Spa Gift Baskets: 14 Homemade Christmas Pampering Sets That Look Boutique Bought

Spa gift baskets are the cozy homemade present that makes people feel truly looked after, and they cost far less than they look. Picture a friend lifting off a big satin bow and finding fluffy towels, a jar of pink bath salts, bath bombs she can tell you made, and a pair of warm socks for after. Every piece in these spa gift baskets is something you can make or find at a thrift store, and most take one evening. We kept everything simple, safe and gentle, so write the ingredients on the tag and suggest a patch test for anything that touches skin. Pick a few ideas or make the whole set. Here are 14 pampering pieces that look boutique bought..

A Thrifted Basket Is the Secret Start of Spa Gift Baskets

Spa gift baskets start with the basket itself, and the best ones are hiding at the thrift store for a dollar or two. Look for a sturdy woven basket with a low front so every goodie shows. Give it a quick wipe, let it dry in the sun, then line it with a red plaid tea towel. The towel hides any worn spots and becomes part of the gift, so nothing goes to waste. Stuff the bottom with crinkle paper or a rolled bath towel so the treasures sit up high and look generous. Which thrifted basket is waiting for you..

You will need: a thrifted wicker basket, a plaid tea towel, crinkle paper or a rolled bath towel, a damp cloth

How to make it: 1. Wipe the basket and let it dry fully. 2. Drape the tea towel inside so the corners hang over the edge. 3. Fill the bottom with crinkle paper so the gifts sit high and show off.

Homemade Bath Salt Jars for Spa Gift Baskets

A jar of homemade bath salts is the easiest filler you will ever make, and it looks like something from a fancy shop. Mix coarse sea salt with Epsom salt, stir in a few drops of pink soap colorant, and layer it into a clean jar. A sprinkle of dried rose petals on top makes people gasp when they lift the lid. Tie on a tiny wooden scoop with twine. If you add scent, keep it light and write the ingredients on the tag so your friend can check them first. Who on your list needs a slow, warm soak this winter?

You will need: coarse sea salt, Epsom salt, soap colorant, dried rose petals, a clean glass jar, a small wooden scoop, twine

How to make it: 1. Stir the two salts together in a bowl. 2. Add colorant a drop at a time until soft pink. 3. Spoon into the jar, top with petals, and tie on the scoop.

Rolled Washcloth Candy Canes

Plain white washcloths become pure holiday magic with nothing more than a roll of thin red ribbon. Roll each cloth tightly from one corner, then wind the ribbon around it in a spiral so it looks just like a candy cane. Bend the top gently and pin the ribbon ends underneath. Tuck three of them into the side of the basket and suddenly the whole gift feels festive. They cost about a dollar each and your friend will actually use them every day. Could anything be cuter for so little?

You will need: white washcloths, thin red satin ribbon, small safety pins, scissors

How to make it: 1. Roll each washcloth tightly from one corner. 2. Wrap the ribbon around in a spiral and pin the ends. 3. Curve the top into a cane shape and tuck into the basket.

A Bath Bomb Trio That Steals the Show

Homemade bath bombs look like little works of art, and three soft colors together make the basket glow. You mix baking soda and citric acid, add a splash of oil and water, then press the damp mix into a round mold. Press a few dried petals into the top before it sets. Let them dry overnight on a tray. The fizzing comes from a simple reaction you can read about on the bath bomb page on Wikipedia. Keep them away from eyes and let grown ups do the mixing. Which three colors will you pick?

You will need: baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, a little oil, water in a spray bottle, soap colorant, dried petals, a round bath bomb mold

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients together. 2. Add oil and a few sprays of water until it holds like damp sand. 3. Press into the mold with petals on top and dry overnight.

Little Lip Balm Tins for Spa Gift Baskets

Spa gift baskets feel complete with a tiny pot of lip balm tucked in a corner, and it is one of the cheapest fillers to make. Melt beeswax with a little coconut oil and shea butter in a double boiler, then pour it into small tins or pots while it is warm. A drop of food safe flavor oil makes it smell like a candy cane. Let an adult handle the hot wax and keep little hands away. Once set, add a plain round sticker on the lid with a hand drawn snowflake. Would you make one flavor or a little set of three?

You will need: beeswax pellets, coconut oil, shea butter, food safe flavor oil, small tins or pots, a double boiler, round stickers

How to make it: 1. Melt the wax, oil and butter together gently with adult help. 2. Stir in a drop of flavor oil. 3. Pour into the tins, cool, and add a sticker on the lid.

Cozy Socks Make Spa Gift Baskets Feel Like a Hug

Cozy socks make spa gift baskets feel like a warm hug the moment they are opened. Pick a thick patterned pair, or knit one yourself if you have a few winter evenings. Fold them together, roll them up, and tie them with a strip of fabric so they look like a little bundle. Add a soft fabric sleep mask beside them, sewn from two circles of flannel and a band of elastic. Together they say, put your feet up tonight. It is the part of the gift people reach for first. Who would love warm feet on Christmas morning?

You will need: a pair of thick wool socks, a fabric scrap for tying, flannel scraps and elastic for a sleep mask, needle and thread

How to make it: 1. Fold and roll the socks into a neat bundle. 2. Tie with a fabric strip in a bow. 3. Sew a simple flannel sleep mask and lay it beside the socks.

A Lavender Eye Pillow Sewn in One Evening

A lavender eye pillow is a small sewing project that looks like it came from a boutique. Cut two rectangles of soft cotton about the size of your hand, sew three sides, and fill the pouch with dried lavender buds mixed with plain rice or flax seed. Stitch the last side closed by hand. It rests gently over the eyes and smells lovely, and it is just as nice warmed for a minute in a dryer. Make a cover that slips off for washing if you like. Have you ever sewn something this quick that feels this special?

You will need: soft cotton fabric, dried lavender buds, rice or flax seed, needle and thread or a sewing machine, scissors

How to make it: 1. Cut two matching rectangles and sew three sides. 2. Turn right side out and fill with lavender and rice. 3. Hand stitch the opening closed.

Hand Cream in a Dressed Up Jar

Whipped hand cream looks like frosting in a jar, and it is far easier than it looks. Melt shea butter and coconut oil, let it cool until it is just starting to firm up, then whip it with a hand mixer until fluffy. Spoon it into a clean jar and wrap the lid with a circle of Christmas fabric and a ribbon. Write the ingredients on a little tag and suggest a small patch test first, just to be kind. Nobody will believe you made it in your own kitchen. What fabric would you use for the lid?

You will need: shea butter, coconut oil, a hand mixer, a clean jar with a lid, a fabric circle, ribbon, a small tag

How to make it: 1. Melt the butter and oil, then chill until just firm. 2. Whip until fluffy and white. 3. Spoon into the jar and dress the lid with fabric and ribbon.

A Herbal Tea Sampler for Spa Gift Baskets

Spa gift baskets need something warm to sip, and a herbal tea sampler is a sweet way to do it. Pick five or six favorite caffeine free teas, take them out of their boxes, and line them up in a small tin or a folded paper envelope. Decorate the front with washi tape and a handwritten list of the flavors. Add a little mug or a vintage teacup from the thrift store if you have room. It turns a bath night into a whole slow evening. Which flavors would make your sampler?

You will need: assorted herbal tea bags, a small tin or kraft envelope, washi tape, a pen, an optional thrifted teacup

How to make it: 1. Remove the tea bags from their boxes. 2. Line them up in the tin or envelope. 3. Decorate the front with washi tape and a handwritten flavor list.

The Loofah Snowman Everyone Will Photograph

The loofah snowman is the part of the gift everyone grabs their phone for. Stack three white mesh bath poufs, small to large, and tie them together through the cords with a ribbon. Wrap a strip of red knit fabric around the neck as a scarf, glue on two black buttons for eyes, and add a tiny orange felt nose. Use a low temperature glue gun with adult help, or stitch the pieces on instead. He stands guard at the front of the basket and is useful long after the holidays. Is he not the cutest little helper?

You will need: three white mesh bath poufs, ribbon, a strip of red knit fabric, two black buttons, orange felt, a low temperature glue gun or needle and thread

How to make it: 1. Tie the three poufs together through their cords. 2. Add the scarf around the neck. 3. Attach the buttons and felt nose with adult help.

A Bath Tray Made From a Cutting Board

A long wooden cutting board makes a bath tray that looks custom for a fraction of the price. Choose one wide enough to rest across the tub, sand the edges smooth, and seal it with a food safe oil or a water resistant finish. For handles, screw two drawer pulls into the ends with adult help and a drill. Tuck the smaller gifts on top and the board becomes the base of the whole set. Your friend gets a gift that lasts for years. Would you leave it natural or stain it a deeper color?

You will need: a long wooden cutting board, sandpaper, food safe oil or water resistant sealer, two drawer pulls, screws, a drill with adult help

How to make it: 1. Sand the edges and corners smooth. 2. Seal the wood and let it dry fully. 3. Attach the drawer pulls at each end with adult help.

Lavender Bath Tea Bags

Bath tea bags are like tea for the tub, and they look so charming lined up in a row. Fill small drawstring muslin bags with a spoonful of plain rolled oats, a little Epsom salt and a pinch of dried lavender buds. Pull the strings tight and tie a bow. Your friend drops one into warm bath water and lets it steep while she relaxes, then tosses it out with no mess in the tub. Make three or four and stand them in a little jar. Could anything smell sweeter on a cold night?

You will need: small drawstring muslin bags, plain rolled oats, Epsom salt, dried lavender buds, a spoon, a small jar for display

How to make it: 1. Mix the oats, salt and lavender in a bowl. 2. Spoon the mix into each muslin bag. 3. Pull the strings tight, tie a bow, and stand them in a jar.

A Gift Tag With a Kind Self Care Note

The tag is where the whole basket becomes personal. Cut a large tag from white card stock, punch a hole, and tie it on with twine and a sprig of pine or berries. Then write a short self care note in your own hand, something like, this is your sign to take a long bath and do nothing else. List the homemade items and their ingredients on the back so your friend knows what is inside. It takes five minutes and it is often the thing people keep. What would your note say?

You will need: white card stock, a hole punch, twine, a pine sprig or faux berries, a fine pen

How to make it: 1. Cut a large tag shape and punch a hole. 2. Write your note on the front and the ingredient list on the back. 3. Tie it to the handle with twine and greenery.

Wrap Spa Gift Baskets in Cellophane and Ribbon

Wrap spa gift baskets in clear cellophane or soft tulle and they suddenly look like they came from a boutique window. Set the filled basket in the middle of a big sheet, gather it up over the top, and tie it with a wide satin ribbon in a full bow. Fluff the top so it looks like a little crown. Clear wrap lets every handmade piece show, which is half the fun. If you loved this, our homemade gift ideas have even more cozy fillers. Which friend gets your very first basket?

You will need: a large sheet of clear cellophane or tulle, wide satin ribbon, scissors, clear tape

How to make it: 1. Place the basket in the center of the sheet. 2. Gather the wrap over the top and tie tightly with ribbon. 3. Fluff the top and trim the ends neatly.