The beauty of giving: gorgeous last-minute gifts from natural beauty expert Emily Ray

New Life Journal, Dec, 2004 by Emily Ray

Dear Emily, I've put off gift buying until the last minute again, mainly because I want something unique to give to my family and friends. Do you have suggestions for handmade holiday gifts?

The most expensive face cream, body wash, exfoliating scrub and shampoo combined cannot make a person more beautiful than he is when giving a gift. Whether it is time, a quick "how ya doin'" note, or a handmade present, a thoughtful gift is an easy way to make someone feel important. Beyond its ability to make other people feel great, gifting can also help send some feelgood vibes your way.

My husband will confirm that be it a birthday, graduation, wedding, the holidays or sometimes just because--I love to give gifts. For me, nothing beats the excitement and pleasure of watching someone open a pretty package and light up upon seeing something I've carefully selected. I highly recommend it.

With a variety of holidays just around the corner, here are a few winter-inspired products you can make and give as gifts. I've changed the formula a little bit this month, providing recipes that use store-bought ingredients mixed with "goodies" from your food shopping lists this year. Hopefully, this will save you a little time and money-two things that can be especially short around the holidays. Make sure you check out our eco-friendly packaging ideas, too!

PEPPERMINT HAND CREAM

The smell of peppermint always invokes holiday bliss for me. Not only does this hand cream smell great, but using a rich cream from the store will help to alleviate dry, cracked fingers.

Mix 8 oz. store-bought, unscented hand cream with 4 drops of peppermint essential oil. Stir until thoroughly blended. Store in a tightly lidded jar.

LOOFAH SOAP

This soap is fun to make and use. It is gentler than lava soap, but is still effective at getting grease and dirt off hands.

Using scissors, cut a store-bought Ioofah into small pieces and set aside in a separate bowl. Finely chop or grate three bars of store-purchased soap (any kind but glycerin will work). Place soap in the top portion of a double boiler and, stirring constantly, gently heat until soap is melted and stringy. Immediately remove from heat and add loofah pieces, stirring to distribute. Place large, hand-shaped mounds of soap on a piece of wax paper and do not disturb. Let cure for one week, then flip soap mounds over and let sit for an additional week. This project may take a little more time, but there are few greater luxuries than handmade soap.

BALSAM FIR BUBBLE BATH

Bubble baths are another of life's great luxuries. The scent of balsam fir is said to help alleviate seasonal affect disorder (SAD), and the beauty of using bodywash as the base for this recipe is that if you or your gift's recipient don't have time for a bath, you can use it in the shower instead.

Mix 1/4 cup of unscented body wash (or clear liquid soap) with three drops of Balsam Fir essential oil. Stir thoroughly, and add mixture to one cup of unscented body wash. Add a small pine bough to a jar and pour bubble bath mixture over it. Seal tightly.

CINNAMON VANILLA MASSAGE OIL

Many years ago, 1 made this massage oil as a Christmas gift for two friends who were dating. They are getting married next year, which, naturally, I am attributing to the massage oil that warmed things up in the first place. I think it's fair to say that this is a pretty romantic gift--perhaps good for the one you love most.

Place a whole cinnamon stick, one vanilla bean, and one cup of sweet almond oil in a tightly lidded jar. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for one week. Depending on how strong you like the smell, you may wish to repeat the process for another week (adding a new cinnamon stick and new vanilla bean). Strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve and add the oil of two Vitamin E capsules. Stir well and enjoy!

Emily Ray, an Atlanta-based writer, has been creating natural beauty products for six years, and she is a regular contributor to New Life Journal. To ask her a question, email askemily@newlifejournal.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: Packing ideas.

Fancy gift bags and wrapping paper can be very expensive an often contribute to large amounts of trash after a gift-giving event. There are options that are more economical and eco-friendly. If you happen to have several brown bags from grocery shopping trips, try placing your gift inside one, folding over the top, punching a few holes across the fold and tying it shut with a beautiful piece of leftover ribbon. Or, scour your local flea markets or thrift stores for beautiful woven baskets that can be used to replicate the outstandingly expensive gift baskets available at high-end shops, If you like a more modern touch, try what my family calls the "Popeye Standby": newspaper and bright red ribbon. With a little creativity, your packages will beg to be opened. And remember, there is no hard and fast rule that says you must wrap your presents at all. There is tremendous beauty in the simple act of giving itself. Happy holidays!