Shower friends and family with garden-inspired bath and body treats using fragrant essential oils

These homemade gifts are surprisingly simple — and fun — to make. Photos: Suzanne DeJohn

Recipes in this Article

• Bath Bombs
• Herbal Bath Salts
• Soothing Salve
• Room/Linen Spritzers
• Melt-and-Pour Soap

By Susan Romanoff, Peggy Geier and Suzanne DeJohn

Recipients are sure to appreciate the care and thoughtfulness that goes into making one-of-a-kind gifts like these. They're fast and easy, too. I made them with colleagues on the Gardener's Supply creative team — Peggy Geier and Susan Romanoff — in just one morning! Consider doubling the recipes so you'll have some to keep for yourself.

Bath Bombs

Sometimes called bath fizzies, these effervescent bath-time treats are as simple to make as they are fun to use. Drop one in your bathwater and it will bubble and fizz and lend luxury and cheer to an evening soak. Herbs and essential oils make them soothing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• witch hazel in spritzer bottle

Citric acid is a naturally occurring acid that comes in the form of a fine white powder. It's available in the bulk herb section at some natural food stores. It's also used in canning, so stores that sell canning supplies might sell it or you can order it online. Coconut oil is available at natural foods stores as well as some supermarkets. Instead of lavender flowers and oil, try other combinations of dried flowers and essential oils, such as rose petals and rose essential oil, or calendula petals and grapefruit essential oil.