DIY Spa in a Jar: Handmade Gifts

Log Homesimple livingDIY Spa Recipes
Written By Roxanne Hoover

Our family loves to give handmade gifts. There’s something deeply meaningful about gifting something you’ve made with your own hands. In a world of quick shipping and store-bought convenience, a handcrafted present speaks volumes: “You matter. I took time to create this for you.”

This season, I’ve been putting together one of my favorite (and budget-friendly!) handmade gifts: Spa in a Jar. It’s a lovely way to bless someone with a moment of rest and self-care — without overwhelming them with clutter or finding storage. Perfect for teachers, birthdays, holidays, or anyone in need of a little pampering.

And the best part? You can make everything inside the jar from scratch, using simple, all-natural ingredients.|

Let me show you how.

What’s Inside the Spa in a Jar?

Each Spa in a Jar is filled with a thoughtful collection of self-care goodies. You can mix it up however you'd like, but here’s what I love to include:

  • Lavender & Eucalyptus Bath Salt

  • Brown Sugar & Vanilla Scrub

  • Whipped Body Butter

  • Floral Fizzy Bath Balls

  • Optional: Herbal tea, a beeswax candle, or a handwritten note

That’s four beautiful products, each handmade, that turn bath time into a spa-like escape. Let’s get to the recipes.

Lavender & Eucalyptus Bath Salt

A blend of mineral-rich salts and calming essential oils — perfect for soothing muscles and easing tension.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Mix salts and baking soda in a bowl.

  2. Add essential oils and stir well.

  3. Fold in dried lavender buds.

  4. Spoon into a glass jar and seal.

Brown Sugar & Vanilla Scrub

A sweet, nourishing scrub that exfoliates gently while locking in moisture.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Combine sugar and coconut oil until fully mixed.

  2. Stir in vanilla and vitamin E.

  3. Store in a small jar with a tight lid.

💡 To use: Massage onto damp skin, rinse, and pat dry.

Whipped Body Butter

Light, fluffy, and moisturizing — this feels like buttercream for the skin!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Melt shea butter and coconut oil in a double boiler.

  2. Add carrier oil, then cool in the fridge until partially solid.

  3. Add essential oils and whip with a hand mixer until fluffy.

  4. Spoon into a jar and seal.

Floral Bath Ball Fizzy Bombs

No mold? No problem! These bath bombs are shaped by hand and topped with dried florals.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Whisk together baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and salt.

  2. Add coconut oil and essential oil.

  3. Lightly spritz the mixture with water or witch hazel until it holds together like damp sand.

  4. Shape into small balls by hand. Press dried florals into the tops.

  5. Let dry for 24 hours.

Assembling Your Spa in a Jar

  1. Start with a wide-mouth mason jar (quart works great).

  2. Add small jars or containers of bath salt, scrub, body butter, and 2–3 fizzy bath balls.

  3. Add crinkle paper or shredded kraft paper to nestle everything inside.

  4. Tie twine or ribbon around the jar.

  5. Add a rustic label or tag to finish the look.

Whether you’re gifting one or keeping it for your own self-care stash, this project is equal parts fun and practical — and a great way to celebrate simple living, creativity, and the beauty of handmade.

Enjoy this label for your jar.

Let me know if you make one! I’d love to hear your twist on the Spa in a Jar idea or see pictures of your finished gifts.

Stay rooted,

Roxanne

Roxanne Hoover
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