Historically soap is a rather new cleansing product in the history of dirty man. The Arabs in the Arabian Desert and later the Turks were the first societies to recognize the value of Soap and its manufacture. The Celts are credited with introducing soap to England around 1000 A.D. Even the elegant baths of Egypt and Rome didn't use soaps as we know them today. They used essential oils in their bathing ritual and fine sand as exfoliating. Cleopatra  would have been a royal bath heaven to have been given some of the incredible soaps on the market today.

A Sampling of Fun Soaps to give.

All Natural Soaps 
Every possible ingredient is used in soaps today: tea, coffee grounds, black beans, oatmeal, vegetables, honey, salts, clay, beeswax, every herb imaginable... the list just goes on. Soap Connoisseurs are always looking for that special farmer's family secret for the best gardeners soap, the recipe for a unique home made kitchen soap, or the perfect moisturizer for eternally youthful skin. A personal soap Quest. Tip - seek out vegetable base and natural ingredients soaps. They offer more flexibility to a wider variety of skin types. For a special touch, look for exotic packaging and international blends. These are usually elegant to present as gifts and are ideal as hostess and thank you gifts.
$5 to $40 for gift sets.

deadseacare.com
soapboxusa.com
beautycafe.com

Classic Fragrance Soaps
Not as playful as many of the soaps on the market but these very high quality soaps are excellent gifts for formal occasion and gifts between acquaintances when you want to be a little more personal and pampering. It always nice to find out someone's favorite fragrance and give them the corresponding soap. It also is less expensive than the perfume or cologne. A Bar from the best perfume houses can cost in the $7 to $30 range.
beauty.com
 

Slice and Dice Soaps
Primal Elements was one of the first to offer the loaf of soap. Allowing you to cut you favorite size of bar of soap. Great silhouettes of designs and pungent fruity, musk and tickling fragrances. $5 to $9.

soapdeli.com
shoptilludrop.com
giftmania.com

Empowerment or Lack of Power soaps
A surprising playful trend is happening in the packaging of top quality french milled soaps. These boxes tell a story or helps solve some action. The  most memorable are the whimsically ones created by Blue Q. Themes such as good and bad Voodoo, Wash Away Your Sins, Tough Guys and Dirty Girls. The soaps are heavenly. $8.50 a bar.
gifts24.com

Unique Soaps with inside toys and treats
Soaps just aren't soaps any more, Bathology, one of the most creative in the Art Soap industry, have taken soaps to a new level. They making affordable soap sculptures that create illusions and many include keepsake toys for after the soaps all gone. One of there new soap style spell words like boy, girl, smile --- very cool. $9.00
babybundle.com

Soaps with Loofa inside is also a great treat to be found at gloss.com

Pet Soaps
Burts Bees makes a fun and natural line of all kinds of grooming and pet soaps and treats for our furry pals.

Soap Opera Soaps
Unfortunately with all these soaps we couldn't find any Soap Opera Soaps. But we think someone should make them.

Have fun giving good old clean, slippery gifts!