| p>Fragranced gifts are always popular and, with the | | | | easily by simply adding a few drops of essential oils. |
| wide availability of essential oils (natural oils obtained | | | | You could also supply a small bottle of an essential oil |
| from plants), easy to make. Here are a few ideas for | | | | as part of your gift. |
| creative and individualized gifts that I have sourced | | | | If you are unable to make your own potpourri, why |
| from the Internet and other sources. | | | | not buy an unfragranced variety, put it in an |
| Pot of homemade potpourri | | | | attractive jar and add a few drops of essential oil? |
| A pot of homemade potpourri makes an individual | | | | such as Lavender oil. |
| aromatic gift. Some of the recipes for homemade | | | | Alternatively, you could make potpourri sachets (see |
| potpourri can be quite complex - the simplest I have | | | | below) |
| come across is that by Jane Lake, and is given | | | | Potpourri sachets |
| below, with a few amendments from me: | | | | Fragranced potpourri, whether homemade or shop |
| You will need a large clean storage jar with a close | | | | bought, can also be made into gift sachets. One way |
| fitting lid, scissors/secateurs to cut an assortment of | | | | of doing this, avoiding any sewing, is to tie it up in |
| coloured and fragrant flowers or leaves as they | | | | cotton handkerchiefs. |
| appear in your garden, and a sunny window sill. | | | | Wash and iron the handkerchiefs. Pour about 1/2 cup |
| Suitable flowers include daffodils, lily of the valley, | | | | of potpourri into the centre of the handkerchief. |
| lavender, violets, bleeding hearts, roses, geranium, | | | | Gather up the ends and either wrap a rubber band |
| honey suckle, sweet william, pansies, viola, veronica, | | | | around the part near the ball of sachet or tie it up |
| phlox and clover. Simply cut a few blossoms off each | | | | with strong cotton. The sachet should be tightly |
| flower when they arrive in the garden and add to | | | | enclosed. Tie a matching ribbon around the band, |
| the jar. The leaves of herbs, such as bay, rosemary, | | | | making a bow with long ends. If you make the ribbon |
| lemon balm and citronella can also be added - harvest | | | | long enough, then it could be used to hang the |
| these just before the plants come into full bloom as | | | | sachet in a cupboard or wardrobe. |
| this is when they are most pungent and contain the | | | | As an alternative to a handkerchief, you could use a |
| greatest amount of natural essential oils. | | | | square of muslin or any thin material, though you |
| To add a tang, you can also add the cut up dried | | | | may need to hem the edges or trim them with |
| peel of oranges, lemons and limes. If you have some | | | | ribbon or lace. |
| eucalyptus that is past its prime, wash off the dust, | | | | You could include a small bottle of essential oil with |
| pull off leaves, and add these leaves to your | | | | the sachet, for refreshing the potpourri once the |
| potpourri flower jar as well. | | | | fragrance begins to fade. |
| The drying process is simple... you just let the | | | | If you are unable to make your own potpourri, why |
| blossoms dry out in the jar with the aid of the sun | | | | not buy an unfragranced variety and simply add a |
| shining through your window. Before you add more | | | | few drops of essential oil? |
| blossoms, stir the lower layers of potpourri with a | | | | Lavender bags |
| kitchen fork or spoon, and add the new blossoms on | | | | Always popular as drawer fragrancers, lavender bags |
| top. Don't pack the blossoms and leaves down too | | | | can be made in the same way as the sachets |
| tightly - you want plenty of air space to encourage | | | | described above. |
| quick and complete drying. You can mix and match | | | | Cut the stems of lavender just before the flowers |
| your flowers - you might like to have one jar | | | | start to open and hang them upside down for a few |
| predominantly of roses, or another packed with | | | | days for them to dry before rubbing them down to |
| mostly lavender. You could also do one just with bay | | | | remove the flowers. Once made, the bags should |
| leaves - for cooking purposes. | | | | remain effective for 1-2 years. |
| The fun is in experimenting. | | | | The ideas listed here are not only fun to do, but also |
| When the natural fragrances of the flowers and | | | | make ideal and, above all, individual gifts. So, give |
| leaves begin to fade, the potpourri can be refreshed | | | | your friends an aromatic Christmas this year! |