends and family who will love the time and originality of each piece that you make. Include a sample dram or two of EOs for each person to scent their piece, and they will be super-impressed and thankful! I love to include a sample of doTERRA’s Holiday Peace or Holiday Joy, or a mixture of Cinnamon Bark and Douglas Fir for a warm Holiday scent, but if you know that they have a special need, such as a need for sleep or relaxation, Lavender or Serenity will be an amazing addition. Customization is key!
DIY TERRA-COTTA AROMATHERAPY JEWELRY
This Aromatherapy Jewelry is made out of natural terra-cotta clay that absorbs essential oils. While this tutorial is for a necklace, try making any type of jewelry: earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, beads, etc. Once the clay is sculpted and dried, add a few drops of an essential oil or blend to the jewelry to experience the power of essential oils throughout the day.
Note: This tutorial can also be use to make car air fresheners, Christmas ornaments, key chains, and more.
Items Needed
Terra-cotta clay
Sand paper
Stamps (small—no more than 1 inch in diameter)
Shish kabob stick or toothpick
String
1–1 ¼ inch round cut-out object
Rolling pin (or pen/pencil will work)
Scissors
Aluminum foil
Wax paper
Tip: Store your scented jewelry when it is not being worn in your linen closet or dresser drawers to keep fabrics smelling great.
Instructions
- Grab a handful of terra-cotta clay and rub in palms of hands until it’s soft and pliable.
- Place a piece of wax paper on the table.
- Use the rolling pin to roll out the clay until it is ⅛ inch thick.
- Take the round object and press firmly into the clay to make circle pendants.
- Remove the excess clay from the cut out pendants. Take each pendant and stamp a design into clay.
- Take a shish kabob stick or toothpick and make a hole in the pendant. Make sure the hole is big enough to fit two strands of string into.
- With the left over clay, make a few small round beads and put a medium to large size hole in the center of it.
- Once all the pendants have holes, place them on a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil and bake or air dry according to the specifications provided with your clay.
- If baking in the oven, be careful to not overbake. They may seem bendable as soon as they are taken out of the oven, but they will harden once cooled completely.
- Once cool, use sandpaper to lightly smooth away any rough edges. It will temporarily change the color of the clay, but will return to normal once essential oils are applied.
- Take a string and cut it to desired length. Add 4–5 extra inches just to be safe.The string can be cut shorter later on.
- Take the pendant and put both ends of the string through the hole. Pull the ends through and put them through the loop. Pull tight. This will help the pendant lay flat on your chest.
- For a longer necklace, tie the two strings together.
Tip: For a shorter necklace, tie one end of the necklace in a knot a couple inches down. Place a bead on next and then tie a knot on top of the bead so it remains securely in place. On the other end of necklace, tie a loop that is large enough for the bead to fit through. Cut off any extra string. To take your necklace on and off, simply put the bead in the hole that will act as a clasp.
- Add 1 drop essential oil or blend to the pendant. Rub the oil around.
Enjoy the benefits of essential oils throughout the day. If the scent begins to fade, add another drop to the pendant. Remember, a little essential oil goes a long way.
#3 – KID-CRAFTED GIFTS
Some of the best holiday memories are not watching the kids open their gifts, but taking them to shop for what they want to gift to someone else. They burst with joy with their excitement at giving something that they made themselves…if you can get them to keep the secret! Here is a simple DIY project with no harmful ingredients perfect for gifting to anyone in their lives.
SIMPLE DIY EO SUGAR SCRUB
Collect all of those empty jars around the house or buy a case of small jelly jars. They are perfect for kid-made labels and housing these amazing scrubs. Add stickers or ribbons to gussy them up and add a big homemade tag in your child’s handwriting for an extra bonus. No need to wrap!
Ingredients:
1½ cups organic sugar (brown, white, turbinado, or a mixture)
¼ cup oil (olive, coconut, grapeseed, or almond)
5-8 drops essential oil of choice (Mint and citrus are a great combination!)
Natural flower petals or add-ins (options)
Directions:
Add all ingredients together in a glass bowl and stir. Portion into glass jars, seal tightly, and decorate the jars with homemade labels. To use, scoop out a tablespoon of scrub, rub into hands, legs, or feet until sugar dissolves, and rinse clean with warm water. Easy-peasy!
#4 – FOR THE KIDDOS
Three words: All-Natural Aromatherapy Playdough. Or, as I like to call it, dōTERRA Dough. Scented-play with Lavender or Serenity dough will help them to relax, or use a bit of Rosemary and Lemon for ultimate focus dough before homework time. Seal it in a cute container and let the fun begin!
DIY dōTERRA DOUGH
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups colored water (with all-natural food coloring)
1 cup salt
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. cream of tartar
5 drops essential oil (Lavender for calm/Rosemary for focus/Citrus Bliss for uplifting)
Directions:
Combine flour, colored water, salt, olive oil, and cream of tartar in a large pot and whisk together until well-combined. Place over medium heat and stir with a spatula constantly until it forms a ball (which will happen all of a sudden). Immediately remove from heat and place on parchment paper to cool. Once cool, add five drops of your favorite essential oil and knead until thoroughly combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for months of fun.
#5 – FOR THE FANCY, YET PRACTICAL
One of the easiest “default” gifts to give is jewelry. Yes, you know you’ve done it. We all have, and we all have a collection of pieces that haven’t seen the light of day for a while and the default staples we wear regularly. Either way, they all need a good disinfect and shine, so why not gift an all-natural, toxic-chemical-free jewelry cleaner? And maybe even offer to shine a few of them for her!
ALL-NATURAL JEWELRY CLEANER
Ingredients:
½ c. high-quality baking soda
½ c. kosher salt
30 drops Lime essential oil
Warm water
Directions:
Combine salt, baking soda, and essential oil in a glass jar. Seal tightly to store. To use, scoop 4 Tbsp. of the mixture into a small glass bowl and add jewelry. Add warm water until your pieces are covered and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Using a cotton swab or a soft toothbrush, gently scrub until shiny and then wipe with a microfiber cloth. Rinse with warm water, wipe again with the microfiber cloth, and let dry completely. Discard the remainder of the cleaner.
BONUS – THE EASY DIY REED DIFFUSER
How about a three-step gift that everyone can use? All you need are reed diffuser sticks, easily found at a craft store or ordered online and delivered to your doorstep, and a glass container of some sort. A small vase, mason jars, fancy jelly jars, antique pieces…whatever works for you or the recipients. Then, essential oils and coconut oil are the only things left to make this amazing aromatherapy experience that adds character to any room.
AROMATHERAPY REED DIFFUSER
Ingredients:
¼ cup fractionated coconut oil
15-20 drops essential oil of choice
glass container with a lid (for storage of liquid)
display glass container
10-15 reed diffuser sticks (depending on size of jar and sticks)
Directions:
Combine essential oils with fractionated coconut oil and store in a tightly-sealed glass jar for gifting. Bundle the diffuser sticks with a ribbon for presentation. Package together with the fancy container and give! To use, simply add the oil mixture to the bottom of the presentation glass container and add the reed diffuser sticks. It may take a day or two for the oil to work its way to the top of the sticks. Flip them every two to three days for a stronger aroma.
Here are some great Essential Oil Blends to try:
Deep in the Woods
10 drops Douglas fir essential oil
10 drops Cedarwood essential oil
Chai Winter
8 drops Wild Orange essential oil
3 drops Nutmeg essential oil
3 drops Cinnamon essential oil
3 drops Clove essential oil
3 drops Cardamom essential oil
Winter Candy Spice
12 drops Wintergreen essential oil
8 drops Cinnamon essential oil
Peppermint Zen
10 drops Peppermint essential oil
5 drops Ylang-Ylang essential oil
Immune Spice
4 drops Rosemary essential oil
4 drops Clove essential oil
4 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops Cinnamon essential oil
4 drops Wild Orange essential oil
THE MERRIEST!
Hopefully these DIY ideas will help to keep your holidays slightly stress-free and more enjoyable for everyone involved. I hope your holiday season is filled with love, blessings, peaceful calm, and celebration. Much love to you and yours this year!
Getting Started with Essential Oils? Let me help!
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