I've got some serious leaf clearing to do around the house. I've traded my flip flops for boots. The mistletoe has popped on the tree in my backyard. There's a crispness in the air. I've purchased Christmas-themed toys for my two pet birds. All of this goodness translates into one thing -- it's holiday time. One of my favorite traditions is this holiday Gift guide post. This year there's some irony, as my family and I made an agreement to forgo presents this year in favor of experiences. That means I won't be buying all that many gifts this year. Buuuut...here are some of my favorites if you're looking for some fun gift ideas:
Alpine Thigh High Boot Socks -- Ever since receiving these from Grace and Lace, I've worn them practically every day. They make my lower body happy and they look adorable. I Love how thick these socks are. They're substantial, warm, look amazing with or without (I wear them around the house, too) boots.
Design by Athena -- If you're looking for some lovely jewelry (some of which is Yoga-related), this Etsy shop is your place. All items are wrapped and gift-giving ready and Athena graciously extended a 15% discount to my readers. Just use code: AAY201515.
FYeah Jewelry -- This is another Etsy shop but there's a naughty little twist. I've worked with this shop personally to create a few custom pieces and the experience was wonderful. And the jewelry is definitely memorable. This is for those who like to tread on the unbeaten path...and who have a dirty mouth.
Plum Paper Planner -- If you still like to write things down in an actual planner, I highly recommend this shop. The planners -- which many seem to have become seriously expensive and complicated -- are inexpensive and customizeable.
Limited Edition L'Occitane Advent Calendar -- When I was young, my mom introduced me to advent calendars. I used to love eagerly marking off each day of December (yep, I was a little gift hungry child who couldn't wait for Christmas to arrive). I dropped the advent calendar habit for years and then I saw this one from L'Occitane. Small-sized (perfect for travel) beauty products for every day of December? The idea definitely won me over. I'm now counting the days until December 1 so I can get one beauty item a day.
Lumiere Radiance Boosting Powder -- I've been using this nutrient-rich powder for a few years now and love it. Sometimes I use it alone and other times I dust it over a light foundation. The price may seem steep, but it lasts a long time.
Tosha Silver -- Letting the Divine Take the Lead -- There's a lot of lip service around letting go and surrendering, yet it can be a tough sell for most folks. Tosha Silver, author of Outrageous Openness and Change Me Prayers, offers some wonderful audios and videos on this very topic along with some practical tips and excellent meditations.
Limited Edition Buddha Doodles Calendar -- Buddha Doodles was featured in last year's Gift Guide, but I wanted to specifically include the calendar in this year's post. It's delightful! Unfortunately, it's sold in limited quantities and it looks like there are only 50 left, so don't delay if you'd like to mark time with Molly's delightful and inspiring illustrations.
Little Lace Box -- Monthly subscription boxes are exactly my thing. I tried one last year and quit after a few months because it just felt...wasteful. I received a LLB subscription as a gift and I have to admit that I love it. The items are unusual and I'm a sucker for an entrepreneurial family endeavor (LLB is run by 3 sisters).
Kundalini Yoga: Short Sets for Inspiration and Ecstasy -- Ana Brett and Ravi Singh are up to their usual DVD magic. This most recent release offers exactly what the title says -- short sets that are easily fit into your daily schedule. The music on this DVD is just wonderful. If you're a Kundalini Yoga fan or an Ana Brett and Ravi Singh fan, you'll want to add this to your library.
7 Daily Kriyas for Happiness -- Naam Yoga merges breath, sound, movement, and mudra and reminds me a bit of Kundalini Yoga. This DVD offers 7 short practices focused on relieving depression and/or anxiety. I tried this DVD because I was curious about Naam Yoga and wanted to try something different. The practices are all seated but the vigorous movements and breathing will definitely get your energy up.
Vegancuts.com -- This is another subscription box service but they offer some amazing themes (like the tea box) and awesome one buy boxes and items. As you can guess by the name, everything is vegan-friendly. If you're looking for a cool and environmentally-friendly gift, definitely check out Vegancuts.com.
Shea Moisture -- I've always had a thing about trying new hair care products. When someone recommended this line, I decided to jump into experimentation mode and try it out. I loved just about every product that I tried. And because the prices are so reasonable, trying things out isn't hard on the wallet. Natural ingredients and great prices -- what's not to love?! I might have to try some of their other collections (Bath, Body, Face, Cosmetics).
Earthing Yoga and Fitness Mat Kit -- If you're a fan of the benefits of grounding, why not bring it to your yoga practice? This kit from David Wolfe's Longevity Warehouse includes a PVC-free and latex-free mat -- suitable for yoga and other exercise -- coupled with grounding technology.
Chakra Dance Meditation -- If you'd rather dance your way to chakra opening, this CD is excellent. I've done plenty of seated chakra meditations, so it was nice to switch things up a bit and try some movement. The CD offers 40 minutes of ecstatic dance along with 20 minutes of guided meditation.
Books:
Soul to Soul: Poems, Prayers, and Stories to End a Yoga Class
The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection
Spiritual Telepathy: Ancient Techniques to Access the Wisdom of Your Soul
Radical Inclusivity: Expanding Our Minds Beyond Dualistic Thinking
The Yogi Entrepreneur: A Guide to Earning a Mindful Living Through Yoga
I didn't buy all that much this year (I did a big purge last Winter and am trying to keep the new stuff down to a minimum), so this is the short list. If you don't want to go the gift route this year, I highly suggest planning an experience that you and your loved ones can partake in together. I've got some fun things planned with my favorite people that will provide us with memories to last all year through. And there will be no issues with things needing to be returned or sitting in a closet somewhere gathering dust. Presents or presence -- no matter what you choose to give this year, give it with a full and open heart.
From my heart to yours -- may your holidays be filled with love, laughter, joy, health, abundance and all things wondrous.
Namaste!
