Simple and Natural Prezzie Ideas

Christmas has come very suddenly this year. The big freeze has meant that we suddenly find there are very few shopping days left.  We were all preoccupied trying to keep our balance on lethal pavements and coping with work/life balance, with schools closed and children at home. So pressure is high, with less time and less money to splash out on a last minute dash around the shops. There will be fewer people on this year’s prezzie list who qualify for the what-do-you-give-someone-who-has-everything tag. All of this may be no harm at all. A little creativity will give pleasure to the giver and receiver, so roll up your sleeves! The recipes for toner/aftershave and body scrub require easy to obtain ingredients (Hopsack have all) and no skills whatsoever. The mulled wine and Chocolate Block Buster (courtesy of Susan Jane Murray) are a dawdle too.

QUEEN OF HUNGARY WATER
A wonderful natural toner, which the gypsies used as a hair rinse, mouthwash, headache remedy, aftershave and footbath! Some cosmetic houses even pack it in fancy bottles and sell it at exorbitant prices. But you can make it for a pittance and in a trice! Quantities are only approximate.

1-2 lemons sliced
Equal quantities of:
Lavender heads/flowers and
Rosemary sprigs
Apple cider vinegar (Braggs is best)
Atlantic Aromatics pure rose water to dilute finished product

Simply place the sliced lemons, lavender and rosemary in layers in a pretty jar (nice kilner-type jars available in Dunnes Stores and Ikea). Cover with cider vinegar. Leave for 2-4 weeks.
As time is short, give the mixture in the jar made to this point, with instructions to strain off on such and such a date (2-4 weeks hence) and then add 1 part pure rose water to 5 parts Queen Hungary Water.

NATURAL BODY SCRUB
This is a delightful natural body scrub, best applied before bathing or showering.
1 kg granulated sugar
Enough Organic soya oil or grape seed oil to just cover sugar
3 tsps Atlantic Aromatics vetivert oil (or less)
3 tsps vanilla extract (not essence)
2-3 tsps Atlantic Aromatics grapefruit oil
Add soya/rapeseed (canola) oil to sugar and mix well. Add essential oils and vanilla extract.
Pack in pretty jars.

Drinkable and edible gifts are always welcome and the effort put into thinking about and making them is appreciated. How about the ingredients for mulled wine as nifty prezzie idea? With or without mince pies, this is appropriate for either sex. If it’s for a non alcohol drinker, simply substitute Mulled Berry Punch for the wine (available in Hopsack). Don’t forget to include the following recipe:

MULLED WINE
2 bottles fruity red wine (or Mulled Berry Punch)
4 oranges, each cut into 6 wedges 5 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp mixed spice
6 tbsp granulated sugar
Heat all ingredients gently, stirring occasionally. Don’t boil, or the alcohol will evaporate.
If preferred, Hopsack stocks mulling spices, both organic and non-organic, which come ready mixed in sachets.

Susan Jane Murray’s CHOCOLATE BLOCK BUSTER is packed full of nutrients and a sinch to make (www.susanjanemurray.com). Allow just 10 minutes to put it together!
1 cup raw cacao nibs
2 & 1/2 cups Linwoods multi seed mix
1/2 cup raw agave syrup
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 cup goji berries
1/3 cup carob powder
Handful seeds (sunflower, pumpkin)
1/2 cup dessicated coconut or ground almonds
1 tbsp tahini
Mix dry ingredients together. Add melted coconut oil, agave syrup and tahini. Press into a tin. Pop into fridge until set. Cut into slices or wedges and hey presto, a sweet treat that packs a punch!

Enjoy making some or all of the above and a very happy Christmas to you all!