This Christmas season, I’m trying my hand at some homemade gifts in an effort to save money (also, who doesn’t like a homemade gift??). I don’t know about you, but during fall and winter, I am 100% here for all things pumpkin spice and cinnamon. One of my favorite ways to bring the holidays inside my home, is to make these cute little hand scrubs. They meet all my “cozy qualifications”: they smell oh so yummy, exfoliate your skin, and makes it silky smooth and hydrated. Also, they take maybe 5 minutes to make. It’s a win win situation!

Once the cold weather sets in, hands begin to chap. Also, during the dry seasons, I get an occasional eczema flair up on my hands, which can range from annoying to painful. I love how the coconut oil works with the sugar to hydrate and smooth out my skin!  It’s like a mini spa for your hands.

I am a huge supporter of essential oils. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first when my mom started throwing out a lot of our harsh chemical cleaners and started buying essential oils. However, after some research and using them myself, I am now 100% here for all things essential oils. They act as great disinfectants in a counter and bathroom spray. A lavender and shea butter lotion before bed or after a hard day of work really soothes the soul, and one of my favorite holiday diffuser blends is orange and peppermint. I even have a roller bottle with a peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender blend in it that really helps clear up nasal congestion – goodbye, Afrin!

Ok, enough about my love for these hand scrubs and on to the how-to. Below, I’ve gathered three different scents for you to try out.

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil
• Red food coloring
• Peppermint essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Stir together the sugar and coconut oil in a medium size bowl.
2. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil into the mixture
3. Divide your sugar scrub mix into two equal portions
4. Add a few drops of food coloring into one of the portions.
5. In a small mason jar, alternate pink and white layers of colored sugar to create a “candy cane” effect. Press the sugar down with a spoon to compact layers.

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Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup brown sugar (or ¾ brown and ¼ white)
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spices
• ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. You can add more or less oil depending on what consistency you desire.
2. Store in an air tight container.

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Gingerbread Brown Sugar Scrub

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp all spice
• ½ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. You can add more or less oil to your liking.
2. Store in an air tight container.

Voilà! Now you have an easy and oh so thoughtful gift idea for the holidays. Drop a comment and let me know if you guys have any other great hand scrub ideas!