Handmade Lavender Christmas Soap- A Beautiful and Affordable Gift Idea

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Looking for a holiday gift that’s thoughtful, beautiful, and easy on the budget? This DIY handmade lavender Christmas bath soap ticks all the boxes! With its soothing fragrance and nourishing ingredients, handmade lavender soap makes a perfect gift during the busy holiday season. Everyone on your list will appreciate a little extra relaxation and self-care.

If you’ve never made soap before, don’t worry! This simple three-ingredient lavender Christmas soap recipe is perfect for beginners. By using a melt-and-pour soap base, you can skip the complex cold process soap method and enjoy a quick, safe, and beginner-friendly experience. 

I found this beautiful Christmas soap mold with four different designs: snowflakes, a Christmas tree, a wreath and an ornament. It’s classy and perfect for holiday gift-giving. If the Christmas molds aren’t in the budget this year, then these simple silicone soap molds would work great as well.  

Why Make Handmade Soap?

Handmade gifts show thoughtfulness, care, and creativity. Plus, making soap lets you control exactly what goes into it, so you can avoid synthetic fragrances and potentially irritating additives. Not only will these lavender soaps look beautiful in a gift box, but their gentle ingredients make them ideal for all skin types, especially during winter when skin tends to be drier and more sensitive.

Choosing Your Soap Base

The type of soap base you choose will impact the final product. For this melt-and-pour soap recipe, I used goat milk soap base (this 2 lb. base will make 8 bars of soap). Another great option to consider would be shea butter soap base. Here’s a brief comparison to help you choose which would be best for you. 

• Goat Milk Soap Base: This base is perfect for sensitive skin due to its gentle pH balance. Goat milk is also naturally moisturizing and contains lactic acid, which provides gentle exfoliation. It’s a fantastic choice for people with eczema, acne, or sensitive skin.
• Shea Butter Soap Base: Shea butter is deeply moisturizing and rich in vitamins A and E, which have anti-aging properties. It creates a protective barrier on the skin, helping to retain moisture. If you’re looking for a soap that offers extra hydration, shea butter is a great choice.

Both bases are creamy and luxurious, so it comes down to your personal preference and the skin needs of your recipients.

Choosing the Scent 

Most store-bought soaps use fragrance oils for scent, which are typically synthetic. By using essential oils instead, you can create truly natural soaps. Essential oils not only smell amazing, but they’re also derived directly from plants and have added aromatherapy benefits.

• Lavender Essential Oil: I chose lavender because it is popular for its calming, stress-relieving effects. Around the holidays, when everyone’s to-do lists are long, lavender can be a soothing gift for relaxation and unwinding. It’s known to improve sleep, boost mood, and even alleviate headaches—a perfect match for the busy Christmas season!
• Alternative Scents: If lavender isn’t your style, there are many other seasonal scents to try! Peppermint could be used to bring a festive candy cane-like scent to your soap. Cinnamon or orange spice are also a great holiday option. Citrus scents can be achieved with lemon or orange essential oils. Eucalyptus, mint and vanilla are also wonderful options for a fresh and uplifting twist. You can easily substitute the essential oil or oil blend to customize the scent to your preferences. 

Adding Texture & Color

Mix-ins and natural colorants can be used to give your soap texture and color. This soap recipe calls for lavender buds, but there are plenty of options. 

• Lavender Buds: Dried lavender buds give the soap additional scent, a hint of texture and a pretty, rustic look.
• Other Mix-In Ideas: Finely grated orange, lemon or lime zest can add subtle color and extra fragrance. Other dried flowers such as rose buds or chamomile flowers would be another great option. 
• Botanical Powders: Botanical powders like spirulina (green), turmeric (golden), or beetroot (pink) can add natural colors to your soap without synthetic dyes.

Prepping Your Space

Before you start, make sure you have all your supplies ready:

Supplies:

• Goat milk or shea butter soap base (1 lb makes about 4 bars)
• Dried lavender flowers (about 5 teaspoons per pound of soap base)
• Lavender essential oil (10–12 drops per batch)
• Christmas-themed soap molds
• Measuring cup with a spout (for easy pouring)
• Large microwave-safe bowl
• Spatula
• Ribbon and gift tags for packaging

Step 1: Cutting and Melting the Soap Base

Start by cutting your soap base into small cubes; this helps it melt evenly. Place the cubes in a large microwave-safe bowl.

Pro Tip: To avoid overheating, melt the soap in 30-second intervals at 50–70% power, stirring between each round. It usually takes about 2-3 minutes to fully melt a 1-pound block. If you prefer not to use a microwave, you can also melt the soap base on the stovetop using a double boiler.

Step 2: Adding Essential Oil and Lavender Buds

Once your soap base is melted, add 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil. If you want a stronger fragrance, feel free to adjust, but avoid adding too much essential oil, as it may interfere with the soap’s consistency. Next, add 5 teaspoons of dried lavender flowers to the melted soap. Stir the mixture until the lavender and essential oil are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Pouring into Molds

Pour the soap mixture into your molds. A measuring cup with a spout is helpful for this step, as it provides better control and minimizes spills. Fill each mold evenly, leaving a small gap at the top to avoid overflow.

Tip: Tap the molds gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles. It helps if the mold is sitting on a cutting board to easily move/tap the silicone soap molds without spilling the soap. You can also use a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol to lightly spritz the top of the soap, helping to remove any bubbles. 

Step 4: Setting and Unmolding the Soap

Allow the soap to set for 1–2 hours. You can place the molds in the refrigerator if you’re in a hurry, but avoid the freezer as it can cause the soap to crack.

To test if the soap is ready, gently press the top—if it’s firm and leaves no impression, it’s set. Carefully turn the mold upside down and press from the bottom to release each bar. Silicone molds are ideal because they’re flexible and make it easy to pop the soap out without breaking it.

Packaging Your Handmade Christmas Soap

Presentation is key when gifting handmade items. Be sure to grab your free printable gift tags below to help make it beautiful! Here are a few ideas for packaging:

• Gift Boxes: Small gift boxes from The Dollar Store make beautiful containers. Place some shredded paper inside for a touch of elegance, add a bar of soap, and finish with a Christmas ribbon and free printable gift tag. 
• Ribbon and Gift Tags: If you want a more minimal look, wrap each bar with a ribbon and attach the free printable gift tag. This method works especially well if you’re using the traditional silicone molds, which don’t have a design on top that could get damaged.
• Cellophane Wrap: Another option is to wrap each bar in cellophane to protect it, especially if you’ll be transporting it. You can then tie it with a ribbon and add a free printable gift tag for a festive touch.

Final Thoughts on DIY Handmade Lavender Christmas Soap

Making handmade lavender Christmas soap is a fun, creative, and thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday season. With only three ingredients and a few simple steps, you can create a spa-like experience for friends, family, or even yourself. Not only will they smell delightful, but these soaps are also beautiful, moisturizing, and perfect for stress relief around the holiday season.

Handmade Christmas gifts make for meaningful presents, and they allow you to share something personal that comes straight from the heart. So gather your ingredients, get creative with your scent and color choices, and enjoy the process of making these lovely handmade soaps!

Enjoy making these beautiful and luxurious holiday soaps, and happy gifting!

Get your FREE printable gift tags!