Spa Gift Basket Ideas: What to Put in a Self-Care Gift

A good spa gift basket has one main item, two or three things that go with it, and a single scent running through everything. Think a candle or body butter as the centerpiece, plus a scrub, a shower steamer or bath bomb, and something small like a lip balm or eye mask. Match it to whether the person showers or bathes, and keep scents simple if you're not sure what they like. Below: what to include, how to choose, and ready-made boxes if you'd rather not assemble one yourself.

What should you put in a spa gift basket?

Build it in layers:

1. One hero item. Something they'll use for weeks: a scented candle, a big jar of body butter, or a body oil.
2. Something for the shower or bath. Shower steamers for showerers, bath bombs or bath salts for people who soak.
3. Something for skin. A body scrub, a lotion, or a scrub-and-oil pair.
4. One or two small comforts. A lip scrub or balm, an eye mask, cozy socks, a face towel.
5. A nice box or basket, with tissue to stop things rattling.

Four or five things is plenty. A basket stuffed with ten small samples looks generous but rarely gets used.

How do you choose the right spa gift?

Three questions narrow it down quickly.

• Shower or bath person? Most adults shower, so shower steamers and body products are the safer bet. If they love a long soak, add bath bombs or bath salts. Our shower steamer guide explains the difference.
• Which scent? Lavender is the classic calming pick. Citrus (grapefruit, orange) feels fresh and bright. Eucalyptus and mint feel clean. Woody blends suit people who dislike florals. Choose one family and stick with it so the gift feels put together.
• Sensitive skin or scent-averse? Choose unscented or fragrance-free skin care, like our unscented whipped body butter, and let a candle carry the scent instead.

Spa gift basket ideas by theme

Ready-made spa gift boxes

If you'd rather give something finished and boxed, these are put together around one theme:

• Lavender gift box with bath bomb and shower steamer: soap, body oil, bath bomb, shower steamer, clay mask, lip balm, face towel, loofah and a soy candle. It works whether they bathe or shower.
• Citrus spa care package: nine grapefruit pieces, including body oil, a big jar of scrub, a shower steamer and two bath bombs.
• Cozy night gift box with blanket and sugar scrubs: a big blanket, a soy candle, shower mist, sugar scrubs and a bath fizz; it also comes with fluffy socks or a mug instead of the scrubs.
• Spa gift basket with wine glass, candle and grapefruit scrub: an "Enjoy every moment" wine glass, a candle, grapefruit scrub and an eye mask.
• Candle spa box with shower steamers and eye mask: a smaller "thinking of you" gift.

Small add-ons and stocking stuffers

To round out a basket, or as a small gift on its own:

• Raspberry lip scrub for winter-dry lips.
• A solid lotion bar in a tin that won't leak in a bag.
• A travel-size whipped shea body butter in the scent of your choice.
• A scrub and body oil pair that works as a mini spa routine. Our guide to body butter, lotion and oil explains how to use them together.

Tips for packing a DIY basket

• Keep fizzy things dry. Wrap bath bombs and shower steamers or leave them in their box; humidity starts them fizzing.
• Put heavy items at the bottom and the candle upright, with tissue around glass.
• Leave out anything that melts if it'll sit somewhere warm.
• Add a short note saying what each item is and how to use it, especially steamers, which many people haven't tried.

For more ideas across the whole store, see our gift guide, or browse every boxed set in Beauty Gift Sets.