Bath Bomb Ornaments: Easy Homemade Gift Idea for the Holidays

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December 12, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

DIY bath bomb ornaments are the perfect holiday gifts. Not only are these fun Christmas ornaments easy to make, they allow you to gift someone special an extra opportunity for self care. What better gift to give for the holidays, than a relaxing bath time staycation? Learn how to make your own homemade bath bomb ornaments for your friends and family with this simple tutorial from guest blogger, Melanie Sugalski, of Nature’s Oil.

Holiday Bath Bomb Ornaments: Two Ways

As the temperature plummets and snow starts flying, you realize it’s mid December and there’s still a few people on your gift list. Before you drive to the mall in a panic and fight the crowds, we have a last-minute, homemade holiday gift idea that’s both festive and functional. DIY bath bomb ornaments are the perfect holiday gifts, allowing that special someone the chance to be relieved of stress and enjoy the magic of the holidays.

There are two different ways to make DIY bath bomb ornaments depending on your schedule and how involved you would like to get. One iteration offers the chance to make bath bomb crumbles from scratch. For those with a tighter schedule, there’s an alternative recipe using ready-made bath bombs to save time.

Option #1 – Bath Bomb Scrumbles from Scratch

Ingredients:

2 lb. Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
1 lb. Citric Acid
10 – 30 drops Skin Safe Fragrance or Essential Oil
Colorant
1 tsp. Decorative Botanicals, if desired

Supplies:

Large Spoon or Whisk
4 Clear Plastic Ornaments
Funnel
Wax Paper
Baking Sheet
Bowl

Instructions:

Add citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in a bowl followed by 10 to 30 drops of your favorite fragrance oil or essential oil. The more drops added, the stronger the fragrance will become. Slowly mix the ingredients until they are well blended.

For a pop of color, mix in different colorants. We recommend skin safe colorants that won’t irritate or dye your skin such as charcoal or dash of red and green clay. Glitter also adds a sparkle to let your present shine. Don’t feel obligated to color your bath bomb ornament, white mixtures can make the perfect snowball or snowman.

Remove the top of the ornament and use a funnel to pour the bath bomb mixture into the ornament. Add finishing touches like decorative botanicals in the bulb before securely closing the top.

Option #2 – Using Ready-Made Bath Bombs

Ingredients:

3 Bath Bombs (find another great holiday bath bomb recipe here)

Supplies:

Resealable Plastic Bag
Rolling Pin
4 Clear Plastic Ornaments
Funnel

Instructions:

Place one bath bomb into a resealable plastic bag, press out the air, and seal it shut. Using a rolling pin or another hard object, carefully crush the bath bomb on a hard surface. Continue to break down the bath bomb until there are no large chunks left.

Remove the top of the plastic ornament and pour in the crushed bath bomb using the funnel. Another option is cutting a bottom corner of the resealable plastic bag containing the bath bomb mixture and pouring it directly into the ornament. Alternate layers between different bath bombs for a colorful design. Once the ornament is filled, replace and secure the top.

Ideas for Decorating Your Bath Bomb Ornaments

For more festive fun, add small decorations like ribbons or a personal touch to your bath bomb ornaments using metallic paint pens. Or glue a mini wreath ornament (just cut off the string) onto the front of your Christmas ornaments for another fun decorating idea.

Once you’ve decorated your bath bomb ornaments, all that’s left is to present this homemade holiday gift to family and friends. These ornaments are perfect to hang on the tree until you’re ready for a relaxing bath.

How to Use This Holiday Gift Idea

To use these holiday bath bomb ornaments, just remove the top and sprinkle the contents into a nice warm tub. Slowly sink in and let the hustle and bustle of the holidays slip away.

If you like these DIY bath bomb Christmas ornaments, don’t forget to pin this post for later. You can also discover more ways to make bath bomb along with numerous bath bomb recipes for year round gifting here. Or learn tips and tricks for making the perfect bath bombs on your first try.

To purchase the fragrances or essential oils for these DIY bath bomb ornaments, be sure to visit Nature’s Oil. You can also follow Nature’s Oil on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, bath bomb recipe, bath bombs, bath tutorial, christmas, Christmas gift, christmas gifts, Christmas ornament, crafts, diy, diy crafts, easy, holiday gift, holidays, homemade gift, last minute gift, ornaments, self care

Snowman Mason Jar Craft for Easy DIY Christmas Gifts with Printable Gift Tags

November 16, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

Celebrate winter with this easy DIY snowman mason jar craft. It’s perfect for easy DIY Christmas gifts. Simply fill the completed snowman mason jars with white chocolate covered pretzels -recipe included! – peppermint bark, chai tea mix or your favorite small seasonal toys or gifts. Then print out the free printable labels for an easy, affordable DIY holiday gift idea for Christmas!

A Celebration of Winter Snow

I love snow. And really, snow is probably the only thing I actually like about winter. Fashion choices aside, of course. Granted, I do live on the line between what’s considered the North and the South. So it’s not often we get snow, much less get buried underneath of it. Which means, the threat of snow, brings with it the joy and excitement of a possible snow day. One that hasn’t diminished at all even after completing school and sending a child out the nest and into the world.

I remember one year we somehow magically got three feet of snow. It was my first year of college (so well over twenty years ago if you’re counting.) The city was not equipped to handle it. And unlike many of your snowfalls, there was no warming period afterwards. The city literally shut down for ten days. Everything was closed. On day five you could walk to the post office and pick up your mail. I took the two mile walk to help curb the boredom. The only person I saw was a man riding down the street on a snowmobile. It was the most bizarre thing I’ve probably seen in this town. And almost apocalyptic. (Except there were no zombies obviously. I’m sure you would have heard about that one.)

The entire family got creative with snow as a medium that year. I dug an igloo (that was mighty warm inside) out the snow my dad had shoveled off of the driveway. While my dad and brother built a snow woman holding a baby and a lowrider truck that you could actually sit in.

It’s been a few years since we’ve had a decent snow – meaning one to two feet. However, they’re predicting that Southwestern Virginia is in for a very wet and snowy winter this year. And while being cold is not my thing, I figure if it’s going to be cold, then it might as well snow.

Easy DIY Christmas Gifts: Snowman Mason Jar Craft (with Chocolate Covered Pretzels)

If you love snow as much as I do, or maybe you just need a winter craft to keep you from going stir crazy, this snowman mason jar craft is the perfect fit. It’s absolutely wonderful for DIY Christmas gifts for teachers, friends, neighbors – pretty much anyone. (I tell you how to make easy white chocolate covered pretzels to stash inside.) Plus, I’ve also included free printable “Merry Christmas” gift tags to make gifting even easier. However, don’t feel boxed in by the whole idea of chocolate covered pretzels. You could also put homemade marshmallows, peppermint bark, a chai tea mix or pretty much any type of treat inside. Or skip the food idea all together and fill this snowman mason jar craft with small toys or other seasonal surprises.

Ready to get started on this easy snowman mason jar gift for your DIY Christmas gifts this holiday season? Keep reading for the tutorial, my easy white chocolate covered pretzels recipe and the free printable labels!

Snowman Mason Jar Craft Tutorial

Supplies & Materials:

Mason jar
Large round red buttons
Black & white plaid ribbon
White cardstock
Black craft paint
Craft glue
Twine

Tools:

Hot glue gun
Hole punch
Paint brush
Scissors

Instructions:

Start by painting the lid of the mason jar with the black paint. Set aside to dry.

While the mason jar lid for your snowman mason jar craft dries, glue the three red buttons in a vertical row on the front of the mason jar.

Once the paint and glue have both dried, fill the mason jar with white chocolate covered pretzels (see recipe below) or other DIY Christmas gifts of choice.

Screw the lid onto the mason jar.

Then, tie the black and white plaid ribbon into a bow onto the top of the mason jar. You can use a dab of glue to secure the ribbon in place.

Next, print out the printable gift tags here onto cardstock. Use scissors to cut out the gift tags. Then, use a hole punch to punch a whole into the top of each gift tag.

Run a piece of twine through the hole in the gift tag and cut to desired length.

Tie the gift tag to the mason jar using the twine.

Your DIY snowman mason jar craft is now ready to gift. Make as many snowman mason jars as needed for easy DIY Christmas gifts. These are perfect to gift to teachers, friends, family, coworkers and even neighbors throughout the holiday season.

Yield: 1 Snowman Mason Jar

Snowman Mason Jar Craft for Easy DIY Christmas Gifts

Celebrate winter with this easy DIY snowman mason jar craft. It’s perfect for easy DIY Christmas gifts. Simply fill the completed snowman mason jars with seasonal food gifts. Then print out the free printable labels for an easy, affordable DIY holiday gift idea for Christmas!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

Mason jar
Large round red buttons
Black & white plaid ribbon
White cardstock
Black craft paint
Craft glue
Twine

Tools

Hot glue gun
Hole punch
Paint brush
Scissors

Instructions

Paint the lid of the mason jar with black paint. Set aside to dry.
Glue the three red buttons in a vertical row on the front of the mason jar while the paint on the mason jar lid dries.
Once the paint and glue have dried, fill the mason jar with white chocolate covered pretzels or other holiday food gift of choice.
Screw the lid onto the mason jar.
Tie the ribbon into a bow onto the top of the mason jar. You can use a dab of glue to secure the ribbon in place.
Print out the gift tags here onto cardstock. Use scissors to cut out the gift tags.
Now use a hole punch to punch a whole into the top of each gift tag.
Run a piece of twine through the hole in the gift tag and cut to desired length.
Tie the gift tag to the mason jar using the twine.

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

Ingredients:

Package of white melting chocolate
Package of pretzels

Tools & Materials:

Double boiler
Utensils for stirring
Wax or parchment paper

Instructions:

Melt the white chocolate according to package directions.

Dip the pretzels into the melted chocolate one at a time, placing them onto the wax or parchment paper after dipping.

Allow the chocolate to cool completely. Once cooled, fill your snowman mason jar craft with pretzels for easy DIY Christmas gifts.

Printable Snowman Mason Jar Craft Gift Tags

The free printable gift tags for your snowman mason jar craft make gift giving even easier. These printable gift tags say “Merry Christmas” and print four to a sheet for easy DIY Christmas gifts.

They come in two colors, red and green. You can use these Christmas gift tags for your snowman mason jar gifts as well as other handmade gifts for the holidays. You can download and print these free printable Christmas gift tags here.

If you love my DIY snowman mason jar craft for making easy DIY Christmas gifts for the holidays, then be sure to pin this project to Pinterest for later. (You can also follow me on Pinterest here.) Also be sure to check out these other DIY food gifts and DIY mason jar gifts for Christmas on my DIY gifts for the holidays Pinterest board.

More Easy DIY Christmas Gifts

For more easy DIY Christmas gifts and ideas, be sure to try one of my other holiday themed projects.

Vanilla Chai Tea Mix Recipe for DIY Christmas Gifts
Easy No Bake Bourbon Balls Recipe with Woodford Reserve
Foaming Peppermint Sugar Scrub Recipe
Mason Jar Cranberry Body Butter Recipe
Cranberry Chutney Solid Lotion Bar Recipe
Cardamom & Pumpkin Spice Solid Coffee Scrub Recipe

Vanilla Fig Mason Jar Body Butter Recipe
Non-greasy Cinnamon Sugar Body Butter Recipe
DIY Mason Jar Solid Sugar Scrub Snowballs
DIY Mason Jar Gifts for Bath & Beauty Lovers
Chocolate Orange Sugar Scrub & Body Butter Gift Set DIY
Starry DIY Etched Mason Jar to Fill with Homemade Food Gifts

You can also learn how to make easy DIY washi tape mason jar gift tags here. These simple gift tags fit right onto the tops of the mason jar lids of your food gifts for Christmas.

For more easy DIY Christmas gifts from Soap Deli News, make sure to follow me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my newsletter.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: 30-minute crafts, chocolate covered pretzels, christmas, Christmas gift, crafts, diy, easy, food gift, gift guide, gift idea, holiday gift, holiday gift giving, holiday labels, holidays, homemade gift, mason jar, snowman, winter

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

May 7, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 2 Comments

I seriously got the best Mother’s Day gift EVER this year! So I wanted to ~~share~~ mom brag about my son’s gift to me. Plus share a few DIY ideas for the best Mother’s Day gifts you can make for your mom this Mother’s Day.

I got my Mother’s day gift early this year. Words cannot even explain how amazing it is! My son, Cody, graduated valedictorian from my alma mater, Roanoke College, this past Saturday. He’s the first on our side of the family to be headed to grad school.

Cody will be working on a research grant when he starts his major in clinical health and research in the fall at UNC Charlotte. His end goal is to be able to help those in need so they can lead happy and fulfilling lives. I feel so blessed to have a son who cares so much about others and the world around him that he wants to make it his life’s work.

While you may not be in a stage in your life that you can wow your mom with your achievements, I can help you out with a collection of 18 handmade gifts that she’ll totally love. Keep reading to explore the best Mother’s Day gifts & ideas that you can DIY for your Mom this May – even if it’s last minute.

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

Blueberry Thyme Bath Salts Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy Mother’s day gift to make last minute, then try this simple homemade bath salts recipe! It’s formulated with Epsom salt and magnesium flakes to ease your mom’s sore muscles and reduce stress. Plus it smells amazing! Get the recipe.

Rose Essential Oil Bath Bomb Recipe

Another of the best Mother’s Day gifts you can DIY, these fragrant rose essential oil bath bombs make a lovely DIY Mother’s Day gift. Made with natural rose essential oil and fragrant roasted cocoa butter, these bath bombs ar the perfect bath time treat to help Mom unwind and relieve stress. Get the recipe.

Easy DIY Succulent Soaps

These adorable succulent soaps from Everything Pretty are guaranteed to delight your mom this Mother’s Day! Perfect for homemade gifts, these DIY melt and pour soaps look like little potted succulents ready for a sunny windowsill. Learn to make them.

Essential Oil Rose Bath Truffles Recipe

Help Mom take a time out for self care with these skin softening DIY rose bath truffles from Country Hill Cottage. Made with six natural ingredients, these beautiful bath treats infuse bath water with nourishing oils and butters to moisturize Mom’s beautifully maturing skin! Get the recipe.

Natural Magnesium Body Butter Recipe

My mom is embarking into her seventies. Unfortunately that means her arthritis is getting worse. If your mom also suffers from common aches and pains, then she’ll appreciate this natural magnesium body butter as much as my mother does! Made with natural ingredients like roasted cocoa butter and essential oils, this body butter recipe also contains magnesium flakes to ease sore muscle and joint pain. Learn how to make it.

Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe

If your mom is on trend with the latest hidden color bath bombs, then she’ll love to receive these pineapple shaped bath fizzies. Formulated to stay together even in high humidity, these hidden color bath bombs will turn your mom’s bath into a rainbow of colors! See the tutorial.

Related: Explore more beautiful DIY Mother’s day gift ideas here.

DIY Crochet Coffee Sleeve

If your mom’s like me then she loves that morning cup of coffee or tea! This crochet coffee cup sleeve from Skip to My Lou is so beautiful. Your mom will use it everyday for that early cup of java. Making it one of the best Mother’s Day gifts you can DIY last minute. Learn how now.

DIY Seashell Wine Charms

What could be more perfect for moms who love wine and entertaining than wine charms? These super cute DIY seashell wine charms from Crafts By Amanda are super simple to make, but look amazing! Plus it’s a great use for those seashells you still have stashed from last summer. See the tutorial now.

DIY Mother’s Day Suncatcher Gift

This suncatcher craft project idea from Darice is super easy to make. It’s also small enough that it can be mailed to your long distance mom if needed. Each bead on this Mother’s Day suncatcher reflects a different child in her life. Learn how to make this memorable best Mother’s Day gift for your mom’s kitchen window. It’s a lovely reminder that you’ll always be in her heart. Learn to make it now.

DIY Solid Rose Lotion Bars

Lotion bars a great way to care for your mom’s maturing skin. Formulated without beeswax, these vegan friendly solid lotion bars are made with natural plant based ingredients for healthy skin care. Get the recipe and helpful tips for creating your own homemade lotion bars for gifts at A Life Adjacent. Get the recipe.

DIY Handwritten Recipe Tea Towel

A handwritten recipe tea towel is the best Mother’s Day gift idea for moms who love to bake! Learn how to transfer a handwritten recipe card from your mom’s recipe collection onto a tea towel with this tutorial from Lyndale Drive. Learn how now.

Hand Poured Citronella Candles DIY

With summer on the way, your mom will surely appreciate these beautiful hand poured citronella candles from Country Hill Cottage. Made using soy wax and citronella essential oils, these patio stable candles make the perfect gift for any mom who loves enjoying time outdoors. There are even printable labels to make this Mother’s day gift even better. Make them now!

Related: Make mom a DIY needle felted wine bag with this tutorial.

Hand Painted Rose Mason Jars

You can’t beat these lovely hand painted rose mason jars as another of the best Mother’s Day gifts & ideas to DIY. Not only are these mason jars beautiful, they also have a number of uses. Mom will love using these decorative jars as vases or to store kitchen staples! Discover the tutorial for making hand painted roses at It All Started with Paint. See the tutorial.

Foaming Salt Scrub Recipe

This homemade foaming salt scrub recipe is a great way to exfoliate, cleanse and moisturize skin in one simple step. A reader favorite recipe, this DIY foaming salt scrub has been reproduced numerous times over the years both to sell and give as homemade gifts. Another win as one of the best Mother’s Day gifts to DIY this spring. Get the recipe.

Natural Essential Oil Perfume Recipes

Essential oils are big right now and for good reason. They wonderful for crafting natural skin care products as well as for use in aromatherapy. In addition, essential oils are also perfect for creating natural gift worthy perfume. Learn how to make five essential oil rollerball bottle perfume recipes that mom will love. Get the recipes now.

DIY Terrazzo Triangle Trinket Box

If you’re lucky enough to have a 3D printer, then this trinket box is a must for a DIY gift for Mom. Gift it with a handmade felt brooch or a novelty enamel pin to customize it even further. Then decorate the outside with temporary tattoos. Don’t have a 3D printer? Try an upcycled cardboard box version instead! Get the pattern to make yours.

Cucumber Mint Sugar Scrub Recipe

Need even more Mother’s Day gift ideas? This cucumber mint sugar scrub recipe is another homemade gift idea that tops the list. Made with ingredients that skin loves like cucumber seed oil and aloe, this homemade body scrub has a refreshing cucumber mint fragrance your mom will love! Get the recipe.

DIY Twig Pendant

This DIY pendant is the best Mother’s day gift idea for jewelry lovers. A DIY reproduction of the wildly popular Door 44 twig pendant, this tutorial from Door 44 Studios walks you through the steps to make your own as a handmade gift for mom. Learn how now.

Do you have ideas for the best DIY Mother’s Day gifts? I’d love to hear your DIY ideas for homemade Mother’s Day gifts! So be sure to share your ideas for the best Mother’s Day gifts in the comments. You can also explore more DIY Mother’s Day gift ideas on my Pinterest board here. Or browse for handmade gifts you can buy for Mother’s Day on Etsy here.

Discover more DIY ideas for the best Mother’s day gifts by following me across your favorite social media platforms. You can find and follow me on Pinterest, Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Gift Guides, Holiday DIY Tagged With: bath and body, crafts, diy, gift idea, gift ideas, gift ideas for women, handmade gifts, holiday gift, holiday gift giving, homemade gift, how to, Mother's Day, Mother's Day gifts

DIY Candy Bark Homemade Bath Melts with Real Honey & Cocoa Butter

February 3, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Designed to look like candy bark, these homemade bath melts are made with real honey and cocoa butter for a lush bath experience! These are perfect for when you need to take some time out for much needed self care. Or make and give these cocoa butter & honey homemade bath melts as unique homemade gifts throughout the year.

Inspired by Glitter & Candy Bark

I love glitter. I mean I REALLY love glitter. It’s not everyday, however, that I’m able to use glitter in one of my projects. So, I may have slightly overcompensated for that with this recipe. When I was formulating these homemade bath melts, I figured at some point I’d end up with glitter in my coffee. That didn’t happen. It actually ended up in Greg’s coffee instead – two days after the fact. (Reminding us once again that yes, glitter is the herpes of the craft world.)

Should glitter vex you, don’t worry. It’s easy to avoid. You can use real candy sprinkles for the “sparkle” on these homemade bath melts in its place. Alternately, if you have concerns about the environment, be sure to use eco-friendly biodegradable glitter. It’s what I used for this project. After all, there’s more than enough plastic floating around in the ocean.

Continuous remnants of glitter aside, I did run into a few snags when creating my DIY candy bark homemade bath melts. Initially I ran into issues due to the mold design. I chose this silicone bee mold for this DIY because I thought it would make my homemade bath melts look like candy bark. However, I had to use more ingredients in particular this mold than I’d originally anticipated. The reason? I just couldn’t get my homemade bath melts out of the mold in one piece.

I wasn’t ready to give up on my idea of making my homemade bath melts look like candy bark however. I’ve been so inspired by all the DIY candy bark I’ve run across lately, the idea had firmly attached itself to the inner cortex of my brain. I’ve seen such creative designs and ideas. So I tweaked my homemade bath melts recipe. And then I tweaked it again. On my fourth try, I finally got it right. And while my cocoa butter & honey homemade bath melts may not look completely like candy bar, they do still resemble candy. More importantly, however, they make it out of the mold in one piece.

The other challenge for this project was incorporating the honey into my homemade bath melts recipe. I REALLY wanted to use actual raw honey for this recipe. The problem however, is that honey is aqueous. While cocoa butter, on the other hand, is basically an oil in solid form. Since oil and water don’t mix, I realized I needed to use an emulsifier for this project. It took some doing to figure out the best way to get the two to mix, but I found the perfect solution in the end.

In the end, I was able to pull my candy bark inspired bath melts together. The glitter being the icing on the cake. Keep reading to learn how to make my candy bark homemade bath melts for your own bath time ritual. Plus discover the perfect substitution for honey if you find you’re all together fed up with using honey as a crafting medium. (I promise it’s not ear wax.)

Cocoa Butter & Honey Homemade Bath Melts Recipe

Tips & Tricks for Making Homemade Bath Melts:

You’ll want to use a double boiler to melt the ingredients in this recipe. This will prevent your cocoa butter from becoming grainy. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can use a glass measuring cup in a pan of water. Alternately, you may also melt your ingredients in a microwave at 30% power.

It’s important to emulsify the honey with the other ingredients in this recipe. Otherwise, you’ll end up with honey in the “design” part of the mold. It won’t look pretty and it’s a mess to clean up. If you’ve struggled with honey before, I understand. You can substitute the honey in this homemade bath melts recipe with lanolin for easy sailing.

The honey fragrance oil I used for this recipe is crazy strong. Thus I used less than I would with other fragrance oils. If you are easily bothered by strong fragrances, skip this scent and pick a favorite instead. I also recommend cocoa absolute for this recipe with a bit of coffee essential oil blended in.

Refined shea butter does make a difference in recipes. As does high melt point shea butter. The melting point of shea butter ranges dramatically. Refined high melt point shea butter has a melting point between 104°F-113°F. While the melting point of unrefined shea butter ranges from 89°F-100°F. Which is why when you make substitutions for refined butter with unrefined butters in your natural skin care recipes, they don’t always perform as expected. Therefore, if you choose to use unrefined shea butter, you’ll want to experiment with bumping up the emulsifying wax to get the perfect fit.

Because this homemade bath melts recipe is designed to melt in warm bath water, it has a low melting point. Therefore I recommend making this recipe during the winter months. Outside of this, I do not recommend trying this project unless you are able to store them in a climate controlled location of 75°F or less.

You don’t have to use a clear melt and pour soap base for the honey drizzle on your cocoa butter & honey homemade bath melts. Try using a white melt and pour soap base instead for higher contrast and to make it look more like icing.

Instructions:

I highly recommend reading through the instructions for my homemade bath melts before you begin. Once you have all your materials, begin by weighing out the cocoa butter and high melt point shea butter. Place the cocoa butter and shea butter in a double boiler and heat until melted over medium-low heat.

In the meantime, also weigh out the emulsifying wax and honey. Heat separately, using the double boiler method, over medium-low heat until melted. Stir to combine.

Once the cocoa/shea butter and the separate honey and emulsifying wax mixture have both melted, remove from heat. Briefly mix the honey and emulsifying wax for about a minute using an immersion blender.

Now combine the melted cocoa/shea butter with the honey and emulsifying wax mixture. Mix together with an immersion blender for 1-2 minutes.

Lightly dust the inside of your bee mold with fine cosmetic glitter, if desired. (You can also dust glitter onto your homemade bath melts once they’re unmolded.)

Place the mold onto a cutting board or similar. Then pour the homemade bath melts mixture into the mold. Carefully transport the mold to your freezer, using the cutting board to support the mold.

Allow the homemade bath to harden for several hours. (I recommend resisting the urge to remove your bath melts from the mold sooner. I was impatient and did this only to find that the bath melts in the center had not completely hardened.)

Once your cocoa butter & honey homemade bath melts have solidified, remove them from the freezer. Then carefully remove them from the mold. (These are somewhat tricky to get out of the mold. I recommend pulling the mold away from your bath melts very gently working your way around the outside toward the center. If you go slow, it should all stay in one piece.)

If desired, you can brush additional glitter onto your bath melts. Glitter can also be used to cover any imperfections where small pieces may not have come out of the mold cleanly.

Once you’ve removed the homemade bath melts from the freezer, you can make the honey drizzle for the decoration. You’ll want to pour this onto your homemade bath melts while they are still cold. This way, the warm melt and pour soap base won’t melt your bath melts prematurely.

To make the honey drizzle, weigh out the shea butter and melt and pour soap base. Combine in a glass measuring cup. Then heat in the microwave (or in a double boiler) at 30% power until melted. Add a small chunk for a sparkle color bar (alternately you can use mica) to the melted soap base. (I used a brown sparkle color bar for this step.) If desired, you may also stir in some additional glitter. I added a bit of biodegradable gold glitter to mine. Mix well to combine.

Once the soap base cools slightly, pour the base across the DIY candy bark homemade bath melts as desired. Then dust chunky biodegradable glitter into the melted soap. I used chunky bubblegum and chunky turquoise glitters for this step.

You can then repeat the process in the opposite direction using a different color.

My second pass across my bath melts, I mixed a small chunk from a crimson sparkle color bar into my container with the melted soap base. I reheated the soap base slightly first, then mixed in the color. Once the new color was completely combined into the soap base, I then poured the soap across the first pass at a different angle. I followed with more chunky glitter.

Once the soap base I’d poured on my homemade bath melts had solidified, I then used a Chef’s knife to remove the bath melts from the cutting board.

You’re DIY candy bark homemade bath melts are now ready to be packaged as desired for personal use or gifting.

To use your homemade bath melts, simply break off the desired amount and add to warm running bath water.

What To Do With the Leftover Soap Base

You can use the remaining soap base leftover from the honey drizzle to create solid sugar scrub bars. Simply remelt the soap base, then stir in sugar.

I recommend using just enough to thicken the melt soap base, but not so much that it doesn’t still pour smoothly.

Then simply pour the remaining base into individual cavities of the mold. Allow to harden, then remove.

To use your solid sugar scrub bars, simply massage onto damp skin the bath or shower, then rinse off.

More Homemade Bath Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed my DIY candy bark homemade bath melts recipe, then you may also enjoy some of my other homemade bath recipes. Following are my other homemade bath melts recipes as well as a few DIY’s for making DIY solid sugar scrubs.

Homemade Bath Melts Recipes

Solid Sugar Scrub Recipes

Now that you’ve made your own homemade bath melts, learn how to make more great giftable bath, beauty and soap recipes! Sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter to receive updates when new recipes are available. You can also follow me on Pinterest, facebook and instagram.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and beauty, bath and body, bath melt recipe, bath melts, bath tutorial, cocoa butter, crafts, diy, eco-friendly, gift idea, glitter, homemade gift, honey, solid sugar scrub cubes

Homemade Winter Gifts for Your Seasonal Holiday Gift List

December 11, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

Not all handmade gifts are created equal. So it can be hard hunting for homemade gift ideas that you know will truly be appreciated. To take some of the guesswork out your holiday gift list, I’ve put together a gift guide filled with homemade winter gifts.

So whether you’re crafting handmade gifts for a winter holiday, or making birthday or hostess gifts, this collection of homemade winter gift ideas are perfect for everyone on your list!

Homemade Winter Gifts & Ideas

1. Hot Chocolate Lotion Bars

These DIY hot chocolate lotion bars from Eco Living Mama (pictured) make lovely seasonal stocking stuffers and handmade holiday gift ideas. Not only do they smell amazing, they made with all natural, good-for-your-skin ingredients. Make it.

2. Hot Chocolate Milk Bath Salts

Another chocolate inspired homemade gift idea, these hot chocolate milk bath salts from Everything Pretty are the perfect homemade winter gift. Not only do these bath salts soothe seasonally dry skin, they’re the perfect way to relax amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Make it.

3. Sugar Plum Body Butter Bars

These silky, lightweight body butter bars from Humblebee & Me are made with plum oil for its moisturizing properties and rich, seasonal scent. They can be tinted with mica, if desired, and are perfectly sized for stocking stuffers for simple homemade winter gifts for friends and coworkers. Make it.

4. Homemade Mulling Spices

These fragrant, homemade mulling spices from Hello Glow make wonderful homemade winter gifts for wine lovers. (Trust me, I know!) However, this recipe works beautifully with bourbon as well. Included with the printable recipe are easy instructions for making citrus ginger mulled wine to include with your gift. Make it.

5. Peppermint Orange Body Butter

A recipe from one of my guest posts on The Nourished Life, this peppermint orange body butter recipe helps to nourish and protect dry, winter skin. It’s a super easy homemade holiday gift to make while the fresh citrus mint fragrance is perfect for the season. Make it.

6. Christmas Tree Bath Bombs

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, these Christmas tree bath bombs from Onion Rings and Things (pictured) are a winter delight when taking time out for self care. Scent them with essential oils for natural homemade winter gifts for your friends. They’re perfect for helping ease the pressures of the holiday season and forcing that much needed time off from the stress of daily life. Make it.

(While this bath bomb recipe calls for food coloring, I recommend using a bath bomb colorant or lake dye instead for a colorful bath that won’t stain your tub.)

7. Skin Softening Hand Scrub

Winter is rough on dry skin. However, it can be even more brutal on dry hands. Help your friends, family and even teachers (who are always washing their hands) keep their hands soft and moisturized this winter with this easy skin softening hand scrub recipe from Soap Deli News. Make it.

8. Holiday Gifts in a Jar

Sugar scrubs are so easy to make. Why not make a trio of three mason jar sugar scrubs for your homemade winter gifts? No Compass Necessary shares their natural sugar scrub recipes for peppermint, vanilla spice and frankincense sugar scrubs. Plus there are free printable labels to make gift giving even easier! Make it.

9. Fizzy Bath Salt Recipe with Essential Oils

It’s hard to avoid a cold during the holiday season. So why not give a gift that tackles all of one’s holiday woes – winter sniffles included? This fizzy bath salt recipe from Soap Deli News fizzes like a bath bomb but is SO much easier to craft. While taking a time out to relax in the tub, the combination of Epsom salt and essential oils help to clear nasal passages and ease sore muscles. Make it.

10. Hot Cocoa Bath Bombs

If you’ve mastered the art of bath bombs then this DIY from A Cultivated Nest is a must for your homemade winter gifts. These cute homemade hot chocolate bath fizzies look like something you could eat, complete with “icing” on top so you can wow your friends and coworkers with your mad crafting skills. Make it.

11. Scented Dry Oil Body Spray

This best homemade holiday gift idea for a DIY dry oil body spray from Soap Deli News (pictured) is a long time Pinterest favorite. It makes lovely stocking stuffers or homemade winter gifts for friends and family. Make it.

12. Homemade Massage Candles

Candles are another amazing way to enjoy your favorite scents. However, these homemade massage candles aren’t just great for making the room smell great. They can also be massaged onto skin once the wick is blown out. Then simply massage onto skin to condition dry patches and add a wonderful holiday scent. Make it.

13. Simple Solid Perfumes

Solid perfumes make wonderful homemade winter gifts for friends. This easy DIY perfume trio from Hello Glow using natural essential oils to create three lovely fragrance blends – energizing, calming and joyful. If aromatherapy isn’t quite your thing, swap them out with fragrance oils in your favorite seasonal scents. Make it.

14. Hand Poured Herbal Candles

Candles always make lovely homemade winter gifts for just about anyone. I especially love gifting candles as handmade hostess gifts throughout the year. These DIY hand poured herbal candles from The Herbal Academy are especially perfect for the winter season. Naturally scented with simple essential oil blends and botanicals, these candles are made with toxin free soy wax. Make it.

15. Essential Oil Room Sprays

This trio of essential oil room sprays from A life Adjacent are another wonderful gift for the hostess this winter at holiday gatherings. Crafted using only distilled water, vodka and essential oils, you can make room sprays scented in cola, mulled orange cider, vanilla latte and hot cocoa for natural home scents throughout the season. Make it.

16. Homemade Winter Hand Scrub

We all suffer from skin that feels dry and tight in the winter. Our hand, especially, tend to suffer from hand washing and other daily activities. Help your friends and loved ones pamper their hands with this homemade winter hand scrub from Lemon Peony (pictured!) Make it.

17. Shimmering Body Butter

This cardamom scented shimmering body butter from Wild for Nature is non-greasy. So moisturizing dry hands this winter won’t leave behind those messy oily fingerprints. It’s warm spiced fragrance is perfect for winter weather, while the addition of bronze mica makes it holiday party perfect! Make it.

18. Eggnog Soy Wax Candle

This delightful candle tutorial from Jojotastic is crafted with soy wax and natural essential oils for a fun spin off the popular holiday drink. Infused with with nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla essential oils, this soy wax candle looks and smells just like eggnog! Make it.

19. Handmade Rosemary Mint Soap

Everyone uses soap, which is part of why it makes such a great handmade gift ideas. These rosemary mint soap bars from The Turquoise Home are made using a natural melt and pour soap base in addition to honey to nourish dry winter skin. Rosemary and peppermint essential oil then add a delightful seasonal scent. Make it.

(Prefer to make cold process soaps for your homemade winter gifts? Try this rosemary mint cold process soap recipe! And don’t forget to check out these pretty gift wrap ideas for your homemade holiday soaps.)

20. Stovetop Potpourri

This beautiful jars of stovetop potpourri from Tidbits will not only make your own home smell like the holidays, they’re also shelf stable. So they’re perfect for homemade winter gifts for neighbors, teachers and coworkers – all the people you’re not quite sure what to give for gifts. Choose from three delightful home fragrance blends with this cost effective homemade gift DIY that also comes with free printable labels. Make it.

21. Gingerbread Bath Bombs

Gingerbread is always at the top of my list for homemade winter gifts. There’s just something about those warm spices and the fragrant scent that make the season feel comforting and inviting. These gingerbread bath bombs from Beauty Crafter (pictured) are no exception and are perfect for stocking stuffers and other seasonal winter gifts. Make it.

22. Gingerbread Men Soap Bars

There are so many wonderful ways to gift gingerbread for the holidays, I couldn’t stop with just one DIY ideas. These super easy, glittering gingerbread soaps from Soap Deli News are made with just three ingredients and are perfect for last minute homemade winter gifts for friends and family. Make it.

23. Gingerbread Man Soaps

If glitter isn’t your preference, not to worry. These 15-minute DIY gingerbread man soaps from Happiness Is Homemade offer a more traditional take on gingerbread. Simply add a bit of soap paint to your finished gingerbread soaps for the cutest stocking stuffers ever. Make it.

24. Gingerbread Men Snow Globe Soaps

Snow globes are always a favorite during winter. This creative homemade soap tutorial from Soap Deli News shows you step-by-step how to make your own DIY snow globe soaps with little gingerbread men hidden inside. They’re not only super cute, but they’re also a favorite among both kids and adults alike! Make it.

25. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies always make delightful homemade winter gifts. The warm seasonal spices are definitely my favorite this time of year! This gingerbread cookies recipe from Evermine, however, offer a unique twist on traditional gingerbread cookies. Each gingerbread man cookies is designed to hold a candy cane inside it’s grasp! Make it.

26. Boozy Wood Infused Bourbon

Gifts for guys can be hard. However, this DIY for wood infused liquor from Man Made DIY (pictured) is perfect for homemade winter gifts for him. Simply infuse a piece of grilling wood – along with dried fruits and spices if desired – to create unique holiday alcohol blends that can be enjoyed throughout the winter holiday season. Make it.

(Not sure about making your own infused alcohol without a little extra guidance? Try one of the DIY liquor infusion kits from Vena’s Fizz House for all your favorite liquors.)

27. Needle Felted Wine Bags

Don’t just gift a bottle of wine this holiday season. Gift it with your own handcrafted needle felted wine bag! Not only are these wine bags WAY easier to make than you might think, they are also reusable and regiftable making them perfect homemade winter gifts for the eco-conscious. Make it.

28. Wood Burned Rolling Pin

This DIY allows you to explore your own creativity even if you’re short on time. The perfect gift for bakers and foodies alike, these easy wood burned rolling pins from Delia Creates can be customized in minutes with just a simple, inexpensive wood burning kit. Make it.

29. Marzipan Pinecone Treats

The fact that these marzipan pinecone treats from Country Hill Cottage look just like pinecones delight me to no end. A simple no bake holiday gift, these pinecones are made using marzipan, almond slices, cocoa, and spices for unique homemade winter gifts. Make it.

30. Gourmet Vanilla Extract

If you have an instant pot then you’re going to love this homemade holiday gift idea. Tidbits teaches you how to make your own gourmet vanilla extracts for your favorite foodies in three gourmet flavors – chocolate vanilla, cinnamon vanilla and coconut vanilla – in your instant pot. Plus there are free printable labels to make your gift look perfect! Make it.

31. Simple Beeswax Candles

These simple, natural beeswax candles from Hello Nest only take five minutes to create. Perfect for any minimalist in your life, this gift also makes a lovely addition to anyone’s home decor. Even better, you can buy beeswax sheets with Prime shipping for the perfect last minute holiday gift idea. Make it.

32. Cookie Cutter Fudge

This homemade cookie cutter fudge recipe from Crafty Morning is perfect for the baker in your life. Not only are your friends and family gifted with homemade fudge – yum! – but your gift comes wrapped inside a cookie cutter that can be added to their collection. Make it.

33. Peppermint Patties

Peppermint patties are one of my all time favorite candies. These homemade peppermint patties, however, are the most amazing thing ever! Learn how to make your own at The Gunny Sack. Then top your handmade treats with crushed peppermint for delish homemade winter gifts everyone will love. Make it.

34. Peppermint Mocha Salt Scrub

Coffee scrubs are touted for anti-aging skin care benefits. But when you combo a coffee scrub with mocha, you’ve got the perfect homemade holiday gift for the coffee lovers in you life. Learn to make a salt scrub with a caffeine punch at Everything Pretty. Make it.

35. Christmas Tree Body Wash

This fragrant, bubbly Christmas tree body wash recipe from Humblebee & Me makes great homemade winter gifts for those surprise guests. Or slip them inside your family’s stockings for homemade skin care they’ll love bathing in all winter long. Make it.

More Homemade Winter Gifts & Ideas

Didn’t quite find the perfect homemade winter gifts for your holiday gift list? Take a peek at these DIY Christmas gift ideas. Or shop from my handmade holiday gift guides below.

For homemade winter gifts and ideas, you can find me on your favorite social media platforms. You can follow me on G+, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’ and Instagram. Alternately, you can also subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Bath & Beauty Recipes, DIY Craft Project, Gift Guides, Holiday DIY, Homemade Gift Ideas Tagged With: bath and body, christmas, Christmas gift, christmas gifts, craft, diy, gift guide, gift idea, gift ideas, handmade gifts, holiday gift, holiday gift giving, holidays, homemade gift, winter

Bath Bomb Ornaments: Easy Homemade Gift Idea for the Holidays

Holiday Bath Bomb Ornaments: Two Ways

Option #1 – Bath Bomb Scrumbles from Scratch

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Option #2 – Using Ready-Made Bath Bombs

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Ideas for Decorating Your Bath Bomb Ornaments

How to Use This Holiday Gift Idea

Snowman Mason Jar Craft for Easy DIY Christmas Gifts with Printable Gift Tags

A Celebration of Winter Snow

Easy DIY Christmas Gifts: Snowman Mason Jar Craft (with Chocolate Covered Pretzels)

Snowman Mason Jar Craft Tutorial

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White Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

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Printable Snowman Mason Jar Craft Gift Tags

More Easy DIY Christmas Gifts

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

Best Mother’s Day Gifts & Ideas to DIY

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Pineapple Hidden Color Bath Bomb Recipe

Related: Explore more beautiful DIY Mother’s day gift ideas here.

DIY Crochet Coffee Sleeve

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DIY Solid Rose Lotion Bars

DIY Handwritten Recipe Tea Towel

Hand Poured Citronella Candles DIY

Related: Make mom a DIY needle felted wine bag with this tutorial.

Hand Painted Rose Mason Jars

Foaming Salt Scrub Recipe

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DIY Terrazzo Triangle Trinket Box

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DIY Twig Pendant

DIY Candy Bark Homemade Bath Melts with Real Honey & Cocoa Butter

Inspired by Glitter & Candy Bark

Cocoa Butter & Honey Homemade Bath Melts Recipe

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What To Do With the Leftover Soap Base

More Homemade Bath Recipes to Try

Homemade Bath Melts Recipes

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Homemade Winter Gifts for Your Seasonal Holiday Gift List

Homemade Winter Gifts & Ideas

1. Hot Chocolate Lotion Bars

2. Hot Chocolate Milk Bath Salts

3. Sugar Plum Body Butter Bars

4. Homemade Mulling Spices

5. Peppermint Orange Body Butter

6. Christmas Tree Bath Bombs

7. Skin Softening Hand Scrub

8. Holiday Gifts in a Jar

9. Fizzy Bath Salt Recipe with Essential Oils

10. Hot Cocoa Bath Bombs

11. Scented Dry Oil Body Spray

12. Homemade Massage Candles

13. Simple Solid Perfumes

14. Hand Poured Herbal Candles

15. Essential Oil Room Sprays

16. Homemade Winter Hand Scrub