Let’s be real for a minute. This is not the year to be running around buying things for people that they don’t need with money we don’t have. No, this is the year of the practical gift, something people will use, that will impress them with your thoughtfulness, and keep money in your pocket. Thankfully, this lavender lemon body butter fits the bill perfectly.
It looks expensive, it smells incredible, it takes about 20 minutes, and the ingredients cost you somewhere in the neighbourhood of ten dollars. It is the perfect gift for your best friend, your sister, your office mate, the neighbour who takes in your parcels, and the bus driver who has been getting you to work all year without complaint. Make a big batch and handle half your list in one afternoon.
Why Homemade Gifts Are Having a Moment (And It’s Not Just Pinterest)
There’s the obvious financial piece, a thoughtful handmade gift is a fraction of the cost of a comparably lovely store-bought one. But honestly, that’s almost the least interesting reason.
Homemade gifts are personal in a way that a product page cannot manufacture. They say: I thought about you specifically, I carved out time, I made this with my hands. In a world where everything can be purchased, delivered, and forgotten in a returns box by January, that is genuinely rare.
There’s also the environmental angle, which I’m not going to lecture you about because you know. Fewer boxes, fewer shipping emissions, fewer returns. A jar of body butter you made yourself generates basically no waste and brings a lot of joy. That math works for me.
And then there’s the jar situation, which brings me to one of my favourite parts of this whole project.
Before you buy brand new glass containers, check your local thrift store or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Pretty mason jars, vintage jam jars, and little glass containers show up constantly and cost next to nothing. It makes the whole gift feel even more intentional — and honestly more beautiful than anything shrink-wrapped in a box.
New to thrifting? Here’s where to start.
What You Need to Make DIY Lavender Lemon Body Butter
The ingredient list is short, all-natural, and available at most health food stores or online. You likely already have some of this in your kitchen.
- 1/2 cup organic virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup organic shea butter
- 2 tbsp grated beeswax
- 3 tbsp sweet almond oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
And you don’t have to be married to lavender and lemon. The world of essential oils is yours, feel free to experiment. Citrus blends are lovely in summer, peppermint feels very festive at Christmas, and eucalyptus paired with lavender is deeply relaxing any time of year. Stick to roughly 40 drops total for this batch size and you really can’t go wrong.
How to Make Lavender Lemon Body Butter
This is genuinely one of the easiest things you will ever make. If you have successfully melted butter on a stove, you can do this.
- Set up a double boiler — a heatproof bowl sitting over a pot of simmering water works perfectly. (I use a vintage Pyrex double boiler I found years ago and it is one of my most-used kitchen items. Thrift stores carry them regularly.)
- Add the coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax, and sweet almond oil to the top of the double boiler. Melt slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the beeswax is completely melted and everything is combined, remove from heat.
- Let it cool for a couple of minutes, then add your essential oils and stir well.
- Pour into your jars and leave to set at room temperature. If you’re impatient (I am), pop them in the fridge to speed things up.
That’s it. You’re done. You just made a gift.
The best value is the large organic coconut oil from Costco, and yes, it is a lot. But once it’s in your house it earns its keep fast. Cook with it instead of butter. Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie. Use it as a makeup remover (it actually works). Tame dry ends with a tiny amount. Condition a wooden cutting board. Moisturise dry elbows at 11pm when you’re too tired to find your actual lotion.
And if you want an even simpler everyday version — just two ingredients, no essential oils, completely face-safe — I’ve also got a recipe for a basic coconut oil and shea butter moisturizer that takes about ten minutes and lives happily on your bathroom counter year-round.
Lavender Lemon Body Butter
Make your own Lavender Lemon Body Butter with all natural ingredients for a decadent treat to give or to keep for yourself.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic virgin coconut oil
- 1/2 cup organic shea butter
- 2 tbsp grated beeswax
- 3 tbsp sweet almond oil
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops lemon essential oil
Instructions
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In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax and sweet almond oil.
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When all the beeswax flakes are melted, turn off heat and add essential oils.
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Pour into glass containers and allow the mixture to harden. You can put it in the fridge to speed up the hardening process if you like.
Recipe Notes
You may find that that your body butter looks like it has little granules in it, especially if you keep it in a spot that has a lot of temperature fluctuation. Don’t worry, it is just a result of the coconut oil and shea butter solidifying at different temperatures. The granules melt on contact and your body butter will be smooth as silk.
A Note on the Texture
If your body butter develops small granules over time, especially in a spot with temperature fluctuations — and hi, this is Canada, so yes, probably — do not panic. This is simply the coconut oil and shea butter solidifying at slightly different rates. The granules melt completely on contact with skin and the texture will be perfectly smooth once it’s on. It’s science, not failure. I felt that was worth repeating.
How to Package It (This Is Where It Gets Fun)
Half the charm of a homemade gift is how it looks when it’s handed over. A few suggestions:
- Thrifted glass jars are my first choice. A little collection of mismatched vintage jam jars looks charming and costs almost nothing. Check your local ReStore or Value Village before you buy anything new.
- Mason jars with a square of fabric tied under the lid ring are classic for a reason.
- Small amber glass jars give it an apothecary feel that looks genuinely fancy for very little money.
- A handwritten label with the scent and ingredients is a thoughtful touch — especially for anyone with sensitivities who’ll want to know what’s in it.
- If you want to go the extra mile, tuck a small card inside that includes usage tips. It makes the gift feel complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Lavender Lemon Body Butter
Stored in a cool, dry place and kept away from water, it should last three to six months. If you’re making it well ahead of Christmas, store it somewhere cool and away from direct light.
Absolutely. Peppermint gives it a very holiday feel. Eucalyptus and lavender together is a deeply relaxing combination. Rose or geranium work beautifully for someone who prefers floral. Stick to roughly 40 drops total for this batch size and you’ll be fine.
The base ingredients are gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types. Shea butter and coconut oil are both deeply moisturising without being harsh. If you’re making this for someone with known skin sensitivities, skip the essential oils entirely — the base alone is still a lovely product.
Yes — swap the beeswax for carnauba wax or candelilla wax in the same quantity. Both are plant-based and work well as a setting agent.
The melting stage requires adult supervision, but kids can absolutely help measure ingredients, add the essential oils, and pour into jars once things have cooled slightly. It’s a genuinely lovely thing to do together.
The most likely culprit is liquid coconut oil. Make sure you’re using solid virgin coconut oil, not the refined liquid version. Both ingredients should be solid at room temperature, so if yours isn’t setting, pop it in the fridge. If it still won’t set, the ratio of liquid to solid ingredients may be slightly off — try adding a little more grated beeswax next time.
Thrift stores are your best friend here. Habitat for Humanity ReStores, Value Village, and even Facebook Marketplace regularly turn up beautiful glass jars for next to nothing. It’s genuinely part of the fun.
If you want an everyday moisturizer with no essential oils and just two ingredients, I’ve also got a recipe for a basic coconut oil and shea butter moisturizer that takes about ten minutes and lives happily on your bathroom counter year-round. Face-safe, fuss-free, and made from the same ingredients you already have on hand.
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