Although it’s not yet Halloween, and I am still flying high from the highly anticipated Hocus Pocus 2, it’s beginning to smell like Christmas in the soap studio. To keep up with the demands of retail, we are often months ahead of the holiday schedule. I’m still in a pumpkin spice mindset, but as sure as Christmas is coming, holiday products have to be made. This year, our holiday line-up is fun, nostalgic, and exciting.
Three of our soap family’s favorite holiday classic scents will make their return. The Bean’s Christmas favorite, Elf Fart, is completed and on the drying rack. Because this scent is a custom blend created by my favorite blue-eyed elf, we won’t ever have to worry about it being discontinued. We are also making those “God-forsaken Snowmen.” I swear every year will be the last for these labor-intensive pains in the… you get the picture.
However, every year The Bibbed Wonder sneaks them onto the to-do list. Today, the round soaps for the snowmen will be made. Monday, I will sit with gloves and a hypodermic needle eeking out droplets of hot soap into tiny little holes to make faces and buttons. Curse my creative ideas! Sigh. Monday, my crass but humorous husband will commend me on my ability to string together a barrage of curse words that would make satan blush. How’s that for holiday cheer? Mostly I gest, but I dread snowman-making day in the studio.
On a cheerier note, we are also bringing back the much-favored Comfort and Joy. I love this scent. Making this holiday soap puts a smile on my face. I adore this scent so much that every year I contemplate making it a permanent fixture in our product line. To date, the Head of Production and I cannot come to an agreement. Don’t worry; we will continue negotiating, and I plan to bring in my heavy-hitting contract negotiator. Insert a wink; although she be but little, she is fierce.
The new addition to our holiday line is another creative collaboration between myself and my favorite bean. Jordan adores The Grinch. This Dr. Suess classic has been her favorite since she was tiny. It matters not which version, be it the classic, the Jim Carey, or the latest release; she adores this story. We watch all versions at least twice during the holiday season. We are trying our hand at a Grinch soap to give the nod to my bean’s holiday favorite, add a bit of nostalgia, and embrace the Christmas Spirit. When I saw Mad Mica’s Maniacal Pea mica, I knew we had to make a Grinch soap. We created a custom blend oil scented with cranberry, orange, a hint of pine, and a pinch of mint. This scent reminds me of the smell of the retro ribbon candy that came in the fancy box, Christmas trees with vintage bubble lights, winter fruits in crates, and icy winter days. It reminds me of the Christmases of my childhood. The Bibbed Wonder wants to call it Humbug. I call it Pure Nostalgia.
We are also making Snow Angel complete with a sparkling snowflake on top. This soft powdery scent is a close second to my favorite winter scent. I am using my last jar of Snow Angel moisturizer as we speak. Curly-ques, glitter, embeds, and stamps will make all these soaps beautiful and gift-worthy. I do enjoy our holiday soaps.
We continue to strive to create clean, healthful, unique, memorable, one-of-a-kind products to make your gift-giving easier. We are working to finalize a new and exciting gift-giving option and collaborating to create some limited edition holiday products. Please stay tuned. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
As you celebrate the beauty of the fall season and prepare for the spooky season, we have one foot in Halloween and the other foot in Christmas. It’s a precarious balance. However, for the most part, it’s a job we enjoy, aside from the F!@#$#g snowmen…insert wink.
As always, dear reader, stay safe, be smart; we hope you are excited about the upcoming holidays and keep washing your hands.