Before we get into the lip balm kit, may I tell you a little about my granddaughter, Bella? I met her when she was 4 years old, and fell in love with her immediately.
She was shy, and had beautiful ringlets and I thought she was one of the most gorgeous little girls I had ever seen. I have this photo of her on facebook, and my daughter and I would go back to it for months years and comment on it because we just couldn’t get enough of her.
Bella and I would talk American Girl books, and for Christmas that year, she insisted on giving me an Addy doll, because Addy was my favorite.
Wedding day!!!
My son married her mother when Bella was 9, and he immediately started the process of adoption. She was 10 when she officially become our granddaughter, but she had already been in our hearts for a long time.
Bella’s 12 now, and she’s vivacious and funny, and would rather be outdoors than in, and loves gymnastics and making things and helps me make my giant wreath each year.
And every year on December 1st, I give her a box filled with 24 little presents so she can open one each day and countdown the days ’til Christmas. Things like socks and hair bows, paint brushes and books, and maple sugar candy.
And then we have some simple things for her to open on Christmas day. This year I’m giving her a kit I put together so that she can make her own lip balm.
Here’s what I included inside a clear plastic shoe box:
- 4 – 4 oz. canning jars filled with coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and beeswax
- a package of 10 7ml (1.5 t.) containers to hold the lip balm
- a pyrex measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- peppermint essential oil
- and the recipe written out on a card
Bella in the judge’s seat on adoption day.
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 1 tablespoon shea butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Put 1 - 2" of water into the bottom of a small pan.
- Place several canning jar rings in the bottom of the pan. When the Pyrex measuring cup is placed on them, it will form a double boiler.
- Turn the heat on medium.
- Put all of the ingredients except the peppermint oil into a Pyrex glass measuring cup.
- Place the measuring cup into the water in the pan, being careful not to get any water into it.
- Stir slowly until everything is melted, and then turn off the heat.
- Stir in the 5 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
donna says
Susan, that was just beautiful !!
Kristel from Healthy Frugalista says
Fun to read about your granddaughter. Love this idea for a gift.
Cris says
I found this post through the Homestead Barn Hop! This is a brilliant gift idea! Thanks for the creativity! 🙂 I can’t wait to try it out.
Kris says
This is SUCH a great gift idea. Bummed I didn’t see it until after the holiday!
Susan says
My granddaughter loved it!
Jackie Patti says
I have a 12 yr old in my life also; she just turned 12. And this would have been PERFECT had I found it earlier! Oh well, maybe for Easter…
Katherine @ Mind Body and Sole says
Hi! 🙂
This week, Wildcrafting Wednesday is hosting a special Hygiene edition devoted to personal care and cleaning recipes (like soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, cream, tooth paste, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, tec.); ideas for eliminating disposable cleaning items; and tips for making cleaning easier, faster, and more efficient.
We think your Lip Balm Kit post would be a perfect fit! I hope you’ll share it with us! 🙂
Thanks!
~Kathy
Kristine says
Having adopted my daughter, I was brought to tears reading your post about your grandaughter… wonderful… My daughter and I have already decided that her 12 year old cousin will recieve a kit just like this one for Christmas this year!!!!!! Thanks for the idea!!!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kristine! Adoption is such a special gift. And I’m sure her cousin will love the Christmas present; Bella sure did.
Chris says
That was an awesome story. Thanks for sharing some of your family life. I love the idea of giving 24 small gifts to your grand daughter to count the days — and I love this gift idea, too. I’m going to borrow some of these ideas for my own grand daughters’ gifts. They are younger but this will be so fun.
Laura says
What a beautiful story! It brought me nearly to tears! And what a really gorgeous grand-daughter! Lots of compliments and wishes to this faboulous family 🙂
Laura
Susan Vinskofski says
Thank you so much, Laura!
Ashley says
Hi, I just needed to say how much I loved reading this!! My Grammy would approve, she passed away earlier this year and I miss her so much. My Grammy and I also met when I was 4, (now I am 31 with kids of my own.) My dad adopted me too, it is just paperwork, we were always family. I think you’re amazing, thank you for sharing!! ??
Susan Vinskofski says
Oh, Ashley, how wonderful! Thank you for your sweet words, too. That means a lot to me.
Pamela says
You are blessed! Your granddaughter is beautiful. She reminds me of my 3 granddaughters. Thank you for the lip balm kit, I have downloaded the recipe for future use. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see mine, mom have a different outlook on life and doesn’t fit into mine, not a good situation. I don’t know much about them. Thanks again.
Pamela
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, Bella is beautiful and such a wonderful granddaughter! I’m so sorry you aren’t able to have a relationship with your 3; that is sad. I appreciate you stopping by.