I name my readers. I’ve always done it. I create semi-fictional reader profiles that combine people I know, and I keep them in mind as I write. I write as if I’m talking directly to them—thinking about what they’d want to know, the questions they might ask, and what would keep them reading.
This habit makes my voice conversational. I picture Alex the Budget-Conscious, Babs the Simplicity-Focused, Dora the Green Newbie, and Jonah the Deep Greenster as I write.
I leaned into this practice while writing Soap & Soul. I kept those reader profiles nearby to ensure each of them would find something they’d enjoy in the book.
Gifts for My Readers
Now that the book is out, I hope each of those imagined readers finds the passages that speak to them. With them in mind, I put together themed gift-basket ideas inspired by the book: each basket includes bookmarked pages relevant to that interest and a selection of complementary items. These bundles are things I’d love to receive myself, since the different reader types are also parts of me—the Reader, the Gardener, the Animal Lover, and more. Use these suggestions to assemble thoughtful gifts for the people you care about.
Basket 1: For the Story Lover
This basket suits the person who ends each day curled up in a favorite chair, transported by the pages of a book. Many of the chapter openings and narratives in Soap & Soul were written with this reader in mind. Those stories gave the book its life and made it more than a collection of recipes.
Of the stories I tell, the Kitchen chapter—about my parents—is especially fun, and the Afterword about family transitions feels most poignant to me. I felt honored that my family allowed me to share these memories, aware that each person remembers the same events in different ways.
Ideas for The Reader’s Basket
- Soap & Soul
- Bookmarked to page 141: The Kitchen, the story of my parents
- A cozy wrap
- Fuzzy socks
- Heatable rice bag
- A local artisan-made mug
- Fair Trade tea, coffee, or cocoa
- Magic Chocolate
Basket 2: For the Animal Lover
This is an easy basket for me—I’ve always lived with furry companions. In The Backyard chapter I share stories about my black lab Tucker and his mischievous “gifts,” and about Sadie, our one-ear-up pup whose puppyhood exuberance shows up throughout the book.
Ideas to Put in The Animal Lover’s Basket
- Soap & Soul
- Bookmarked to page 186: The Backyard
- Toys
- Treats (freeze-dried salmon bites are a big hit)
- Food and water bowls or treat containers (a stylish upgrade is nice)
- Sturdy harness, leash, or collar
- Matching apparel for human and pet (fun and available)
- Collar bow ties or flowers for special occasions
- Journal for recording funny pet anecdotes
- Animal-lover water bottle
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap for bath time (peppermint or eucalyptus recommended)
- GIY No-Chew Spray (recipe in the book: 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup white vinegar)
Basket 3: The Gardener’s Basket
I garden in spurts and rely on nature’s resilience. Gardening is therapeutic for me—digging into soil and watching life grow feels renewing. I’m always amazed that nature can produce beauty and food seemingly out of nowhere. Time spent pruning, watering, and weeding leaves me feeling synced with something larger. The Backyard chapter opens with the John Burroughs quote: “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
Ideas to Put in The Gardener’s Basket
- Soap & Soul
- Bookmarked to page 193 (Garden Spray) or page 152 (Produce Wash)
- Trowel and pruner (sturdy tools make a difference)
- Seeds
- Plant labeling stakes
- Spray bottle and recipe to make Garden Spray
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap to make the spray (peppermint suggested)
- Gardening apron
- Kneeling pad
- Journal for tracking plant successes, failures, diagrams, and schedules
- A sturdy harvesting basket
Basket 4: The Pampering Personal Care Basket
Most mornings my personal-care routine is practical, but I relish the rare mornings I can slow down—soaking, exfoliating, moisturizing, breathing deeply. Those rituals help my spirit unwind as I care for my body. This basket includes body-care items and, more importantly, permission to take time for oneself.
Ideas to Put in The Personal Care Basket
- Soap & Soul
- Bookmarked to page 45: Recipes and How-Tos for Body Care
- Homemade GIY sugar scrub (recipe on page 56)
- A loofah or body brush
- Essential oils to personalize GIY recipes
- Gloves and socks for overnight hand and foot treatments
- A lavender rice bag to encourage deep breathing and relaxation
- Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap (Almond is a favorite) or Organic Sugar Soap (Peppermint or Lemongrass Lime)
- Dr. Bronner’s Arnica-Menthol Balm (handy for sore spots)
- Dr. Bronner’s Hair Crème for deep conditioning and light leave-in styling
Basket 5: For the New Parent or New Baby
This really covers two different gift ideas: one for the baby and one for the parent. New parents and newborns both need extra care and support. Each of my three children arrived under different circumstances, and the needs changed with each stage: the first baby required a lot of gear, the second required more logistical support, and with the third I felt more balanced in meeting both our needs. Still, babies are simpler than marketing suggests—they don’t require as many products as it feels like at the moment.
Ideas to Put in The New Parent/New Baby Basket
For the Baby
- Thin cotton “flour sack” blankets (incredibly useful)
- A cuddly stuffed animal
- A simple, bright toy
- A board book (Guess How Much I Love You? is a personal favorite)
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Bar Soap in Unscented or Lavender
- Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Organic Magic Balm
For the Parent
- Slippers for late-night comfort
- A cozy blanket
- Gift cards for meal delivery, house care, or yard care
- Vouchers for babysitting to allow a parents’ night out
- Tea (or something stronger for very tired nights)
- A bundle of Magic Chocolate
- Dr. Bronner’s Lip Balm (Orange Ginger is a favorite)
- Dr. Bronner’s Hand Sanitizer
- Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner for tough messes
A recurring theme in the book is Green-It-Yourself (GIY): taking control of what surrounds you by making products that fit your preferences. These basket ideas are perfect for GIY adaptations—customize recipes and items to suit your recipient. What would you add?
*Green-It-Yourself
Further reading:
- 15 Ideas for Consumable, Sustainable & Homemade Gifting
- Gift Tags for Gifting Dr. Bronner’s
- About my book, Soap & Soul
Sal Suds cleaner shows >60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593.