I recently picked up the Christmas issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine and was pleasant surprised to find a great Do It Yourself article called “Natural Beauties”.  The guide includes beautiful photos and instructions on how to make homemade bath & body treatments that “let you give the gift of relaxation”.  This is one of my faves (and I’ll most likely be trying out myself very soon):

DIY Body Scrub Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom salts or organic cane sugar

1 cup carrier oil (grapeseed, olive, sunflower or Vitamin E) [My tip: buying olive oil in bulk seems to be the most affordable]

8 drops essential oil(s) (Eucalyptus, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Tangerine, Peppermint, Rosemary &/or Star Anise) [Tip: Star Anise smells like black licorice]

1 drop natural food colorant [My note: Avoid synthetic food coloring, like FD&C and D&C colors as they’ve been linked to neurological toxicity]

Instructions:

1). Stir together Epsom salts or sugar and carrier oil in a bowl, mixing well.

2). Add essential oil(s), 1 drop at a time.

3). Add natural food coloring, and stir until color is even throughout.

4). Spoon into glass canning jars. 

5). Print & adhere labels (use salt or sugar labels).

6). Gift to a loved one! 

Source & Image Credit: MS Living