I love the idea of giving homemade gifts but must confess I am usually quite lazy on this front.
However, here is one gift idea that I did manage to get around to making (because it’s so quick and easy to make!) A gingerbread body scrub.
Yes, gingerbread.
Not only is it very cheap, quick and easy to put together but it also smells incredible and is super good for your skin!
It is thoroughly recommended that you make or purchase a gingerbread man to eat whilst making this scrub. It will make you very happy.
You will need…
- 500g / 2 cups brown sugar
- 240ml / 1 cup oil (coconut oil and sweet almond oil are good choices)
- 2 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp mixed spice (or pumpkin pie mix)
- A jar or container
Optional extras: Add 1 tbsp vitamin E oil or 1 tbsp honey for dry skin
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. If the mixture is too oily, add sugar, if it’s too dry, add more oil. Adjust spice measurements to your liking. Some oils can mask the scent of the ginger and cinnamon, so add more if needed.
- Store in an air-tight container or jar and decorate!
And there you are! A lovely, homemade, healthy gift idea for Christmas :-)
Some Gingerbread blog love!
- Davida’s Gingerbread Chia Pudding over at The Healthy Maven – healthy, Christmassy and unique :-)
- Pear Upside Down Gingerbread Cake by Use Real Butter – sounds SO delicious!
- Michelle’s Gingerbread Pancakes from Peachy Palate – These would make the best Christmas breakfast! Gluten-free and vegan too.
I gave this recipe a try and it didn’t work at all I’m very disappointed. I used the exact amount of olive oil it states in the recipe but it was so oily so I used more sugar but it was still oily and the smell was awful, I was hoping to smell the delicious spices but all I got was a sickening smell of olive oil. I’ll have to try coconut oil next time, but I ended up using a whole bag of sugar
Sorry about that Lucie. I should have made clear that it should be a mild olive oil – I will add that to the notes and apologise that you had to waste ingredients.
Hi this sounds like a lovely idea just wondering how many it make with the measurments.
Hi this sounds a lovely idea but how many does it make using the measurments.
Love this deliciously smelling scrub! Thanks Aimee for the inspiration.
I shared your recipe link today with my blog readers.
Merry Christmas!
https://theuncommonpearl.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/pin-it-tried-and-true-tuesday-37-like-christmas-in-a-jar/
hi, I was just wondering – how this be made with white sugar instead of brown?
Do you think this could work as a salt scrub with either sea salt or Epsom salts?
This scrub smells and feels amazing! I have just made it, adding vitamin E oil as well as cinnamon and nutmeg (couldn’t help myself!) and have just used it as a hand scrub in order to try it immediately. I was able to make 1.5 containers so one will go in the main bathroom and the other for my girls to use. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Yay, that’s great! Thanks Silva! I’ve gotta make some more for myself soon, I miss smelling like gingerbread :-)
I’ve just made it and it smells like christmas pud because I got dark brown sugar..I just wanted to check does the oil seperate slightly from the mix?
Mm, bet it smells amazing! The oil will only separate after a couple of months or if refrigerated. Mine kept at room temperature for a couple of months without separating :-)
I just made some of this to give as gifts at work. It was so easy and it smells fantastic. Thank you for the recipe.
Thanks Susan – Lovely to hear! Have a great Christmas x
How long does it last before it goes off?
Hi Ilana, it will last at least 2 months in an air tight container or jar – perhaps even longer (especially if you use the vit E oil) Hope that helps!
Hi Aimee,
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of DIY body scrubs! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/diy-body-scrubs/
Have a great day!
lovely, thank you Julia! :-)
Hi, I just made this and was wondering if it mattered which brown sugar was used? I mixed one cup each light and dark brown sugar and the smell was not so “gingerbread ” like more molasses. I am going to try again only using light brown sugar. I was just curious if any one had mixed the two or just used one or the other. Thanks
Hi Kirstina! Hmmm, I used demerera sugar which is a very coarse sugar and gives a subtle caramel sugar smell but haven’t tested it using other sugars. I would say the coarser the better and avoid anything too strong like molasses. Although I love the smell of molasses too! I hope the second try works out for you, please let me know how you get on :-)
Thanks, worked better the second time!
Yay! :-)
Yum- I bet this is awesome. I can’t wait to try making it. I would also LOVE to link to your project if you didn’t mind.
Hi Rachel – Of course I won’t mind, that would be so lovely! I hope you get to try it for yourself too :-)
Can I ask you what is in the spice mix? Don’t recognize the pumpkin pie mix. Can it be replaced with something else or what would be the purpose of the mix? I want to make this!
Here is what mixed spice is made up of: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/181605/mixed-spice perhaps you can find something similar in your supermarket? It’s added to give the scent of gingerbread but if you can’t find any you can just add cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves seperately :-)
Ok, thank you!
What a cute gingerbread ribbon and adorable DIY jar – homemade & healthy gifts are perfect for the holidays! I’m not too fond of “gingerbread” body products, but I would love to eat them instead – brown sugar, oil, ginger, pumpkin pie mix- sounds like my kinda treat!
You know, the olive oil is the only thing that put me off eating the scrub whilst I was making it. But it does smell very tempting! And I’m in love with that gingerbread man ribbon. I’ve already nearly ran out of it.. I’ll have to buy some more!
This is a great idea, and it looks quite tasty to eat as well! I can think of some members in my family who would be happy to get this as a christmas gift, including myself : )
I’m definitely keeping a jar for myself as well as giving some away :-)
I have pretty sensitive skin so I’m always interested in making my own scrubs instead of store bought. I especially love this gingerbread smell!
Me too, I have to pretty much avoid shop bought scrubs all together now. Still, it’s not hard to make your own :-)
I LOVE this idea for homemade holiday gifts. I can almost smell that amazing Gingerbread scrub from here in Seattle. Is it normal to want to eat it, too? Hahaha!
I felt the same way, the only thing that put me off tasting some was the fact that I used olive oil! But the smell… the smell is SO good :-)
What a lovely idea and so easy too. There’s really no excuse not to try it!
Exactly! :-)
I’m really not a girl who pays attention to the way she looks, so I never use a body scrub, but anything that includes or looks like food has my attention. And this scrub has me smitten! I LOVE the idea! You are so creative!!! (three exclamation marks means its true) And now I need to show off to the rest of the family ;) I’m gonna be so pretty~
You are so lovely, thank you! I have to say though, this scrub is definitely not about making you look better – it’s all about enjoying the gorgeous scent, the way it makes your skin feel and the smugness you feel knowing you made it yourself ;-)
oh this is perfect – i used a gingerbread scrub from the body shop last christmas but i’m not sure if they’re doing it again this year, so i really can’t WAIT to give this a go! it’d be the perfect thing to give as a gift as well. lovely post, aimee!
the hobbit kitchen x
Well you’ll be glad to know that this batch makes enough for 2 jars so you can keep one to yourself, Holly!
How much does this recipe make? – 8 oz? Need to know what size jars to buy. Thx
I’m afraid I don’t recall the exact amount… my guess would be 2 x 8 oz jars or 1 x 16 oz jars. Hope it works out :-)
Hello Aimee! What a beautiful blog you have! so glad I found it tonight. Like you, I love the idea of homemade christmas gifts, but it often doesn’t happen. This looks like the perfect place to start!
Thank you Monet!
I love giving homemade gifts, but I especially love receiving them! This scrub must smell so amazing — gingerbread is a scent that I can’t resist!
Me too, the scent of gingerbread is just so uplifting for me…
This is really neat and you made it look so pretty, Aimee! I do try to make a few things to give my neighbors and friends as gifts. I’m starting to plan my to-do list so I don’t get too stressed out! I need one of your Danish butter cookies! : )
Thank you Monica :-) I think I may have to make another batch of those cookies soon… not only for the taste, but for the sheer joy of using my cookie press again!
I love homemade gifts and I’m definitely trying this. It looks so cute! xx
Thanks Consuelo :-) x
What a great idea! I bet it smells good too..
Love the pictures as well.. Very creative and chic.
Cheers!
Thank you lovely!
How about gingerbread chia pudding while making this scrub? The only edible ginger thing I have on hand ;) Such a great idea and beautiful pictures!
Absolutely! In fact, I had to edit this post to link to your gingerbread pudding (mainly to remind myself to make it) and because it’s very fitting :-)
The gingerbread ribbon is so adorable! I have a vast collection of ribbons – do we have that in common, too? I don’t have a gingerbread one, though! Homemade gifts are so lovely to receive, and a lot of fun to make as long as it isn’t too rushed. This is perfect because I presume it’ll keep quite well and can be made a little ahead of time?
From past experience, homemade scrubs tend to last 2-3 months (maybe more if using the vitamin E oil) but to be on the safe side I would tell the recipient to use it within 2 months. And yes, that is another thing we have in common Natasha! I have an ever-growing collection of ribbons but the gingerbread man is definitely my current favourite :-)
My Christmas decoration theme is gingerbread man. I have a handwritten recipe from my Gram which I stitched and framed and that was the start of everything gingerbread. I don’t want to share this because I think I’ll make this for my friends.
Love this and so Christmasy, roll on the the month of Christmas joy!
Here here! It’s crazy how excited I am about Christmas now :-)
This is such a fun idea for the holidays! And I love that this can be done quickly if I need a last minute gift. I’m definitely pinning this to try — thanks for the inspiration!
Yes it is a great last minute idea because it’s all things people tend to already have in their pantry! Glad you like it Jamie :-)
Oh wow! I bet that smells amazing. Homemade gifts are the best. Love the gingerbread ribbon. Too cute!
I got that ribbon a couple of months ago and I’ve been itching to use it ever since! And I cannot tell you how amazing this smells, well… it smells of gingerbread – what more can I say :-)