HANDMADE ESSENTIAL OIL GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY
Mothers are the backbone of our lives. The dedication, care, and influence a mom has on a child ensues a ripple effect on families, communities, and society at large. Motherhood is an all-encompassing full-time job that begins upon waking up in the morning and ends well after the kids are put to sleep at night. Between laundry, booking appointments, packing lunches, driving kids to school, picking them up, taking them to extra-curricular activities, and deciding on what to make for dinner, a mom rarely has any time in a day to herself. Inspiring mother figures can also be found in aunts, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, extended family members, and mothers of friends. Each mom has a plethora of experience, wisdom, and unique perspective that is worthy of recognition, appreciation, and love every day of the year.
Mother's Day, the second Sunday of May, is a wonderful time to harness the warmth of spring and the blossoming of flowers to show your mom, and all the mother figures in your life, how special they are to you. Anyone can walk into a mall and pick out a generic, run-of-the-mill present that is likely to include excess packing, harsh chemicals, and a lack in personality. With a few kitchen supplies, crafting tools, and Essential Oils, you can give your mom the gift of some well-deserved rest and relaxation with a DIY Essential Oil formulation that is unique to her. Create a personalized, hand-crafted gift for Mother's Day this year. Choose one or more of the following recipes and tie it all together with a bow in her favorite color for a gift she won't find anywhere else!
ESSENTIAL OILS / SYNERGY BLENDS FOR MOTHER'S DAY
The recipes provided are highly customizable, and although some of them recommend specific Essential Oils, you can easily tailor these gifts to suit your mother's favorite scents or skin care needs. Whether your mom likes floral, earthy, herbaceous, or spicy scents, mix and match until you achieve your desired result! To capture the essence of Mother's Day, we recommend the following Essential Oils:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Geranium Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Chamomile Roman Essential Oil
To take the guess work out of mixing Essential Oils with varying scent profiles, adding one of the following Synergy Blends will give mom the luxury treatment she deserves!
DIY MOTHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
- Age Defying - This careful blend of Lavender, Mandarin, Geranium, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, and Helichrysum Essential Oils rejuvenates mature skin and can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
- Breathe Easy - When mom needs to catch her breath or alleviate cough and cold symptoms, Breathe Easy is an invigorating blend that will open the airways and purify the air in her home.
- Mental Clarity - Being a mother is a full-time job. This synergy blend includes Grapefruit, Bergamot, Basil, and Lemon Essential Oils to invigorate the senses and promote focus on busy days.
- Pillager's Potion - An NDA favorite, the versatile Pillager's Potion is a synergistic blend of Essential Oils that are known to possess anti-bacterial properties and support immunity. Clove Bud, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Tea Tree Essential Oils can reduce harmful airborne bacteria while emitting a refreshing, lively scent. Recommended for Shower Steamers.
- Relax - This uniquely grounding blend of Blood Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Patchouli, and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils allows mom to practice self-care at any time of the day.
- Sensual - For the fancy mother in your life, treat her to this decadent blend of Lavender, Orange, Geranium, Cedarwood, Marjoram, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Mandarin, and Petitgrain Essential Oils.
- Tranquil - This deeply soothing blend gives mom permission to unwind after a long day. Lavender, Mandarin, Geranium, Marjoram Sweet, Frankincense, Palmarosa, Ylang Ylang Essential Oils is perfect for any bedtime rituals.
- Vitality - Mom is always looking after everyone else. Show her you are looking after her wellbeing with this supportive blend of Lavender, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Patchouli, Geranium Egypt, Ylang Ylang, and Juniper Berry Essential Oils.
1. HOMEMADE BATH BOMB (inspired by: Recipes with Essential Oils)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Baking Soda
- ¾ cup Citric Acid
- ¾ cup Epsom Salts
- 4 tbsp MCT 60/40 Oil
- 10-12 drops Synergy Blend of choice
Equipment:
Directions:
- Using a fork, mix Baking Soda, Citric Acid, and Epson Salts into a medium-sized bowl. Make sure there are no clumps and that the powdered ingredients are evenly mixed.
- In a separate bowl, combine fractioned Coconut Oil and Essential Oils.
- Slowly pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the baking soda mixture. Do not add the liquid too fast, or else the mixture will prematurely activate. If the mixture seems too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water slowly.
- Combine the ingredients with a spoon until they form a wet sand-like texture.
- Fill both sides of the mold and press together until both pieces close together tightly.
- Remove the bath bomb from the mold and let it airdry overnight.
2. DIY BATH SALTS (source: Don't Mess with Mama)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Epsom Salt
- 2 tbsp Carrier Oil of choice (source recommends Almond or Olive Oil)
- 10 drops Essential Oil/Synergy Blend of choice (source recommends Lavender)
Equipment:
- Medium-sized glass mixing bowl (Plastic is not recommended as Essential Oils will absorb into the bowl)
- Airtight Glass container
Directions:
- Combine Epsom Salt and Carrier Oil into your glass mixing bowl and mix well.
- Add Essential Oils and mix again.
- Store in airtight glass container.
To Use:
- Add 1 cup of bath salts to a tub full of water. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
3. AROMATHERAPY SHOWER STEAMERS (source: Revive Essential Oils)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Baking Soda
- ½ cup Water
- 8 drops Essential Oil or Synergy Blend of your choice
Tools:
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix all the ingredients together until a paste is created.
- Press the paste in the molds and even out the top with a spatula or your hands.
- Place the mold in a baking pan and place in the oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove and let the cubes cool completely.
4. PEPPERMINT FOOT SCRUB
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup Baking Soda
- ¼ cup Avocado or Apricot Carrier Oil
- 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (or Breathe Easy Synergy Blend)
Tools:
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients into a glass bowl and stir to combine.
- Place in a 6 oz. glass jar for personal use.
Packing for gifting:
- To give as a gift, be sure to add the mixture to a decorative jar. Label the mixture and tie with a ribbon.
To Use:
- Over a basin or in the tub, wet one foot at a time. Apply the foot scrub to the heel and rub in circular motions over dry skin.
- Massage the scrub along the arches, between the toes, and all over the foot to get the most of the cleansing and moisturizing properties.
- The oils in this recipe are very slippery, so make sure to clean the tub after scrubbing to prevent falls.
5. LIP SCRUB (sources: Recipes with Essential Oils, Oily Chic)
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp Shea Butter
- ½ teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar (substitute brown sugar for a gentler scrub)
- 10 drops of Essential Oils of your choice
Tools:
- Small saucepan
- Small lip balm containers (1 oz with screw top)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, melt the Coconut Oil and Shea Butter to a liquid.
- Remove pan from the heat and let mixture cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Add Vitamin E Oil and Essential Oil(s) of your choice. Stir to combine.
- Spoon in sugar and mix well.
Packing for gifting:
- To give as a gift, be sure to add the mixture to a decorative jar. Label the mixture and tie with a ribbon.
To Use:
- Add a quarter-size amount to lips. Rub vigorously onto the surface of the lips for 20-30 seconds.
- Rinse and pat dry.
- Follow up with lip balm or Carrier Oil to seal in the moisture.
- Repeat as needed. The sugar may settle at the bottom of the container, so mix before using.
Recommended Essential Oil Combinations:
- Lavender Vanilla (2 drops Lavender Essential Oil, ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract)
- Peppermint Vanilla (2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil, ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract)
- Citrus Vanilla (1 drop Lemon Essential Oil, 1 drop Grapefruit Essential Oil, ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract)
- Lavender Lemon (1 drop Lemon Essential Oil, 1 drop Lavender Essential Oil)
- Mint Mojito (1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil, 1 drop Lime Essential Oil)
- Hurricane (1 drop Orange Essential Oil, 1 drop Grapefruit Essential Oil)
6. HOMEMADE WHIPPED BODY BUTTER (source: Don't Mess with Mama)
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Coconut Oil
- ½ cup Shea Butter
- ¼ Jojoba Oil (optional, omit if you don't have Jojoba Oil on hand)
- 10 drops Essential Oil of your choice (source recommends Lavender)
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Pulse on high until a whip-like consistency is achieved (about 2 minutes).
- Use a spatula to dispense whip into a glass jar.
Notes an Storage:
- To give this body butter as a gift, make sure to double or triple the recipe as needed.
- To preserve the whipped consistency, the body butter can be stored in the fridge and whipped again in the food processor or blender.
7. MOISTURIZING LOTION BARS (source: Don't Mess with Mama)
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup Coconut Oil
- ¼ cup Shea Butter
- ¼ cup Beeswax
- 3-4 drops Vitamin E oil
- 10-15 drops Essential Oils/ Synergy Blend of your choice (source recommends Lavender and/or Geranium)
Tools:
- Double boiler
- Silicone molds or tin containers
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients (except for the Essential Oils) into the double boiler and melt on low heat.
- Remove from heat once the ingredients have melted and add Essential Oils.
- Fill silicone molds/tin containers and let cool at room temperature for a few hours until firm.
8. LAVENDER CUTICLE OIL (source: Recipes with Essential Oils)
Ingredients:
- 20 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Age Defy, Geranium, Frankincense, Chamomile Roman, Relax, and Tranquil also work well here).
- 1 ½ tbsp Apricot Kernel Carrier Oil
- ½ teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
Tools:
- 1 oz Amber Dropper Bottle
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients into the dropper bottle. Seal the lid and shake gently to combine.
To Use:
- Pour 1-2 drops directly onto freshly cleaned and dried cuticles. Massage the oil into cuticles until it is absorbed.
STORING YOUR DIY MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS
Any liquid recipe involving Essential Oils are best stored in dark Amber or dark Blue glass bottles. If stored in plastic, the oils may dissolve the plastic and contaminate other ingredients in the product. This includes recipes that have a runny, thinner consistency, such as the Lavender Cuticle Oil. A dropper bottle or a glass bottle with a dispensing top is recommended for easy application.
Recipes with a thicker consistency or grainy in texture such as the Whipped Body Butter, Peppermint Foot Scrub, and DIY Bath Salts can be stored in glass jars or airtight containers. NDA's Kosma jars, Boston Round Blue jar, and Boston Round Frosted jar are suitable for these formulations. NDA also carries Aluminum canisters between 15 and 250 ml, which are ideal for the DIY lip scrub, the Homemade Lotion Bars, and Shower Steamers. Prior to wrapping the Bath Bomb, be sure to wrap it in cellophane or other plastic wrap before adding other decorations.
GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS
Decorative ribbons, wrapping papers, bows, and labels are a simple yet elegant way to add the final touches to your luxurious gifts. The lotion bars and bath bombs can easily be wrapped in layers of tissue paper in mom's favorite color. For a low-waste option, consider upcycling old sweaters, t-shirts, and flannel to make a charming and unique gift wrap.
If you end up creating one or more of these hand-made gifts to pamper the mother in your life, consider wrapping them up in a Mother's Day gift basket. Using a gift box with a removeable lid, clear cello basket bag, newsprint packing paper, tinsel cord, colored basket shred and a pull bow, you can create a beautifully neat basket that keeps all your tokens of appreciation in place. Mom is sure to feel loved and cherished with these thoughtful DIY gift and wrapping ideas!