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 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 :-)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
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!
Aimee says
Me too, I have to pretty much avoid shop bought scrubs all together now. Still, it's not hard to make your own :-)
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
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!
Aimee says
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 :-)
Caz says
What a lovely idea and so easy too. There's really no excuse not to try it!
Aimee says
Exactly! :-)
MoonLight @ AWorldInMyOven says
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~
Aimee says
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 ;-)
holly ; the hobbit kitchen says
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
Aimee says
Well you'll be glad to know that this batch makes enough for 2 jars so you can keep one to yourself, Holly!
Dona says
How much does this recipe make? - 8 oz? Need to know what size jars to buy. Thx
Aimee says
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 :-)