Gift Making: Easy-to-Make Beauty Products that are Perfect for Gifts

Here are some non-expensive, easy to make gifts that you can give to your loved ones for any occasion.

To make these gifts you may need the following: paper coffee filters for an automatic coffee maker or muslin tea bag, glass container, plastic container, ingredients, hole punch, scissors, ribbon, and ink pen.

Lavender oat infusion

This recipe makes enough for several infusions. You need to store the leftovers in a cool dry place.

1 cup uncooked oatmeal

1 cup dried lavender blossoms

Combine ingredients and store in an airtight jar until you are ready to use. Scoop the infusion into the coffee filter or muslin tea bag until it's ¾ of the way full. Tie the bag closed with a ribbon.

Put instructions on a small piece of paper, hole punch, put ribbon through the hole and then tie it to the filter/bag. You can use different color ribbons depending on the holiday.

Instructions: First put name of the infusion on small piece of paper, then add the directions: drop bag into warm bath water, climb in, and relax.

Herbal infusion

You can use any combination of herbs to make your personal blend. Fresh herbs always work best, but you can also use dried herbs.

Handful rosemary and/or sage

Combine ingredients and store in an airtight jar until you are ready to use. Scoop the infusion into the coffee filter or muslin tea bag until it's ¾ of the way full. Tie the bag closed with a ribbon.

Put instructions on a small piece of paper, hole punch, put ribbon through the hole and then tie it to the filter/bag. You can use different color ribbons depending on the holiday.

Instructions: First put name of the infusion on small piece of paper, then add the directions: drop bag into warm bath water, climb in, and relax.

Lemon mint

This is a very refreshing infusion.

½ lemon, sliced

a handful fresh or dried mint

Put the mint and lemon in your tea bag/coffee filter.

Scoop the infusion into the coffee filter or muslin tea bag until it's ¾ of the way full. Tie the bag closed with a ribbon.

Put instructions on a small piece of paper, hole punch, put ribbon through the hole and then tie it to the filter/bag. You can use different color ribbons depending on the holiday.

Instructions: First put name of the infusion on a small piece of paper, then add the directions: drop bag into warm bath water, climb in, and relax.

Bath fizzer

1 cup baking soda

3 Tbsp citric acid

3 Tbsp corn starch

3 Tbsp plus 1 tsp light oil (canola, almond, apricot kernel)

6 drops essential oil

a few drops food coloring (optional)

Pour all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Add the oils, and then use your hands or spoon to mix everything very well. Press handfuls of the mixture firmly between the palms of your hands to make 5-6 rounds. This mixture will be crumbly. Add a few drops of oil if it doesn't hold together well.

Put on a plate in a cool dry place and let them sit for 2 days to harden. This is a very important step.

After 2 days, you can wrap them individually in waxed paper or place them in an airtight jar and store them in the refrigerator. They are best if used within a few weeks. If you get a bad smell then you know that the oil has turned bad.

Instructions: Fill your bath with warm water and climb in. Drop one or two fizzes in the bath, lie back and enjoy the fizz.

After you have wrapped these individually in wax paper you can wrap them in pretty paper and tie with a ribbon.

Basic bath salts

2 cups Epsom salts

6-7 drops of essential oil (choose one scent, or blend a couple of them)

Pour the salt into a large jar, add the essential oil and put a lid on the jar. Shake the salt to distribute the scent. If you let the salts sit overnight the oil will soak into the salt leaving them with a stronger scent.

You can color you bath salts by adding a few drops of food coloring in the jar. Make sure you have the lid on and shake until the salt is pretty evenly colored. You can try layering two different colors of salt in one jar. Tie a pretty ribbon with instructions to make a lovely gift.

Instructions: Add about ½ cup to your bath once it's filled with warm water. Swish it around a little so that the salts dissolve before getting in. Climb in and refresh your spirit, and relieve your achy muscles and joints.

Hint: You can store your bath salts for ever in an airtight container but over time your scent will fade. Coarse sea salt can replace Epsom salts and you can find the sea salt at your local grocery store.

Mineral milk bath

This helps relieve itchy or irritated skin and is gentle enough for an everyday bath.

1 ½ cup dried milk (powdered, non instant brands are best)

½ cup baking soda

6-10 drops of essential oil

Pour the milk and baking soda into a large jar, add the essential oil and cover tightly. Shake well to mix the ingredients. This should be stored in an airtight container.

Instructions: Add 1 cup to your bath once it's filled with warm water. Swish it around a little so that the salts dissolve before getting in. Climb in and refresh your spirit.

Peppermint salt rub

Peppermint is very energizing for your skin.

1 cup fine sea salt

2 Tbsp light oil (canola, almond, apricot kernel)

5-6 drops peppermint essential oil (you can experiment with different scents)

Put the salt in a dish and add the oils. Use your hands or spoon to mix the ingredients together. Store in a covered plastic container until you are ready to use them.

Instructions: Get your skin completely wet, rub small handfuls of the salt all over your body in brisk circular motions. You should pay special attention to rough spots such as elbows, knees, and heels. Avoid your face and cuts or scratches. Rinse off.

Hint: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for a month. Salt rubs make the bath slippery so you should use caution after using them and clean the bath out afterwards. You can buy fine sea salt at your local grocery store. You can also use this for a foot soak.

Aloe salt rub

Aloe Vera has skin-soothing qualities. You can find aloe Vera gel in the suntan section of your local drugstore or in a natural food store.

1 cup fine sea salt

1 Tbsp aloe Vera gel

1 Tbsp light oil (canola, almond, apricot kernel)

Pour the salt into a dish and add the oils. Use your hands or spoon to mix the ingredients together. Store in a covered plastic container until you are ready to use them.

Instructions: Get your skin completely wet, rub small handfuls of the salt all over your body in brisk circular motions. You should pay special attention to rough spots such as elbows, knees, and heels. Avoid your face and cuts or scratches. Rinse off.

Hint: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for a month. Salt rubs make the bath slippery so you should use caution after using them and clean the bath out afterwards. You can buy fine sea salt at your local grocery store. You can also use this for a foot soak.

Strawberry salt rub

This salt rub smells, looks, and feels great.

1 cup fine sea salt

3 ripe strawberries (frozen strawberries can be used if fresh strawberries are unavailable)

1 Tbsp light oil (canola, almond, apricot kernel)

Pour the salt into a dish and add the oil and strawberries (raspberries can be used as a substitute). Mash everything together with a fork or spoon. You can use your hands if needed to mash. Store in a covered plastic container until you're ready to use.

Instructions: Get your skin completely wet, rub small handfuls of the salt all over your body in brisk circular motions. You should pay special attention to rough spots such as elbows, knees, and heels. Avoid your face and cuts or scratches. Rinse off.

Hint: This will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. Salt rubs make the bath slippery so you should use caution after using them and clean the bath out afterwards. You can buy fine sea salt at your local grocery store. You can also use this for a foot soak.