Consumables > Soap
October 4th, 2021
Soap is one of my favourite gifts to receive. It ticks a lot of boxes: not too expensive, can be luxurious, everybody uses it, and once used it’s gone. But it can be tricky to give: it’s an everyday item, where recipients have their own fragrance and brand preferences. You can’t just get any soap: it has to either be your recipient’s favourite soap, or recognisably luxurious/unique.
Lush is my go-to. Their vegan products are clearly marked; their packaging is minimal; their ingredients are ethically sourced; they support good causes. As long as your recipient likes strong scents, this is a solid choice. (Their solid shampoo bars last ages and are excellent for travel; the bar soaps are a classic choice; the gift sets mean you don’t even have to wrap anything.)
Soap rocks are a fun novelty. Soap that looks like a rock! The original inventor has a delightfully retro website but you can get these from many places. Museum gift shops are worth checking, as is Etsy.
There’s a whole universe of “soap that looks like other things”. The biologist in your life might appreciate these petri dish soaps, for example. Check reviews if you’re ordering online - the whole point is fidelity to the original, and flattering product photography can deceive.
L’Occitane en Provence soaps are nicely luxurious, but AFAIK they’re not vegan. It’s also surprising that you’d spend $35 on a bottle of soap and not get a glass bottle, but I guess it keeps shipping costs down.
Making soap at home is achievable, but a faff: it involves dedicated equipment and caustic chemicals. So you shouldn’t bother, but other people will: and those people will show up at local craft fairs & holiday markets. You can shop locally, sniff before you buy, and get something unique for your recipient.