I name my readers. I’ve always done it. I create semi-fictional reader profiles that combine traits from people I know, and I picture them as I write. Thinking about what they’d want to know, what questions they’d have, and what would keep them reading helps me shape a conversational tone.
That’s why my writing often feels like a conversation with Alex the Budget-Conscious, Babs the Simplicity-Focused, Dora the Green Newbie, and Jonah the Deep Greenster.
I leaned into this habit while writing Soap & Soul. Keeping my reader profiles in mind helped me include topics and stories that would appeal to different readers.
Gifts for My Readers
Now that the book is out, I imagine each of those readers finding the parts meant for them. With that in mind, I’ve assembled ideas for themed gift baskets inspired by the book. Each bundle highlights pages relevant to specific interests and includes items that feel perfectly matched to that reader.
These profiles are also pieces of myself—I am The Reader, The Gardener, The Animal Lover, and more. The bundles below are things I would be thrilled to receive. I hope they help you assemble thoughtful gifts for people in your life.
Basket 1: For the Story Lover
This basket suits the person who spends evenings curled up in their favorite chair, traveling far and wide through books. I wrote the chapter openings and narratives in Soap & Soul with readers like them in mind. The stories are what brought the book to life and made it more than a collection of recipes.
Of the stories I tell, the Kitchen chapter about my parents is one of my favorites, and the Afterword about family transitions is the most poignant. I felt privileged that my family allowed me to share our memories—each of us experiences the same events differently.
Ideas for The Reader’s Basket
- Soap & Soul — bookmarked to page 141: The Kitchen
- 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
I’ve always lived with furry friends, so this basket is easy for me to assemble. In The Backyard chapter I write about my black lab Tucker and his antics, and about Sadie, our lively one-ear-up pup who joined us while I was writing. Their stories celebrate the joy and humor pets bring to daily life.
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 favorite)
- Food and water bowls or treat containers
- Sturdy, coordinating harness, leash, and collar
- Matching apparel for human and pet
- Slide-on bow ties or flowers for collars
- Journal for recording funny pet anecdotes
- Animal-lover water bottle
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap for bath time (Peppermint or Eucalyptus are favorites)
- 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 let nature do the heavy lifting when I’m away. Gardening soothes me—digging into soil, pruning, weeding, mulching, and watching growth feels restorative. I open The Backyard chapter with a 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 pruners
- Seeds
- Plant labeling stakes
- Spray bottle with the Garden Spray recipe
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap (Peppermint suggested) to make the spray
- Gardening apron
- Kneeling pad
- Journal for plant notes, diagrams, and schedules
- A sturdy harvesting basket
Basket 4: The Pampering Personal Care Basket
Most mornings are about getting ready, but I treasure the times I can slow down—soaking, exfoliating, moisturizing, breathing deeply. Those moments of self-care calm both body and spirit. This basket is a reminder to take the time for those restorative rituals.
Ideas to put in The Personal Care Basket:
- Soap & Soul — bookmarked to page 45: Recipes and How-Tos for Body Care
- A homemade batch of 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 feet treatments
- A lavender rice bag to encourage relaxation
- Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap (Almond or Organic Sugar Soap in Peppermint or Lemongrass Lime)
- Dr. Bronner’s Arnica-Menthol Balm
- Dr. Bronner’s Hair Crème for deep conditioning
Basket 5: For the New Parent or New Baby
This is really two separate baskets: one for the baby and one for the parent. Both need extra love as they begin their journey together. Reflecting on the arrival of each of my three children, I remember how different each experience felt and how needs evolve over time.
With my first, I bought into all the marketed essentials; later I realized babies are simpler than the advertising suggests.
Ideas to put in The New Parent/New Baby Basket:
For the Baby
- Thin cotton “flour sack” blankets
- Cuddly stuffed animal
- Simple bright toy
- Board book (Guess How Much I Love You? is a 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 feedings
- A cozy blanket
- Gift cards for meal delivery, house care, or yard care
- Personal vouchers for babysitting or a parents’ night out
- Tea or another comforting beverage
- 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 household messes
A recurring theme in the book is Green-It-Yourself (GIY): taking control of what surrounds you and customizing products to your preferences. These basket ideas are perfect for GIY projects. 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