Give your valentine a day at the spa – without leaving home

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • February 8, 2010
  • 649
                        
Nothing is quite as indulgent as a day at an upscale spa. Although sure to be appreciated by your valentine, the price tag for such a luxury can be prohibitive. With a little ingenuity and some simple ingredients, you can create a valentine spa package that is affordable and a true treat. Make these designer pampering products, and if you wish, add a relaxing chair massager or mini-Jacuzzi type foot bath and a high thread count bath set in your loved ones favorite colors. You will have created the perfect home spa package. Most ingredients can be found in your local craft supply store, herb and health food store, or pharmacy. You can also find pretty jars and bottles at a craft store, too, or pick them up at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores throughout the year. Homemade spa products: Charming Glycerin Soap Ingredients: Clear glycerin, cut in small pieces Molds (hearts, flowers, shells, a round shape, etc.) Small charms or similar items Fragrance (optional) Coloring (optional) Put glycerin in a Styrofoam cup and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Pour into molds, half full, and let set. Place charms, small bead letters, plastic shapes, etc. into the mold and add additional melted glycerin. (Tip: you can use tiny bead letters to spell out “love” or the recipient’s name) After it is firm, wrap in plastic wrap. Tie with a ribbon, or wrap in plain brown paper with a hand-lettered label. Relaxing Lavender Bath Salts Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup dry milk, 1 cup Epsom salt, and 1 cup of sea salt together. Add dried lavender, mix together well, and store in a pretty decorative jar. Energizing Bath Salts In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of sea salt. Slowly mix in 10 drops of green food coloring, 15 drops of peppermint oil, 10 drops of rosemary oil, and 6 drops of eucalyptus oil. Store in decorative jar. Rose Scented Dusting Powder Place 1 cup of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon orris root into a blender. Mix on low speed. Slowly add 1/4 teaspoon of rose scented (or scent of your choice) essential oil. Place in a jar, and add a soft powder puff to complete your gift. Bubble Bath Gently mix 1 cup of baby shampoo, 1/3 cup of glycerin, and 2 tablespoons of water. Add 10 to 25 drops of a favorite essential oil, and bottle tightly in a decorative bottle. Exfoliating Body Scrub Place cup regular rolled oats, 1/4 cup powdered milk, 1 tablespoon plain or sea salt, 1 tablespoon cornmeal, 1 tablespoon rose petal powder, and 1 teaspoon neem powder (optional – for problem skin) into food processor. Process until fine. Slowly add in a few drops of essential oil (if desired). You can also add such things as powdered lavender buds or lemon peel. Add directions: Place one tablespoon on palm, and wet until you create a paste. Massage into skin gently, rinse well. May be used daily. Fizzing Bath Salts Sift 16 ounces of baking soda, then add desired essential oils (vanilla is nice) Mix in 8 ounces of citric acid (like you would use on fresh fruits), and 8 ounces of sea or Epsom salt. Blend together well. Directions: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to the bath. For more ambitious projects, look online or at your library for instructions on how to make old-fashioned handmade scented soaps (with lye and animal or vegetable fats) or candles. Poured candles are especially easy to make using paraffin or soy. You can also purchase beeswax to make soothing beeswax candles. Used taper candles can be melted down to create lovely color layered poured candles, and you can even press in dried flowers and other accents. These projects involve using extra safety techniques, so follow directions carefully, and never leave ingredients unattended when melting on a stove top. Your valentine will love the extra thought, time, and effort you put into making their valentine spa day memorable.


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