My Homemade Fragrance gifts

I don’t know if you remember my post on trying to create an aftershave for my husband? Well, it has macerated for long enough and I have bottled the resulting fragrance—a light vetiver splash,  along with a more spicy flower water intended for my mother and mother-in-law for Mothers Day. They are both good enough fragrances, but certainly not something I would review too kindly if they were made by a professional.

Here’s the method I followed for the orange/spice fragrance, if you’re interested:

one nutmeg, freshly ground,

one teaspoon freshly ground cardamom

one teaspoon freshly ground allspice

a small amount of freshly ground clove

one teaspoon ground ginger

5 tbs homemade vanilla extract

1 tablespoon freshly ground cinnamon

10 drops sandalwood oil

5 drops jasmine oil

allow to macerate in small amount of alchohol for two weeks.

add alcohol in which has been steeped grated pepper, nutmeg, and mandarin peel.

Strain thoroughly.

The result—a not unpleasant spiced toilet water suitable for daily use—I call it ‘Pomander.’

Although I’d not rate my first attempts at homemade fragrances too highly, I am proud of my packaging attempts—I know the bottles are pretty standard, but I like how they all look with my little homemade labels.  My husband says his splash works well and he likes the smell, so I’m sending some to my dad for an early Fathers Day present—see bottle at right.

So far, so good, and I look forward to creating my next homemade smellies soon!