Project: DIY Sugar Scrub

Bath products for Christmas! Yes. Homemade gifts that are cost saving and are gifts that people will use? Yes.

Every year I like to make little gifts for the people I work with, or for people who invite us over for dinner, for cookies, or just so say thank you – like my massage therapist. This DIY sugar scrub is great, plus, the jars are so cute.

This recipe is part of the 12 Days of Christmas celebration and is the first DIY project.

What You Need

8 cups of sugar
1/2-1 cup of coconut oil
peppermint essential oil (about 10-15 drops)
red food colouring
10-12 x 250ml mason jars

First – gather all of your ingredients. If you don’t have coconut oil, you can use baby oil, or even olive oil, yet coconut is so great for your skin. I’d use the coconut.

Ensure your coconut oil is malleable – mine was really stiff, so I put it in the microwave at 50% power for about 20 seconds. Next, measure out the sugar and then add in the coconut oil gradually. Add about 2 tablespoons at a time. Stir well. Depending on the consistency you’re looking for, use between 1/2 – 1 cup. I used just over 1/2 a cup. Now, 2 drops at a time, add in the essential oil, until the mix reaches the desired fragrance. I used peppermint, yet I also purchased tangerine. Use what you like…for the holidays, I figured peppermint was a good choice. The spring will call for tangerine, or apple. Oh, apple would be divine.

Okay, moving on, divide the sugar/oil mixture into two bowls. In one bowl add in a couple drops of red food colouring. I actually didn’t have any, so I used icing colour. It worked well.

The essential oil was the hardest thing for me to find – it can be found at speciality gift stores or sometimes at organic food stores, like whole foods. When you find some, buy more than one if you plan on using it often.

Time to layer!

I did 4 layers – red/white/red/white – you can’t see the last layer of white, the lid covers it. Pack the jar as firmly as you can and then top with the lid.