The Soap Box

While I had intended to put this article out at the beginning of the holiday shopping season so soapmakers had a chance to spin-off some of their own ideas from great products hitting the market, things didn’t work out as planned. I did not want this topic to be passed over, however, so I have put together a showcase of holiday soaps.

There are two ways to look at this showcase. You can either use these ideas for next Christmas, or you can use the premise of an idea for another holiday or event coming up soon. Hint: You should be getting things together for Valentine’s Day now.

So without further ado, here are highlights from this years’ holiday season.

Shape It Up

There are many holiday molds on the market, as well as cookie cutters that can be used to give your soaps a festive feel. From gingerbread men to snowflakes and trees, here are a few lovely holiday shaped soaps.

Gingy by Chattahoochee SW

Christmas Trees by Fig Leaf Soaps

Snowflakes by Colette Paperie

Reindeer by Sudzy Soap

Snowflakes by Twin Dream Creations

Think Color and Scent

You can’t go wrong creating soaps with the scents and colors of the holiday season. There is a great variety of designs that soapmakers have created for the season. Here are just a few artisans that thought of color and scent.

Ultimate Christmas by Catherine Filippelli

Cranberry Fig by Simply Suds

Snowdrift by A Slice of Delight

Candy Cane by Sherri’s Scents and Soys

Cranberry by SV Soaps

Look for Inspiration

These soapmakers took a common place item from the holidays and used it as inspiration for their soaps. This is not hard to do. Just keep your eyes peeled for some inspiration.

Naughty Coal Bar by AJ Sweet Soap

Christmas Plaid by The Bonnie Bath Co.

Charlie Brown by Dug Shop

Ribbon Candy by Fairy Apothecary

Go For Unique

Some soaps fall into a category all their own – unique. Sometimes an idea crosses a soapmakers mind to create something different. While everyone’s soap truly is unique, these soapmakers created bars that are more unusual and stand out in a crowd.

Felted Soaps by Eclectic Garden

Owl Soap with Crocheted Scarf by Eternal Sunshine

Rocky Mountain by Body and Spirit

Holiday Wrappings

Don’t forget that packaging is important, too. Some soapmakers wrap their soaps in holiday themed packaging and others make special seasonal labels.

Peppermint Candy by Mel Mar Soap Hut

Soap Sets by Bella Fresca

Soap Sets by Pea Pod Crafts

Article by Erica Pence, owner and handcrafted soap maker at Bonnie Bath, and author of the Bonnie Bath Blog.

Bio: Owner of The Bonnie Bath Co. and maker of handcrafted soaps, bath and body products and candles. Column Editor for the Saponifier Magazine and Forum Moderator and volunteer for the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild as well as the Scottish American Society of South Florida. Regional webmaster for FUSTA. Happily married with one beautiful child.