Susanne's Holiday Gift Guide

One of the things I love about my business is helping people select aroma therapeutic gifts that are just the right expression of their thoughtfulness. With the lingering economic downturn, for many of us shopping this season is more difficult than ever. I've noticed that most people still want to remember friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, and family with a small gift of appreciation but may be shopping in a different price point than in years past.

I always encourage my customers to make selections that truly fit within their budget. I put together this short little guide to help with just that. Natural handcrafted soaps and bathing accoutrements make wonderful consumable gifts that aren't food! Consider my chocolate soaps for an indulgent no calorie treat.

Gifts under $5 make great stocking stuffers or a little something to put on a co-workers desk with your holiday card. Consider ...

Handmade Guest Soaps wrapped in cello and tied with raphia. Looks like candy but packed with aroma goodness for the nose and skin. $3.50.

Naturally good Lip Balm - $3.25

Gifts under $10 -sized just right to tuck in a stocking or give your child's teacher with a nice card attached. Consider any of my handmade soaps, or choose a seasonal soap like Candy Cane or Cinnamon Spice.

Hand Salve in Peppermint, Lavender, and Lemon Drop. Choose the free gift wrap option and your gift is all ready to tuck in a stocking or give the hands that help you. $5.75

Consider a Moisture & Massage Bar or Massage Oil to tuck in your significant's stocking.

Gifts under $15

A Body Butter or Salt Scrub is a wonderful aroma therapeutic gift to really pamper a girlfriends' skin. Consider festive Candy Cane Salt Scrub!

Who doesn't use soap? All natural handcrafted soaps make great gifts, consider the Two Soaps Gift Set or Guest Soaps Gift Set. Or perhaps a soap and hand salve together.

Gifts $20-35 ...

Really want to pamper a girlfriend? Consider the Body Essentials Gift Sets in small for $19.75 or regular for $35.00. Comes in Coconut Mojito or Lavender. Contains three aroma therapeutic products: a salt scrub, a body butter, and a handmade soap.

The Body Essentials Gift Basket contains several aroma pampering products in a sweet little basket.

If you don't see exactly what fits in your budget here, contact me to discuss your gift giving needs at susanne@lavandedebois.com.

Body Butter -"lotion" without chemicals

Several years back, when I made a decision to eliminate chemicals from my life (as much as possible, as we have daily exposures that are out of our control) as with all my personal care products I started reading the labels on lotions. And I really couldn't find a lotion didn't have ANY harmful chemicals or preservatives. Lotions contain water and the introduction of water into a recipe requires the addition of preservatives.

Living in a dry climate the search for an alternative moisturizer was on. I started dabbling in making body butters almost from the start of my business. Several trials and pitfalls have led me to a long process of experimentation. I'm thrilled to now offer naturally good aroma therapeutic Body Butters in Grapefruit Twist, Coconut Mojito, and Lavender Mint.

For some, a Body Butter is just "too greasy", and that is an objection I understand, but for me the "greasiness" is worth it to avoid the chemicals. What I've discovered about personal care products is it's really about your threshold for chemical exposure. My threshold is zero. For most it's much higher than that. I've incorporated ingredients that offer wonderful moisturizing benefits for your skin but are easily absorbed by the skin within a few minutes. The best time to apply body butter is after getting out of the bath or shower. The warmth of your skin helps it smooth on. Get a dab out of the jar, warm it between your hands, then massage onto skin. I wait a few minutes for everything to absorb then finish dressing. It takes a little extra time but knowing I'm taking care of my skin without chemicals is worth the extra effort.

My body butter recipe incorporates a large percentage of Shea Butter, known for it's ability to nourish dry and sun damaged skin with Vitamins A, E, and F. It is known to be anti-inflammatory and has been used to heal scars and combat wrinkles. It is easily absorbed by your skin.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil adds soft coconut aroma and antioxidants known to limit damage to skin by free radicals. It is easily absorbed by the skin penetrating deeply into connective tissues to promote healing.

Kukui Nut Oil provides moisture and renewal to aged and dry skin without leaving a greasy feel. Contains Vitamins A, E and C, antioxidants that protect your skin.

Beeswax is commonly added to natural skin care products for a number of functions. It helps to lock in moisture as well as form a natural protective barrier on you skin. It also has a high melting point so the butter is less likely to melt if exposed to warm temperatures. And I just love the soft, warm and subtle sweet aroma it adds to any formulation.

And then I add a bit of Vitamin E and Rosemary Oleoresin Extract to extend the shelf-life of the oils. My butters are made in small batches and I ship only products that have plenty of shelf life left in them.

The finishing touch of any creation that comes from my studio is inspirational aroma. My personal favorite is Grapefruit Twist. Luscious sweet grapefruit essential oils combines gracefully with lavender and just a hint of basil for earthy, fresh, and sweet aroma.

Lavender Mint is a tried and true favorite in my product line. Lavender and mint combine superbly, a hint of cedarwood adds woodsiness to this sweet and herbaceous combination.

In my Coconut Mojito Body Butter, lime and spearmint combine beautifully and bring out the coconut undertones in the butter. Smells fresh and tropical, just picture yourself on that next tropical vacation!

Orders can be made online. For product inquiries contact me at susanne@lavandedebois.com.