New month, new oils! And of course, December is very special because of the holiday season it includes! We’ve put together quite an awesome post for you. Not only are we sharing our essential oil picks of the month and downloadable diffuser recipes, we also have a tutorial on DIY candle making!! Perfect for hosting & gifting during Christmas!
In the true spirit of the season, we decided to let Advent be our oils inspiration this month. Advent is about anticipation, waiting, preparation, looking back {at the birth of Jesus} and looking forward {to when he will come again}. Significant cornerstones to our faith. In the most practical application, you can see the season divided up into two main themes {with lots of overlap}: 1) Preparing//hosting//welcoming 2) Celebration//giving//Christmas Spirit.
Preparing//Hosting//Welcoming
There are two main essential oils that stand out at this time of year for the diffuser, when you want to create a very cozy, welcoming home: Christmas Spirit and Cinnamon Bark. Both offer sweet & spicy scents. Christmas Spirit is actually a blend that contains Cinnamon Bark, along with Orange and Spruce, and is appropriately named because it literally smells of everything you associate with the holiday. Each of the Christmas Spirit and Cinnamon Bark oils combine easily with a variety of citrus oils {Orange, Tangerine, & Grapefruit} and also, Peppermint & Clove. It’s hard to go wrong, really. Whether hosting a large group of family or friends or just spending a quiet, mellow evening at home, we highly suggest these oils. We’ll certainly be using lots of them in the diffuser at our house! Download a recipe card with diffuser blends!
Preparing//Hosting//Welcoming ~ Download
Celebration//Giving//Christmas Spirit
As we focus on the season of Advent, it’s pretty hard not to include Frankincense & Myrrh, two of the original gifts given by the Wise Men. Frankincense is associated with things like increasing inner strength & spirituality, reducing anxiety, and creating a sense of calm. Myrrh is associated with promoting emotional balance, and a deeper sense of peace & spirituality. We’re also adding another special oil to this category, Palo Santo {also known as “sacred wood”}. It is both grounding & inspiring and helps with deeper connections, and warding off negative emotions. Let’s be honest, at some point during the holidays, you will find yourself in the midst of a busy, chaotic, stress-inducing situation, ripe with negative emotions. These oils will help you get re-focused & grounded, so you can get back to the peace of the season. We’ve got a recipe card for you to download and keep handy during the holidays!
Celebration//Giving//Christmas Spirit ~ Download
Which brings us to our next wonderful gift to you! Shauna put together a great, simple tutorial on candle making, using essential oils and soy wax. Candles are so symbolic at this time of year & offer so much comfort, especially during our long, dark Canadian winters. They are symbols of hope, Spirit, guiding stars, life, joy and so much more. You light candles on special occasions, for special guests, to remember a special life, to set a special mood, and to simply see in the darkness. Whether it’s Advent candles to count down to Christmas or candles to practice hygge, we’re embracing the light. Join us this season, by making your very own candles! To keep or to give.
DIY Soy Candles
- Soy wax flakes (I found mine at Soap and More in Calgary, but they’re in short supply around town. Amazon has a few options)
- Jars (any glass jar works, I like to use small, 250mL or 125mL mason jars)
- Wicks (I’ve played around with two varieties):
- Essential oils for scent (see below or use your own combo)
- Glue gun
- Wooden dowel or popsicle stick for stirring
- Glass Pyrex-type measuring cup
- Clothes pins or pencils (to hold wicks in place)
Essential Oil Candle Scents:
- Spicy Orange {6 drops of each}:
- Orange
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Sweet Mint:
- 7 drops each: Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen
- 10 drops: Ylang Ylang
- Rosemary/Lavender:
- 20 drops Lavender
- 10 drops Rosemary
- a sprinkle of dried lavender can be added to the bottom of your candle jar
- Pretty much any scent combination can work. If you enjoy it in your diffuser, it will work as a candle!