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7 Beautiful Holiday Soap Recipes

Posted by Kelly Handmade Soap, Holidays, Homemade Soap Recipes 45 comments
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Each year, I make a number of holiday soap recipes. They’re festive, fun, and beautiful. You definitely need to plan ahead so that they are hard enough to give as gifts and use for the Christmas season, but it’s not too late, even in November.

Not only can you make these Christmas soaps now, but you can also hot process them for instant use once these cool and harden. If you need to learn how to hot process, click here: Hot Processing Tutorial.

I love having holiday soaps in our kitchen and bathrooms. They add to the Christmas atmosphere of our home.  After all, every time you wash anything you get that great evergreen, cinnamon, clove, or other scents that make you think of the Holidays, whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just to uplift your spirits and help you get through the winter (Those who live in the north understand).

7 Homemade Holiday Soap Recipes - with cloves, cinnamon, fir, or peppermint

The big issue: How to make these soaps that remind you of the Holidays with all natural oils and NO Fragrance oils.  If you’ve been making soaps with Fragrance oils, I would suggest you read This Article to learn more about fragrance oils and their possible dangers.

It actually isn’t hard to create wonderful scents with essential oils.  There are so many essential oils with amazing scents and combining them creates even more options. 

Check out the 7 Homemade Holiday Soap Recipes below for some great ideas.

7 Homemade Holiday Soap Recipes

All of these soaps make a small batch (so you can try them all) of 3lbs.

Cloves and Orange Spice Soap

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz grass-fed beef tallow or lard
  • 8 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz olive oil
  • 5 oz cocoa butter
  • 4.7 oz lye
  • 12 oz cool water
  • 0.50 oz orange essential oil
  • 0.30 oz clove essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and cocoa butter in a large pot on medium until they are melted. remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and blend.
  5. Pour into a prepared mold and insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

Cocoa Mint Soap

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 11 oz olive oil
  • 9 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz cocoa butter
  • 5 oz castor oil
  • 4.4 oz lye
  • 11.8 oz cool water
  • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 oz peppermint essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and castor oil in a large pot on medium until they are melted. remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and blend.
  5. Remove an ounce of soap and stir in cocoa powder. Whisk until there are no clumps.
  6. Pour main batch of soap into a prepared mold. Pour cocoa soap back and forth over the mold and use a chopstick to swirl. Insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  7. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

7 Homemade Holiday Soap Recipes - with cloves, cinnamon, fir, or peppermint

Cinnamon and Honey Soap

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz grass-fed beef tallow or lard
  • 8 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz olive oil
  • 3 oz avocado oil
  • 4.7 oz lye
  • 12 oz cool water
  • 1 oz honey
  • 0.75 oz cinnamon leaf essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil in a large pot on medium until they are melted. Remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oil and honey and blend.
  5. Remove an ounce of soap and stir in honey. Whisk until there are no clumps.
  6. Pour soap into a prepared mold and insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  7. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Soap

Makes: 3lb, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz grass-fed beef tallow or lard
  • 8 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz olive oil
  • 5 oz cocoa butter
  • 4.4 oz lye
  • 12 oz cool water
  • 0.25 oz cinnamon leaf essential oil
  • 0.25 oz nutmeg essential oil
  • 0.15 oz ginger essential oil
  • 0.25 oz clove essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and cocoa butter in a large pot on medium until they are melted. Remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and blend.
  5. Pour the soap into a prepared mold and insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

Frankincense and Myrrh Soap

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 11 oz olive oil
  • 9 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz cocoa butter
  • 5 oz castor oil
  • 4.4 oz lye
  • 11.8 oz cool water
  • 0.50 oz orange essential oil
  • 0.30 oz frankincense essential oil
  • 0.30 oz myrrh essential oil

Directions:

  1. Combine olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and castor oil in a large pot on medium until they are melted. Remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and blend.
  5. Pour the soap into a prepared mold and insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

7 Homemade Holiday Soap Recipes - with cloves, cinnamon, fir, or peppermint

Fir and Rosemary Soap

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Instructions:

  • 16 oz grass-fed beef tallow or lard
  • 8 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz olive oil
  • 4.4 oz lye
  • 12 oz cool water
  • 0.50 oz fir needle essential oil
  • 0.50 oz rosemary essential oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon spirulina powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground, dried rosemary (optional)

Directions:

  1. Combine tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, and cocoa butter in a large pot on medium until they are melted. Remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and ground rosemary and blend.
  5. Remove 1/2 cup of soap to a separate bowl and add spirulina. Whisk until well blended.
  6. Pour main soap into a prepared mold. Pour green soap back and forth over the top. Use a chopstick to swirl.
  7. Insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  8. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

Holiday Fresh

Makes: 3lbs, 5% superfat

Ingredients:

  • 11 oz olive oil
  • 9 oz coconut oil
  • 6 oz cocoa butter
  • 5 oz castor oil
  • 4.4 oz lye
  • 11.8 oz cool water
  • 0.40 oz basil essential oil
  • 0.50 oz lemon essential oil
  • 0.15 oz ginger essential oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon green or blue spirulina powder

Directions:

  1. Combine coconut oil, olive oil, cocoa butter, and castor oil in a large pot on medium until they are melted. Remove from heat and cool until around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Weigh lye in a disposable bag. Weigh water in a separate dish. Take both outside wearing protective gloves, mask, and glasses. Pour the lye into the water and stir until it is dissolved. Allow it to cool to around 90 degree Fahrenheit.
  3. When both oils and lye water are cooled, pour lye water into oils and blend on and off with a stick blender until the soap reaches light trace. (Learn more about trace here.)
  4. Add essential oils and spirulina and blend.
  5. Pour the soap into a prepared mold and insulate as needed for 24 hours.
  6. Remove from mold and cut. Cure for 3-6 weeks, depending on desired hardness.

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45 comments

About Kelly

Kelly is the author of number one best seller The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners and Easy Soap Making. She's also written multiple ebooks on herbal remedies and natural bath and body DIYs. Her journey toward better health has inspired her to make things in and around the home from scratch, start a homestead, and become more resourceful when it comes to health and home. She shares her recipes and DIYs here on Simple Life Mom and has a shop where she sells products for those who would rather buy than make (SimpleLifeMom.com/shop).

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45 comments

Leave your reply.
  • Vickie
    · Reply

    December 12, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Mmmmm… I can smell them now! I think the Fir and Rosemary would be my favorite, but then Clove and Orange Spice would come in a close second! Thanks for these recipes! I have just started “soaping” and am thoroughly hooked!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 12, 2014 at 5:59 PM

      I love the fir and rosemary!! I’m a big frankincense and myrrh fan too though. 🙂

  • nicole
    · Reply

    December 12, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    love pretty soaps! and love simple. I’m picky but simple!!!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 12, 2014 at 5:58 PM

      Ha ha, I know what you mean 🙂

  • Lilly's Mom
    · Reply

    December 13, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    Thank you so so much for sharing these great recipes to make soap. I’m going to pass this info onto my daughter who loves to makes things like this! They would make wonderful Christmas gifts 🙂

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 13, 2014 at 10:53 PM

      Yes, I just had someone request them as their gift today 🙂

  • Cinnamon Vogue
    · Reply

    December 13, 2014 at 3:05 PM

    Love the cinnamon soap recipe. Cinnamon is well known to reduce hair loss and stimulate hair growth so this would be great for that. Cinnamon in it’s leaf oil form is apparently what works by stimulating blood circulation on the scalp that creates better conditions for hair regeneration. Of course try to use good quality steam distilled Ceylon Cinnamon Leaf Oil.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 13, 2014 at 11:05 PM

      Yes, only you have to be very careful. I got cinnamon bark essential oil on my hand once and it felt like being stung by a wasp. Cinnamon leaf is definitely milder and very good for you in many ways. Plus it reminds me of Christmas. 🙂

  • Jennifer
    · Reply

    May 12, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    Is there another oil you recommend using besides the beef tallow? Maybe olive oil, soybean oil, ect..?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      May 12, 2015 at 10:39 AM

      Tallow is a hard fat, making a harder soap. You cannot simply swap it out with another oil without adjusting other ingredients. You can substitute Palm oil for tallow though.

  • Karen
    · Reply

    November 19, 2015 at 1:41 AM

    Just found your site, and I was wondering if Beef Tallow was Crisco?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 19, 2015 at 8:23 AM

      Tallow is Beef. Lard is Pork. Crisco is soybean (gmo with heavy pesticides) and palm oil.

      • Christina
        · Reply

        November 3, 2024 at 9:56 AM

        Could you sub Bear Tallow in place of Beef Tallow or Pork Lard?

        • Kelly
          · Reply

          Author
          November 3, 2024 at 9:57 AM

          I’m sure you can, though that’s not something I’ve ever had as a resource. Now I’m curious 🤗

  • Vicki Green
    · Reply

    December 7, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    I’ve never tried making soap, but this sounds like a wonderful project for the holidays.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 7, 2015 at 9:49 AM

      Great! Let me know if you have any questions.

  • Katey
    · Reply

    December 8, 2015 at 10:21 PM

    I was just asking about oils and soap…not sure I want to use my expensive ones. Great post!!

  • Julie
    · Reply

    August 15, 2016 at 7:16 PM

    Hi, I was wondering where you buy your grass fed Tallow at? There is not a link?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      August 16, 2016 at 8:44 AM

      I get it from a friend. You can ask around at some farms if you don’t know someone.

  • Jess
    · Reply

    October 1, 2016 at 9:45 AM

    Mmm…I can smalle them now! 🙂

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

  • Anne @ Domesblissity
    · Reply

    October 19, 2016 at 4:03 AM

    What gorgeous recipes Kelly. I want to make soap for Christmas gifts this year so your post is very timely. Thanks so much for sharing at Thriving on Thursdays last week. I’m featuring your post at tomorrow’s party. Thanks again. I know what I’ll be doing this week!

    Anne @ Domesblissity

  • Leny
    · Reply

    November 9, 2016 at 11:41 AM

    Hi! ´d like to know wich oil can I use instead tallow, lard or palm oil. I better preffer something organic. Thank you very much for your advise.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 9, 2016 at 12:08 PM

      I render my own fat from grass fed cattle. A lot of time you can look online for farmers around you and ask them if they have suet for you to render for the tallow. Otherwise you need to change the entire recipe. Look for a castille soap recipe. It is mainly olive oil. Of course, olive oil has been controverial lately as well.

  • Cristina
    · Reply

    November 20, 2016 at 4:58 PM

    So I stumbled on your blog while looking for recipes for DIY soaps to give my family for Christmas. This is my first time doing soap and I’m curious if the ingredients would work in melt-and-pour soap bases. I bought a goat’s milk one and want to stick with that for my first soap trial.

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 20, 2016 at 8:08 PM

      Sure, you can use the base and then add any essential oils or natural coloring, just pay attention to any volume difference so you know how to adjust the amount of e.oils.

  • Yoshy Mutiart
    · Reply

    September 19, 2017 at 9:11 PM

    Dear Kelly. Thank you for the great recipes. I tried the basic soap and waiting for them to cured.
    Now i’m ready to make the Christmas gift but I can’t find beef tallow here, what should I replace the tallow with?
    Thank you

  • Kat Ponds
    · Reply

    October 23, 2017 at 12:00 PM

    Kelly, these are some great recipes! Can I replace the 20 oz grass-fed beef tallow or lard with olive oil?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      October 23, 2017 at 1:19 PM

      No, it will completely change the recipe and how much lye is needed. It also makes a softer and less bubbly bar. You can take it as a starting point and run it through a lye calculator like on soapcalc.net. Just change it to ounces and add the ingredients and amounts, then make your changes and see what the next page tells you about your recipe (how much lye and water you’ll need plus if it’s hard, bubbly, etc.).

  • Janet Everhart
    · Reply

    October 19, 2021 at 2:18 PM

    can the beef tallow be exchanged for the same weight of coconut oil?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      October 21, 2021 at 8:25 PM

      No. You can replace tallow with palm flakes, but not with coconut oil.

  • Veronica
    · Reply

    December 5, 2021 at 9:01 AM

    Hi I love to page and all the things that you do, but I’m vegetarian and I want to know if I can change the tallow, and what can I use ? Thanks a lot!!!!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 5, 2021 at 1:27 PM

      There’s not a direct one to one, so the easiest thing to do is to use one of my vegan recipes. You can then use the scents and designs from the other recipes but use the vegan recipe as a base. Here’s a link: https://simplelifemom.com/2021/10/18/4-holiday-homemade-soap-recipes/

  • Kelly
    · Reply

    November 28, 2022 at 10:51 PM

    Hello! The fir and rosemary recipe does not say when to put in the spirulina and rosemary powder. Holiday fresh does not mention the spirulina either. My guess is at the stick blending part, is that correct? Thanks!

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      November 29, 2022 at 11:43 PM

      Thanks for the catch. Yes, it depends if you want to create a swirl or color the whole batch. Instructions are above.

  • Terry
    · Reply

    December 4, 2022 at 3:16 PM

    I have always interchanged the tallow and lard, depending which one i have, with the same amount and they always come out perfectly with no change in any other ingredients. Love your recipes
    When do you add the ground rosemary in the fir a d rosemary recipe?

    • Kelly
      · Reply

      Author
      December 5, 2022 at 3:47 PM

      That’s optional, but if you want to add rosemary, make sure it’s very dry and add at trace for a speckled look throughout the soap.

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