Making a happy basket for someone who has just returned home from having surgery can be a great mood lifter for them!

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Last year my mom had to have gall bladder surgery. Apparently she had had a gall stone for a long time, but it wasn’t bothering her too bad until right before she decided to have the surgery. It was causing her a lot of problems. She often complained of not being able to breathe plus she was experiencing more pain. Her doctor told her it was probably time to have it removed. The surgery went well and she was home later that afternoon.

My mom had to be out of work for about a week after her surgery. She needed time to recover and heal. I wanted to have something for her when she came home that she could have within arms reach so she didn’t have to get up very often. I decided to make her a happy basket, full of goodies that could sit right by her side.

My basket included a magazine, The Prayer of Jabez for Women book (which I highly recommend!), honeysuckle pineapple wax tarts, Dr. Teal’s lavender body lotion, a pack of tissues, lip balm, and a Pioneer Woman drinking glass with straw. Inside the drinking glass I added a box of Crystal Light lemon iced tea packs that you pour into your water. I placed flowers around the stuff in the basket to make it “happier.” I also made her a candle out of soy wax and essential oil.

How to Make a Soy Wax Candle

What you need:

• A clean, dry glass container, such a small candle holder (Oui Yogurt containers work great, too!)
• Candle wicks
• Soy wax flakes
• Essential Oils

What you do:

1. Start by placing your wick in the glass container. I didn’t have anything to hold the wick in place so I used a pair of scissors. It actually worked great!
2. Fill your glass container with the soy wax flakes.
3. Make a double boiler by placing a pan into another pan that has a little bit of water in the bottom.
4. Pour the soy wax flakes in the top pan and let melt over medium heat. (You can also melt the wax flakes in the microwave.)
5. Once the wax has melted, remove it from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add a few drops of essential oils, stir to combine.
6. Pour the wax into the candle holder.

Related: Natural Cleaning Supplies with Recipes

Why soy candles?

Cleaner Burning

Since soy candles have no petrol-carbon soot, they burn cleaner than paraffin candles. This keeps the soot off your walls in your home. You may see some black soot on the jar, but nothing compared to that of paraffin candles. Soy candles are also non-toxic, so no toxins are being released into the air while burning.

Natural

Soy wax is made from soybeans, which is a natural renewable source grown by farmers. When you use soy candles you could be supporting your local farmer! Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which contains carcinogenic substances and is a nonrenewable source.

Longer Lasting and Better Scent

Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles. They also hold scent better, which is why they work so well with essential oils. The scent is gradually released since the burn time is slower. Therefore there’s no immediate wave of strong scent.

Happy baskets can be made for anyone. I love making baskets, because they are so easy to put together. You can put anything in a basket and they make great gifts for birthdays, housewarming, babies, etc. Do you know someone who needs a happy basket?

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