Holiday Products and Packaging

Ah, November and December ... Did you know that a total of 13 major holidays are celebrated within these months worldwide?

- DEBBIE POORE

These 13 major holidays all share something in common. It is a time to share with family, loved ones, friends and strangers. It is a time for giving and creating memories. A time to celebrate. A time to show gratitude. A time to be thankful. Though many of these things do not come with a pretty bow, if you plan to give a gift, why not make it extra special and package it beautifully? I still remember the excitement I felt as a child seeing those colorfully wrapped packages on Christmas morning. Who am I fooling? I still get excited!

Gifts are normally packaged in a box or a bag. Since we make bath and body or wax products and many of us sell our goods, let's learn to make both boxes and bags.

We will start with what I call a body buffer. It cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin, smells great and lasts up to 20 showers.

For each body buffer, you need:

• 224 grams of clear melt and pour soap chopped into chunks
• 3 grams shea butter or butter of choice
• Spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol
• Skin-safe fragrance oil. I am using 2%. Check the IFRA of your fragrance oil to determine a safe usage rate.
• Sponge on a rope.
• A container large enough to melt the soap and dip the sponge into.
• Something to hang the sponges from until dry.
• Scissors, or X-Acto knife to cut cardstock
• Scoring tool or the flat side of a butter knife
• Cardstock 
• Ruler
• Clear glue, and/or double-sided clear tape 
• Paper shred (optional)
• Decorative ribbon, bells, ornaments, tags, as desired. The possibilities are endless.

Body Buffer Instructions:

1. Weigh all ingredients.

2. Place the melt and pour soap into the container.

3. Melt in 30-second bursts in the microwave until almost completely melted.

4. Add shea butter and stir gently until everything is melted.