Bath Teas and Bonus
These bath teas will put a smile on anyone’s face. Give the gift of self-care and relaxation to yourself or others without the mess of flowers in the tub! I’m sharing the most amazing tub tea recipe and fun gift ideas.
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Bath Teas and Bonus Recipe
I will admit that before having children, I indulged in bimonthly manicures and once monthly pedicures. There would be spa days with (or without) girlfriends and even solitary getaways. Without intention, that little bit of indulgence disappeared after I had my daughter.
I began to look for natural, homemade treatments and wanted to share this with you. As with all of my DIY bath and beauty recipes, these tub teas are very easy (and quick) to make.
If you have 10 minutes, you can make this recipe for tub teas for yourself or as gifts. I’ve thrown in a gift box template and an additional recipe to help you make it a set.
RELATED READING: Lavender Goat Milk Tub Teas
Below are instructions on how to get a template for a gift box that fits these tub teas perfectly. There are so many ways to make it your own, but colored card stock, a nice ribbon, and a clay gift tag are a wonderful and easy combination.
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Supplies (for 8 – 10 Bath Teas)
- 8 of these 4 by 4-Inch Empty Tea/Herb Bags. These are the absolute best thin paper bags I’ve tried, but if you’re willing to do some construction, a coffee filter would work for a tea bag. If you have some muslin lying around, you could also whip up a few of those for a greener option.
- 1 cup dried flowers. I used only these Organic Lavender Flowers for this set, but any dried flowers (or combinations of flowers) will work. A couple ideas that come to mind are chamomile or roses.
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 c Epsom salt (unscented)
- Essential Oils (10-15 drops) — If you are using a strong-scented flower (like lavender), you could add less or none at all.
- Mixing bowl (glass or metal)
- {optional} I have made these adding powdered milk as well, and if you’re going to add it to your bath teas, start with about 1/2 cup.
Bath Tea Assembly
This couldn’t be easier, friends. You can choose to leave the oats whole or process them, I’ve done both. You’re basically just going to mix everything in a bowl until it is well incorporated.
After you’ve mixed the dry ingredients, add a bit of essential oil (just 10-15 drops, or so). You can combine scents and flowers like lavender and bergamot or even just use lavender buds with a bit of vanilla or lemon oil. The sky (and your preferences) are the limit – make your own bath tea recipe!
Note: when creating your own recipes and when using oils instead of dried flowers or herbs, please make sure you check how those oils should be used. Some oils are phototoxic which matters when not washed off the skin. Reference books like this are available on Amazon or at the library.
The ones I’ve made that people seem to really like are lavender, lavender lemon, lavender vanilla and lemon vanilla. I don’t have my dried rose in yet, but that’s the next one I’m going to try. There are wonderful resources on the web that explain benefits of scents and combinations, if you’re interested in finding more.
When you’re filling the tea bags, be sure to constantly stir your mix to make sure you incorporate all of the elements – the Epsom salt has a tendency to fall to the bottom of the bowl. Also, make sure to only fill your bags about halfway because the contents will expand when placed in water.
Let me repeat: do not overfill these. Having to scrape wet flower pieces from the side of your tub because the bag exploded isn’t awesome. Let’s just take my word on this, m’kay?
The tea bags I got were able to be heat sealed — love that because it adds just that little bit extra if you’re gifting them. I use a craft-dedicated hair straightener to seal all my cello and tea bags, but you can use an iron or just roll down the tops and secure them with a staple or two.
Wrap up a few bath teas together and whip up a quick gift box to really make them something special for a friend. Directions and a template for a gift box to fit 3 or 4 of these large, filled tub teas will soon be included in the Exclusive Content for email subscribers, so be sure to subscribe to get that super-secret link. Each of the colored gift boxes throughout this post have been made using this template. Email me if you’d like a copy!
Bath Teas and Bonus
These bath teas will put a smile on anyone’s face. Give the gift of self-care and relaxation to yourself or others without the mess of flowers in the tub! Click through to get the most amazing tub tea recipe.
Materials
- 8 of these 4 by 4-Inch Empty Tea/Herb Bags. These are the absolute best thin paper bags I’ve tried, but if you’re willing to do some construction, a coffee filter would work for a tea bag. If you have some muslin lying around, you could also whip up a few of those for a greener option.
- 1 cup dried flowers. I used only these Organic Lavender Flowers for this set, but any dried flowers (or combinations of flowers) will work. A couple ideas that come to mind are chamomile or roses.
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 c Epsom salt (unscented)
- Essential Oils (10-15 drops) — If you are using a strong-scented flower (like lavender), you could add less or none at all.
- Mixing bowl (glass or metal)
- {optional} I have made these adding powdered milk as well, and if you’re going to add it to your bath teas, start with about 1/2 cup.
Instructions
- You can choose to leave the oats whole or process them, I’ve done both. You’re basically just going to mix everything in a bowl until it is well incorporated.
- After you’ve mixed the dry ingredients, add a bit of essential oil (just 10-15 drops, or so). You can combine scents and flowers like lavender and bergamot or even just use lavender buds with a bit of vanilla or lemon oil. The sky (and your preferences) are the limit – make your own bath tea recipe!
- The ones I’ve made that people seem to really like are lavender, lavender lemon, lavender vanilla and lemon vanilla. I don’t have my dried rose in yet, but that’s the next one I’m going to try. There are wonderful resources on the web that explain benefits of scents and combinations, if you’re interested in finding more.
- When you’re filling the tea bags, be sure to constantly stir your mix to make sure you incorporate all of the elements – the Epsom salt has a tendency to fall to the bottom of the bowl. Also, make sure to only fill your bags about halfway because the contents will expand when placed in water.
- The tea bags I got were able to be heat sealed — love that because it adds just that little bit extra if you’re gifting them. I use a craft-dedicated hair straightener to seal all my cello and tea bags, but you can use an iron or just roll down the tops and secure them with a staple or two.
- Wrap up a few bath teas together and whip up a quick gift box to really make them something special for a friend.
Notes
For images, tips, and more, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots
Tub Tea Gift Idea
You could re-purpose an old candle jar like I’ve done here and fill it with homemade bath teas.
Add a bit of red velvet ribbon, a sprig of evergreen and a gift tag, and you’re all set for gifting for the holidays!
If you’d like the “Relaxation Bath Tea” tag I made (lavender), click here for the printable. The tag includes the list of ingredients and instructions for use.
With the Leftover Supplies…
Because you might have some Epsom salt left over, go ahead and whip up some bath salts. Make a couple cups by mixing the salt, a tiny amount of coloring (can use liquid or gel), and about 20 drops of essential oils.
As part of a spa set with a few bath bombs and shower fizzies to accompany these tub teas and bath salts, you’re all set for gifting a lovely bit of pampering goodness.
Please Share on Pinterest or Facebook
If you liked this, would you consider sharing it on Pinterest today? We do love the fact that so many wonderful ideas are shared there and we are grateful when ours get pinned.
What wonderful recipes, gifts and craft ideas on this site! Thanks so much!
Just in the process of making an Elsa and Anna costume for my husband’s granddaughter. I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination and usually craft/sew with self made patterns, however the ideas and patterns posted on your site are so easy.
I have also been dabbling in essential oils and would love the recipe for the bath bombs, tub teas and gift boxes please.
Such an amazing gift idea. Thank you for linking up to On Display Thursday!
This is such a thoughtful gift! I like the personal touch of making it yourself, and it’s nice to save a few bucks on gifts, too. Thanks for sharing this idea with Hump Day Happenings!
Such a cute idea!! I absolutely need to try making these sometime soon :-)
They are so easy, Anne Marie. Easy crafts are my kind of crafts!
PS – Love, love, love that Dr. Who cake.
These are such a great gift idea! I have a couple of secret pals at work and at church that I think would love to get some. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a merry Christmas season!
Blessings, Deborah
Love the party, Deborah – thank you for hosting. I just had a reader, Emily, email me to tell me she had made 22 of these for her Church’s Sunday school volunteers. Wow!
These are awesome! I think the heat seal is very neat! :D I could def use a relaxing bath!
I have reclaimed baths in my life and haven’t looked back. These are gorgeous! If someone gave me bath gifts that looked like these, I’d feel so pampered! Pinning :)
These are FABULOUS Sarah! Where do you come up with all of these ideas!? Brilliant I tell you.
I must make these… not for Christmas, but maybe Mother’s Day?!
Pinned.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Oh, this would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift, Jennifer. I’m thinking paired with a few other homemade bath products and a couple tools, I might put a gift basket together. Thank you so much for the idea (and for the very kind words)! :)
Yes! The “tools” would really add to it too!
Look at us, a brainstorming team!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the Christmas Blog Party!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Oh and I don’t want to forget… Merry Christmas Sarah!
xoxo
I’ve never seen anything like this! They sound amazing and would make a perfect gift !!
These seem amazing! Anything lavender I am all about, the rose one sounds good too. I am not a bath person, but secretly long to be one. I have not looked too much into scents, but have always been interested.
These would make lovely gifts!
I think it’s brilliant you have decided to take some time for yourself. Why do we moms feel guilty when we do that? I need to take some “me” time as well. On that note, these bath teas are fabulous! Your pictures are beautiful btw. I really should make a big batch for gifts and then add a few more in for myself.
Just pinned!
The guilt! The guilt! It’s weird how it just shows up, isn’t it? My husband is great and he always tries to push me to take time and do a little pampering. I’m just going to have to start listening to the brilliant guy!
Thank you for the kind words on the pictures, Jen! It’s definitely NOT a strength of mine, so I really appreciate the praise. :)