When you think of all the things Moms have to handle on a daily basis, giving Mom a first-rate gift on Mother's Day is a no-brainer. However, figuring out a new gift idea for mom year after year can be tough. There are flowers and chocolates and breakfast in bed, but making a DIY gift that comes from the heart is sure to truly be cherished. If your mother loves essential oils or is just getting to know about them, we highly recommend sprinkling them into your gift as well.

This DIY Mother's Day gift guide will highlight some of our favorite recipes meant to help her unwind and relax while truly enjoying her special day. This list has so many fun things in it, it may be hard to pinpoint just one, so let yourself go and have fun crafting more than one!

And just a little advice: be sure to clean up after yourselves before Mom guesses what you are up to!

Why do Moms love essential oils?

Most essential oils are steam distilled from plant material such as tree resins, flowers, leaves, roots, wood and bark. It can take tons of plant material to make a small amount of essential oils and for this, it is always recommended to use them sparingly - the old adage ‘less is more’ should definitely be adhered to. 

But, why do Moms (and so many others) love essential oils? One obvious answer is they have captivating aromas. Another is their tried and true effectiveness. Study after study, evidence of essential oils’ therapeutic value keeps pouring in. Their ability to support healthy living, calm mood and keep the home clean naturally make them beloved amongst moms. 

However, we believe the biggest reason that Moms love essential oils is just the fact that they want what is best for their family. 

A few reasons essential oils have won the hearts and minds of mothers are that they: 

• Boost mood, happiness and support one's emotional life [1,2,3]
• Balance stress, hormone levels, offer relaxation, tranquility and aid sleep [1,2,3]
• Provide toxin-free cleaning potential against microbes [1]
• Repel insects, soothe insect bites and calm seasonal allergies [4]
• Promote focus and mental clarity and assist memory [5]
• Boost the immune system and help naturally recover when sick [6]
• Help to maintain clear skin and keep her looking refreshed [7,8]

What essential oils are good for happiness and energy blends for moms?

Often, Rosemary and Peppermint or Basil and Eucalyptus essential oils are mentioned for their energizing effects but Spearmint has a sweeter aroma and cool minty edge that is ideal for energizing any home or space. Adding citrus essential oils to any of the above oils can make a perfect combination for happiness and energy, especially Orange, Bergamot, Lemon and Grapefruit. 

It's best to be aware that some citrus oils are phototoxic and should not be applied topically prior to sun or UV exposure. Learn more about phototoxic essential oils and how to safely use them in blends in order to avoid a phototoxic burn. 

What is the most uplifting essential oil?

Citrus and floral essential oils are amongst the most mood-boosting and universally liked aromas. For an aroma that can brighten the mood, we suggest Edens Garden’s expertly formulated essential oil blends. Bliss essential oil blend is a bright and citrusy blend with warm notes of Clove, Nutmeg, Ginger and Cinnamon – perfect for cool nights and for those who love warmth. 

For those who want a bright, citrus blend without the heat, look no further than Bee Happy. It will bring the same joyous sunshine while adding floral and grounding notes of Geranium, Lavender, Damiana and Vetiver that are superb in calming the mind while instilling a lighthearted spirit. Be Fruitful is another citrus-heavy blend that opts to uplift with Magnolia and Petitgrain as its counterpart. This sweet and fruity blend offers solace and a peaceful mentality.

What to give for Mother's Day DIY?

Mom can sometimes be difficult to buy for, but this shouldn't stop you from making this Mother's Day a special occasion. To make gifting easier, we’ve curated some ideas mom’s sure to love. With simple and detailed instructions, making each gift is a breeze. 

Keep in mind, Mom may want to receive more than one of these gifts!

10 Easy DIY Recipes That Can Be Used as Mother’s Day Gifts

#1 DIY PEPPERMINT AND LAVENDER FOOT SCRUB

Nothing says relaxation more than a foot scrub! Blending sugar with Peppermint, Rosemary and Lavender- Spike essential oils can energize tired feet, reduce inflammation & pain and improve circulation from a long day at work. 

Ingredients:

• Wide-mouth 12 oz Glass Jar 
• ½ cup of Granulated Sugar
• ½ cup of Epsom Salt
• ¼ cup Grapeseed Carrier Oil
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 3 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• 3 drops Rosemary- Moroccan (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• 4 drops Lavender- Spike (Lavandula latifolia)

DIY Instructions: Blend your ingredients in the glass jar. Clean the sides of the jar if anything spilled over, label the jar with a name and the ingredient list and wrap it with a pretty ribbon.

Instructions for Use: Soak feet in a foot bath or a warm tub for a few minutes and massage the scrub all over the feet in small circular motions including between the toes making sure to really get into dry rough patches.

#2 DIY FACE COMPRESS & GREEN CLAY MASK FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Perfect for those with sensitive skin, we recommend making a simple face compress made from tea strained with soothing, dried calendula flowers, rose flowers (calming to inflamed, red skin) or marshmallow root (moisturizing). Let the tea cool to room temperature and moisten a soft washcloth with the tea infusion, wringing out any extra water. The compress should be left on the face for a few minutes. 

Next, make a green clay mask with Lavender oil or Rose essential oil. Green clay helps draw out toxins from the skin while Rose and Lavender help reduce redness and inflammation. 

This blend is perfect for a springtime detox and for those with dry rough skin. 

Ingredients:

• Small Bowl
• ¼ cup of Green Clay Powder 
• 1 tsp of Cucumber Seed oil or Evening Primrose oil 
• 4 Tbsp of Distilled Water
• 1 drop Rose
• 1 drop Lavender
• 1 drop Myrrh 

You can also use Sandalwood, Carrot Seed and Clary Sage essential oils for their skin-nourishing benefits. 

DIY Instructions: Blend the green clay, carrier oil and 1 Tbsp of water at a time in the bowl until you have a smooth, loose paste that isn't too thick (or too thin). Once you have reached this consistency, add the essential oils and blend them into the clay mask preparation.

Instructions for Use: Avoiding the eyes, apply the mask to the face and let sit until the paste has dried on the skin (about 10-15 minutes). Rinse off and pat face gently until dry. Use a carrier oil to moisturize afterward.

#3 AGELESS FACE WASH

This homemade essential oil face wash is one of the easiest products to make. Tea Tree and Rosemary help to control bacteria and acne outbreaks while Myrrh reduces the look of wrinkles and supports youthful-looking skin. Lemon is an astringent and helps to tighten the skin. Castille soap is gentle and non-drying. When combined with witch hazel and hydrosol, this formula supports healthy skin day after day. 

Simply blend all of the ingredients together into an amber glass pump bottle, make a label for it and it’s good to go. 

Ingredients:

• 4 oz Amber Glass Bottle and Pump
• 2 oz Liquid Castile Soap (Unscented)
• 1 oz Witch Hazel
• 1 oz Rose, Lavender or Myrrh Hydrosol 
• 6 drops Myrrh Essential Oil
• 4 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
• 2 drops Rosemary- Moroccan Essential Oil
• 1 drop Lemon Essential Oil

#4 AGELESS FACE OIL

After using the Ageless Face Wash, Mom will definitely want to use this face oil to lock in moisture. 

There are many carrier oils you can use, but these are a few of our favorites:   

• Argan Oil: Superb for both skin and hair, Argan oil is loaded with Vitamin E and fatty acids that help to keep the skin supple and moisturized. 
• Cucumber Seed Oil: Light and less “greasy” than other oils, it is cooling to the skin and excellent for those with sensitive skin by helping to reduce irritation, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne and sunburns. 
• Tamanu Oil: With its soft green color and nutty aroma, Tamanu is thicker in feel than the above oils but has been used for centuries for inflamed skin, wound healing, collagen production, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as scars. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz Amber Glass Bottle with Cap
• 1/2 oz Argan Oil, Cucumber Seed Oil or Tamanu Oil
• 3 drops Myrrh
• 2 drops Sandalwood- Australian
• 1 drop Clary Sage
• 1 drop Lemon
• A drop of Vitamin E oil (as a preservative)

Instructions for Use: After washing the face with Ageless Face Wash, lock in moisture by massaging this DIY blend into the skin. After applying it to the skin, wait a few minutes for the oils to absorb before applying makeup and sunscreen. 

#5 DIY LIP BALM 

One great advantage of making Mom a handcrafted lipstick is to help her avoid all of the harmful chemicals and additives found in modern-day manufactured lipsticks. This recipe below is inspired by Edens Garden’s DIY EO Liquid Lipstick. 

The essential oils used in this recipe can be changed to make a different “flavor”. Vanilla-infused Sweet Almond or Avocado oil pairs well with Orange- Sweet for a creamsicle flavor. Alternatively, try Lemon- Steam Distilled and Lime for a citrusy burst.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz Avocado Carrier Oil
• ½ oz Sweet Almond Carrier Oil
• 3 drops Vanilla
• 3 drops Orange- Sweet
• 1 tsp Shea Butter
• ½ tsp Beeswax
• ¼ tsp Cosmetic Clay
• 1 tsp Lip-safe Mica Powder
• Lipgloss Container

Yield: Approximately (4) 10 ml lipsticks

#6 NATURAL AROMATHERAPY PERFUME

Perfumes today are made with a multitude of chemicals. In fact, most commercial cosmetic manufacturers use fragrances whose exact composition is not disclosed. These chemicals have been found to be sensitizers, hormone disruptors and reproductive toxins. 

Give Mom a natural and safe-to-use DIY solid perfume instead.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp Shea Butter
• 2 Tbsp Jojoba Carrier Oil
• 2 Tbsp Beeswax
• 3 oz Glass Jar
• 60 drops Essential Oil

DIY Instructions:

1. To a double boiler, add Shea Butter, Jojoba Wax and Beeswax.
2. While these ingredients melt, open the perfume container and ready them on the countertop.
3. Once melted, remove from the heat and whisk in the essential oils.
4. Immediately pour the mixture into the container.
5. Close the container and let harden and cure in the fridge overnight or optimally for 24 hours.

Perfume Blend Ideas: For your aromatic inspiration here is a list of perfectly balanced perfume blends.

Uplifting Citrus: 37 drops Neroli, 15 drops Orange- Blood, 8 drops Vanilla

Earth & Light: 32 drops Geranium- Rose, 18 drops Pine, 10 drops Patchouli

The Simplicity of Florals: 33 drops Lavender, 14 drops Ylang Ylang, 13 drops Rose

Grounding Balsam & Bergamot: 37 drops Bergamot, 16 drops Silver Fir, 7 drops Peru Balsam

#7 DIY SHOWER STEAMERS

Another option for a fun DIY gift is shower steamers. To make the steamers, choose an Edens Garden essential oil blend. Once dried, the steamers should hold their shape and can easily be  used by placing one at the far end of the shower where water will lightly hit it.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Baking Soda
• ½ cup Water
• Heat-safe Silicone Mold
• 6-8 drops Essential Oil

DIY Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
2. Combine the above ingredients together. If the concoction is too dry, add a little more water. 
3. Once your paste is ready, press it into the mold and press out air bubbles. 
4. Even out the top of the mold with a spoon. 
5. Place the mold on a baking sheet and heat in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let the mold shapes cool completely before removing them from the mold, otherwise they may break apart.

Gift the essential oil blend and the jar of shower steamers to Mom with a pretty ribbon or gift bag. When ready to use, place 6-8 drops of the essential oil blend onto the steamers and put the steamer at the bottom of the shower just past the steady stream of water so it dissolves slowly. 

#8 RELAXING BATH SALTS BLEND 

If mom loves to take a bath we have just the blend! Whether she’s in need of a good night's sleep or just a relaxing afternoon, we’ve got her covered.

Ingredients: 

• 12 oz Glass Jar
• 1 cup Epsom Salts
• ½ cup Castile Soap 
• 6 drops of Stress Relief or Relaxation Essential Oil Blend

DIY Instructions: Combine ingredients in the glass jar. Run a warm bath and swirl in the bath salt. 

#9 DIY LOTION BARS

Lotion bars are a versatile and fantastic product for carrying in a bag and especially for use when traveling (you won't get stopped by the TSA for a solid product). Lotion bars can be wrapped in wax paper or stored in a reusable tin. 

Ingredients:

• Silicone Mold
• 2 oz Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 3 oz Beeswax
• 1 oz Cocoa Butter 
• 70 drops Essential Oil
• Dried Flower Petals (optional)

Skin nourishing essential oil combinations for this blend:

Rose and Sandalwood

Lavender and Chamomile- German

Jasmine and Patchouli

DIY Instructions:

1. To a double boiler, add Coconut oil, beeswax and cocoa butter over medium heat.
2. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in 70 drops of EOs of your choice.
3. If using, place dried flower petals or buds into the silicone molds, then pour the lotion mixture into the molds.
4. Refrigerate overnight (preferably up to 24 hours to cure the blend) and remove the lotion bars from the molds.

Wrap this gift up in a nice tin or mason jar and when Mom is ready to use, have her rub the lotion bar in her hands to warm the bar and then rub the bar over dry skin. Use as often as needed.

#10 BATHROOM & ROOM SPRAY

Room sprays are easy to make and can be used all over the house, including in the bathroom and blending it is incredibly easy. To get the essential oils to sit in the liquid you first should blend the essential oils with high-proof grain alcohol. If you do not have access to this (or you are under 18 and cannot purchase it) try using unscented witch hazel instead. Once blended the room spray will have to be shaken before each use. 

Ingredients:

• 4 oz Glass Bottle and Sprayer
• 1 oz 190-proof Grain Alcohol
• 3 oz Distilled water
• 40 drops Ocean Breeze or Beach House

DIY Instructions: Add 1 oz of Grain Alcohol to a 4 oz glass spray bottle with a spray top and add 40 drops of your choice of essential oils. Let this mixture infuse for at least 4 hours or overnight. Then fill the rest of the bottle with 3 oz of distilled water. Shake to combine.

We hope Mom (and you) love these recipes. Happy gifting!

SOURCES:

1. Essential Oils: New Perspectives in Human Health and Wellness https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4090492/
2. Essential Oils and Health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32607090/
3. Aromatherapy: Do Essential Oils Really Work? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work
4. An Overview of the Biological Effects of Some Mediterranean Essential Oils on Human Health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29230418/
5. The effect of the essential oils of lavender and rosemary on the human short-term memory https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090506816301944
6. Much More Than a Pleasant Scent: A Review on Essential Oils Supporting the Immune System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6943609/
7. Oils for Wrinkles? https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/essential-oils-for-wrinkles
8. 10 Best Essential Oils for Wrinkles https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321645
9. Essential Oil Alternatives: Solid Perfume DIY https://www.edensgarden.com/blogs/news/essential-oil-alternatives-solid-perfume-diy