Homemade Valentine's Day: Make Your Own Candles and Bath Salts

Valentine's Day is commonly described as the most romantic holiday of the year. There aren't many things to better create an air of romance than candles. And because the mood of your environment will, if all goes to plan, be heavy with love, you'll probably want to smell nice for the inevitable closeness.

Follow this guide to create your own candles and bath salts to make your Valentine's Day atmosphere as relaxing and romantic as you possibly can. Use the recipes contained herein to create your own mixture of scents to best suit you and your plans for this special day.

Bathing Solutions

It's no secret that baths are relaxing. The best time for romance is when you and your partner are both relaxed. There's no better way to achieve this than to bathe together. Will you use bath salts, bath infusions, or bath fizz?

The simplest recipe for bath salts is to take two cups of Epsom or coarse sea salts and combine that with 6-7 drops of your chosen essential oil, which can be found at most craft or natural food stores. If you're having trouble deciding on a scent, the following section offers information on the most common of your options.

• Basil -- sharpens concentration, uplifts depression, relieves headaches and migraines. **Basil should be avoided during pregnancy
  
• Lavender oil - calms and relaxes, improves cognitive processing, soothes minor cuts and burns, relieves headaches and migraines.
  
• Rose - relaxes, is an aphrodisiac.
  
• Sandalwood - helps relieve anxiety, increases alertness, is an aphrodisiac.
  
• Ylang-Ylang oil - relieves high blood pressure, is an aphrodisiac.
  
• Jasmine - is an aphrodisiac.
  
• Bergamot - relaxes, relieves stress-related skin conditions
  
• Eucalyptus - cleans, deodorizes, increases creativity.
  
• Citrus - enhances immune function.

There are a variety of other oils from which to choose, the above is provided to give you a head start on the possibilities.

For bath infusions, you should use muslin to create a bag in which to put the contents for use. Rosemary and sage (along with a variety of other fresh or dried herbs) can be used together or separate in an infusion. Equal parts of oat and lavender also mix well to create infusions. [**Note: These make great gifts as individual packets or large jars.]

The Body Book by Klutz offers a great recipe for a bath fizz. It calls for:

1 cup baking soda
3 Tablespoons citric acid
3 Tablespoons corn starch
3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon light oil (canola, apricot kernel, almond)
6 drops essential oil

Combine all of the ingredients to a consistency that is able to stick together into little rounds. It will be crumbly, but you may have to add extra oil. Let them harden for about 2 days, and wrap them individually in waxed paper or store them in an airtight container to be kept in the fridge. Use two for one bath.

Candles

Complete your bath by lighting a few candles. If you're feeling especially crafty, follow the instructions provided below to make your own scented candles to complement your bath oils.

The first step is to melt the wax. You can use old candles and recycle them to make one, or you can buy wax at almost any craft store in blocks.

Most candle makers recommend using a double boiler for melting. If you don't have one readily available, you can use a coffee tin inside of a pot as a makeshift double boiler.

You will need a thermometer if you choose to make your own candles, and you should not allow the wax to reach a temperature of 250° F or higher. It is best to heat your wax to between 165 and 185 degrees, although temperature recommendations for your choice of wax may vary. For instance, beeswax pours at a higher temperature than paraffin wax.

Scents are best added right before pouring the candles, as they will not have much time to burn away.

When you are ready to pour your candle, tilt your mold slightly and pour slowly to create the best wax consistency.

During the cooling process, it is best to drill holes through the film that will form on the top of the candle to the liquid wax and refill the hole with fresh wax. This will ensure an even cooling.

When the wax has completely cooled, it is time to remove the candle from the mold, thus completing the process.

Cupid bids you a Happy Valentine's Day!