Bellissima Holiday Shopping Guide Day 5: Soap Gift Sets

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Those gifts that are substantial and hefty enough to deserve their own spot under the tree!

But trust me, these won't even make even a minor dent in your wallet... you can feel confident in presenting thoughtful, meaningful, enchanting, gratifying gifts that won't break the bank.

First on the list? Soap, of course!

Soap is a great gift for everyone: practical yet decadent at the same time.

Handmade soap retains glycerin - a natural by-product of the soap-making process that most commercial brands remove and sell due to it's value - making handmade soap much more moisturizing and emollient than store-bought brands. It feels heavenly on the skin and really is a special, pampering treat. It can provide the same extravagant pleasure as an expensive trip to the spa.

And if you guive a man a bar of handmade cleansing pumice or coffee soap, shave soap or shampoo bar - trust me, he'll never want Lava, Barbasol or Suave again!

And Bellissima handmade soaps come in so many varieties, you're sure to find something for anyone: all-natural, botanical-infused, all-veggie oil, goat's milk, scented, utility and more!

We've put together a fabulous 4-piece Soap Gift Set that's sure to please! It comes with 2 bars of our delicious handmade soap - each more than 5oz huge! Each Set includes a pine soap deck and a netted bath sponge. We also add in our Handmade Soap Guidelines - helpful hints for using, storing and extending the life of your Handmade Soap!

Bellissima Handmade Soap 4pc Gift Sets are available at either http://BellissimaMinerals.etsy.com or http://www.bellissimatruccominerale.com

And be sure to check our previous post for lots of Promo Codes for Discounts valid for through Monday Only!

Bellissima Holiday Shopping Guide: Day 4 of Stocking Stuffers

And we're back to regular programming!

Still talking about Stocking Stuffers, too.

While just about everything we sell at Bellissima could fit into a stocking, they all don't qualify as stocking stuffers. And why is that?

Well, one very old legend of unknown origin tells the story of a nobleman who had lost everything after his wife died and was living as a peasant. He was quite poor and in need of dowries to marry off his three daughters. Saint Nicholas happened to be visiting the town and heard talk from the villagers of the family's dilemma. He knew the family would never accept charity, but decided to help anyway. He waited until the family was asleep and peeked through the window. He noticed the girls had hung their stockings by the fireplace to dry, and climbed down the chimney to drop gold coins in them - enough for each daughter to be able to marry. Thus, the very first Christmas Stockings were born.

There are other popular stories, too, but suffice it to say that they all involve footwear by the fireplace and small coins, balls or toys.

So, it's tradition to just use small gifts for stuffing stockings. And, it's what fits! Nowadays we save Stockings for just small-sized presents, usually inexpensive, designed to make the recipient smile.

And what's the most perfect Stocking Stuffer of all? Gift Certificates!

Bellissima is offering shop Gift Certificates this Holiday Season in a wide variety of denominations - from $10.00 up to $1,000,000.00 (just kidding...)!

They never expire, include the cost of shipping and are valid on everything in the Bellissima Shop! We can email a .pdf version for you to print out or snail-mail the real thing.

So if you need just one more thing to top off that stocking, Bellissima Gift Certificates are the way to go. You can find them at http://www.bellissimatruccominerale.com

And don't forget to check yesterday's post for lots of discount promo codes valid for this weekend only! Or this post for themed stocking stuffer gift ideas!

Stay tuned for more of the Bellissima Holiday Shopping Guide coming up!

Bellissima Holiday Shopping Guide: Day 2 of Stocking Stuffers

Okay, admit it: you know you’re getting socks and underwear for Christmas. Most of us do - whether we need them or not. Whether we want them or not.

Stockings are, in many households, predominately for filling with the necessities of life: batteries, razors, pens & pencils, toiletries and the aforementioned unmentionables.

But how do you give these types of gifts and avoid the inevitable look of utter disappointment?
Make it FUN! And make it an annual tradition.

My Mom made it fun by choosing undergarments with cool characters or fun designs - an awesome change from the pure white we were used to the rest of the year. She gift wrapped even the most mundane item, usually even more elaborately than the ’real’ gifts. And she made it a tradition by doing things like a variation on theme every year. One year our stocking might be filled with nothing but blue items or T-Shirts, the next year might be nothing but purple stuff or makeup!

But no matter what, we always looked forward to opening our stockings - in spite of the fact that we knew that there was a strong possibility that there’d be socks and underwear in there. And I try to keep it fun and build a tradition for my loved ones now, too.

Soap is one of those gifts that you can have fun with. And with our soap sample bars, you can have a blast! At just over 1 oz each, they’re both inexpensive and practical, and perfect for stuffing stockings. Here are some great ideas for themed stocking stuffing:

DIY-er or Car-Lover Gift Idea: Fill with handy tools, measuring tape, car wax, a nice chamois and a few sample size bars of our Orange & Tea Tree Mechanic’s Companion Pumice Soap.

Cook’s or Chef‘s Gift Idea: Fill with mini cookbooks, utensils, spices, oven mitts and a few sample size bars of our Black Diamond Coffee Kitchen Companion Hand Soap.

Fruit-Lover‘s Gift Idea: Fill with an apple corer, citrus peeler, small jars of jams or preserves and a few sample size bars of our Anjou Pear, Blackberry Hibiscus or Avocado & Lime Soap.

Gardener’s or Florist Gift Idea: Fill with a spade & trowel, gardening gloves, apron, seed packets and a few bars of our Red Rose & Ivy, Exotic Orchid, Flowers & Ferns or Lavender & Lemongrass Soap.

Dog-Lover’s Gift Idea: Fill with a pet brush, chew toys, pet treats, leash & collar and a few bars of our Comfrey & Tea Tree Oil Dog Shampoo Bar.

All-Natural Themed Stocking: Fill with organic snack bars, 100% cotton socks, hand-made paper stationary and a few bars of our Oatmeal, Milk & Honey, Triple Mint or Cracked Black Pepper Soap.

Hair-Care Themed Stocking: Fill with brushes and combs, bows, ribbons, clips, hair spay & styling gel and a few bars of our Amber Vanilla Shampoo & Body Bar.

Shave Themed Stocking: Fill with disposable razors, a cotton facial cloth, soothing aftershave or aloe gel and a few sample bars of our Chamomile Aloe Shave Soap.

The ideas are endless, really - and only limited to your imagination! Oh - and to make it easy and economical, we offer our Soap Sample Bars in 4-, 5-, 6-, 8- and 10-Pack Variety Stacks!

All of our Sample Size Soap Bars are available at:
www.bellissimatruccominerale.com
BellissimaMinerals.etsy.com
So have some fun this year, and start a tradition that will keep your family looking forward to opening their Stockings every Holiday Season!

Bellissima Holiday Shopping Guide: Day 1 of Stocking Stuffers

When I was a kid, I always saved my Christmas Stocking for opening last. I’d run and tear open the boxes under the tree as fast as I could - and it was exhilarating! But I’d always take my time with my Stocking. I’d carefully take each item out one at a time, trying not to peek at the next treasure underneath. I’d cherish every single gift, knowing it was special - thoughtfully chosen just for me.

And remembering the absolute joy they gave me, I always stuff stockings for my loved ones.

And I’m not the only one!

So for the start of the Bellissima Holiday Gift Guide, I thought I’d showcase some of those items ideal for stocking stuffers.

Bellissima Mineral Tinted Lip Butters fit all the prerequisites for the perfect stocking stuffer:

*They’re compact, leaving plenty of room for lots more treasure in the stocking
*Come individually wrapped
*Come in a variety of flavors and shades
*Are practical, but still a guilty pleasure
*Great for women of all ages

And Bellissima Lip Butters are chock full of fantastic ingredients, including sweet almond and coconut oil and lots of cocoa, mango and shea butter. They’re extra-emollient and moisturizing and are enriched with Vitamin E. Formulated with only the highest quality ingredients, they're the ultimate in promoting soft, supple, smooth lips. And with a hint of sheer color, they can be worn alone, under or over lipstick & lipliners.

From November 16th - 23rd only, I’m offering a Blog Reader’s Discount of 10% off of all Bellissima Mineral Tinted Lip Butters! Just enter the Promo Code: ‘STUFF' in the Message to Seller Box during checkout. We’ll either send you a revised invoice reflecting your discount or your discount will be refunded back to your account. I’m sorry, I cannot combine this with any other offer.

The Discount Code may be used at either of Bellissima’s Online Shops:
BellissimaMinerals.etsy.com
Or
www.bellissimatruccominerale.com

Tune in Tomorrow for more Stocking Stuffers from Bellissima’s Holiday Shopping Guide!