Few things are more cherished than handmade tokens exchanged between friends. Before the holiday bustle begins, why not spend an afternoon creating one-of-a-kind treasures with which to stock the gift drawer?
Paired with an attractive soap dish, découpaged soaps make a gift that’s both practical and pretty. To craft your own, select a flat bar of soap and smooth away any raised lettering. Cut a design from paper napkins and separate the layers, leaving only the printed top layer. Brush a thin coat of découpage medium onto the soap’s surface and position the image, pressing gently from the center outward. Once dry, apply additional veneer, allowing each layer to dry completely. Before packaging, let soaps cure for several days.
Vintage-inspired wax seals, below left and opposite, add an artful touch to packages. Fashion them from sealing wax and a luxurious wax stamp. Once cool, acrylic paints can be used to accentuate the embossed designs.
Even a modest pair of tapers takes on an elegant air when embellished with hand-painted designs. Fashion several for giving and a few for use in your own home. To begin, use a finely tipped brush dipped in acrylic paint to render simple motifs such as laurel wreaths or flowers onto the candle’s surface. Allow each paint color to dry completely before adding details or additional layers. Gather dried candles into pairs and tie them up with velvet ribbon.
Text Audra shalles
Photography Stephanie Welbourne Steele
Styling Melissa Sturdivant Smith
Find more handmade Christmas inspiration in our November/December 2026 issue at victoriamag.com.
