Pocket Hand Warmers

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Pocket hand warmers!

I'm one of those people that does not do well in the cold.  No matter how high I turn up the thermostat, my hands and toes are always frozen.  Here's a great idea to keep warm during these chilly winter days.  And these are the perfect size for stocking stuffers.

Pocket Hand Warmers

Pocket Hand Warmers

flannel fabric
thread
uncooked rice
essential oil (optional)

Cut two pieces of fabric 5 1/2" by 4 1/2".  Sew right sides together, leaving an opening at one end.  Turn right side out and fill with uncooked rice.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  OnGuard and Holiday Joy essential oil blends have a nice Christmas-y smell.  Lavender is always soothing.  And Balance has a nice, woodsy scent.  Sew the open end up, and you are finished.  Include a small card with instructions to heat in the microwave for 1 minute.

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E-mail me for a free sample of your choice of essential oil.  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas!

Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Christmas potpourri.

This time of year always brings out the kid in me. My mom loved Christmas. There were eight children in our family, and each year, my mother would buy each child ten gifts. You can imagine what it looked like when we came downstairs on Christmas morning to see our tree overflowing with presents. It was magical.

Nothing got me into the Christmas spirit more than my mom's special "Christmas smell," a homemade potpourri simmering on the stove. I remember coming home from school and having the delicious spicy scent waft over me. It was a reminder that Santa was watching, and we all were a little more thoughtful and a little kinder to one another.

I've duplicated the potpourri in my own home, but it does have its setbacks. I can be a bit absent-minded, and sometimes I've forgotten to add water to the pot. Burned Christmas is not quite as appealing. These days, I like to diffuse a couple of essential oils that smell just like Mom's potpourri.

You don't have to have a diffuser to enjoy the aroma of essential oils. I also like to keep a spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of my favorite scent to use as a room spray. And I love to sprinkle a couple of drops on a bowlful of pine cones and on my holiday wreath.

Mom's Christmas Potpourri

orange peels
cinnamon sticks
whole cloves

What do you do to get in the mood for Christmas?

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E-mail me for a free sample of Holiday Joy.  And come back tomorrow for more 12 Days of Christmas ideas.