Hello Favorite People,

Winter is headed our way, the final chapter in the cycle of the seasons. The steady reassurance of the circle of life turning and returning through the beauty of the natural world gives us a way to mark time and memories.

As the trees lose their leaves, we gain new perspective – seeing in stark relief the structure and branches of life, and a more expanded view through the forests of other seasons. There is a hush of silence on a winter day, a gentle slowing down which eases us into the new year with more clarity and focus.

Winter also brings us closer together as we head indoors to the comforts of home and the gatherings of holidays and festivities. This is a season of respite and sanctuary, connectedness and peace – a time of magic and hope, plus a long winter’s nap

Winter Holiday Seasonal Soaps

Winter’s special magic, both indoors and outdoors, are the inspiration for these new seasonal soap scents. Making spirits bright, what fun to have a little stash of treats on the shelf waiting for you. Or share some of your very favorite things with a friend. ($5.00 each)

Winter Solstice – Last year’s best-seller, it’s a beautiful blend of holiday greens and winter enchantment. Juniper, spruce and fir needle with background wisps of green moss and stacked firewood. Colored with nettle powder, it’s a gorgeous dark green bar. This is a heavenly forest scent - imagine being deep in the woods on a wintry day. Bring the clean, pure, freshness of the outdoors into your shower.

Hot Toddy –Making Spirits Bright is my own little theme this year, and actual spirits – holiday libations – made it on the menu not just once, but twice! A hot toddy, traditionally made with whiskey, lemon, honey, cinnamon stick and clove is a warm, comforting mug of liquid gold. This soap scent is all of those things – lemon and honey, a pinch of apple pie spices, the mellow hint of whiskey adding an extra note of buttery depth. Soothe your soul with this sweet holiday soap.

Clove Orange Buttermilk – There is a magical history of giving pomanders, oranges studded with cloves, as good luck gifts during the holidays. They’re said to bring protection and prosperity, attracting positive energy to your home. No scent says “the holidays are here” more than orange and clove spice. This soap will definitely have you fa la la’ing in the shower. A bit of buttermilk in the recipe adds lactic acid, removing dead skin cells while moisturizing and rejuvenating your skin for that rosy glow complexion.

Wassail – “Here we come a-wassailing . . .” Wassail is an old English yuletide drink of hot spiced cider or mulled wine and part of the merry traditions of door-to-door caroling and jolly holiday-making. This festive scent is a punch bowl of warm baked apples and rich plummy, berry wine mulled with fragrant spices. A pretty Santa red color, it’s the new holiday cheer for everyone on your list.

Vanilla Wood – A rich, warm blend of deep, dark bourbon vanilla with soft golden teak and sandalwood. This fragrance is in the frankincense family, but smoother, creamier, and truly elegantly gorgeous. The color is a light walnut brown, tinged with real vanilla bean powder.

Holiday Aromatic Sprays

The Holiday Spice aromatic spray is our own little holiday tradition around here, but last year we added a Winter Forest scent too. Natural evergreen boughs of balsam, spruce, fir needles and juniper bring the beautiful scent of garlands and freshly-cut Christmas tree indoors.

It’s just not the holidays without all the smells. We spritz around the house just before guests arrive, and they coo about how great the place smells. We spritz gift boxes, cards and stockings too before sending them off -- family and friends get a whoosh of holiday cheer when they open their presents. Hard to decide which one? Get one of each! (4 oz bottle - $ 6.00)

Making Spirits Bright

The holidays can be a complicated and stressful time. Simplicity is essential. We all know the most important thing is time with the ones you love, the little moments of enjoying each other and making memories. Oh, and gifts. Because the holiday season is lots of things – food, music, games, traditions – but’s it’s the one time of year we give all the gifts, showering treats on everyone we know.

Choosing the perfect, thoughtful gift while keeping it simple and meaningful doesn’t have to be a challenge. Soapworks Studio’s small gifts of soap and bath goodies check every box. Everything is handmade in small batches, reasonably priced, with a wide variety of gift ideas big and small. You’ll find something for everyone on your list at SoapworksStudio.com. Click on our “Gifts” tab for a nice variety of customizable made-for-you items. Lots of new canvas tote style containers, boxed sets, our holiday designs of Swedish dishcloths – there is a sleigh full of ideas. Or give the gift of soap all year long with a Sudscription – our “soap of the month club” - available in 3 month, 6 month or 1 year subscriptions. Shop handmade, support local makers and businesses, and get the very best gifts possible.

Wishing you the most merry and bright holiday season!

Winter Holiday 2021