Have yourself a sudsy little Christmas 🎄
Soap tidings we bring! 🤶 🛁
Greetings and salutations, my friends!
December is such a fast trot through the maze of holiday fa la la - racing to the end of this year of ‘too-much-all-at-once.’ Hang on tight, we just might make it to 2026.
This month holds so much promise and magic, jam packed with extra special events, activities, happy memories, togetherness and feasting. Enjoying the moments in between the rushing is key. Looking up at the snowflakes in the night sky instead of the cracks in the sidewalk keeps our hearts open. Wonder and gratitude for what’s right in front of us keeps us moving forward. Tally ho!
I've said this often, but it's still true - handmade soap is the quintessential, utmost, perfect gift. It's an everyday, much-loved, consumable item, taken to a higher standard of quality or uniqueness which your sweetie pie or honey bear might not splurge on for themselves.
And like I always do at this time of year, I'm going to share the most important links to everything you need to know about soap gifting:
1. If you've wondered if giving soap as a gift might send a different (ahem, not so pleasant) message - I explain what giving the gift of soap really means. In a nutshell: It's not "you stink." Rather, it says "you're special and you're worth it. You enjoy the finer things in life on a daily basis. I love you and want to pamper you." All really good stuff.
2. Are you confused by which scents to choose for all your people? Click here for how to decide which scent to choose for every Who in Whoville. There's lots of handy tips, but honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the new Winter Holiday seasonal scents. They are spicy and festive, a cheery way to start a winter morning in the shower.
3. And finally, now that you've got your pile ready and waiting for wrapping, you'll need to know how to store them to keep them at their freshest, not just this month, but beyond. Here's our cheat sheet of tips on storing soap. There's a science to this.
DO YOU NEED SOME ELVES OF YOUR OWN?
All this holiday-ing can be a LOT, and maybe you're overwhelmed and exhausted trying to come up with yet another gift. We got you. Leave the decisions, the wrapping, the prettying, even the packing, shipping and post office-ing to us. There are lots of new gift options available - from pretty little floral linen sacks for a single bar, to combos of items all wrapped up in boxes, bags and travel pouches, ready to be zipped off to your beloveds.
All you have to do is come up with a cozy sentiment for the gift card. Then slouch over to the computer in your jammies, mug in hand, and jot off the details to us. We'll do the heavy lifting while you take a nap and have just one more cookie. (Find the full selection under the GIFTS tab on the site.)
SWEDISH DISH CLOTHS IN HOLIDAY PATTERNS
I've yammered endlessly about these super eco-friendly, super cute, AND super efficient dish and cleaning cloths many times. So I won’t repeat all that. (Tho if you haven’t heard the hoopla, click here.) Anyhoo, I have some charming winter and holiday designs this month. Oh, did I mention they make amazing gifts? You can find them under the Body + Accessories tab. ($5 ea)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - SALES AHEAD
Good gravy, can we just put the whole “Black Friday” thing to rest? It’s been an entire month of every kind of “early” lights flashing sale, bling bling discount and once in a lifetime specials that are not in the least bit special. The consumerism and sales pushiness are pushing us all to the brink.
We’re savvy enough to spot the fake sales a mile away, like when the regular price suddenly jumps up 20% but they are shouting about their 25% off ‘can’t miss’ deal. And don’t even start with the “Cyber” sales either. I’m old enough to remember when the internet was new and this was actually a thing, but literally nobody is waiting to get back to the office on Monday to do their online shopping, lol. People are shopping on their phones all day long! Good grief.
In light of all that insanity, I’m going to do what I always do, sell my hand-crafted-with-love items at their usual fair price in December. And I will have a winter sale in January with all seasonal items left on the shelf after the holiday shopping season is over.
Because this can't be said often enough - thank you for all of your loyal business and support all year! After all these years you are like family to me, and I wouldn't be able to do this work without you. I am sincerely grateful for each and every one of you.
I wish you the merriest of holiday seasons, whatever you celebrate - jam packed with happy memories, abundant feasting, and lots of laughter with the ones you love . May we show up for what we believe in, practice fierce kindness, and support one another.
With heartfelt love and appreciation,
Heidi Risse