Is it too early to start thinking of holiday gifts? I think not. One of my goals this year has been to avoid things that cause me anxiety or worry as much a possible. And feeling rushed or pressured to get things done on time is one of those. So I’ve already started planning and shopping for items that I know would be a bit hit.
I chose these because I think they would be a big hit with anyone you give them to also! These are not fashion items, but I thought they represented what giving is all about. So, along with these items I’m including some ideas for intangibles that can have a tangible impact on someone’s life and their heart.
Here’s my list and I’d love to know if you have some you’d love to share. I will include some them in an upcoming YouTube video! Drop me a line at: andrea@shoppingfortherealyou.com
Bring in the Light!
I love candles. I love them year-round, but especially during the fall and winter months. I believe that’s because all the winter holidays – Divali, Hanukkah, Christmas – are about bringing light into the darkness of the season for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.
Now, as I avoid toxins as much as possible I hunted around for the best quality candles around. The key is to avoid synthetic fragrances, which typically contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, to choose wicks that are made of cotton, wood, or hemp materials, and wax that is made from soy, coconut or beeswax instead of petroleum-based paraffin wax.
If you just want to chance it, Amazon has a HUGE listing of what are described as non-toxic candles at wildly varying prices. You’d have to do some research to figure out how they are produced, but the variety is certainly there: all types, all fragrances, different containers. As always, read the reviews.
But here is my pick. For bargains on just about everything, Quince wins hands down. And now, in addition to clothing, they have expanded into home accessories. Their team informed me that they use all the “safe” ingredients, including natural essential oils, but add just a touch of IFRA-compliant aroma molecules (no phthalates/parabens). [IFRA is the international organization that monitors and enforces guidelines for safe use of fragrance ingredients in consumer products like perfumes, cosmetics, detergents, and other scented goods. They work to ensure that fragrances are safe for human health and the environment.]
Here are just three from their offerings, English Rose, Balsam Fir, and Dark Pomegranate, each of them $24.00
The less tangible:
Light up someone’s life: Do you know someone who could use a little more light in their life, their outlook, or in their environment? Can you contribute your time to help them tidy up their yard or garden or plant some spring flower bulbs? Or could you help them paint a small room in their house? How about just taking them to see Christmas lights and then out for a special dessert treat?
Light yes, but not when you want to sleep!
My essential nighttime routine involves dabbing some Best Sleep Ever essential oil on my wrists (mixed with a touch of a carrier oil) from Edens Garden, rubbing Pro Sleep Plus on my feet (my guest Melina Takvorian Mishra spoke about this in my book), and then putting on my sleep mask. Wearing that sleep mask is kind of like what I imagine people with anxiety feel when they use a “weighted” blanket. It feels cozy and makes me feel protected. Also, as there are skylights in our bedroom the room never gets completely dark. So the sleep mask is essential, especially when there’s a full moon!
I searched far and wide for a pure silk sleep mask and found that they aren’t as available as they were, even a few years ago. Most that describe their products as “silk” are often made from polyester. So when I saw that Quince was selling their mulberry silk sleep mask for $19 it was a no brainer. Alas, the silk is only on the inner and outer surface; the stuffing is still polyester. But it’s very well made and the silk feels nice on my face and eyes. I throw it in the washing machine regularly and it holds up really well. They come in multiple colors.
Quince Sleep Mask $19
I also discovered a company called Lulu Silk that offers one listed as a blindfold/sleep mask and the filling on this one is also silk! It’s really inexpensive ($13.99). It actually looks more like a blindfold and would likely be too big on my face, but at that price it’s certainly worth a try.
Lulu Silk sleep mask/blindfold $13.99
The intangible:
Worry keeps people awake. Look for one stressor that is making life difficult for someone you love. Yes, these often fall under the category of money or health, and you may not be able to help directly in either area. But consider what you could do to make their challenge a little less stressful. Here’s my suggestion. Sometimes, especially during the holidays, all someone needs is a non-judgmental ear. You may not be able to do anything about their plight. But what you can do is just listen. Just be present. That can be the greatest gift they receive this season.
For the foodies in your life…indulge!
In my misbegotten youth, my college roommate and I used to forage for roses to make rose petal jam. The karma for that was that we probably consumed a lifetime of agricultural toxins (we weren’t picky about where we found the roses). Nonetheless, the jam tasted sublime.
Fast forward. Nothing I made has ever compared to the SVAyurveda Organic Rose Petal Preserves.
I gave this as a gift recently and my recipient is still raving about it. It soothes the soul, uplifts the spirit and makes life better, one little spoonful at a time. The website explains how all that is accomplished in terms of Ayurvedic medicine. These are available in a 1.5 ounce jar for $8.50 or 8 oz for $35.00. You will definitely be somebody’s best friend for dropping this in their stocking or gifting it for any holiday or birthday.
Then there is my version of a foodie “cocaine” trap. A few years back I found this site and wrote about it for a blog post about gifts for different style archetypes. I honestly think this site should come with a warning: may cause addiction. Gold Belly sources the yummiest, most beautiful, most varied, most unique food gifts from all around the world and offers them through their site. We’re talking everything from hand made chocolates to full meal kits, from pies and cakes to barbecued brisket. Since shipping times are always iffy the closer you get to Christmas and/or New Year, I suggest you peruse the site soon to make sure your gifts will arrive on time.
Gold Belly Pies: Range from $55-$105
Cafe Palermo Canolis – 2 dozen kit $89.95
Red Truck Bakery Flourless Chocolate Truffle Gluten Free Cake $39
Olga’s Kitchen Greek Dinner Kit for 4: $105
Union Square Cafe Lasagna 4 pieces $139
They also have nice stocking stuffers like barbecue sauce, seasonings and spices, and special items from famous restaurants plus an enormous selection from well-known chefs like Ina Garten, Geoffrey Zakarian, Gregory Gourdet, Maneet Chauhan, Jose Andres and others.
Ina Garten
Gregory Gourdet
Maneet Chauhan
If you just can’t choose, a gift card is the perfect gift form this site. It will be delivered via snail mail, email, or SMS.
Alternatively:
If you love to bake, as I do, whip up an extra batch of cookies for someone. Teach some youngsters how to bake. And then, together, wrap them up nicely and deliver them to a neighbor, friend, or family member. And the best of all, if you can, donate to a food bank, regularly. It’s needed now more than ever.
Read, reminisce, learn
For my sister’s milestone birthday this year, her daughter collected photos from her grandkids, siblings, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, and compiled them into a memento book via Shutterfly. It was simply spectacular and deeply moving for everyone. There were photos of five generations represented, and they brought back so many wonderful memories for her and for all of us. She said it was exactly the perfect gift. You can create something similar on the Shutterfly website for under $20. And I can almost guarantee you that nothing will be more deeply appreciated.
Now, I can’t remember where I first heard about this book, but James Clear (perfect name, by the way) wrote what I consider the most life transforming book I have read in decades. It’s called Atomic Habits and every page is a revelation. I have never considered creating and changing habits from this perspective before. He leaves no stone unturned about the science of how it works. It is brilliantly written, easily accessible, very relatable, and would be a wonderful gift – not only for someone else, but for yourself for the New Year.
In general books are always a terrific gift. And of course, in case you haven’t added my book to your style arsenal, Shopping for the Real You is a first-step primer on understanding the principles and the “whys” of dressing well for your body, personality, and style. It will be a helpful companion to several courses I have in the pipeline. Stay tuned!
Also, last Christmas I released a compilation book from a series of blog posts I wrote about the many ways we can give something to ourselves – the gift of Self Care. If there was any time of the year when we need it, this is that time. Many of the life lessons in this book were contributed by wonderful guest experts in their fields. Those lessons cover everything from improving self-worth to health, from relationships to skin care, and from financial security to healthy indulgences. Speaking of indulgences, just recently a dear friend gifted me a mani-pedi and although I am slammed for time and have dozens of clients waiting for their style analyses, I scheduled that mani-pedi. (I do try to follow my own advice!)
Intangible:
Read a book to someone, a child, a shut in or someone whose eyesight might be failing.
Relax and just Breathe…
Well, you deserve to take a break around the holidays. This time of year is traditionally hectic. When the year is young we are full of energy and enthusiasm. That’s why we make New Year’s resolutions in January. But by the time Christmas rolls around we are often just running on fumes. So I choose to make those fumes nourishing by doing some deep breathing with essential oils. My very favorite essential oil is called Breathe. It is from doTerra, and you can pretty much count on all their items to be safe and wild sourced.
DoTerra: Breathe Respiratory Blend $29
This one does exactly what its name says – it helps you breathe. But more than that, it helps you relax and breathe deeply. I use it daily, rubbing a drop or two over my chest. The instructions say to cut it with something like a little bit of almond or coconut oil, which they also have available, but those you can find pretty much anywhere.
As for relaxing and breathing, “somatic awareness” are the new “buzz” words, and for good reason. Paying attention to what your body is telling you, and then actually acting on that message, often gets ignored or put off until “later”. So here’s a solution: it’s a terrific gift, and possibly something to buy for yourself as well: bite sized somatic awareness exercises on flash cards that can be accomplished in short time frames, are explained easily and clearly, and illustrated with lovely visuals.
A company called Better Days offers a card deck called Somatic Therapy Exercises: “60 Techniques to Soothe Stress, Reconnect with Your Body, and Find Comfort”. There’s something so satisfying about holding one of these cards in your hands. They’re kind of like having a personal life coach who keeps your body, mind and spirit connected.
Somatic Exercises: $22.29
Less tangible:
This one is for you. Set your timer for 45-60 minute intervals when you’re doing a task. When that buzzer goes off, just stop. Stop, step away from your project, better yet, go outside, and just take a break. Costs nothing…and is priceless.
Connect and create…
Speaking of flash cards, Talking Points has a series of them that will engage silent or reluctant teens to communicate with the adults in the family. It’s a brilliant idea, imho. The family cards include questions such as: “If we had a special family day together, what would you want to do?” or “What do children know more about than adults?” (That’s a loaded question.) There are versions specifically for teens and one for kids that is especially useful on road trips to keep them busy. And there is a “Big Laughs” one. Here is one of the questions in that group: “If you’re trapped in an elevator with a tech guru, and astronaut or a social media influencer who is the ones the most likely help you to get out?”
Talking Points Cards $22.97
Create
For my fashionistas, Beverly Feldman has led a wonderfully larger-than-storied life as a shoe designer. She now lives in Spain and is a colorful example of aging with panache. If you are a shoe lover and want a non-guilty pleasure to take your mind off holiday pressures, check out her vintage shoe coloring book and spend a while creating your own versions of what the colors of the shoes should be.
Beverly Feldman’s Vintage Coloring Book $12.99
Invite a friend or loved one to a plein air watercolor “party” by gifting them one of these delightful beginners watercolor paint books. (Of course, buy yourself one too.) And if weather allows, make it a picnic!
Less tangible:
Just call or write. Call someone you care about. Write them a newsy personal note on a beautiful card. It doesn’t even have to be a holiday-related card. Maybe one you paint or design yourself! Just make it visually beautiful. Maybe add a pressed flower inside. Maybe include a photo of the two of you from a memorable time or event. It can be the thing that just makes someone’s day. So those are just a few of my gift suggestions these days. I’d love to know if you try any of them and how they were received!
Stay tuned for some inexpensive holiday fashion ideas to bling up and brighten up your holiday events.
[A few of these suggestions are from my affiliates (and I am an also an Amazon affiliate) so if you purchase anything I may earn a small commission for featuring their items. It doesn’t add anything to your cost and I never choose anything I wouldn’t use myself.]
Andrea’s books and new video series:
