Nothing can replace the feeling you get from giving a homemade gift. Thegratitude on a friend;s face when you say “I made it” can’t bereproduced by any store-bought gift. Below are some inexpensive body andtummy-pampering gifts you can make yourself.

Remember, from candles to cookies, the most important ingredients in anyof these gifts are thought and love — so take your time and focus onputting positive energy into each and every one you make.

BATH AND BODY

Milk Bath Powder

2 cups dry milk

1 cup cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon fragrance, scented oil or essential oil (available atnatural food stores)

Mix all ingredients well and package with these directions:

Pour a few tablespoons into warm water for a rich, creamy bath.

Massage Oil

1 cup ‘carrier oil’ (mineral, sunflower, sesame, olive or peanut oil)

3-8 drops essential oils of your choice (available at natural foodstores)

Mix the oils in an empty squeeze bottle (available at any pharmacy).

For invigorating oil, try orange and ginger. For a musky scent,frankincense, musk and jasmine mix well and for a masculine scent, usesandalwood and bergamot.

Facial Steam

A variety of herbs (Suggestions: Frankincense for wrinkles; Lavender,Mint and Calendula for dry skin; Chamomile and Comfrey for sensitiveskin;, Lavender and Rose for Oily Skin; and Licorice Root for all types)

Bundle the herbs in a decorative fabric with these directions:

Place a handful of herbs in a pot of water. Bring to a boil, then reducethe heat andsimmer for 5-10 minutes, adding water as needed. Meanwhile, tie yourhair back and wash your face.

Place the pot with the steaming water on a trivet or potholder on atable or countertop.

Make a tent over your head with a towel, and hang your head over thesteaming pot.

Don’t lean too close to the pot, or you’ll get burned. Steam for 5-10minutes, then rinse with cool water and follow with astringent andmoisturizer.

Bath Fizzies

2 tablespoons citric acid (available at most pharmacies)

2 tablespoons cornstarch (available at most supermarkets)

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fragrance, scented oil or essential oil (available atnatural food stores)

3 tablespoon Coconut, Almond or Avocado oil

Place the citric acid, cornstarch and baking soda in a bowl and mixwell. In another bowl, combine the two oils. Slowly add the oil mixtureto dry ingredients and mix well. Shape the mixture into 1″ balls. Letfizzies dry on a sheet of waxed paper for three hours, then let themharden for and additional 48 hours.

Package with these directions:

Drop 1-3 of these Bath Fizzies into warm water for an invigorating bath.

Candles

candle wax (available at craft stores)

wicks (available at craft stores)

molds (available at craft stores or use homemade)

candle coloring – optional (available at craft stores or use crayons)

candle scent – optional (available at craft stores or use essentialoils)

coffee can

Set up a double boiler using a regular cooking pot and the coffee can(put enough water in the pan to liberally cover the bottom, then placethe coffee can inside).

Decide which mold you will use. You can buy a variety of re-usable moldsat a craft store for $10-20. I prefer using Dixie Cups to make votives.They are cheap (a few bucks for 250) and the wax they are lined withcreates a rough, rustic look on the outside of the candle.

Cut the wax into small chunks and fill the mold with the chunks in orderto measure how much the mold will take. Take this amount and increase itby 50 percent. That is about how much wax you will need. Put the wax inthe coffee can and heat the double boiler setup on medium heat, untilboiling. Stir the wax until fully melted.

You can now add the coloring and scent, if desired. Crayons make a good,inexpensive colorant. Start out with 1/2 crayon per candle and work yourway up. Adding a white crayon creates a pastel look. Continue stirring,until the color is evenly distributed. Add a few drops of fragrance,then take the boiler off of the heat and let cool 1 minute.

Place the wick in the center of the mold and pour the wax in. Recenterthe wick and let cool. As the candle cools, the wax will sink in thecenter — continue adding wax as needed. Let the candle dry overnightand release from mold (if using Dixie cups, just rip the cup away).

FOOD

Vanilla sugar

vanilla beans

granulated sugar

Using one vanilla bean per cup of sugar, cut the vanilla beans in half,lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds (use in puddings, ice creams orother desserts). Let the beans dry and place in an airtight decorativecontainer with the sugar. Let marinate for two days before giving.

Include these directions:

Refill this jar with sugar as it empties; the beans will provide flavorfor hundreds of cups of sugar.

Cinnamon Sugar

cinnamon Sticks (found in the Mexican/Hispanic foods section of most grocery stores)

granulated sugar

Place two to three cinnamon sticks in a decorative glass container. Try placing the sticks up against the glass so they are visible from the side. Fill the container with the sugar. Seal and decorate. Include a note with serving suggestions; this sugar is great in coffee or hot chocolate.

Peppermint Sugar

peppermint candy canes

granulated sugar

If you have a food processor, process the candy canes until they resemble small crumbs. Otherwise, place the candy canes in a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin (or big text book). Mix three parts sugar to one part candy cane crumbs (depending on taste). Pour in a decorative container and attach a serving suggestion note. This is great in hot chocolate and hot tea.

This flavored sugar concept has unlimited possibilities. Try dried citus rind in sugar for iced teas and sugar cookies. If you can get dried lavendar from a farmer’s market or herb shop, make lavendar sugar for a wonderful lavendar pound cake. The possibilities are endless!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

3/4 cup flour + 1/8 tsp baking powder + 1 pinch salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

8 oz chocolate chips

8 oz nuts

Layer all ingredients in a jar, and include these directions:

Mix together 1/2 cup soft butter, one egg and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract ina bowl.

Slowly add all the ingredients except for the chocolate and nuts. Mixuntil well blended.

Fold in the remaining ingredients.

Bake at 325 for 11-15 minutes

Hot chocolate mix

1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients and package with these directions:

Combine 2 tablespoons of this mixture with 2 tablespoons water overmedium heat. Stir until it boils. Add 8 oz milk. Continue heating andstir until hot.