Peppermint sugar scrub

Peppermint sugar scrub

It has been a while, but I think it's time for a recipe that you can't eat.

While the holidays are a food blogger's dream -- that is, having the perfect excuse to spend all your free time baking -- it's also a great time to do a little making, too.

And, trust me, you don't have to be crafty. At all.

Case in point: this peppermint sugar scrub.

Who doesn't love to get a fun, spoil-yourself, spa-style gift for the holidays?

There really is nothing to this gift: mix the ingredients, pack it into some cute jars, wrap it with some festive ribbon and you're done. I used peppermint oil in this scrub because it seemed wintry and holiday-ish. You could certainly substitute other scents -- lavender, rosemary, whatever is your favorite -- and adjust the color accordingly.

I made my own labels for the jar lids, but you don't even have to go to that extreme. There are tons and tons of printable labels, in all sizes and styles, available on the web. Limeshot Design has a set that are gorgeous and fun (look for the blank set to write-in your own name). Or just search on Pinterest for "printable labels" -- jackpot.

It's not too late to have a handmade holiday.

What kinds of homemade gifts do you like to make at holiday time? The Ninj wants to know.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup almond oil (you may use a little less or a little more)
peppermint essential oil
red food coloring

Directions:
Place the sugar in a mixing bowl and slowly add the almond oil, starting with 1/4 cup, stirring until the mixture reaches a consistency you like. Add a few drops of the essential oil and a few drops of food coloring (start with a just a little first, as you don't want it to be too dark) and blend. Pack the sugar scrub into jars (I used half-pint jars and this mixture filled three of them), pressing down a bit with the back of a spoon. Apply ribbon and labels or whatever embellishment you've chosen.