The 2021 Holiday Handbook

Fill your diffuser with Vanilla and Christmas Spirit and grab a mug of peppermint cocoa because it's time to get festive. No matter what holiday (if any!) you celebrate this time of year, these fun and festive recipes, DIYs and diffuser blends are certain to create a cozy welcoming winter home using the unique and healthy items in the 
2021 Holiday Catalog. Doing some gifting? Check out the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for some great combos to git health and wellness to your family and friends. 

Under the Mistletoe Breath Spray

This little bottle will be your mistletoe BFF! Perfect to pack in your purse, backpack, or even stash in your car, this simple breath spray will h ave your breath feeling fresh whenever you need it. To a 10 mL glass spray bottle, add:
  • 3 drops Peppermint Vitality essential oil
  • 2 drops Spearmint Vitality essential oil
  • 1 tsp Thieves Mouthwash, optional
Add all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Spritz into your mouth as desired.

Candy Cane Lip Scrub
This simple lip scrub is perfect for all the mistletoe moments this season.
  • 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
  • 5 drops Vanilla oleoresin
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil**
Combine essential oils and coconut oil, then add in sugar. Apply nightly to lips in a circular motion. Wipe off with a dry towel. Store in a glass jar. **To make this extra special and creamy, whip the coconut oil in a stand mixer or handheld mixer until its fluffy.

Winter Nights Holiday Body Scrub
If the North Pole had a signature scent, this would be it. This simple KIY leaves your skin silky smooth and its dreamy winter scent is perfect for the season. Make it for yourself or package it up with a cute ribbon and gift it to a friend.
  • 1/4 cup organic fractionated coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
  • 15 drops Winter Nights essential oil blend
  • 10 drops Vanilla oleoresin
Mix Winter Nights and Vanilla with fractionated coconut oil in a glass container, then add organic cane sugar to the bowl and stir until combined. To use, massage into skin in a circular motion and rinse well. After exfoliating, moisturize with Young Living's Winter Nights Hand and Body Lotion.

Peppermint Latte Coffee Scrub
This simple DIY is always a crowd pleaser and is great for winter hands, especially when followed with the Very Vanillamint Body Butter.
  • 1 cup organic ground coffee
  • 1 cup cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
  • 10 drops Vanilla Oleoresin (or Eos of choice - Cardamom, Thieves, etc)
  • small glass jars
Mix coffee grounds and sugar together, then add melted coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well and place in a glass jar. Top with burlap and tie with twine and a sprig of fresh rosemary for a festive gift.

Vanillamint Body Butter
There really is no substitute for the Very Vanillamint set from Young Living, but if you missed the ordering deadline, 
this DIY is your next best bet.
  • 8-12 ounce glass container
  • 1/2 cup solid refined, organic coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup organic mango butter (or a mix of shea butter and mango butter)
  • 1/2 cup organic jojoba oil
  • 5 drops Spearmint essential oil
  • 10 drops Peppermint essential oil
  • 15 drops Vanilla essential oil
Place coconut oil and shea butter in a bowl and whip with a handheld or stand mixer until fluffy and smooth. Slowly add in the jojoba oil, then essential oils, mixing as you add.  Whip for about 5 minutes or so. The longer you mix, the fluffier it will become.

Easy DIY Bath Bombs
If you missed out on the new Sweet Maple and KidScents Bath Bombs or want to DIY-it for a custom scent, this recipes for you.
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup citric acid
  • 2 tbsp epsom salts
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 20-30 drops essential oil(s) of choice (see some suggested pairings below)
  • 1 tsp water or more if necessary
  • Silicone molds or large ice cream scoop
In a large bowl combine backing soda, citric acid, and Epsom salts. Stir well. In a smaller bowl combine coconut oil and essential oils. Slowly whisk wet ingredients into dry. It should reach a crumbly consistently.

Your mixture is ready when you can mold it into a shape and it sticks without coming apart. If it is too crumbly, add in water, 1 tsp at a time. Mixture should be dry but able to hold a shape. To shape your bath bombs either pack them into your molds or a large ice cream scoop. Leave in the molds overnight, then remove carefully and place on a baking sheet to dry.

Oil pairing ideas:
  • Peppermint + Vanilla
  • Lavender + Peppermint
  • Lavender + Vanilla
  • Eucalyptus + Lemon
  • Believe + Vanilla
  • Gratitude + Tangerine

DIY Room Sprays

This simple DIY will make your home feel cozy and makes a lively gift paired with a fresh rosemary plant, a festive dish towel, Winter Nights Foaming Hand Soap or a fresh fir wreath.
  • Winter Solstice - 10 drops each Thieves + Idaho Blue Spruce + Vanilla
  • Holly Jolly - 10 drops each Tangerine + Christmas Spirit or Winter Nights
  • Silent Night - 10 drops each Lavender + Frankincense + Valor
  • Baking Cookies - 10 drops each Thieves + Vanilla
  • Frosted Forest - 10 drops Idaho Blue Spruce + 5 drops each Pine + Cedarwood + Peppermint
  • Twisted Peppermint - 10 drops each Peppermint + Vanilla + Ylang Ylang
Add essential oils to a 2 oz glass spray bottle, add a splash of witch hazel and top with water. Spritz on all the things!

Winter Wonderland Tree Spray
Here is a spray that you can spritz on your trees, garlands (Fresh or artificial) and stockings to make things smell festive and cozy. to a 2 oz spray bottle, add:
  • 20 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
  • 10 drops of Cedarwood
  • 7 drops of Orange
  • 5 drops of Cinnamon
Fill the bottle with witch hazel, vodka or water and shake before each spray. Spritz everywhere for a festive tree scent.

DIY Chai Spice and Candy Cane Forest Hand Soaps
We can't get enough of creating custom hand soap scents. These are a fun way to cozy up your home, make great host gifts and are simple to whip up to accompany the changing of the seasons. Chai Spice is lovely for 
the Thanksgiving season and Candy Cane Forest is wonderful for winter or holidays.
Add essential oils, Vitamin E oil and Castile Soap to the bottle, then top with water leaving 1" at the top.
  • Chai Spice - 6 drops Cardamom + 4 drops each Cinnamon Bark + Clove + Ginger + Vanilla
  • Candy Cane Forest - 10 drops Peppermint + 5 drops each Vanilla + Ylang Ylang
Holiday Spice Wool Dryer Balls
There's something about the smell of warm fresh laundry directly from the dryer - especially when combining Thieves Laundry Soap and essential oil infused wool dryer balls.

Add 4-5 drops of essentials to each dryer ball. Essential oils of choice:
  • Christmas Spirit
  • Peppermint + Vanilla
  • Cinnamon Bark + Orange
  • Stress Away + Peppermint
  • Cardamom + Orange
Let the dryer balls air dry for about an hour or to speed up the process you can dry them alone. This will allow the oil to absorb into the wool and not transfer to your clothes. When it's time to dry your clothes, toss the dryer balls into the dryer with your clothing. Refresh the oils every 4-5 loads or more often if you prefer a stronger sent. (Life hack - add essential oils to your dryer balls when you're done with laundry so they are ready for next week!)

Scented Holiday Cards
This simple holiday hack will give your family and friends (and your postal carrier) an instant jolt of goodness retrieving your cards from the mail.
  • Printed Holiday Cards and Envelopes
  • A gallon zip lock bag
  • Cotton balls or pads
  • Our favorite essentials oils. We recommend Christmas Spirit, Joy, Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Orange or any combination
Place a few drops of oil on a cotton ball or pad in the zip lock bag. Add your cards to the bag and zip closed overnight.

DIY Oil Infused Bottle Brush Trees
Give your bottle brush trees a little something extra this year - infuse them with festive essential oils.
  • Large pitcher or jar (bit enough for your trees)
  • Distilled water
  • Witch hazel
  • Oils of your choice. We love Believe, Christmas Spirit, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Winter Nights, Orange or Pine
  • Bottle Brush trees
Fill the jar or pitcher almost full of water and add a splash of witch hazel. Add about 20-30 drops of oil and stir with a silicone or metal spoon. Hold your tree upside down for about a minute in the water, then take it out and let it air dry.

Spiced Orange and Cranberry Garland
This is one of our favorite things to do every year. it is beautiful, smells amazing, adds a festive touch to any room and is so easy to make.
  • About 5 oranges or a mix of oranges, clementines and grapefruit for varied sizes and colors.
  • Essential oils - Christmas Spirit, Cinnamon Bark, Vanilla, Clove, Believe, Thieves
  • Fresh cranberries and cinnamon sticks
Slice your oranges in circles to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness and arrange them on a non-stick surface or parchment paper. Pour 2-3 drops of essential oils on each slice, then set them in a cool oven and turn the temperature onto the closet setting your oven will allow. (If your oven does not go below 300, et it there and use a wooden spoon to prop the oven open slightly and allow some heat to dissipate.)

Leave the slices in the oven for about 5 hours, then shut the oven off and leave the oranges in overnight or until completely cool. They will be fairly dry, but will continue to dry out over time. You don't want to over dry them in the oven because they can start to burn. If you have a dehydrator, you can use the fruit setting to make the dry the citrus slices.

Once they are dry, string them with some twine, alternating with a few varying sized slices and add a cranberry or two, a tied cinnamon stick - whatever you like. Hang them in your home for some delicious smelling holiday cheer.

Bath and Body Works
Winter Candle Dupes

It's not just visible decorations that evoke warm, welcoming winter feelings, its the scents as well - cinnamon, spruce, orange, and spice. We ditched the toxic candles for oils years ago, so here are our top 9 candle-inspired favorites!

  • Mulled Cider - 4 Christmas Spirit + 2 Grapefruit + 2 Clove + 3 Bergamot
  • Fresh Balsam - 4 Idaho Balsam Fir + 3 Cedarwood + 2 Eucalyptus
  • Frosted Cranberry - 4 Cinnamon Bark + 4 Stress Away + 3 Ylang Ylang
  • Twisted Peppermint - 4 Peppermint + 3 Idaho Balsam Fir + 3 Vanilla
  • Marshmallow Fireside - 4 Stress Away + 2 Clove + 2 Nutmeg + 2 Lemon + 2 Peppermint
  • Tree Farm - 3 Northern Lights Black Spruce + 4 Idaho Blue Spruce + 2 Pine + 3 Bergamot
  • Tis the Season - 4 Frankincense + 3 Cinnamon Bark + 3 Orange
  • Fireside - 4 Pachouli + 2 Tangerine + 3 Vetiver + 2 Orange
  • Candle Apple Fruitcake - 4 Christmas Spirit + 3 Orange + 2 Peppermint + 3 Vanilla
Diffuser Blends for Gathering
It's the season of gatherings and get together, so fill your diffusers with any of these blends to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests.

  • Warm Welcome - 2 drops each Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Orange, Clove, Cinnamon Bark
  • Powder Room - 5 Bergamot + 2 Orange + 2 Nutmeg + 1 Clove
  • Fireside Chats - 4 Ylang Ylang + 4 Vetiver + 2 Cinnamon Bark
  • Around the Table - 4 Orange + 2 Cinnamon Bark
  • Grandma's Kitchen - 4 Christmas Spirit + 4 Lemon + 2 Stress Away
  • Goodbye Hug - 4 Lavender + 4 Northern Lights Black Spruce + Orange
Christmas Movie Diffuser Blends
Colder weather and cozy homes are the perfect thing for curling up by the fire with your favorite movie. Try one of these holiday movie inspired blends.

  • Elf - Vanilla, Orange, Peppermint
  • Its a Wonderful Life - Frankincense, Joy
  • Miracle on 34th Street - Idaho Blue Spruce, Cinnamon Bark, Orange, Vanilla
  • The Polar Express - Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon
  • Charlie Brown Christmas - Wintergreen, Cinnamon Bark, Vanilla, Orange
  • Christmas Vacation - Stress Away, Peppermint, Vanilla
  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Peppermint, Spearmint, Vanilla
  • Home Alone - Clove, Vanilla, Cardamom, Orange
  • Love Actually - Joy, Bergamot, Orange
  • The Holiday - Christmas Spirit, Vanilla
  • The Family Stone - Frankincense, Peppermint, Vanilla

Roller Blends

How about a few happiest holiday rollerball recipes? Make these for yourself and make a few for some friends. Take a minute to make up some rollerballs so that you have them on hand when you need them.

All recipes are for a 10 mL roller bottle. Add essential oils and top with a carrier oil. Optional - double the drops of oil for a stronger scent.

  • Gather Roller (a great perfume for gatherings and sharing with friend)
    10 Lavender, 8 Northern Lights Black Spruce, 7 Frankincense, 3 Cinnamon Bark
  • All is Calm Roller (Great for a peaceful night of sleep - roll onto temples and wrists)
    10 drops each Lavender, Vanilla, Valor
  • Joy to the World (wear this as perfume on your neck or wrists to combat the hustle and bustle of the season)
    10 drops each Joy, Tangerine, White Angelica + 5 drops Vanilla
  • Do you Believe Roller (a lovely, festive perfume blend that supports all the emotions this time of year can bring)
    15 Believe, 10 drops each Idaho Grand Fir, Lavender, Tangerine
  • Winter Wellness Roller (stay well this holiday season, roll this on spines and bottoms of feet daily)
    15 drops each Thieves, Lemon, Frankincense + 10 drops Oregano or ImmuPower
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles Roller (this roller is your best friend if the motion of travel makes your belly uneasy)
    15 drops each Peppermint, Spearmint, Eucalyptus Radiata
  • Easy on the Eggnog Roller (upset tummies from too much sugar around the holidays? Roll this one right around the belly button)
    15 drops each DiGize, Peppermint, Lemon
  • Son of a Nutcracker Roller (too much wine at the holiday party last night? Roll this on your temples and back of neck for some relief)
    15 drops M-Grain, 10 drops each Peppermint and PanAway, 1 dropperful of CBD Drops

Festive Food & Drink

Whether you are hosting family and friends, having a night at home with your family or just want a little something fun and festive in your day, try out these delicious food and drink recipes!

Peppermint Brownies
This might be the simplest essential oil recipe ever - just add 4 to 5 drops of Peppermint Vitality essential oil to your favorite brownie recipe (from scratch or even a box) after you add the wet ingredients and bake as desired. Once cooled, use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to create fun shapes.

Optional - top your brownies with a layer of chocolate frosting (with or without a few drops of Peppermint Vitality) or powdered sugar. These are fun to make for parties, neighbors, or just because.

Peppermint Mocha
  • 2 cups strongly brewed coffee or espresso
  • 2 cups milk of your choice
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder (you can also use 2 tbsp cocoa powder + 3 oz dark chopped chocolate)
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey
  • 3-4 drops Peppermint Vitality
Pour milk into a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder (or whatever chocolate you're using) and the maple syrup. Bring to a Bol, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes, whisking as needed until smooth.

Remove from the heat and when slightly cooled, add 2 drops of Peppermint Vitality (the flavor is bold, so start with 2 drops and add more if you want). Place the peppermint cocoa mixture and the coffee in a Vitamin or other high-powered blender (or use a handheld frother) and blend on medium speed for 30 seconds until frothy. Divide into 4 mugs, top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or both.

Eggnog Chai
  • Chai tea bag and water to prepare it
  • 1/2 cup eggnog
  • 1 drop Nutmeg Vitality
  • 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality
  • ground cinnamon
Prepare Chai tea according to directions. Heat eggnog on the stove or in the microwave unit it's hot to your liking. Once the tea is prepared and the eggnog is heated, combine in a mug and let cool slightly, then add the essential oils.

Use a hand-held frother, blender, or electric milk frother to combine. This serves one, so you can double or triple it if you need to, top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and enjoy. You can easily make this with coffee and can add sweetener to taste (like honey or maple syrup if you want).

Homemade Hot Cocoa
"Tis the season for Jack Frost nipping at your nose! Wind down and warm up with your favorite mug brimming with homemade hot chocolate. You can add any Vitality oil to your recipe, but these are our favorites:

Pumpkin Spice Hot cocoa
  • 4 cups milk of your choice
  • 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil
  • 1 drop Nutmeg Vitality essential oil
  • 1 drop Clove Vitality essential oil
Lavender Hot Cocoa
  • 4 cups milk of choice
  • 8 tbsp unsweetened coca powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 tsp honey, or more to taste
  • 4 drops Lavender Vitality essential oil
Peppermint Hot Cocoa
  • 4 cups milk of choice
  • 8 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1tsp honey, or more to taste
  • 2 drops Peppermint Vitality essential oil
Champurrado Mexican Hot Cocoa
  • 4 cups milk of your choice
  • 1/2 cup honey or agave
  • 2 Mexican chocolate tablets
  • 3/4 cups masa harina (corn flour)
  • 2 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality essential oil
  • 2 drops Orange Vitality essential oil
For all recipes - Heat all ingredients except oils in a pot over the stove, until just hot. Don't boil. Remove from heat, add the essential oils and stir to combine. Serve in your most festive mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, a candy cane, or all of it.

Holiday Mocktails
If you're having a party this season, these cocktail recipes are sure to impress. Family and guests will be so smitten with their look and taste that they won't even miss the alcohol!

NingXia Red Rosemary Mule
Pour all ingredients into a copper mug full of crushed ice. Stir well to mix and garnish with a spring of rosemary.
  • 2 oz NingXia Red
  • 6 oz ginger beer
  • 1 drop Rosemary Vitality
  • Rosemary spring
Holiday Mary
Salt the rim of a highball or old-fashioned glass. Fill with ice and set aside. Squeeze a lemon wedge into a shaker and drop it in. Add tomato juice, Vitality oils, a dash of hot sauce to taste, and ice to the shaker. Shake gently to mix. Strain into prepared glass and garnish with celery or your favorite toppings.
(The toothpick method allows you to get a more subtle flavor with the Vitality oils. Simply dip a toothpick in the top of the bottle and swirl through your ingredients.)
  • Lemon wedges
  • Sea salt
  • 6 oz tomato juice
  • 1 drop Black Pepper Vitality
  • Toothpick swirl of Lime Vitality
  • Toothpick swirl of Celery Seed Vitality
  • Toothpick swirl of Lemon Vitality
  • 1 drop hot sauce, to taste
  • Celery stick (optional)
Cranberry Mojito
In a tall, sturdy glass, place a few mint leaves, the sweetener, a squeeze of lime, and the essential oils. Use a muddler to crush the leaves and combine the flavors. Add ice to the glass. Pour a splash of cranberry juice and stir. Fill a glass to the top with NingXia Zyng. Garnish with cranberries, more mint leaves and a lime wedge.
  • Mint leaves
  • 1 tsp honey or sweetener of choice
  • 1 drop Peppermint Vitalty
  • 1 drop Lime Vitality
  • Splash of cranberry juice
  • 1 can NingXia Zyng
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Lime wedges
NingXia Red Punch
In a punch bowl, pour NingXia Red, apple cider, pomegranate juice, and honey. Add fruit and cinnamon sticks and mix well. Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. The longer the fruit soaks in the liquid, the more flavors will combine. Serve in short glasses garnished with more apple slices, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon stick stirrers.
1 bottle of NingXia Red
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups pomegranate juice
  • 1/4 cup honey or simple syrup
  • Sliced apples
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Cinnamon Sticks
Spiced Cinnamon Cider
A steaming mug of cider is the perfect remedy to cold, wintry days. Serve it after a day of sledding or an evening of caroling to warm up guests from he inside out.

Add all ingredients to a large pot and stir to combine. Heat until simmering, and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve warm in a mug. Garnish with sliced oranges and cinnamon sticks.
  • 8 cups apple juice or cider
  • 4 cups orange juice
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 9 drops Cinnamon Bark Vitality
  • 6 drops Cardamom Vitality
  • 4 drops Clove Vitality
  • 4 drops Nutmeg Vitality
  • 3 drops Citrus Fresh Vitality
  • Sliced oranges
  • Cinnamon sticks

Holiday Gifting

Our favorite gift ideas for everyone on the nice list! These also make great stocking stuffers or small gifts for neighbors, teachers, hosts, etc.

Pro Tip: Buy a 3 pack of foaming hand soap, the Under the Mistletoe Lip Balm Set, or the Sweet Maple Bath Bombs set to save money and time. Three gifts in one when you separate the sets.

For more gift ideas, check out this Holiday Gift Guide blog post.

  • Lavender essential oil + eyelash curler
  • Lime Vitality + Cocktail Shaker
  • Gentle Baby + Swaddle Blanket
  • Peppermint Vitality + Coffee mug + homemade powder cocoa mix (see above)
  • Purification essential oil blend + wool dryer balls
  • Cinnamon bark + festive tea towel
  • Thieves essential oil blend + loose leaf tea
  • Rosemary Vitalty + olive oil + measuring cups/spoons
  • Lemon Vitality + glass water bottle
  • Peppermint essential oil + cork yoga mat
  • Stress Away roll-on + good book or movie
  • Joy essential oil blend + diffuser jewelry
  • Christmas Spirit essential oil blend + ornament
  • Winter Nights or Christmas Spirit Foaming Hand Soap + festive hand towel
  • Sweet Maple Bath Bomb + cozy socks or slippers + lip balm
  • Lip balm + beanie or headband

Simple Crafts for the Holidays

Whether your kiddos are out of school for a few weeks or you just want some simple, fun activities for the season here are some of our favorite festive crafts to do together this season.

This simple craft gets everyone outdoors and can even be a school project with just a little imagination. It makes a lovely oil tray ro a handmade gift.

  • Air dry clay
  • Craft paper
  • Rolling pin
  • Craft paint + brushes
  • Modge lodge gloss or other sealer
  • Various leaves from your yard
Cut out a piece of air dry clay, then roll it out onto craft paper to about 1/2 inch thick, making sure your leaf will fit. Then press your leaf (vein side down) onto the clay. Remove the leaf from the clay, cut around the outline with a knife, then remove the excess clay from around the imprint.

Go around the perimeter of the leaf and gently press the sides up and in to create a small edge. Allow the clay to air dry and harden on a baking rack for 24 hours. Next Paint! Once the paint is dry, cover with a coat of modge lodge gloss, then dry for 24 hours. After the sealer is dry, have your children sign the back and write the year.

Essential Oil Infused Play Dough
This is a fun one to get your children to make with you OR to make and surprise them with after school.
  • 2 cups flour (can use gluten-free if desired)
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tbsp olive or coconut oil
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 5 drops essential oil - Lavender, Peace & Calming, Tangerine, Believe
  • Natural food coloring - Optional
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the dough has reached the right consistency.

Let cool, split into 3 balls, and knead in essential oils and optional food coloring until it is distributed evenly throughout each ball of play dough. Store in airtight container.

We hope you enjoy this Holiday Handbook. May your days be merry and bright!

Want to try these ideas , but don't know where to start, click here to get started.

As Always, I'm here to support you.
Your Oily Girlfriend
Jennifer

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