Between unpredictable weather, extended work hours, family gatherings, extracurricular activities and sports, it isn’t difficult to get caught up in the annual holiday rush. Did you accidentally forget someone off your list? This is perfect a perfect last-minute handmade gift idea for those of us who happen to forget or fall behind on our gift shopping. Not to worry – we’ve got you covered with this easy, decorative yet fully functional handmade gift! There are two variations of this recipe: make your own bath bomb crumbles from scratch, or check out our lineup of ready-made bath bombs and repurpose them.
Variation #1
Here’s what you’ll need:
2 lb. Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
1 lb. Citric Acid
10 – 30 drops Fragrance or Essential Oil
1 tsp. Color
1 tsp. Decorative Botanicals if desired
Spray bottle of Witch Hazel (preferable), alcohol or water
Large spoon or whisk
4 Clear Plastic Ornaments (check your local dollar store!)
Funnel
Wax paper
Baking sheet
Combine dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a whisk. Once combined, you may add 10 to 30 drops of fragrance or essential oil, according to your personal preference. Begin to spritz the mixture with Witch Hazel. (Tip: spray in 10 pump intervals from about 12 to 18 inches above the bowl as this will allow the mist to gently hit the dry ingredients. If the wet ingredients are sprayed directly into to the mixture, it can potentially cause the citric acid to begin fizzing!)
Between intervals, keep mixing. If you’re the type that likes to get your hands dirty, now is the time! Mixing by hand is much more effective in this case and consumes less time. Continue to incorporate all ingredients and spritz Witch Hazel as needed until you have reached a wet sand consistency.
Spread the mixture evenly on your wax paper covered baking sheet, but do not press firmly. Allow mixture to dry for at least 6 hours.
After the mixture is dry, use your spoon to crush any remaining bath bomb chunks into smaller pieces. Remove the top of the empty ornament and use the funnel to dispense the bath bomb mixture into the bulb. As you can see, we did a few different types – don’t be afraid to use your imagination!
Variation #2
Here’s what you’ll need:
Resealable plastic bag
Rolling pin
4 Clear Plastic Ornaments (check your local dollar store!)
Funnel
Place the bath bomb in the resealable bag. Using caution, use a rolling pin or another sturdy object to begin breaking down the bath bomb on a hard surface. After crumbled inside the bag, use the rolling pin to crush any remaining large chunks into smaller bits.
Remove the top of the empty ornament and use the funnel to dispense the bath bomb mixture into the bulb. Alternatively, you can use scissors to snip the corner of the bag of the crushed bath bomb, skipping the funnel altogether, and pour directly into the empty plastic ornament.
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Remove the top of the empty plastic ornament and use the funnel to dispense the bath bomb mixture into the bulb. Ensure that the closure to the bulb is secure. You can even add embellishments to the bulb itself, tie a ribbon around it… the possibilities are endless! Give these as gifts or hang them on your own tree so you have a nice relaxing bath to look forward to. Once you or your recipient is ready to use the bath bomb ornament, remove the closure and sprinkle mixture into a hot tub and enjoy! ❤️
Bath Bomb Ornament Recipe
Doesn’t the color that is linked and the citrus acid react to each other making a horrible smell? If so what colorant do you use?
What if you just want to make a very small batch. One or two ornaments. No more than four. And I don’t have that much ingredients.
If you’d like to make two ornaments, you’ll need roughly half of the ingredients listed; you can also fill the ornament quarter way, if you don’t have enough ingredients.
Wow, I love this idea. I was just looking for an easy bath bomb recipe and I like that this one is loose, instead of in the hard ball format. I can’t wait to try a peppermint essential oil ornament in red and white, thank you!
Glad you like it; let us know your results!
Every time I’ve used the Matte Pigment Powder in my bath bombs, it results in a ring of color around the inside of the tub. Does this mean I’ve been using too much?
Here are a few suggestions:
– Try using your bath bombs in a clean tub; this will lessen the possibility of the pigments being trapped by any old build-up in the tub.
– Certain tub types, such as porcelain and fiberglass with a coat, are easier for pigments to stick to; you can try lessen the amount of pigment color used, or using lake colors to minimize the color ring build build up.
– In addition to the colorants, the oil used to make a bath bomb will contribute to a slight ring being created in the tub; to alleviate this, you can clean the tub immediately after use with warm water, or a powerful cleaner such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubbers.
– Try using a teaspoon of Polysorbate 80 in the recipe, as it is an emulsifier and may prevent the mica from staining you or your tub.
What a great idea, something different and it will look great.
Someone that needs it afterwards to relax.
Instead of having just a decorated tree to look at the ornaments, now there is something that someone may like, use and enjoy. The recipes are endless from one ingredient to several.
Thank you, I look forward to it and since I change my bulbs to led, I have a bunch of bulbs sitting in my garage.????????
Glad you like it!
has anyone had a problem getting it to come out of the small hole in the ornament? Just worried that is may stick and because it is glass you would be unable to knock on side to get the ingredients to come all out.
Love this idea and want to make them.
We haven’t experienced this, but you can try the plastic ornaments instead; glad you like the idea.