There’s nothing quite like wintertime, in my opinion. The magic of cold, rainy days, with a warm fire burning inside and a cup of hot tea in my hand — it’s the nostalgic romantic in me that loves the cozy feeling it brings. I imagine being stuck inside all day with those I love most, enjoying each other’s company and sharing laughter and stories. It’s an excuse (although one isn’t needed) to put aside the busyness of life for a moment and slow down. This season also welcomes the holidays, my favorite celebrations of the year. To usher in this festive time, here are three bath and body recipes to incorporate into your routine.

gingerbread Whipped Body Butter

from Willow and Sage Winter 2026

You Will Need

• • Glass bowl/measuring cup
• • ½ cup raw shea butter
• • ½ cup coconut oil
• • Spatula
• • Stand/Handheld mixer
• • ¼ tsp. ground gingerbread spice
• • 4 drops ginger essential oil
• • 4 drops cassia/cinnamon essential oil
• • 2 drops clove essential oil
• • 2 drops vanilla essential oil
• • Airtight jar

To Make

In a glass bowl or measuring cup, add the shea butter and coconut oil, and heat in the microwave

on high for one minute. Remove and stir well. If not fully melted, heat for an additional 30 seconds, and stir again. Transfer the mixture to a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to one hour. Remove from the refrigerator, and beat on high for five minutes with either a stand or handheld mixer, stopping to scrape the sides every minute, until you have a light and fluffy cream. Add the gingerbread spice and essential oils, and mix on low to incorporate. Add the mixture to an airtight jar.

Rosemary & Pine Bath Salts

from Willow and Sage Winter 2026

You Will Need

• • Food processor
• • 1 cup Epsom salt
• • 1 cup Dead Sea salt
• • ½ cup fresh/dried rosemary leaf
• • ½ cup fresh/dried pine needles
• • ¼ cup rose petals
• • Airtight jar

To Make

In a food processor, pulverize all the ingredients until some of the pine and rosemary are broken down. Not all of it needs to be broken down, just some so it can infuse the salts easier. Store the salts in an airtight jar until use. When ready to use, either scoop the salts into the bath or add it to a muslin bag so the bathwater stays free of particulates. For extra potency from the herbs, steep ½ cup of this mixture in a large jar or bowl for an hour before adding it to the bathwater.

Cranberry Orange Sugar Scrub

by Rachel McKennon from Willow and Sage Winter 2026

You Will Need

• • ½ cup fresh cranberries
• • 1 cup white sugar
• • ½ cup sweet almond oil
• • 1 orange, zested
• • 10 drops orange essential oil (optional)
• • Food processor
• • Airtight container

To Make

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until fully incorporated. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to one week. To use, rinse your skin with warm water, and gently apply the scrub. Rinse off the scrub, and apply lotion as normal.

Explore more festive bath & body recipes in Willow and Sage Winter 2026.

Danielle Williams is the managing editor for Willow and Sage, The Natural Home Issue, Mingle, and Art Quilting Studio. She lives with her growing family in Orange County, California.