My aunt makes hand made soaps and I was planning on using them for the bridal shower. However, I love the idea as a reception favor that would fit the time of the year (a warm autumnal scent with a hint of pine).
As a guest, would this be something you would want to take home? Also, it's an organic based product so skin irritations would be at a minimum and ingredients would be listed on them.
Thanks!
Re: Take home Soaps?
It sounds nice, but I would not take one. I have super sensitive skin and can basically use one kind of soap, unfortunately.
Favors aren't necessary, so this could be one area where you save money (and your aunt's time).
Just because something is organic doesn't mean it can't irritate skin. Depending on what she uses to create that "warm autumn scent", it can absolutely cause skin irritation. Certain essential oils (cinnamon, clove, lemon verbena, peppermint, ginger, wintergreen, and yes, also pine) are well known for having a higher chance of being a skin irritant. That said...
There's a chance that the soap lovers will be willing to take the extras of the soap haters since it is something that can be used without lying around. I hang around with a group of like-minded folks who love this kind of stuff. But, I also know a fair amount of people who would be put off by scented soap or just wouldn't care. And also, I know a lot of people who just wouldn't use bar soap. In fact, I hardly know anyone who actually buys bar soap anymore, including myself unless it was something extra extra special that I loved (say Karma from Lush or something from Moonalisa) or some solid shampoos. Most of my friends are actually squicked out by the idea of bar soap - it rarely fully dries between uses, you have to keep it on a rack or it gets mushy, if they share a shower or sink they don't like the idea of using the same soap as someone else, etc. Not saying it necessarily makes sense, just that's the perception. Nearly everyone I know uses liquid soap/body wash and unless they have a soapdish, probably aren't going to be inclined to use a bar of soap.
I had a friend make me a lovely gift basket one Christmas. In addition to some incredible homemade baked goods, she included some soaps and a pot potpourri hot pad. All the foods had to be tossed because the taste had been influenced by the soaps and potpourri.
I'm late - but also in the "I wouldn't"... Pine is actually a common allergen for those of us unlucky saps with a "Mixed tree" allergy... Also - sensitive skin (hypoallergenic doesn't mean anything - if someone's going to react to an ingredient they're going to react!)... And finally - if the scent is strong, it can trigger asthma...
Then I'd probably want to take a million, because I love soaps and whatnot.
I'll keep a better eye out. I didn't notice how slow some of these boards are!