craft-Day11

12 Days of Christmas Crafting: Revisited

Day 11: Crafting Personal Care Gifts for Him

By Christi R. Pugh

For Nature’s Gift Inc.

More men are interested in grooming and personal care these days, so we decided to share a few recipes/ideas for Christmas crafting “men’s gifts,” for the special men in your life. (Husband, Partner, Father, Brother, Son, etc.) 

For an easy shaving cream, purchase an unscented shaving cream, and add a few drops of Sandalwood essential oil to it, stirring slowly to blend.  If you are a bit more adventurous, there are numerous natural shaving cream recipes online.  I’ve researched it extensively, and combined several to come up with a pretty simple version. 

Shaving Cream

Equal parts Extra Virgin Coconut Crème Oil and Shea Butter (about 2/3 cup each)

¼ cup of Carrier Oil of your choice (Jojoba, Sweet Almond, or Grapeseed would do)

15 total drops of essential oil (Could use Sandalwood, Peppermint, Patchouli, Lime)

2 teaspoons of Baking Soda (acts as an antiseptic and mild exfoliant)

Warm the Shea & Virgin Coconut Oil slowly over very low heat in a saucepan.

Once they turn liquid, remove from heat, and add carrier oil and essential oils, blending gently by stirring. Pour into a glass jar, or bail jar to cool and solidify.  May be refrigerated.

Once solid, it will turn a milky white color.  Remove from fridge and allow it to warm to room temperature. Beat with a hand whisk (or electric mixer on low) as you add the baking soda.  Beat for a few minutes until the mixture is blended well.  (should be lighter and fluffier)

Store in a dark, cool location, because the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Crème easily melts and it contains no preservatives. 

Calendula Shave Soother

For years we sold this  blend of healing Sandalwood essential oil, in a base of Jojoba, Calendula infused oil, to soothe sensitive skin after shaving. I have been told that both Jojoba and Sandalwood can help heal ingrown hairs. I don't know if it's true, but the blend might be worth trying.  At any rate, it will soothe irritation from shaving, and leave your man smelling wonderful!  We discontinued it a few years ago during a jojoba shortage, and there have been folks asking for it ever since:

For a 4 ounce bottle:

110 mls Jojoba

12 mls Calendula infused olive oil

3 mls Sandalwood of your choice (this is a 2.5 dilution, you could easily use less!)

Blend the fixed oils, and gradually add the Sandalwood oil.  Rotate bottle between your hands to gently blend the contents.  Apply a tiny amount after shaving to irritated or tender skin.  (I am told this makes a wonderful lotion for shaving your legs, and we have clients who swore that it helped their eczema.)

 From earlier in the week, we talked about scenting unscented lotion.  Sandalwood would be a fabulous splurge for the man in your life, as it can be used for lotions, gels, wearable cologne, or even diffusing sparingly.  We do offer two Sandalwood samplers, one undiluted, and the other skin-safe and diluted.  These are never discounted but today and tomorrow, use the code craft11 to save 20% on these kits/samplers, as well as Aloe Vera Gel, Extra Virgin Coconut Crème Oil, Shea Butter, Calendula infused oils, and, of course, a Bail Jar to hold the shave cream..  See www.naturesgift.com for more men’s products. 

We’ll wrap up our series tomorrow with a word about basic balms and salves and your final opportunity to save big on many of the items we’ve featured in our Christmas Crafting blog posts.