Chamomile / Lavender Facial Steam

NEED: 1 cup dried chamomile ( can use teabags..just open and pour out 45-50 bags) 1 cup dried lavender flowers Mix ingredients together and pour into a 1 pint decorative container. Attach gift card and ribbon. Place 1/2 cup mixture into knee high or cut off nylon. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Remove from heat and place stocking in water. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Lean over pot, keeping face 6 to 8 inches away. Place large towel over head..making a tent to catch the steam. Steam for 10 minutes, pat dry, apply moisturizer. Enjoy!

Sore Muscle Soak

NEED: 1 cup dried rosemary 1/2 cup bay leaves 1/2 cup dried sage. Mix well and pour into decorative 1 pint container. Attach gift tag and ribbon. Place 1/2 cup of mixture into knee high or cut off stocking. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, remove from heat and place stocking in water. Allow to soak for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove stocking and pour water into your warm bath. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Face Scrub

NEED: 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats 1/2 cup cornmeal ( for sensitive skin, substitute baking soda for cornmeal) 1/2 teaspoon jasmine soap fragrance. Place all ingredients in blender of food processor until oats are finely ground. Pour into decorative 1 pint container with tight lid. Attach gift tag and ribbon. Pour approximately 1 teaspoon of mix into palm of hand. Moisten and genly massage skin. Rinse immediately and pat dry. Enjoy!

Lemon Body Scrub

NEED: 1 cup Epsom salts 1/2 cup coarse kosher salt 1/2 cup light olive oil* 1 teaspoon lemongrass or lemon soap fragrance Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into decorative 1 pint container. Make sure lid fits tight. * use light olive oil so the fragrances blend well. You may substitute canola oil. This, however, will make the mixture thicker. Attach gift tag and ribbon. Gently massage a small amount of scrub on skin with a damp washcloth then rinse. The mixture does contain oil so it can make tub or shower slippery. Avoid using if you have open cuts. Enjoy!

Cooling Foot Powder

NEED: 1 1/4 cups cornstarch 1/2 cup baking soda 1/4 cup dried peppermint ( about 9 - 10 tea bags-just cut open and empty) 1/4 teaspoon eucalyptus-mint soap fragrance Place all items in blender or food processor and mix until evenly blended. Pour into decorative container. Shaker top is ideal for this powder. Add gift tag and ribbon. Enjoy!

Body Powder

NEED: 1 1/2 cups cornstarch 1/2 cup baking soda 1/4 teaspoon ground gloves 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon sandalwood soap fragrance. Place all items in blender or food processor until very finely ground. Pour into 1 pint decorative container. One with a shaker top is ideal. Attach gift tag and ribbon. Enjoy!

Fragrant Bath Salts

Need: 1 cup borax 1/2 cups sea salt or Epsom salts 1/2 cup baking soda 1/2 teaspoon lavender soap fragrance 1/4 teaspoon orange soap fragrance 1/4 teaspoon sandalwood soap fragrance Combine sea salt, borax and baking soda in a bowl. Mix well. Stir in fragrances. Pour into decorative 1 pint container with tight fitting lid. Attach gift card and ribbon. Pour 1/2 cup of mix into tub of running water. Swish to dissolve. Enjoy

Victorian Milk Bath Mix

You can find the most beautiful decorator canisters and bottles for nearly nothing. Why not mix up a very special, personal, treat for someone for the holidays, a birthday, or just to give for no reason at all. Some of the oils or fragrances that will me listed may be purchased at Health Food Stores or Craft Stores. If you can not find what you are looking for, search on line. There are a great many sites that sell in small volume at reasonable prices. Why not make some for yourself? 2 cups powdered milk 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 1/2 cup dried lavender flowers 1/2 to 1 teaspoon plumeria or other floral soap fragrance Place milk and oats in food processor or blender. Continue processing until mixture is fine. Place mixture in bowl and stir in lavender flowers and fragrance. Pour into 1 pint bottle. Apply tag and decorate with a ribbon. This works best if you place a cup full in clean stocking. ( save the foot of one you are tossing or use the end of a knee high nylon.) Tie a knot and toss into tub while water is running. Squeeze stocking a few times to release all the oats' skin-softening features. Enjoy!