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 :-)
Kristina says
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
Aimee says
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 :-)
Kristina says
Thanks, worked better the second time!
Aimee says
Yay! :-)
Rachel says
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.
Aimee says
Hi Rachel - Of course I won't mind, that would be so lovely! I hope you get to try it for yourself too :-)
Pernilla says
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!
Aimee says
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 :-)
Pernilla says
Ok, thank you!
rika@vm says
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!
Aimee says
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!
Paula says
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 : )
Aimee says
I'm definitely keeping a jar for myself as well as giving some away :-)