*I  received a box from Simply Earth in order to facilitate an honest review; All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.*

 

Hi Everyone! As the year winds down, and we enter into full-blown Holiday mode, many of us are thinking about gift-giving. Whether those gifts are going to be under the tree, given to a teacher, or used as host/hostess gifts, many of us are thinking of ways to make gifts unique. Store-bought gifts are always great, but in talking with friends and family, I have discovered that this year many people are wanting handmade gifts.

Well, the fantastic folks over at Simply Earth must have gotten the same memo, because their December Recipe Box is filled with great handmade gift ideas. If you remember, they sent me a preview of their November box, so I could give all of you a sneak peek, and I am thrilled to be working with them again this month to get you in the DIY gift-giving mood for December!

 

 

There are some fantastic recipes in the December box, and one of my favorites is the Candy Cane Lip Balm. Not only does the candy cane flavor scream “Holidays” but December is a time when I use a lot of lip balm due to the cold weather, that dries my lips out. So today, I am going to walk y’all through the Candy Cane Lip Balm recipe, and give you the sneak peek of the rest of the December Simply Earth Recipe Box!

Each month you will get 4 new essential oils/blends, and they are all of absolutely amazing quality. This month the scents truly fit the season, and each one smells fantastic. You are going to get

• Candy Cane
• Peppermint
• Mandarin
• Pine Scotch

Included in the December Box are some extra items that will be needed to create the recipes; things like lip balm tubes, a mini spray bottle, gift tags, and twine, and a tin. Additional ingredients will come in your Bonus Box, which is free when you are a first time subscriber! I will tell you more about that in a bit. For now, let’s check out what recipes are included this month.

• Candy Cane Lip Balm
• Peppermint & Pine Salve
• Mandarin and Coffee Sugar Scrub
• Citrus Christmas Room Spray
• Cold Buster Roll-On
• Christmas Candy Diffuser Blend

Each and every one of these recipes would be the perfect gift for someone that loves handmade and DIY gifts, Essential Oils, and The Holidays! Create each one, and tie it up with the included twine and tags, and gift away!

Now, let’s get into this month’s DIY recipe! Candy Cane Lip Balm is made using Simply Earth’s Candy Cane Blend, which is the perfect combination of Peppermint, Wintergreen, Sweet Orange, and Cassia Essential Oils.

Combined with beeswax, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil, and you have fantastic smelling, and good for your lip, holiday lip balm!

Candy Cane Lip Balm

• 1 Tbsp Beeswax
• 1/2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (Solid)
• 1 Tsp Sweet Almond Oil
• 10 Drops Candy Cane Essential Oil Blend
• 2 Lip Balm Tubes

 

Directions

• Melt beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler (or microwave, using 10-sec increments)
• Remove from heat and add almond oil (return to double boiler ONLY if lip balm has begun to harden, and only until just melted)
• Add essential oil blend, and stir to combine
• Quickly pour the lip balm into tubes, remelting if necessary
• Allow the lip balm to cool completely before using

Now, go ahead and add the lip balm sticker that came in your Simply Earth Recipe Box, and gift one or both lip balms! As for me, I am thinking I replace my purse lip balm!

I am really loving how festive and holiday centered the December recipe box is! Additionally, the December box came with an extra little gift fromWildRoot Natural Products! WildRoot is a sister company of Simply Earth, that uses Simply Earth Essential Oils to create all-natural products. They included a sample of their aluminum-free natural deodorant, made with Lavender and Ylang Ylang essential oils; it smells amazing!

 

 

So, what about that bonus box I was telling you about? Well, if you are a first time subscriber, and Use Code: LOVEMAMADEWSFREE when you subscribe, and you will receive a $40 gift card to use on more goodies from Simply Earth, as well as a Big Bonus Box! The Big Bonus Box comes with all the extras; coconut oils, beeswax, almond oil, and bottles.

I have also received word that Simply Earth will now be providing subscribers with a Starter Box, should the monthly recipe box be sold out (which is happening every month!) These boxes will contain recipe cards, and will come with the big bonus box, that way nobody is waiting too long to enjoy their own essential oils and recipes! I hope you enjoyed this month’s sneak peek, and don’t forget to head over to Simply Earth and place your order, and Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!