The Tradition of Giving Back

One of our favorite traditions this time of year is visiting the Holiday Giving Tree at Pike Place Market. Each year The Giving Tree is decorated with wishes from low-income Market residents and members, clients, and students of the Market's human service agencies. In the past, we have purchased clothing, household goods, toys, books, and many other items for these needy members of our community. It is heartwarming to be able to share our good fortune with our Market neighbors and to make their holiday a little brighter.

We are proud to "go public" with this tradition, setting aside a portion of our proceeds toward gifts. We have decided that this year, we will put 10% of the profit from all orders placed online now through December 17 toward a wish from the Holiday Giving Tree. 

If you will be coming to the Market, we encourage you to visit one of the trees and choose a wish to fulfill. If you have already made your holiday purchase, we urge you to enter the spirit of giving in your own community. Or you can go online to the Virtual Giving Tree and select a wish from home! You might also consider a year-end gift to the Pike Place Market Foundation.

Thank you for your patronage throughout the year ~ may you have a wonderful holiday season and a healthful and happy new year!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving - and a SALE!

Once in a while someone browsing my table of goods at Pike Place Market will ask if soap is an appropriate gift. It's funny, because we don't typically give deodorant or toothpaste as gifts, yet soaps (especially fancy ones) are well-received.  I think soap and other body products (like lip balm and lotion bars, ahem) are good gifts for a few reasons: everyone has a use for them, they are very affordable, and a high-quality body care product is a nice luxury.

Seattle Rainwater Soap Co. products are great gifts for many occasions:

• Birthday
• Get well
• Thank you
• Mothers/Fathers Day
• Boss's Day
• Secretary's Day
• Housewarming
• New baby
• Valentine's Day
• Congratulations
• Hanukkah
• Christmas
• "Just because"

Here's a short list of people who might like to receive a few bars of soap, a Skin Smoothie, Lip Smoothie, or a gift set:

• Mom
• Sister
• Daughter
• Spouse
• Girl / Boy Friend
• Niece
• Mother-in-law
• Sister-in-law
• Aunt
• Grandma
• Cousin
• Neighbor
• Co-workers
• Hostesses
• Party guests
• Roommates (it's always good to be sure they smell nice!)
• Friend who watches your house/dog/cat/plants while you are on vacation
• Teachers
• Coaches
• Men (yes, men use my products too; they especially enjoy Elliott Bay Rum, Cascade Trails, Ginger Zest, Almond Latte, and Chai)
• Yourself!

My prices are already very affordable (have you noticed that everything, including gift sets, is under $20?), but to make it even easier to cross everyone off your winter holiday giving list I am sweetening the pot a little.  Now through December 20, 2010, buy 10 or more single soap sampler sets (one each soap, Skin Smoothie, and Lip Smoothie) regularly priced at $12 and pay just $10 each. These qualify for free shipping (to a single address), as do all purchases over $100. I have added a special line to the Gift Set ordering page for these. You will also find a special line on the Soap page for a discounted price on bulk orders of 10 or more bars of soap.  Both deals are valid at Pike Place Market as well as online.

(Did I forget a recipient or an occasion? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear who you are giving my products to!)