make it!

Natural Perfumes

Ingredients:

• Essential oils

• Carrier oil (e.g., jojoba oil, sweet almond oil)

• Small roll-on bottles or spray bottles

Instructions:

1. Mix essential oils with carrier oil in a small bottle.

2. Shake well and label.

3. For extra fun, you can experiment with citrus peels, mint leaves, or coffee beans crushed, steeped and strained out of the oils.

Scented Bath Salts

Ingredients:

• Epsom salt

• Sea salt

• Baking soda

• Essential oils

• Dried herbs or flower petals

Instructions:

1. Mix Epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda in a bowl.

2. Add essential oils and dried herbs or petals.

3. Store in a glass jar.

Custom Blended Lotion

Ingredients:

• Cocoa butter

• Essential oils (e.g., lavender, peppermint, rosemary)

• Carrier oil (e.g., coconut oil, almond oil)

Instructions:

1. Melt cocoa butter in a double boiler.

2. Add carrier oil and mix well.

3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add a few drops of essential oils.

4. Pour into small jars or tins and let it set.

DIY Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• Beeswax

• Coconut oil

• Shea butter

• Essential oils (e.g., peppermint, lavender)

• Small tins or lip balm tubes

Instructions:

1. Melt beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a double boiler.

2. Remove from heat and add a few drops of essential oils.

3. Pour the mixture into tins or lip balm tubes and let it set.

DIY Coffee Scrub

Ingredients:

• Used coffee grounds

• Coconut oil

• Brown sugar

• Vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Mix used coffee grounds with melted coconut oil.

2. Add brown sugar and a few drops of vanilla extract.

3. Store in an airtight container.

Incense

Ingredients:

• Charcoal powder

• Makko powder (binder)

• Ground herbs, resins, and botanicals

• Essential oils

• Water

Instructions:

1. Combine charcoal powder, makko powder, and ground herbs in a bowl.

2. Add a few drops of essential oils and mix well.

3. Add water to form a thick paste.

4. Shape into cones or sticks and let dry.

Potpourri

Ingredients:

• Dried flowers (e.g., roses, lavender)

• Dried citrus peels

• Cinnamon sticks

• Whole cloves

• Essential oils

Instructions:

1. Mix dried flowers, citrus peels, and spices in a bowl.

2. Add a few drops of essential oils.

3. Store in an airtight container or sachet bags.

Pomander Balls

Ingredients:

• Oranges

• Whole cloves

• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Use a toothpick to poke holes in the orange in a decorative pattern.

2. Insert whole cloves into the holes.

3. Roll the orange in a mixture of ground spices if desired.

4. Allow the orange to dry in a cool, dry place for a few weeks.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

• Vanilla beans

• Vodka or other alcohol

• Small glass bottles

Instructions:

1. Split vanilla beans lengthwise and place them in a bottle.

2. Fill the bottle with vodka, covering the beans completely.

3. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 months, shaking occasionally.

Hot Cocoa Mix in a Mason Jar

Ingredients:

• Ovaltine

• Cocoa powder

• Milk powder

• Mini marshmallows (optional)

• Mason jar

Instructions:

1. Layer Ovaltine, cocoa powder, and milk powder in a mason jar.

2. Add mini marshmallows on top if desired.

3. Seal the jar and attach a tag with preparation instructions.

Vanilla Sugar

Ingredients:

• Granulated sugar

• Vanilla beans

Instructions:

1. Split vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.

2. Mix the seeds and the pods with granulated sugar.

3. Store in an airtight container for a few weeks to let the flavors infuse.

4. Use the vanilla sugar for baking or coffee.

Infused Honey

Ingredients:

• Honey

• Herbs or spices (e.g., rosemary, cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans)

• Small glass jars

Instructions:

1. Place herbs or spices in a glass jar.

2. Pour honey over the herbs until the jar is full.

3. Seal the jar and let it infuse for a few days.

4. Label the jar with the flavor and usage suggestions.

Tea or Coffee Blends

Ingredients:

• Loose leaf tea or coffee beans

• Dried herbs, spices, or flavored syrups

Instructions:

1. Blend your favorite loose leaf tea or coffee with dried herbs and spices.

2. Store in a decorative jar or tin.

Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats

• Nuts and seeds (e.g., almonds, pumpkin seeds)

• Dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries)

• Honey or maple syrup

• Coconut oil

• Vanilla extract

• Spices (e.g., cinnamon, nutmeg)

Instructions:

1. Mix oats, nuts, seeds, and spices in a large bowl.

2. In a small saucepan, heat honey or maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until melted.

3. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well.

4. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Allow to cool, then mix in dried fruit.

6. Store in an airtight container or decorative jar.

Indoor Herb Garden

Ingredients:

• Small pots or recycled containers

• Potting soil

• Herb seeds or small herb plants (e.g., basil, mint, parsley)

Instructions:

1. Fill pots with potting soil.

2. Plant herb seeds or small herb plants.

3. Water and place in a sunny spot.

Flavored Olive Oil

Ingredients:

• Olive oil

• Herbs (e.g., rosemary, thyme, basil)

• Garlic cloves

• Chili peppers

• Small glass bottles

Instructions:

1. Place herbs, garlic, or chili peppers in a glass bottle.

2. Fill the bottle with olive oil, ensuring the herbs are completely submerged.

3. Seal the bottle and let it infuse for at least a week.

4. Label the bottle with the flavor and usage suggestions.

Herb Infused Vinegar

Ingredients:

• White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• Fresh herbs (e.g., tarragon, dill, basil)

• Garlic cloves

• Small glass bottles

Instructions:

1. Place fresh herbs and garlic cloves in a glass bottle.

2. Pour vinegar over the herbs until the bottle is full.

3. Seal the bottle and let it sit for 2-4 weeks.

4. Label the bottle with the flavor and usage suggestions.

Spiced Nuts

Ingredients:

• Mixed nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts)

• Egg white

• Sugar

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. Whisk egg white until frothy, then add nuts and coat evenly.

3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.

4. Toss the nuts in the spice mixture until coated.

5. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container.

Homemade Salsa

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes

• Onions

• Jalapeños

• Cilantro

• Lime juice

• Salt

Instructions:

1. Chop tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños finely.

2. Mix with chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.

3. Store in a mason jar or decorative container.

Homemade Ghee

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Allow it to simmer until the milk solids separate and turn golden brown.

3. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth into a jar, discarding the solids.

4. Store in an airtight container.