Soap as a gift: how to give solid soap and shampoo bars beautifully

A soap gift is one of the most reliable presents there is: small, smells lovely, almost always gets used and suits almost any occasion, from Secret Santa to a thank you for the neighbour. Two things can go wrong, though. Without wrapping it can look a little half-hearted, and after three days it may end up as a soft lump in a soap dish. Here is how to give solid soap and shampoo bars beautifully, and how to keep the soap enjoyable afterwards.

Which soap makes a good gift?

Before you start wrapping, spare a thought for the person receiving it.

• Lavender is the classic: gentle, familiar and liked by most people.
• Fresh, herbal scents work well in the shower and for anyone who is not keen on florals.
• Mild or unscented is the safe choice if you are not sure how sensitive their skin is.
• Children's soaps in fun shapes make hand washing more exciting. We stock My Happy Cow, Pig and Tiger, for example, handmade and suitable from age 3.
• A shampoo bar is a good way in for anyone curious about solid hair care, for instance from Skargard.

If you are specifically looking for a natural soap gift, check the ingredients on the pack or product page. That tells you what is really inside, whatever the front of the label says.

How to wrap solid soap: 4 simple ideas

1. Wrap it in fabric

A square scarf, a nice tea towel or an offcut of fabric is all you need. Place the bar in the middle, knot opposite corners, done. The cloth becomes a second present.

2. Brown paper and string

Brown paper, cotton string and a sprig of rosemary or dried lavender. It looks handmade and costs next to nothing. Old sheet music, maps or book pages work just as well.

3. A small box

A large matchbox, an empty tea tin or a little card box from a craft shop. Add some wood wool or crumpled tissue paper and sit the soap on top.

4. A tag with the scent

A small card with the scent, the name of the soap and one line on why you picked it. That turns a little extra into a personal gift.

Keeping the gifted soap from going mushy

Solid soap has one enemy: standing water. If it sits in a dish without drainage or on the edge of the shower, the underside turns soft and the bar wears away faster. A few tips you can pass on with the gift:

• Let the soap drip off briefly after use.
• Keep it out of the direct spray of the shower.
• Store it so air can reach it from all sides.

That is exactly what Soapi, a magnetic soap holder, is for. A bottle cap, for example from a cola or beer bottle, is pressed halfway into the bar. The soap then hangs from the magnet on the wall and dries all round. It stays firmer, lasts longer, and the sink stays clean. Soapi sticks on with a waterproof adhesive pad, no drilling, to tiles, glass, mirrors or stainless steel, and holds bars up to 250 g. Step by step instructions are in our Guide & FAQ.

Soap gift set: bar plus holder

Pairing a bar with a holder is what turns a piece of soap into a complete present. The simplest option is the Soapi Starter Kit for €14.95: a Soapi in the colour of your choice, a lavender soap from Marseille, 100 g, handmade in Marseille, and a cleaned bottle cap. Everything included and ready to go. All you need to do is wrap it.

A Soapi on its own costs €12.95 and comes in 10 colours, from cream white to petrol and peach. The holder cannot rust because the magnet is fully enclosed in plastic, and it comes with a 10 year durability guarantee. Since 2023 it has been sold in more than 250 shops and holds 4.88 out of 5 stars from over 1,600 reviews.

Mix & Match: build your own soap gift set

If you need more than one present or would rather choose yourself, Mix & Match is the better value option: pick 5 products, pay €50, free shipping within Germany. For example:

• Bathroom set for two: 2 Soapis, a soap from Marseille, a shower bar from KLAR and a shampoo bar from Skargard.
• Family set: 2 Soapis, 2 children's soaps from My Happy Cow, Pig or Tiger and a soap from Grete Manufaktur.
• Five small presents: 5 Soapis in different colours, each wrapped with a bar from your own stash.

You will find every bar you can combine in Soaps & Shampoos.

Frequently asked questions

Can a shampoo bar hang on Soapi too?

Yes. The bottle cap is pressed halfway into the shampoo bar in the same way. Shampoo bars in particular benefit from drying between washes.

Should I press the bottle cap into the soap before giving it?

You can, but you do not have to. Many people prefer to wrap soap, cap and Soapi separately so the recipient gets to do the first step themselves.

Does it work on any wall?

On any smooth surface such as tiles, glass, stainless steel, ceramic or mirrors. Please do not stick it to painted or wallpapered walls.

In short

Solid soap makes a lovely present when it is nicely wrapped and can hang dry afterwards. You get it ready made in the Starter Kit, or several presents in one go with Mix & Match. More ideas: Sustainable gifts: what to look for and Small Christmas gifts for colleagues.