how to: make homemade sugar scrub.

This year for Christmas we're doing a little less of everything. A little more homemade, a lot less commercial. My kids are getting a small smattering of presents {and I do mean small} and Viktor and I are keeping the gifts between us pretty basic and practical. I already bought myself the camera I wanted, the only thing left on my list is every available song from the Glee Soundtrack.

But I digress.

My point was that we're keeping it simple. I'm not buying anything for friends and family, everything is going to be handmade. And I thought to myself *self, if you were getting a homemade present from someone, what would you want it to be?*, and the answer was obvious: sugar scrub. I'm easy to please.

I set about trying different ingredients from my kitchen to make a sugar scrub and I think I've found just the right combination. It's only 4 ingredients, and one of them is optional.





So, let's get started. This, by the way, is a fun craft to do with your kids. Mine are starting to get cabin fever and I'm needing every possible craft to keep them from killing each other on these dark, cold, winter days. Sugar scrub is a good activity. But I have to warn you, if you have someone like my Charming in your house, you'll end up with sugar all. over. the. floor.


You need:

White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Olive Oil
Vanilla {totally optional, but yummy}

{notes: I dabbled with Baby Oil but the smell is pretty strong, and not everyone is as enamored with the baby smell as myself. I vote Olive Oil, which you can pick up at the dollar store}





Step 1: Find a container for the scrub

The sky is the limit, really. This is a washed-out container I'm recycling which actually held Trader Joe's sugar scrub in its former life. I'm also using small Mason jelly jars and making lids out of scrapbook paper. Whatever you have on hand will do, thriftiness is the name of the game here.





Step 2: Measure Some Brown Sugar

You want your sugars to be equally mixed, so find out how much the container you're using will hold and then measure equal amounts of sugars to fill.





Step 3: Add White Sugar




Step 4: Mix

This is a good job for small boys who are in danger of being thrown into a snowbank outside because of their wild ways. I'm projecting a little here, stay with me.





It should look like this when you're done. You can use an electric mixer if you like, but I prefer child slave labor myself.





Step 5: Add to container

You could use a funnel if you're organized, but I just used my measuring cups and it all worked out okay.





Isn't it pretty? Fill it pretty full, the oil will tamper it down a lot and you don't want to give a half-empty jar to your girlfriends, it's tacky.





Step 6: Add Oil

This step requires patience. Pour it in and let it bubble down to the bottom, then pour in a little more, and so on and so forth. Mix it around with a spoon if you need to {I did}, it will speed up the process.





It looks like layers of sediment, doesn't it? I kind of like it at this stage, the different colors add texture.




Step 7: Mix again


See how I've mixed it up with a spoon? At this point you can add more sugar and more oil until you're happy with the result. Your happiness is paramount in all this, and don't you forget it.


{Optional} Step 8: Add Vanilla

Since it's optional I didn't take photos. But, adding Vanilla adds a delicious scent. You can also add an essential oil if you're so inclined, I might in my next batch.





Step 9: Dress it up

Add a bow for heaven's sake, it's Christmas. I got the ribbon at the Dollar Store, several spools in every color. Tie a nice little bow and you're done. Isn't it adorable?

I want one.