DIY CHRISTMAS SOAP RECIPES

Handmade artisan soap bars make a charming and thoughtful gift during the holidays. Whether you're looking to give a hostess gift, need a stocking stuffer, or need to add some festive soap bars to your bathroom when guests come over, crafting soaps can be a very fun and fulfilling activity. Soaps can be personalized as they are highly customizable and can be scented and decorated to your liking for the Christmas season. You do not need to be a seasoned soap maker to try your hand at homemade soaps. With the help of Melt and Pour soap base wholesale, as well as your favorite essential oils, colorants, herbs, and butters, you can create your own unique holiday-inspired soaps without any hassle. Continue reading to discover Christmas soap recipes that you can make at home, inspired by the festive aromas of Cinnamon, Sweet Orange, Fir Needle, Cranberry Vanilla, and Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR SOAP MAKING

Before you begin crafting any soap gifts, ensure you have an adequate amount of clean counter space that has been sterilized. Your working area should be wide enough to prepare a cake. The simplest way to make soaps at home is to use melt and pour soap bases because they remove many tedious steps that are a part of methods such as the cold process. A double boiler or a microwave is suitable for melting the melt and pour soap base. A sharp knife or dough cutter can adequately cut the desired amount of soap base that will fit the molds after it is melted.

You will need a large heat-resistant measuring cup or a microwave-safe bowl that will withstand the heat when melting the soap base, as well as a wooden spoon or another heat-resistant spatula. Lastly, you will need a heat-resistant soap mold that easily releases the soaps after they have cooled and solidified.

Melt and Pour soap bases can be blended with any type of additive to customize your soap bars. This includes essential oils, fragrance oils, colorants, clay powders, and skin care nutrients such as herbs, butters, and exfoliants.

See our full soap supplies section as well. 

TIPS FOR MAKING SOAPS AT HOME WITH MELT AND POUR BASES

Melt and Pour soap bases are convenient and easy to use, even for first-time soap makers. They require only a few days to cure, as opposed to traditional soapmaking methods that require weeks of curing. Melt and Pour bases also remove the need to create a lye mixture since it is already saponified. New Directions Aromatics carries a variety of Melt and Pour soap bases that tailor to different skin types and soap-making needs. For sensitive skin types, Goats Milk and Shea Butter bases are ideal as they are meant to keep the skin hydrated and prevent irritation. The entire range of Melt and Pour bases are vegetarian, with some vegan options available.

Once the soap base is melted, you can place your mold on a cookie sheet or a large tray before pouring your soap. That way, it will be easier to move the soaps without shifting the mixture. Always stir your soap gently, since stirring too quickly can create bubbles in the final product. If your soap base cools and solidifies too early, you can reheat the mixture by placing it in the microwave for another 5-10 seconds or placing it in the double boiler.

DIY SOAP RECIPE IDEAS FOR GIFT GIVING

1. CHRISTMAS SOAP BAR (source: Our Oily House)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 5 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
• 5 drops Orange Sweet Essential Oil
• 4 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Tools:

• Silicone soap mold
• Double boiler
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Instructions:

• Cut the soap base into small chunks and place into the double boiler.
• Melt over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat once the base has melted completely.
• Add in the orange zest, honey, and essential oils and stir well.
• Pour the mixture into the soap mold.
• Allow the soaps to solidify, then pop the bars out of the mold.

2. CINNAMON ORANGE SOAP BAR (source: Our Oily House)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Red French Clay powder
• 10 drops Orange Sweet Essential Oil
• 5 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

Tools:

• Silicone soap mold
• Double boiler
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Instructions:

• Cut the soap base into small chunks and melt them in the double boiler over medium heat.
• Stir occasionally until the base is completely melted.
• Add in the orange zest, clay, and essential oils and stir well.
• Pour the mixture into the soap mold and allow the bars to cool and solidify.
• Pop the soap bars out of the molds.

3. CRANBERRY VANILLA SHEA BUTTER SOAP (source: Simply Stacie)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Shea Butter Melt and Pour Soap Base, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup dried Cranberries
• 10-20 drops Vanilla Oleoresin – 10 Fold

Tools:

• Double boiler or medium-sized glass bowl for microwaving
• 1 silicone soap mold
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Instructions:

• Sprinkle the dried cranberries onto the bottom of the silicone molds.
• Place soap base into the double boiler and melt on medium heat.
• If you are using the microwave, place the pieces of soap base into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds and stir. Follow with an additional 10 seconds and continue in 10 second increments until the soap is completely melted.
• Stir the Vanilla Oleoresin into the melted soap base.
• Pour the mixture into the soap mold and let it sit at room temperature until the mold has cooled and solidified.
• Carefully pop the soap bars from the mold by pushing on the bottom to release the soap.

4. PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA SOAP RECIPE (source: A Life Adjacent)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Goat's Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp Cocoa powder
• 1 tsp high-proof Alcohol or Rubbing Alcohol
• 50 drops Chocolate Fragrance Oil
• 50 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Tools:

• Small bottle (for oil blend)
• Glass cup or medium-sized glass bowl (for microwave)
• Double boiler (for stove-top)
• Soap molds
• Small bowl (for paste)
• Tray (optional)

Instructions:

• Begin by blending the essential oil and fragrance oil into a small dropper bottle. Set aside.
• Place the pieces of the melt and pour base into the double boiler and melt on medium heat until it is completely melted.
• If you are using a microwave, place your melt and pour pieces into a glass bowl or measuring cup and heat in 30 second increments, stirring carefully in between. Don't overheat.
• While the soap base is melting, mix the cocoa powder, oil blend, and alcohol into a small bowl to create a paste.
• Remove the soap base from the heat and allow it to cool before adding the cocoa mixture.
• Once the soap has thickened, add the peppermint essential oil into the melted soap base. Stir carefully.
• Slowly pour the cocoa paste mixture into the soap. Swirl to create a marble effect throughout the soap.
• Carefully pour the soap mixture into the molds. Allow the soaps to set and cool for 20 minutes. Make sure they do not move.
• After the initial 20 minutes, you can take the soaps to a cool dark place where they can settle for 4-6 hours.
• Once hardened, carefully pop each soap out of the mold. Allow to cure for 3 days to fully harden and dry out before giving them as a gift.

DECORATIVE IDEAS FOR WRAPPING YOUR HOMEMADE SOAPS

With an abundance of soap wrapping ideas, there is room for your creativity to flourish when the time comes to apply the finishing touches to your handmade soap gifts. You can wrap your soaps individually in brown paper for a simple vintage look, in scrapbooking paper, or in Christmas wrapping paper. If you have extra scrapbooking supplies or bakers' twine on hand, you can tie a thin bow around the bar and attach a quirky ingredients tag using a wooden clothing pin. You can also decorate your soap bars with felt by cutting it into holiday-inspired shapes such as Christmas trees. Other options for a minimalist bow tie include ribbons, leather cording, raffia string, and twine.

Another option for individual wrapping is using solid colored tissue paper or spare scrapbook paper. You can tape the paper and tie a bow on the bar or seal the wrapping with a tasteful sticker to add more character. If you wish to protect your soap gifts during the wrapping and gifting step, you can also place your soap bars along with any other gift items in an air-tight jar or a decorative tin box that can be reused by the recipient. Cotton muslin bags also make a convenient soap wrapping option that is reusable. They can be bought in bulk and are available in a variety of sizes to suit your gift giving needs.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR WORKING WITH MELT AND POUR SOAP BASES

Before incorporating any additive into a soap recipe, it is important to understand the amount that can be safely used. Too much of an additive might lead to issues such as the breakdown of chemical bonds or it might necessitate the use of preservatives.

Only heat-safe equipment should be used to make soap as the melting temperatures generally reach above 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). Protect your hands and skin during the soap making process as contact with hot soap base could burn the skin and it can be very painful.

Fresh ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, or milk are best avoided in a melt and pour soap recipe, as they will always spoil eventually.