Happy holidays! I know, I know… It’s early. It’s only mid-October. But many of you (myself included) are already starting to think about the season of giving. You’re wondering what to buy, you’re looking at the calendar and budgeting in lead-time for orders and shipping, etc… So let’s get right to it. I have all of the women in your family covered with this healthy-living gift guide! Read carefully — I include a couple of amazing promo codes to help you save $$.
2015 Gift Guide for Women
For your green thumb (or not-so-green-thumb) grandma:
One of the unfortunate realities of aging: the sense of taste can dull over time. But there’s good news! You can help your grandma amp up the flavor of her food WITHOUT adding extra salt. Hands down, one of the best things I’ve added to my healthy lifestyle is an herb garden. I grow herbs indoors and outside, and I love plucking off fresh oregano, basil, dill, and mint for salads, soups, etc. Thyme, parsley, and rosemary are also in my garden. Bring the garden inside with an indoor herb garden kit for grandma. She can keep it on her kitchen counter and have the pleasure of watching something grow, as well as the pleasure of eating the fruits of her labor! (And believe me, it’s not much labor!) Just search the “patio, lawn, and garden” department on amazon.com using the keywords “indoor herb garden,” and see all that comes up… Or create your own kit by purchasing small pots, soil, and seeds and making one for her.
image (c) amazon.com / Makerskit Mason Herb Garden Gift Set
For your sentimental mom:
Suzanne Allison — a fellow small biz owner I had the pleasure of (virtually) “meeting” online — established Chasing Beads in 2009. Suzanne’s jewelry is handcrafted, and all of her pieces are timeless with a modern twist (I love the hammered metal look — so pretty!). Suzanne says, “my main aim is create personalized jewelry that tells a story; your story. I want to create jewelry that helps you to celebrate and remember those important dates and milestones in your life.” I love this concept, and I love that Chasing Beads will hand-engrave anything you desire. You can use your own words, or use examples you see on the Chasing Beads website such as their “you’ll never walk alone” personalized cuff bracelet… One of their most popular pieces.
Chasing Beads is based in the UK (Surrey, England), but they ship internationally. And the best part? I have a promo code! Use FFF20 at checkout for 20% off – valid until November 8th. Act quickly. Between shipping and the lead time (since these items are handmade) you’ll want to order SOON!!!
For your heart-of-gold aunt who loves being in the kitchen:
Any do-gooder — and any cook — will love the Women’s Bean Project! The Women’s Bean Project is a Denver, Colorado based non-profit organization that I came across this past summer, when I was vacationing in CO. The Women’s Bean Project employs chronically unemployed and impoverished women through transitional employment making the best gifts of all… FOOD. Specifically, pre-packaged mixes that are quick and easy to whip up. The baking mixes are indulgent (great for a treat), but the soup and chili mixes are pretty darn healthy and “clean-eating” friendly.
You can click here to check out the products that the Women’s Bean Project offers, and note that they have several gluten free items. I love the looks of their gluten free gift bundle (right)!
For your free-spirited aunt:
She wears flowing tunics and chunky jewelry, she totes around crystals and feathers, and she’s always forwarding you invitations to join online meditation events and full moon women’s retreats… Sounds like my kinda gal!!!
Gift your free-spirited aunt (or any open-minded woman in your life) this awesome coloring book for grown-ups. I received the one below for my birthday, and I LOVE IT. Package it with a nice set of colored pencils or fine-tipped markers, and maybe even a giftcard for her favorite local coffeehouse, and you will be her favorite niece.
For your best friend (essentially, part of the family) with whom you talk about EVERYTHING (and I mean, everything):
I’m obsessed with Thinx period panties. I haven’t tried them, but I think they’re a GREAT idea… After all, how many of you — like me — are in your thirties and still “bad” at having your period? Seriously! I’m always forgetting to wear a panty liner (and subsequently experiencing leakage), or find myself out and about when my period starts WITHOUT protection on board. Thinx describes their products as “period proof underwear that protects you from leaks.” And the coolest part? Every purchase helps girl and women in Uganda (click here to learn more).
Thinx has exploded in popularity, and if you want to order some, you’re going to need to act fast… According to their website, they sell out quickly. I would love a pair, but it’s something I wouldn’t splurge on for myself. However, if a friend bought me a pair (or two), I’d be STOKED. If you’re looking for a personal (and unique!) gift for a close friend, you can’t get much more personal than this.
For your time-strapped, super-stressed sister who WANTS to dip her toe into the world of “personal development” but doesn’t know where to start:
I may not have period panties (above), but I do have the Five Minute Journal, and I think it’s fab. It encapsulates multiple concepts from the world of personal development — from journaling, to gratitude, to affirmations and intention-setting — into a single easy-to-use package.
First off, it’s pretty. The journal is linen-covered, and it includes an attached ribbon bookmark so you don’t lose your place. You write for 3 minutes in the morning, and 2 minutes before bed. Everything is prompted, so you don’t have to face a (sometimes daunting) blank page that can feel scary when journaling. I’ve found the intention setting (“three things that will make today amazing”) to be the most powerful aspect for me, personally.
You can learn more about the Five Minute Journal here. And PS: if your sister loves it but decides she’d prefer to use it in a digital form, they even have a Five Minute Journal app!
For your sister-in-law, who just had twins and really wants to start upping her healthy living game but is TOTALLY overwhelmed and ain’t got time for that:
Homemade laundry detergent. We all want to do it, but who has time to make it? Use the holidays as an excuse! Make a big batch, enough for several friends and relatives (and yourself). Scent it with seasonal essential oils (maybe orange and clove for Christmas?), and package it in cute Mason jars with instructions for use. Here’s a recipe for homemade HE laundry detergent from Wellness Mama (click); I’ve tried it myself, and found that it works really well.
Laundry detergent alone isn’t much fun, so for your much-loved sister-in-law, consider building a “now you don’t have to do it yourself, because I did it for you” gift basket! Include all-natural beeswax candles (much healthier than paraffin candles), a batch of homemade elderberry syrup (a natural remedy for boosting immunity during cold and flu season; click here for an easy recipe), and a selection of all-natural body care products from Primal Pit Paste. When you use my affiliate link to shop Primal, you’ll get 15% off your first order! Nontoxic goodness.
give her a gift basket brimming with non-toxic goodies!
For your 18-year-old “baby cousin:”
They all listen to their iPods (or iPhones) anyway, so you might as well encourage her to fill her head with life-affirming, soul-lifting mantras rather than Ke$ha. Erin Stutland will seem like a cool older sister to an open-minded teen who is interested in fitness. Purchase a pair of nice earbuds (so she has something to open), and then gift her the Soul Stroll (I have volume 2 and I really enjoy it). Soul Stroll is an online program and everything is downloadable. Just purchase your Soul Stroll of choice (volume 1, 2, or the combo pack) and then forward the downloads along to the gift recipient. Bonus: you’ll be the cool “tech” gift giver.
For your 12-year-old niece — the “tween” — who rolls her eyes at everything:
Poofy Organics nail polish bottles are adorned with a cute little ladybug that any tween will love! I have a few colors of Poofy polish, and I’ve found that they stay on REALLY well (almost scary well!) when you use the 2-in-1 base/top coat under and over the color. The polish has a strong odor during application, but it doesn’t contain the four most toxic ingredients that most nail polishes contain (no toulene, DBP, camphor or formaldehyde).
If she’s more of a natural girl and not really “into” nail polish, then try the Orange Creamsicle Pucker Paste (lip balm) from Primal Pit Paste. It is AWESOME. I actually look forward to using my lip balm every morning… In fact, I kinda crave it. I’m a proud affiliate for Primal Pit Paste, because I can honestly say that I love all of their products (particularly the Orange Creamsicle Pucker Paste). When you use this link to shop, you’ll get 15% off your first order!
For the littlest women (the babies):
Cover your baby niece’s skin (or your daughter’s, or your granddaughter’s skin) in handmade, organic goodness with one of JuneBee Baby’s Fair Trade sweaters. I mean come on, just look at this adorable-ness:
I met the owner of JuneBee Baby in an online group for female business owners, and I was impressed by 1) her cute products, and 2) that she specializes in fair trade handmade infant and toddler clothing made from natural cotton and bamboo fibers. June was kind enough to share a special holiday promo with you: Enjoy 50% off on your first order with code ENJOY50 at www.junebeebaby.com.
And one more thing! A portion of JuneBee Baby’s sales is donated to Generation Rescue to support families with autism. Click here to shop the girls’ section and don’t forget the 50% off promo code!
For any (and all) of the above:
My book, Lady Bits: Understand Your Body, Elevate Your Health, and Reclaim Your Spark Naturally is ideal for all women — young and old!
Learn how to care for (and love) your lovely lady parts… Not just your “lady bits,” but ALL ASPECTS of your body and your health; mind, body, and spirit. Lady Bits is written in a manner that’s easy to understand and enjoy regardless of your background or education level when it comes to health and wellness.
Happy shopping! Of course, there’s so much more to the holidays than giving and receiving. I hope you’ll also take some moments of stillness to sit, reflect, savor, and ENJOY the holiday season… Without a gift, an online store, or a shopping mall in sight.
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