Holiday Home Spa
The Holidays are full of joy, family, celebration, and magic. But they can also be very stressful. To create all that magic, it takes a lot of work! We want to help you relax and take care of yourself in all the commotion so you can truly enjoy this delightful time of year.
Essential oils offer relaxation, lifted spirits, and evoke fond memories. In fact, in the words of Coco Chanel, “No elegance is possible without [natural] perfume. It’s the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.”
Below are some suggestions for your self-care rituals.First, set aside some time for yourself to be away from the fray. Next, create a relaxing atmosphere. Light some candles (our Chai Spice and Vanilla candles are an excellent choice), spray a soothing scent into the air, and put on some peaceful music.
• 4oz glass spray bottles. Colored glass works best to preserve shelf life.
• Distilled water – (tap water can clog the sprayer).
• 30 – 50 drops Pure Essential Oils (see suggestions below).
• Before spraying, gently roll between your hands. The warmth of your hands helps the oils and water blend.
To evoke the scent of a warm fire, mix the following as described above:
•10 drops Cedarwood
•10 drops Silver Fir or Hemlock Spruce
•10 drops Sandalwood
•5 drops Cypress
•1 drop Vetiver
•1 drop Ylang ylang
To create that Christmas Tree scent:
•15 drops Silver or Douglas Fir
•15 drops Hemlock Spruce
•15 drops Cedarwood
•5 drops Juniper Berry
Who doesn’t love the yummy scent of food baking?
•12 drops Vanilla Bourbon
•12 drops Sweet Orange
•1 drop Nutmeg
•3 drops Cardamom
•1 drop Ginger OR Cinnamon
As a room spray, mist upward, away from your face and all around. You can then mist lightly onto your favorite throw blanket, cocoon yourself with the blanket and settle into your comfy chair, preferably next to a cozy fire. Mmm…As an alternative, you could use 3-5 drops of the UNDILUTED essential oil blend in a diffuser.
How about a nice foot soak? After trekking miles in the malls or hoofing it to friends’ houses, those achy feet may be shouting for some TLC! Treat them to a homemade foot soak:
You will need:
•Bowl big enough to hold 1 cup of salts and room for mixing
•1 cup Epsom Salts
•1 teaspoon carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil
•5 drops of Lavender essential oil
•1 drop Spearmint or Peppermint essential oil
•1 drop Vetiver essential oil (optional but oh so calming!)
Mix the above ingredients into a bowl with a spoon until all clumps are gone. Find a tub large enough to fit both feet comfortably. Set a bathmat in front of your cozy chair and two warm towels within reach. Fill tub with warm (not hot!) water. Before adding the salt blend to the tub, moisten your feet and gently scrub them with the salt blend to exfoliate and soften the skin (careful not to get it in any open cuts – ouch!).
Next, pour ½ cup salts blend into the warm water and slowly immerse your tired, achy feet. Soak for about 10 minutes, then gently dry your feet. They should be soft, smooth and happy. Slide them into your thickest, coziest socks. Ahhh….
And, of course, what better way to pamper yourself than a peaceful, soothing, warm bath?
•1 cup bath salt (Sea salt, Dead Sea salt, and/or Epsom Salt, etc.)
•1 to 2 tablespoons carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil
•3 drops Tangerine Essential Oil
•3 drops of Lavender essential oil
•1 drop Eucalyptus essential oil
•1 drop Ylang ylang essential oil
Mix the above ingredients together in a bowl until all lumps are gone. Light a candle (our Lavender Blue Chamomile candle would be perfect!). If you have a headrest for the bathtub, this will help you sink into relaxation without sinking into the tub. Pour the salt blend under warm running water and swirl before easing into the tub.
Immerse yourself in the decadent retreat you have just created for yourself. Oooh, Ahhh… In the words of the famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, “The key to good health is an aromatic bath and a massage every day.” Now for that massage…
PRECAUTIONS: Do not use essential oils undiluted in bath water to avoid skin contact. Since oil and water don’t mix, they will float on top of the water and can cause skin reaction.
As with all essential oils, if you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition or are on medication, consult your physician before using.