50 Ways To Make A Bath Special

by | Jan 8, 2026 | Celebration, Creativity, How To, Lists | 1 comment

Taking a bath is a wonderful, joyous luxury. If you get the chance to do it, I highly recommend it. I also recommend squeezing every ounce of joy out of it that you can! Did you know there is even a Bathtub Party Day on December 5th? I love unusual holidays! To celebrate life and this holiday, I have a list of 50 ways to make a bath special, including a free playlist and download of an extra 25 ways to make a bath special!

50 Ways To Make A Bath Special | Uncustomary

1. Go old school with super soapy bubble bath and lather up
2. Get some colors and scents going with an amazing bath bomb from Lush, or my personal favorite, Witch Baby
3. Bring in a great book to get lost in while your fingers get all pringly
4. Get some floating LED lights to make your water like an indoor water rave
5. Make it a happy hour with your favorite cocktail (don’t forget the fruit wedge and mini umbrella!)
6. Fashion a shelf to lay across the tub so you can safely lay your drink, reading materials, etc.
7. Light some candles and set them at the edges of the tub for some mood lighting
8. Make your own bath bomb with a DIY from Pinterest, or do a DIY exchange with a friend and put a little prize inside for each other to find
9. Cut or buy yourself fresh flowers to set around the rim of the tub and enjoy the beautiful scents
10. Add some Epsom salts to the water to help ease sore muscles and tension
11. Invest in a head pillow that suction cups to the edge of the tub to rest your lovely head on and really sink into the relaxation
12. Theme your bath and go all out (ideas: luau, disco, mermaid)
13.  Drop in some essential oils in your favorite scent (when diluted in large amounts of water, it’s not bad for the skin — try about 8 drops)
14. Put on a sheet face mask before you get in (that way it will be easy to pull off if you want to stay in the bath longer than it needs to stay on for)
15. Mix fire and water by getting yourself some floating candles
16. Don’t forget to give your tub a good scrubbing before you get in there so you feel nice and clean afterwards and don’t see anything weird floating around that will distract you from relaxing
17. Jam out to good music (I made you a relaxing bath playlist below)




18. Have your bath on every new and full moon and create a ritual out of it
19. Play with bath foam on the walls of the shower, your body, etc.
20. Put herbs into a spice/tea bag so they can soak into your bath water, but not clog up the drain
21. Keep water nearby so you don’t dehydrate/get dizzy (and definitely chug it when you’re done and squeaky clean)
22. Throw in some real flower petals
23. Splash around like a mermaid (we all know you’re moonlighting as one anyway)
24. Have a special kind of bath like a milk or oatmeal bath
25. Add a sailboat (or a dozen) to the mix
26. Get yourself a waterproof speaker
27. Bring along some snacks (who knows how long we’ll be in there, and I haven’t had dinner since yesterday)
28. Invest in fluffy towels that will easily transition your end of bath experience back to reality
29. If your bath bomb smells great but leaves something to be desired color-wise, throw in a Crayola bath dropz for a shock of rainbow
30. Place crystals along the edge of the tub for extra energy
31. Get some water markers to write yourself inspiring notes or draw inappropriate pictures on the wall that will wash right off
32. Shampoo your hair into a mohawk
33. Get a waterproof sex toy and go to town

34. Freeze ice with some colored dye and add it to your water for some sensory fun
35. Bring in one of those towels that are shrunk down into a hard square or any of those toys that you “just add water” to
36. Figure out how many things in your house float, and bring them all with you into the tub
37. Have a photoshoot of you covered in bubbles
38. Bring in a friend (bathing suits allowed, but not required)
39. Buy yourself the comfiest bath robe to slip into once you’re dry (bonus points if it has a hood that turns you into an animal)
40. Turn off the lights and crack some glow sticks *boots and cats and boots and cats*
41. Insist on wearing those arm flotation devices little kids wear at the pool
42. Wear your mermaid fin in (you can wash your legs later if you have them)
43. Get an outdoor bathtub and bathe outdoors or on a roof
44. Turn out the lights, and float around while listening to your favorite guided meditation
45. Brush your hair with a dinglehopper, Ariel style
46. Smudge/Sage your bathroom to cleanse the energy beforehand
47. Scatter seashells around you for a total beach vibe
48. Make use of this time to catch up on the best podcasts you’ve been putting on your queue
49. Blow bubbles on top of bubble bath while chewing bubble gum
50. Don’t forget the rubber ducks (yeah, multiple — be inspired)

How do you make a bath special?

Photos: Maura Housley




In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle