Editors of Garden Way Publishing - Make 22 Herbal Gifts for the Holidays

Compiled by Rachael Kelly

Padded hangers are one of those special little gifts that are always appreciated. Use a wooden coat hanger without a pants bar. Measure the wooden part from the center to one end you will make the cover in halves. Make a satin tube 1 inch longer than half the length of the hanger and about 1 inches wide. (You can double 1-inch-wide satin ribbon and stitch along each selvage.) Stitch across one end of the tube and leave the other end open. Turn the stitched tube right side out, and slip over one end of the hanger. Repeat for the other end. Fill each side tightly with potpourri, and blind stitch the ends together at the center. Wrap the hook with narrow ribbon, holding it in place over the end with white glue. Wrap the other end once around the hanger to hide the seam, and stitch it in place. Cover the end with a bow tied around the handle.

HERBITAGE FARMS MOTH POTPOURRI

For the oils mentioned you can use either fragrance or essential oils, which can be obtained at craft stores, natural food stores and through some mail-order catalogues.

cup cedar shavings

cup pennyroyal

cup lavender

cup santolina or southernwood

cup peppermint

cup lemon verbena

cup thyme

cup rosemary

cup orrisroot

cup whole cloves

cup lemon peel

cup black peppercorns

6 drops cedar oil

6 drops lemon oil

6 drops lavender oil

This project/recipe by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers appeared in Herbal Treasures.

These trivets and mug mats do double duty: they protect tables and counters from your hot mug or casserole and release a fragrant scent at the same time.

Several weeks before you put your trivet or mat together, make the spice and oil mixtures. Using the ingredients listed, combine oils and spices, and let sit, covered, for 3 weeks.

To make a 9-inch x 9-inch trivet, use the following directions; to make a 4-inch x 4-inch mug mat use measurements in parentheses.

The pattern features a lap seam so that the spice pouch can be easily removed when the cases need laundering. The recipe for spice oil makes 60 drops, or 1 dram of oil enough to scent 1 pound of spices. If you wish to stencil, silk-screen, or embroider a design on your trivet or mat, plan the design to fit a 6-inch (3-inch) square centered top to bottom and end to end.

To make the case you will need one piece of fabric 10 inches by 24 inches (5 inches by 13 inches). You will also need a piece of fabric 7 inches by 13 inches (3 inches by 7 inches) for the spice pouch.

1. On short ends of case fabric piece, fold over inch ( inch) twice, and press. No need to sew, as topstitching in Step 3 will hold folds in place.

2. Fold piece into thirds, with end folds facing out and with the left-hand end overlapping the right-hand end by the width of the folds. The overlap should occur at the center of the piece. Press flat.

3. Sew inch ( inch) seams along the sides. Trim corners, turn inside out, and press. Topstitch 1 inches from the edge ( inch) all the way around.

4. To make spice pouch, make inch ( inch) folds in each short end of the fabric piece, and press. Fold the entire piece in half at the center, with the end folds facing out. Press.

5. Stitch long edges in inch ( inch) seams, leaving short end open. Trim corners and turn inside out.

6. Insert up to 1 cup ( cup) of the spice mixture into the inside pouch. Whipstitch or machine stitch closed. Tuck pouch into case.

SPICE MIXTURE

YIELD: 1 POUND

4 ounces cinnamon pieces, inch or smaller

3 ounces whole allspice

2 ounces orange peel, potpourri-cut or smaller

1 ounce whole cloves

1 ounce rosemary leaves

1 ounce star anise, broken into pieces

1 ounce oakmoss, cut and sifted

ounce crushed nutmeg

ounce ginger, cut and sifted

SPICE OIL

YIELD: ENOUGH TO SCENT 1 POUND OF SPICES

14 drops each of cinnamon, allspice, and sweet orange (or bergamot) oils

10 drops clove oil

8 drops nutmeg oil

This project/recipe by Sally Booth-Brezina appeared in Herbal Treasures.

Purchase a box of stationery. Cut a piece of blotter paper and a piece of shirt cardboard to fit your stationery box. Drop a few drops of your favorite essential oils onto the blotter paper and place it on the shirt cardboard. Cover the blotter paper with a couple of layers of cheesecloth, then with a print fabric. Glue the fabric edges around to the back of the cardboard. Put this in the bottom of the box and replace the stationery. The layers of cloth prevent the writing paper from becoming spotted with oil. This makes a nice gift.

This project by Bob Clark appeared in Herbal Treasures.

Creams and scrubs you make and bottle specially, maybe with a satin bow, are a treat. Minty Astringent can be used as a mens after-shave too.

ALL-PURPOSE SCRUB

cup ground oatmeal

cup ground sunflower seeds

4 tablespoons almond meal

teaspoon ground peppermint, spearmint, or rosemary leaves dash cinnamon powder

water, milk, or heavy cream

Mix dry ingredients together thoroughly. Use approximately 2 teaspoons of scrub mixture for the face, more for the body, and enough water (for oily skin), milk (for normal skin), or heavy cream (for dry skin) to form a spreadable paste. Use blender or food processor to mix.

Allow to thicken for 1 minute. Massage onto face and throat or body area. Rinse. Prep time about 10 minutes.

This scrub is good for all skin types, and can be used daily. Follow with a moisturizer. Store in a zip-seal bag, low tub/jar, or a tin. Leaves skin very smooth.

YIELDS: 4 TO 24 TREATMENTS, DEPENDING ON USE.

MINTY ASTRINGENT

1 tablespoon fresh peppermint, spearmint, or lemon balm (if dried, use 1 teaspoons of the herb)