Easy Last-Minute DIY Herbal Gifts for the Holidays

The Week Before Christmas (a.k.a. Herbal Hustle Time)

If you’ve ever had that moment — oh no, I forgot the teacher / great aunt / neighbor gift — breathe. You don’t need overnight shipping or a craft closet that looks like Pinterest had a meltdown. You just need a few herbs, a couple jars, and the tiniest sprinkle of kitchen witch magic.

These herbal gifts are fast, low-cost, family-friendly, and they smell like you worked way harder than you did. Most take 10–15 minutes, and all feel thoughtful, cozy, and handmade with intention.

These are my favorite fast herbal gifts — the ones you can make in less than an hour, that still feel thoughtful and smell incredible.

1. Lavender & Vanilla Bath Soak

Ingredients (fills 1 pint jar):

• 1 cup Epsom salt

• ½ cup baking soda

• 2 tbsp dried lavender buds

• 1 tbsp vanilla-infused oil or ½ tsp vanilla extract mixed with 1 tbsp oil

Instructions:
Mix everything in a bowl, pour into a jar, and label.
Use ½ cup per bath.

Kid-Safe Note: Safe for the whole family. For little ones, skip the essential oils and use just the herbs.

2. Peppermint Foot Scrub

Ingredients (fills 8 oz jar):

• ½ cup sugar

• ¼ cup olive or sweet almond oil

• 1 tbsp dried peppermint leaf (optional)

• 3 drops peppermint EO (adult version)

Mix well and label.

Kid-Safe Note: Omit peppermint essential oil for children. Use the dried herb alone for scent.

Gift Tip: Wrap with a little candy cane and ribbon — instant holiday spirit.

3. Citrus & Cinnamon Simmer Jar

Ingredients (fills 1 pint jar):

• 2–3 cinnamon sticks

• 1 tbsp cloves

• 1 tbsp dried orange peel

• 1 tbsp dried cranberries

Layer ingredients in a jar, tie with a tag that says:
“Simmer in 4 cups of water to fill your home with holiday cheer.”

Kid-Safe Note: Perfect for families — safe to handle and smells divine even before simmering.

4. Calming Pillow Spray

Ingredients (fills 2 oz spray bottle):

• 2 tbsp witch hazel or vodka

• 2 tbsp distilled water

• 4 drops lavender EO (adult blend)

• 2 drops sweet orange EO

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle and shake before use.

Kid-Safe Version:
Replace essential oils with 1 tbsp lavender-infused water or lavender hydrosol for children. No alcohol needed.

Spritz on pillows or linens before bed.

Why These Gifts Work

They’re fast, flexible, and use what you already have.

• Lavender: Relaxing, familiar, and universally loved.

• Vanilla: Sweet warmth that pairs beautifully with almost anything.

• Peppermint: Energizing and bright — perfect for winter fatigue.

• Cinnamon & Citrus: Classic cozy scent that instantly feels festive.

Tools & Ingredients I Love for Fast Herbal Gifts

(These are Amazon affiliate links—thank you for supporting The Hearth Witch’s Nook!)

If you want to keep a little “herbal gifting station” ready to go, here are some of the things I keep on hand:

• 4 oz Glass Jars – perfect for bath salts, scrubs, and simmer mixes

• Muslin Bags – for tea jars, simmer blends, and kid-friendly sachets

• 4 oz Glass Spray Bottles – ideal for pillow sprays and linen mists

• Culinary-Grade Dried Lavender – safe for baths, teas, and baking

• Bulk Epsom Salt – my go-to base for quick bath soaks

• Gift Tags – makes everything look pulled-together in seconds

• Natural Cotton Twine – simple way to make jars look festive without much effort

I only link products I actually use or would happily use in my own kitchen apothecary.

Make Gifting Easy This Year

If you love these recipes, I created a Last-Minute Herbal Gift Kit (Digital) that includes 12 quick herbal recipes you can make in under an hour — all printable and gift-ready.

What’s inside:

• 12 fast, low-cost herbal recipes (teas, salts, sprays, scrubs, simmer jars)

• Printable gift tags and jar labels

• Ingredient swap guide for what you already have

• Quick batching checklist for easy assembly

• Kid-safe versions clearly marked

➡️ Download the Last-Minute Herbal Gift Kit

Final Thought

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones made in your kitchen, with care and scent and just a touch of chaos. These last-minute herbal creations prove that thoughtful doesn’t have to mean complicated.

So light a candle, grab your jars, and make a little magic.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All content is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.