The Gift Problem We’ve All Experienced
Hey friends! Stacie here. Let me tell you about the candle graveyard in my house.
The scenario: Every holiday, every birthday, I get candles. Nice candles. Expensive candles. Candles I’ll “use someday.”
The reality: They sit in a drawer. Unopened. Because I already have 17 candles from LAST year.
Here’s what I realized: People don’t need MORE stuff that sits on a shelf looking pretty. They need gifts they’ll actually USE. Daily. Gifts that make their life better, their skin softer, their stress lower.
That’s why I’m sharing this gift guide. Not because I want to sell you stuff (okay, maybe a little!), but because after 10+ years of craft shows, I’ve watched people buy these products as gifts—and then come back the next year to tell me, “She LOVED it! She uses it every day!”
These are the gifts that don’t get re-gifted. They get USED.
Why Self-Care Gifts Are Better Than Candles
Let me be honest: Candles are easy. You can grab one anywhere. They’re safe, neutral, inoffensive.
But here’s what I’ve learned from customers who buy our products as gifts:
1. Self-Care Gifts Show You Actually Care
When you give someone handmade soap or body butter, you’re saying: “I want you to feel pampered. I want your skin to feel soft. I want you to have a moment of luxury every single day.”
That’s different from: “Here’s a candle I grabbed at Target.”
2. They Get Used Daily
How often do you light a candle? Maybe once a week? Special occasions?
How often do you use soap? EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Real feedback from a customer at Williams Grove: “I gave your Lavender Goat Milk soap to my mom for Mother’s Day. She calls me every week to tell me how soft her skin feels. Best gift I ever gave her!”
3. They’re Unique (But Not Weird)
The gift sweet spot: Unique enough to feel special, familiar enough to not be weird.
Our handmade products hit that perfectly. People know what soap is. People know what body butter is. But HANDMADE, natural, small-batch versions? That feels special.
The Best Self-Care Gifts (Based on 10+ Years of Craft Show Feedback)
Let me share the products people buy MOST OFTEN as gifts—and why they’re so popular.
1. Whipped Body Butter - The “Everyday Luxury” Gift
Why people love giving this:
- Feels luxurious (that fluffy, cloud-like texture!)
- Smells incredible (especially Signature Scent - chocolate & honeysuckle)
- Comes in a pretty jar (presentation matters!)
- Actually WORKS (all-day moisture)
Who it’s perfect for:
- Moms who never buy “nice things” for themselves
- Friends dealing with dry winter skin
- Anyone who deserves daily pampering
Real story: A customer bought 6 jars of our Signature Scent body butter for her book club Christmas exchange. Three of those women came to our next craft show to buy MORE. That’s the gift that keeps giving!
Price point: Affordable luxury (feels expensive, isn’t crazy expensive)
2. Lotion Bars - The “Travel-Friendly Skincare” Gift
Why this gift is genius:
- No spills! (Solid moisturizer in a tin)
- TSA-friendly (take it anywhere)
- Lasts FOREVER (2-3 months with daily use)
- Multiple scents (Cocoa Butter, Lavender, Mango, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Pumpkin)
Who it’s perfect for:
- Travelers
- Busy moms (won’t leak in purse or diaper bag)
- Anyone with dry hands
- Teachers (keep it in their desk!)
Gift tip: Buy 2-3 different scents and create a custom gift set!
3. Soap Sets - The “Something for Everyone” Gift
Why soap sets make great gifts:
- You can customize (pick scents they’ll love)
- Beautiful presentation
- Everyone uses soap
- Handmade = special
Popular combinations:
- Relaxation Set: Lavender Goat Milk + Honey Donkey (unscented)
- Energizing Set: Beach Bum + a facial bar
- Gentle Care Set: Honey Goat Oat + Honey Donkey (perfect for sensitive skin)
Who it’s perfect for:
- Literally anyone
- Great for “hard to buy for” people
- Co-workers, neighbors, teachers
4. Vapor Bear Balm - The “Thoughtful & Practical” Gift
Why this gift surprises people:
- It’s natural vapor rub (safe for kids!)
- Actually WORKS for congestion
- Smells amazing (eucalyptus & peppermint)
- Shows you pay attention (perfect for someone who’s always dealing with colds)
Who it’s perfect for:
- Parents of young kids
- Anyone prone to sinus issues
- People who appreciate practical gifts
Real feedback: “I gave this to my sister who has 3 kids. She texted me at 2am saying it’s the only thing that helps her toddler sleep when he’s congested. I’m buying 5 more for other mom friends!”
5. Lip Care Sets - The “Stocking Stuffer That Gets Used” Gift
Lip Balm + Lip Scrub combo = perfect small gift
Why it works:
- Everyone needs lip care (especially Central PA winters!)
- Small, affordable, thoughtful
- Multiple scents available
- Perfect for stockings, gift bags, “just because”
Who it’s perfect for:
- Stocking stuffers
- Teacher appreciation
- Secret Santa
- Add-on to a bigger gift
How to Create the Perfect Self-Care Gift Set
Want to level up your gift game? Create a custom set! Here’s what I recommend:
The “Spa Night at Home” Set
- 1 jar Whipped Body Butter (Signature Scent or customer’s favorite)
- 1 bar Lavender Goat Milk soap
- 1 Sugar Scrub
- 1 Lotion Bar (Lavender)
Total vibe: Luxurious, pampering, “take care of yourself”
The “Winter Survival” Set
- 1 Cocoa Lotion Bar
- 1 Honey Donkey soap (ultra-gentle)
- 1 Vapor Bear Balm
- 1 Lip Balm
Total vibe: Practical, thoughtful, “I know PA winters are brutal”
The “New Mom Care Package”
- 1 Honey Donkey soap (unscented, gentle for baby too!)
- 1 Whipped Body Butter (unscented or mild scent)
- 1 Lotion Bar (no spills in diaper bag!)
- 1 Vapor Bear Balm (for when baby gets first cold)
Total vibe: “I see you, I support you, here’s something to make life easier”
The “Just Because You’re Awesome” Set
- 1 Whipped Soap (fun fluffy texture!)
- 1 Whipped Body Butter (pick their favorite scent)
- 1 Lip Scrub
Total vibe: Fun, unique, “you deserve nice things”
Gift-Giving Tips from 10+ Years of Craft Shows
Tip 1: Scent Matters
If you’re not sure about scent preferences:
- Go unscented (Honey Donkey soap, unscented body butter)
- Choose universally loved scents (Lavender, Cocoa Butter)
- Ask! “Do you like floral scents or food scents?”
Tip 2: Presentation is Easy
Our products already look gift-ready:
- Body butter comes in pretty jars
- Lotion bars come in tins
- Soaps can be tied with ribbon
Add a simple note card explaining what it is and how to use it = perfect gift!
Tip 3: When in Doubt, Give What YOU Love
The best gifts come from personal experience. If you LOVE our Signature Scent body butter and use it daily—give THAT. Your enthusiasm shows.
Tip 4: Multiple Small Gifts > One Big Generic Gift
Instead of one $50 generic gift basket, give 3-4 of our products ($8-15 each) that you KNOW they’ll use. More thoughtful, more personal, more appreciated.
Real Stories: Gifts That Made an Impact
At East Pennsboro Pumpkinfest, a woman told me this story:
“I gave my mother-in-law your Lavender Goat Milk soap last Christmas. She’s HARD to buy for—always says she doesn’t need anything. But she called me two weeks later to ask where I got it because she’d never had soap that made her skin feel so soft. Now I buy her 6 bars every year. It’s OUR thing now.”
At Central Dauphin craft show, a dad bought our Vapor Bear Balm after his wife recommended it:
“My wife bought this last year when our daughter had a cold. It’s the only thing that helped her sleep. I’m buying 3 more—one for us, one for my sister’s family, one for daycare to keep in her cubby.”
These are the gifts people remember. Not because they’re expensive or flashy, but because they’re USEFUL and THOUGHTFUL.
Shop Self-Care Gifts for Everyone on Your List
All our products are handmade in small batches in Enola, PA using natural ingredients.
Shop online:
Visit in person:
- Carlisle Creative Vibes (152 N Hanover St, Carlisle, PA) - We can help you create custom gift sets!
Need help choosing the perfect gift? Message us on Facebook or visit our Contact page. I LOVE helping people find gifts their recipients will actually use!
Stay connected:
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for gift ideas and seasonal specials
- Join our mailing list for exclusive gift guides and holiday deals
— Stacie (Momma Bears Creations, Enola PA)
P.S. - The best compliment I get at craft shows? “I bought this as a gift last year and she loved it SO much that I’m back to buy more!” That’s when I know we’re making products that actually matter to people’s daily lives. That’s the goal.
See also
- Surviving Central PA Winters: What Actually Works for Dry, Cracked Skin
- Teacher Appreciation Gifts They'll Actually Love (From a Mom Who's Been There)
- The Perfect Gift for Someone Who Has Everything (Hint: It's Not More Stuff)
- Our Exclusive Fall Scents are Debuting at Pumpkin Fest 2025!
- 5 Cozy Fall Self-Care Rituals for Busy Central PA Moms