Ever wonder what your grandmother (or great grandmother) did to make her bath extra special before the days of whirlpool tubs and Jacuzzis? If you ask her, shell probably tell you about bath salts and other lovely scented products that are easy and inexpensive to make.

You and your friends will want to try all three of the recipes that follow. But if youre younger than nine or ten, youll probably need to ask Mom or Dad for some help.

BATH SALTS

1 cup Epsom salts (available at drug stores)

A few drops of Food coloring (use the kind in plastic bottles so you can squeeze out a few drops at a time)

A few drops of Essential oil (found in crafts stores; sometimes called potpourri oil)

Ceramic bowl (not plastic, since it will absorb the scent of the essential oil)

A Large Spoon

Pipette or eye dropper (found in drug stores)

DIRECTIONS:

1) Pour one cup of salts into the ceramic bowl.

2) Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture.

3) Stir well until blended.

4) Use the pipette or eye dropper to add several drops of your favorite essential oil.

5) Stir to blend.

FOR PACKAGING: Pour the salts into a jar and tie on a bow and youve got a lovely gift for a favorite teacher, a good friend, or even for your mother or grandmother.

Attach a small card which reads: Bath Salts - add one to two tablespoons to water as tub fills for a relaxing soak.

When you find youve created enough bath salts to fill a swimming pool, try this other simple product thats even more soothing in the bath.

BATH GRAINS

1 cup Epsom Salts

A few drops of food coloring

A few drops of any essential oil

One to two tablespoons of baking soda

DIRECTIONS:

Mix everything the same as you did for the bath salts, adding the baking soda last.

Bath Grains have a much finer texture than plain Bath Salts, but the mixture will harden if not used right away. Again, use two to three tablespoons per bath.

FOR PACKAGING: Use a wide-mouthed jar or any container you can scoop into, or tap against the side of the tub, to loosen the grains.

Another easy bath product youll enjoy making by yourself, or with friends, is an old-fashioned milk bath.

OLD-FASHIONED MILK BATH

1 cup of Epsom salts

A few drops of Food coloring

A few drops of any Essential oil

A few tablespoons of powdered milk

DIRECTIONS:

Again, mix the same as for Bath Salts, just add the powdered milk last, making sure you dont add too much powdered milk or the mixture will end up smelling like baby formula. Peach or strawberry oils work well for milk baths, but try other oils to see what pleases you the most.

FOR PACKAGING: Select the same kind of container or jar as for the bath grains. Add a few tablespoons to the tub for a glorious, skin- softening soak.

When youve finished experimenting with all these products, not only will you find youve created some lovely gifts for the holidays, youll also notice your whole house smells wonderful! And, if youre lucky enough to have a bathroom with an old clawfoot tub like grandma used to have, you can even travel back in time with an old-fashioned soak yourself.