Make | Scented Pinecones

Photography by Jen Chillingsworth

Pinecones can double as natural air fresheners, to which you can add your choice of seasonal scent. They’re excellent decorations, too.

You will need: Pinecones; foil; large sealable bag; essential oils (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange and pine work well).

1 Soak the pinecones in cold water, drain, and place on a foil-lined baking tray. Pop in an oven preheated to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas 4 and bake for 30–60 mins. Check regularly to make sure they don’t burn. Leave to cool.

2 Place the cooled pinecones in a large sealable bag and add a few drops of essential oils. Seal the bag, then shake and leave for several days. The more drops of oil, the stronger the scent.

3 Remove the cones from the bag and display in a bowl or make a garland by stringing them together on twine.

Maker’s note: Never pick any pinecones from a tree but check under conifers for those that have dropped. When foraging for natural materials, remember that you may require permission from the local authority or landowner. Many essential oils, including cinnamon and pine, are not safe to use around pets.

This is one of the ideas from our feature ‘Scents of the Season’ in the December issue, which is all about natural ways to enjoy the aromas of winter. The feature is taken from Green Christmas by
Jen Chillingsworth (Quadrille).

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Make | Homemade Bath Salts

Just a light sprinkling of these soothing salts will turn bathtime into a luxuruious treat

You will need:

120g Epsom salts

120g pink Himalayan salt

¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

10 drops each of your choice of essential oils (we used Moroccan rose, lavender and chamomile)

1 tbsp dried flower petals (we used rose, lavender and chamomile)

Airtight glass jar (a Mason jar

or apothecary jar look pretty)

Equipment:

Bowl

Spoon

For giving:

Ribbon and gift tag

1 Mix the salts and bicarbonate of soda in a small bowl.

2 Add 10 drops each of your essential oils and mix together, ensuring everything is evenly distributed. Then add the dried flower petals.

3 Decant the bath salts into your jar and decorate with a ribbon and gift tag with your message and the following instructions: “Dissolve a handful of salts in a hot bath. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.”

These bath salts are just one of the makes from our feature, The Personal Touch, in our November issue, taken from The Art of Gifting Naturally by Angela Maynard (Hardie Grant).

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