We LOVE DIYs. We LOVE making gifts for our family and friends. We LOVE giving gifts that say, “I took time to think about you.” Today, here at The Essential Creative, we are sharing some wonderful DIYs we learned from the Young Living Training and Education team. You can use them as Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, “I’ve Been Thinking About You” gifts, or any other occasion you want to celebrate.
While the information was designed to be shared in a class, we know that many of you are burnt out from the webinars and on-screen time so we’ve turned it into a series of posts today that you can read on your own time. We will share half of them now and half this afternoon so we don’t overwhelm you.
DIY recipes are fun to make for the entire family. With a little preparation and planning, you can have ingredients on-hand when you need them, for spur of the moment DIY products! Below is a list of common ingredients and a general price guideline for what you can expect to pay for these items. The prices are estimated and vary greatly depending on brand, shipping prices, and quantities. It is important to note that the ingredients listed below may seem pricey, but the quantities will last you through several at home DIY recipes! Having these products on-hand will be beneficial for all your oily products!
- Raw Shea Butter: around $15-$20 for 16oz.
- Beeswax Pellets: around $15 for 16oz.
- Almond Oil: under $1 per ounce.
- Glycerin Soap: about $1 per bar
- Coconut Oil: between $10-$20 for 16oz
- Cocoa Butter: about $15 per 16oz
- Witch Hazel: about $8 for 12oz
- Epsom Salt: Prices vary greatly! Per pound plan around $2.
Welcome to our Holiday DIY Series!
We hope these recipes and ideas will spark creativity as you give gifts to friends and family, host classes, or are working to infuse essential oils into every aspect of your life! Do It Yourself projects are so fun and all of these recipes are the perfect activity for an afternoon at home.
Christmas Spirit Thieves Cleaner & Thieves Stain Stick Bundles
Give the gift of Thieves! Make your own Christmas Spirit Thieves Cleaner and Thieves Stain Stick bundles for less than $3! Who wouldn’t want yummy smelling, plant-based cleaner to freshen their home?
Stain Stick / Spray Recipe
- 10ml Thieves Laundry Soap
- 1 cap Thieves Cleaner
- 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
- 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil
Add the above ingredients to a 30 ml bottle (the size of Thieves Spray) and then fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. Mix well. Divide the recipe by 3 if you are using a 10 ml roller ball.
Stain stick / spray cost breakdown:
- 30 ml: Less than $2 + cost of spray bottle. We love reusing old Thieves Spray bottles.
- 10 ml: .60 + $1.75 for YL roller bottle
***Try reusing your old Thieves spray bottle and roll-on to save money!
Christmas Spirit Thieves Cleaner Recipe
- 2 cups of water
- A capful of Thieves cleaner
- 10 – 15 drops of Christmas Spirit Essential Oil
Mix together all ingredients in your spray bottle and get to cleaning! If you would like, add a Thieves Cleaner sample packet around the neck of the bottle.
Christmas Spirit Thieves Cleaner cost breakdown:
- Thieves Cleaner + Christmas Spirit essential oil .89
- Glass bottle $2.25
- Thieves sample pack $2.30
***Tip: Try reusing an old Thieves Cleaner bottle and attach a spray top and label to save money***
Are videos more your thing? This video shows you various price points for making the gifts. They show you some really cute ideas!
Island Oasis Body Scrub
Exfoliate dead dry skin and make your shower smell like a vacation with this DIY body scrub! We recommend using organic sugar and unrefined organic coconut oil. Brown sugar is a great, gentle choice for exfoliation!
Directions:
- Heat the coconut oil over the stove (do not microwave) just enough so that it is longer solid. You don’t want to heat your coconut oil too much.
- Mix in sugar and vanilla.
- Let the mixture cool off a little more and mix in your essential oils. Heat can destroy some of the essential oil’s properties, this is why we recommend adding in your oils after your product has cooled.
- Store in a glass, airtight container.
Coffee Exfoliating Body Scrub
Have you ever tried a coffee scrub? Not only do they smell divine, but coffee also has some unique benefits! This easy coffee scrub will soon become your go-to for exfoliation and making your skin feel refreshed and soft!
- 1/2 cup finely ground coffee grounds
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup sugar (we used dark brown sugar)
- 10-20 drops essential oils of your choice (we used grapefruit, but also love peppermint, orange, or stress away)
Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl. Combine liquid ingredients in a bowl. Slowly add the liquid combination to the dry combination. Stir well. Separate into airtight containers and finish it off with a bow or ribbon!
Hand Balm
This DIY hand balm recipe is the perfect recipe for dry hands that need some extra love! It’s quick and easy to make, and totally customizable– add whatever skin-loving oils love!
- 6 Tbsp Raw Shea Butter
- 6 Tbsp Beeswax (Grated)
- 3 Tbsp Almond Oil
- 15 Drops Frankincense essential oil
- 15 Drops Lavender essential oil
Slowly melt the shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler. Stir while melting. Once melted, add almond oil. Stir well. Allow to cool slightly, and add in essential oils. Be cautious not to let the mixture harden. Pour mixture into air tight containers and allow to fully harden. Apply to knuckles and hands as needed!
Watch this video to learn how to make the coffee scrub and hand balm. They share some tips for presenting them as gifts as well as some variations in the recipes based upon what’s on hand!
Roller Blends
Custom DIY Roller Blends make a fabulous gift! Learn how to make them by watching this video, and then see some of the Young Living Training and Education staff’s favorite roller blend recipes!
Here’s a video on how to make your own roller bottle blends.
Roller Recipes
These cost-effective recipes are formulated for a 5ml roller. You can even use an empty 5ml bottle and put a roller fitment on the top. Add in your desired number of essential oil drops and top off with your favorite carrier oil!
Happy Momma
- 10 Lavender
- 10 Ylang Ylang
- 10 Clary Sage
TOTAL: $4.70
Sweet Dreams
- 15 drops Lavender
- 15 drops Peace & Calming
TOTAL: $7.50
Calm and Cool
- 15 Stress Away
- 10 Peppermint
TOTAL $2.70
Sunshine
- 10 Lemon
- 10 Lime
- 5 peppermint
TOTAL: $1.35
Pre-made Diffuser Blends
Do you find yourself constantly diffusing the same diffuser blend? It can be inconvenient to go searching for 4-5 bottles of oil to create your concoction, so here’s a helpful tip! Pre-make all your favorite diffuser blends in a dropper! This makes a great gift for all your oil-loving friends. The recipes below are meant for a 5ml bottle.
Pumpkin Spice
- 35 Orange
- 35 Cinnamon Bark
- 20 Clove
TOTAL: $11.50
Deep Breath
- 40 Peppermint
- 25 Pine
- 20 Eucalyptus
TOTAL 6.70
Candy Cane
- 50 Stress Away
- 35 Peppermint
Total $9.15
Rita’s Blend
- 25 Northern Lights Black Spruce
- 35 Orange
- 25 Cedarwood
Total $8.65
Perfumes & Colognes
DIY perfumes and colognes are easy to make and are totally customizable to whatever scent you love! Whether you love floral notes, citrus, or woodsy aromas, you can make a perfume that you enjoy!
Perfumes
Unsure where to start with your own DIY perfume? Here are a few quick tips to learn the basics of perfume formulation.
First, let’s talk about perfume notes.
Top Notes
Top Notes are the first notes that you smell and will spark an impression. These notes tend to dissipate fast, however, you want those initial notes to be light and pleasant. Citrus oils like Lemon, Grapefruit, and Bergamot are great options! Orange, Lemongrass, and even Eucalyptus are other oils that may provide the fresh, opening scent you’re looking for.
Heart Notes
Heart Notes, also referred to as middle notes, are the most dominant scents that appear as the top notes fade. These potent notes appear subtly and will act as the essence of your perfume. Floral or spicy oils are perfect choices. Choose full-bodied aromas like Lavender, Geranium, or Clove. We also love Rose, German Chamomile, and Rosemary!
Base Notes
Base Notes complete the fragrance and will linger the longest. They enhance the initial scents you choose while bringing richness and depth. Common base notes are woodsy or musky. Try oils like Patchouli, Vetiver, or Cedarwood for a nice foundation. The warm aroma of Sacred Sandalwood or the earthy scent of Frankincense are two additional favorites that will surely add solidity and sophistication to your perfume.
How to:
- 1. Pick your oils.
- 2. For a roll-on perfume, add oils to your bottle and top with fractionated coconut oil. For a spray bottle, add oils and combine with 1 part witch hazel or vodka and 2 parts distilled water. The number of drops for each oil is totally up to you! This is a good, rough guide: top notes (10-20%), heart notes (50-70%), base notes (30-40%). For example, if you are adding 20 drops of oil to your DIY, add 2-4 drops of top notes, 10-14 drops of heart notes, and 6-8 drops of base notes.
- 3. Shake gently.
- 4. Enjoy your natural, customized perfume!
What oils will you use for your signature scent? Here are some ideas:
Colognes
Don’t forget the men in your life! Create a custom cologne using essential oils for the men you love!
Let’s talk about cologne notes.
Top Notes
Top Notes are the first notes that will spark an impression. They’ll dissipate fast so you’ll want them to be light and pleasant. Citrus oils like Tangerine and Lime have bright aromas and will pair great with many oils. Eucalyptus is another go-to top note oil with its distinctly fresh, sharp scent.
Heart Notes
Heart Notes, also referred to as middle notes, appear subtly as the top notes fade. These dominant notes make up the main body of the cologne. Blue Cypress, Idaho Grand Fir, and Valor are great full-bodied aromas to consider! We also love Pine, Rosemary, and Tea Tree. For a spicier scent, try Clove or Cinnamon bark.
Base Notes
Base Notes complete the fragrance with richness and depth. These notes linger on the skin the longest. Common base notes are woodsy or musky. Try using oils like Copaiba, Sacred Sandalwood, or Northern Lights Black Spruce. Vetiver and Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood are also incredible oils that will round out the masculinity of your scent!
How to:
- 1. Pick your oils.
- 2. For a roll-on cologne, add oils to your bottle and top with fractionated coconut oil. For a spray bottle, add oils and combine with 1 part witch hazel or vodka and 2 parts distilled water. The number of drops for each oil is totally up to you! This is a good, rough guide: top notes (10-20%), heart notes (50-70%), base notes (30-40%)
- 3. Shake gently
- 4. Enjoy your natural, customized scent!
What oils will you use for your DIY cologne? Here are some ideas.
That Glow Tho Facial Roller
Who doesn’t want radiant, glowing skin? Make these Glow Roll-ons for all your favorite people!
Simply combine these three skin-loving oils in a roller bottle and fill the rest with your favorite carrier oil. We recommend applying a thin, even layer on your face at night.
- Blue Tansy possesses skin-cleansing and soothing properties, may help reduce the appearance of blemishes, and can moisturize and help beautify the skin when added to a moisturizer.
- Copaiba promotes the appearance of a youthful, radiant glow.
- Frankincense is super powerful and may help reduce the appearance of uneven skin tones.
Blue Tansy Glow Serum
DIY Blue Tansy glow serum! Today we’re showing you how to make glow serums ranging from $5-$40. Your skin and friends will love you! We recommend using 40-80 drops of essential oil in a 1 oz bottle. If you have very sensitive skin, use less essential oil!
30 ml (1 oz) bottle:
- 15- 30 drops Blue Tansy
- 15-30 drops Copaiba
- 10-20 drops Frankincense
Fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil or rosehip oil. Mix well.
10 ml glow stick roll-on:
- 7-10 drops Blue Tansy
- 7-10 drops Copaiba
- 3-7 drops Frankincense
Fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil or rosehip oil. Mix well.
5 ml bottle or roll-on:
- 5 drops Blue Tansy
- 5 drops Copaiba
- 4 drops Frankincense
Fill the rest of the bottle with jojoba oil or rosehip oil. Mix well.
Tip: If you want to reduce your cost, switch out a few drops of Blue Tansy for Lavender or Geranium and try reusing old essential oil bottles.
The cute 5 ml and 10 ml roll-ons are from younglivinggear.com
Price per drop:
- Blue Tansy: $1.00 per drop
- Frankincense: .25 per drop
- Copaiba: .15 per drop
- Lavender: .8 per drop
- Elemi: .7 per drop
- Geranium: .14 per drop
Elemi, Lavender, and Geranium are great oils for the skin with lower price points.
Watch this video to learn more.
Essential Oil-Infused Play Dough & Lip Balms for Kids
Do you have kids on your gifting list? Essential oil-infused play dough, lip balm, and moon sand, we have you covered for all the children in your life!
Essential Oil-Infused Play Dough
- 2 C Flour
- 1 C Salt
- 2 C Water
- 1 Tbls Vegetable Oil
- 4 tsp Cream of Tartar
- Essential oils
- Food coloring or natural dye (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Place over medium heat and stir gently and consistently—being cautious to not let the mixture stick to the bottom of the pan. Continue stirring and within a few minutes the liquid mixture will turn to a dough form. Be careful not to overcook, the dough will look very salty if this is the case. The consistency should be smooth and even. Take out the dough, and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Add your coloring and knead. Add your favorite essential oils once the dough is cooled! Separate into separate containers for friends, or keep the dough for yourself! Store in an airtight container.
Tips
- If you want the dough all one color, it works well to add the coloring while the mixture is in the liquid form, while you are stirring it over med heat.
- If the dough isn’t forming, turn the heat up slightly, but make sure you continue stirring so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan
Lip Balm
- 2 Tablespoons Natural Beeswax Pastilles
- 4 Tablespoons Almond Oil
- Essential oils of your choice
In a double boiler, melt the beeswax and almond oil. Stir gently. Once melted, take off of heat and carefully pour into small containers. Let cool slightly. Add a few drops of essential oils into each container and mix with a toothpick. Let mixture solidify, or put in the fridge for the mixture to solidify more quickly. Apply to lips as needed!
Watch this video to learn more about ways to present the moon sand, playdough, and lip balm.
Moonsand
Tactile, colorful, and addictively playful, this moon sand recipe is the indoor activity you need whether you’re managing virtual schooling meltdowns or turning boredom into a playtime filled with laughter.
- 2 ½ cups fine sand
- 1 ½ cups cornstarch
- ½ cups coconut oil
- Natural food coloring (optional)
- Essential Oils (we used Kidpower; Snifflease, Citrus Fresh, and Stress Away are other great options)
- Add sand and cornstarch to a bowl and sift thoroughly until they are combined.
- Add food coloring drops and mix until color is incorporated.
- Add in oil gradually, stirring until the mixture forms a dense sand. No coconut oil lying around? Sub in baby oil or vegetable oil instead.
- Get your hands in the mixture and start to knead and mold.
- Add drops of essential oil and mix until combined.
- Play away!
To keep your DIY sand fresh, store in an airtight container or reusable storage bag. Keep in a cool, dry place for up to a month. Is your scent fading? Add 5–10 drops of any family-friendly essential oil to bring your moon sand back to life.
Essential Oil-Infused Treats
Love making holiday treats? Here are two easy recipes for you to try! These make perfect gifts!
Honey Lemon Lollipops
- 1 cup sugar (Rita used coconut sugar)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/8 cup water
- 4-5 drops Lemon Vitality
- candy thermometer
- lollipop sticks
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. *Add one drop of Lemon Vitality at a time and add to taste. Place your candy thermometer inside and stir consistently as you bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture reaches 300 degrees F, carefully pour into the candy mold or on parchment paper (create 1.5 inch circles). Place lollipop sticks while the mixture is hot. Allow the lollipops to completely cool before removing.
Candied Almonds
- 1/2 cup sugar (Rita used coconut sugar)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2-3 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality
- 2 cups whole almonds
Combine all ingredients in a nonstick pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add almonds and continuously stir. Pour almonds onto parchment paper or silicone mat. Allow to cool completely.
Do you have a favorite vitality oils you use to infuse your recipes with?
Do you find it easier to watch videos? Watch this one.
I will be back in the afternoon (after 1 pm) with more DIYs such as:
- Lip Balm
- Mermaid Hair Spray
- Beard Oil
- Nail Serum
- Room Sprays
- Bath Salts
- Linen Sprays
- Exfoliating Soap
- Massage Bars
- Lotion Bar
Also, don’t forget to check out these gift idea and DIY posts while you wait for the next one.
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