Our latest newsletter with a sleigh full of new winter wonderful goodies and gifts just dashed off to mailboxes everywhere. Are you on our list? Here's the news:

Hello Friends,

Give the gift of simple joys this holiday season! We have a sleigh full of wintry wonderful new scents and gift items. See what's new. Soapworks Studio

Winter’s darkness lingers longer into our mornings and creeps back earlier into our evenings reminding us that time is precious. We naturally want to make the very most of it.

Clear midnight skies make the stars twinkle even more brightly. Freshly fallen snow blankets everything - the quiet hush allowing us a moment to deeply breathe in the fresh, crisp air, so delicious. The chaos and frenzy of the holiday calendar is stopped in its tracks for just an instant when winter’s magic taps you on the head, reminding you to look up. Slow down. Breathe. Be.

Winter, the season of merriment and gatherings, is a celebration of just being alive, made all the more special when you share it with others.

Winter Holiday Seasonal Soaps

Winter’s special wonders delights are the inspiration for this year’s new seasonal soap fragrances -- for a little fun in your shower, or a treat for that special someone. ($4.50 each)

Note: the autumn seasonal scents are available for a bit longer, plus our full list of soaps, goodies, and gifties are available online at all hours.

Through the Woods – “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go..” Fresh evergreens of balsam, spruce, juniper, and fir, blended with warm, woodsy cedar, this is a heavenly fresh forest scent. Imagine being deep in the woods on a wintry day. Colored with nettle powder, it’s a gorgeous, natural, olive green. Bring the clean, pure, freshness of the outdoors into your shower.

Flannel Jammies – A hands-down favorite for the last few years, there’s no way I could celebrate the season without it. It’s the scent of clean, fresh, cotton warm from the dryer, and one of my most-loved comforts of winter – snuggling up in a pair of cozy flannel pajamas. This soap is ivory white, silky smooth, and a fun little something to tuck into Christmas stockings.

Frankincense & Myrrh - This scent has been haunting me from my worktable. Deep amber and mysterious, it beckons and tempts me, little tendrils of sacred and holy drifting around the room, calling me to stop what I’m doing and take notice. Oddly, all year I’ve been asked repeatedly if I have a Frankincense & Myrrh scent, even earlier this spring, although this is a traditional holiday scent: gifts of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. It has been a holiday scent here several times in the past, though I haven’t offered it in years. Clearly the signs were telling me to try again. I must admit, it’s one of my favorite things right now. It feels grounding and warm, but important too. I know that’s not really a scent description. How about dark, smoky, incense notes, golden amber, plus a pinch of sweet vanilla extract, or just “the inside of a church.” It’s a gorgeous, warm golden color, made with flecks of ground vanilla bean (yum!).

Tips for Keeping and Storing Soaps for Holiday Gifts

I shared this in last year’s newsletter and it’s worth explaining again: how to store soap for future gifting. The bars are constantly “curing” meaning they are continuing to harden and evaporate moisture as they age. This is good, because it means that your bar will last longer if it has aged a bit, even though it may shrink slightly in size. Most importantly, soap should never be stored in something that is airtight – like a ziplock plastic bag. If moisture is accumulated in the bag or tight space, it may cause the soap to go bad. Since my bars have fresh ingredients and extra emollient oils, the best rule of thumb is to give it and use it within 6 months. Many will last a year, but to be safe, go fresh. Tuck it into a drawer or linen closet shelf while it waits – that way you get nicely scented linens (or undies!) as a bonus. Nothing too warm, no direct heat or light, just a bit of air and quiet resting time.

Give the Gift of Simple Pleasures

It’s the time of year when we’re making our lists and checking them twice. Choosing the perfect gift doesn’t have to be difficult. Even if you’re looking for a treasure that is unique, special, locally made, eco-friendly, useful and use-able too. Soapworks Studio’s small gifts of soap and bath goodies tick every box. Everything is made by hand in small, thoughtful batches, yet reasonably priced.

We’ve got something for everyone on your holiday gift list. New this season: single bar gift bags in pretty linen fabric with a satin lining (soap + bag $6.00). Plus charming fold-up tote boxes that hold a bar of soap plus one or two accessories. You can choose any item from our list of dishes or scrubbies (soap + 1 item = $10, soap + 2 items = $ 14). And a new wooden box gift container that holds a bunch of goodies. You can purchase this separately and stuff yourself ($5) or choose one of our curated options, even one for the dudes ($25).

A Long Winter’s Soak

There is no better time than winter for long, indulgent soaks in a steamy, hot bath. We’ve created 3 new scents for our Dead Sea Bath Salts, so there is no excuse not to hop in and soak your cares away. Extra benefits? Why yes – for both health and beauty: skin soothing and smoothing, detoxing, relaxing, and moisturizing too. Heavenly scents of Rose Petals & Cardamom, Bourbon (Vanilla) Sandalwood, and luscious Sweet Fig. (16 oz bottle, $8)

Planning Ahead for Deals?

If you’re hoping to catch one of our special “deal” days this year, mark your calendars for Small Business Saturday (Nov 28) and Giving Tuesday (Dec 1). We’re whipping up something special. We’ll make announcements directly to our email list (sign up there!), our Facebook and Instagram pages, and directly on the website on those days.

Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle – It’s Easier Than Ever to Order Online

(Free Shipping on orders $100 or more!)

With so many demands on your time already, who wants the headache of traffic snarls, overcrowded malls, plus empty shelves once you get there? Save yourself a mountain of aggravation by shopping online at SoapworksStudio.com. We’re offering free shipping on orders of $100 or more – but make sure you input the code Free100 in the discount code box or it won’t deduct. We’ll happily send your items directly to family and friends with gift cards too so you don’t need to spend even more time (and moolah) gift wrapping, searching for boxes, or waiting in long lines at the post office. Spend more time celebrating and less time fretting - let Soapworks Studio be your secret weapon for all your holiday gifts!

Warm wishes for a holiday season of full of revelry and joy - and a sparkly, shiny, brilliant new year!

What's New for Winter Holiday!