Of Baubles & Bubbles

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on November 21, 2014 · 204 Comments

If I had to write a list of say, my top 10 go to’s for holiday gift giving, The Body Shop would definitely make the short list. Each year they release a huge range of amazing gifts, introducing new packaging, new scents, and new products altogether. Perhaps my favourite thing is the range of price points. You can easily stuff the stocking of everyone in your household with a visit to The Body Shop, plus nab Secret Santa picks and fun choices for those hard to buy for loved ones. This year, The Body Shop has also teamed up with War Child for a TOMS-esque arrangement. For every purchase made of select gift sets and products, you’ll actually be funding lessons for children in war torn countries. To learn more, click here. And once you’ve soaked in all those feel good feelings, read on to check out my Top 7 picks for holiday gift giving from The Body Shop.

The Joy Bringing Music Box – $40
Part of my love here is for the packaging. Housed in a charming, holiday-themed tin, this nifty gift set also doubles as a music box that plays ‘Jingle Bells’. Once you get past the novelty factor, it’s also loaded with enough moisturizing Body Butters and Lip Butters to keep your skin saturated throughout the harsh winter months. Dip into soothing Shea, juicy Strawberry or sweet Honeymania after a bath, then pretty yourself up with a spritz of the brand’s signature Moringa Eau de Toilette (a beautiful, light floral scent that everyone will love). And as part of The Body Shop’s efforts with War Child, you’ll be sending a kid to class with a purchase of this lovely set. It’s a perfect gift for your mother-in-law, niece, or best friend!

Glazed Apple Tin of Delights – $40
I think one of the reasons why people get so jazzed about holidays at The Body Shop is the fact it’s the one time of year you can obtain certain perennially popular scents – including returning favourites Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee. This year the latest festive fragrance is Glazed Apple, a rich, juicy seasonal scent that channels old fashioned candy apples and mulled cider. It’s available across a range of the brand’s products (including their intriguing bath sprinkles) but if you really want to give someone a full-on apple experience, then consider getting this fun Tin of Delights. Not only is it part of The Body Shop’s War Child program, it includes four fabulous products that’ll keep you smelling orchard fresh all day long and a handy body pouf.

Black & Gold Glitter Mascara – $15 + Glitter Liquid Eyeliner – $15
The holiday season is the time to have fun with your look from top to toe – and that means infusing a little bit of glitter into your look. Luckily The Body Shop’s makeup line carries two sparkly products that’ll give you that festive holiday glow. First up we’ve got their glitter mascara, which carries a subtle gold shimmer that makes your eyes pop next to your favourite holiday party dress. For a more intense application, go for The Body Shop’s glitter liquid eyeliner, available in wintery silver. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend wearing both of these at the same time as less is typically more with all things sparkly, but that’s not to say you can’t gift both items to your gal pal or your daughter as a fun, festive gift idea.

Nutty Sweethearts + Fruity Sweethearts – $14 each
Whether you’re into creamy dreamy nutty scents or fresh juicy fruity scents, The Body Shop has quite literally got your body covered. These adorable heart-shaped boxes each contain three mini body butters in your favourite scent families. Nutty Sweethearts includes a trio of Shea, Chocomania and Coconut, while Fruity Sweethearts includes Strawberry, Satsuma and Mango. Incredibly priced as a fun pick for your sister, daughter, or friend, these savvy little sweetheart boxes also send a child to school via The Body Shop and War Child.

Modern Gent’s Fragrance Kit White Musk – $45
Why should girls get to have all the fun? While many guys will happy indulge in The Body Shop’s more fruity or nutty scents, it should be noted that the brand carries a range of gift ideas tailored to the men in your life. Case in point? This sleek Modern Gent’s Fragrance Kit, which is part of The Body Shop’s partnership with War Child and will let you send a child to school. This savvy set comes in a handsomely packaged reusable tin and includes three White Musk For Men products – a travel-friendly hair & body wash, a skin-soothing aftershave balm, and a rich eau de toilette that you’ll love catching a whiff of whether you’re burrowing down for a cuddle or greeting with a hug. The price is just right to gift to your brother, father, or husband.

Beauty Bags – $15 each
As I mentioned at the outset of this post, one of the most impressive parts of The Body Shop’s line-up is the price points available. They have tons of cool ideas for under $20 (and many at $10) that work well for stocking stuffers, Secret Santas, thank you’s, or for when you’re simply on a budget. These cute little Beauty Bags contain four fab products each – including a shower pouf, body butter, hand cream, and shower gel (the Olive set is the one exception; it contains a body butter and scrub in lieu of the hand cream). Your friend can treat themselves to a top-to-toe The Body Shop experience, plus re-use the makeup bag for trips abroad. Available in seven different scents, it’s also a perfect choice to have on-hand for those last minute, ‘Of course I got you a gift!’ moments. And yes, you’ll be sending a child to school with every Beauty Bag purchase!

Ultimate Luxuries Sets – $55 each
It doesn’t get much more luxe than this. Each of these limited edition gift sets features one of The Body Shop’s most popular fragrances – including summery Strawberry, tropical Coconut, nutty Shea, and refreshing Moringa. Inside, you’ll find not one, but three moisturizing products – whether you’re in the mood for a skin-soaking oil, an ultra smooth body butter, or a frothy light sorbet. Plus, you’ll also score a matching shower gel, body polish and eau de toilette, making these sets a perfect way to wrap yourself in your favourite scent all day long. Packaged in a beautiful, bow-wrapped box, these lovely gift sets would work nicely as a gift for mom or for your girlfriend. And of course, it’s worth noting that with every Ultimate Luxuries purchase, you’ll be sending another child to school.

As a fun final note for this post, I’m giving away three Ultimate Luxuries sets. If you’re ready to indulge your skin this holiday season, read on to find out how you can enter to win a set for yourself:

1) Visit The Body Shop website and grab the link for your favourite gift idea (or wish list item), then leave me a comment below with that link + why you’d love that item in particular. You’ve got till December 3, 2014 at midnight!

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 4, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow The Body Shop on Twitter and Tweet about this contest, including a link. Be sure to tag me (@cdngiftguide)!