Natural Living

Holistic Presents: Gifts from the heart

You don’t need to break the bank this Christmas if you let your actions do the talking, says Alison Davies

You don’t need to break the bank this Christmas if you let your actions do the talking, says Alison Davies
Christmas is fun but it can be an expensive business. There’s the food, the decorations, the parties, and of course all the pressies! So this year, why not try something different? If those pennies are pinching, and you’re wishing you had a money tree in the garden, don’t despair. You can still show those you love how much they mean to you by offering gifts in kind. After all, this is the season for caring and sharing. So put your purse away and give gifts of kindness instead…

Time vs money

Money is energy. When it changes hands there’s usually a transfer of goods or services. So we put the money in and we get something back, or vice versa. By the same measure time also deals in energy. If we spend time putting our energies into something, then it becomes more valuable to us. So it makes sense that if we devote time to other people we are giving them a huge gift.

Start by making a list of all those who would benefit from a bit of your time. Who out of your friends and family doesn’t see you enough? Simply making a promise to spend more time with them over the next year is a wonderful gift and one that they will appreciate. It means more than cards and flowers, because it’s a commitment.

Gifts that keep on giving!

Do you have a particular talent or skill that you can offer as a gift? These are always the nicest treats, because it means you get to share something you enjoy with someone else. So, for example, if you’re a whizz at baking, make batches of cakes and mince pies and package them up for friends and family. Perhaps you’re a budding designer, so offer to make them a dress, or a special outfit. If you’re good at dancing, why not offer dancing lessons? There are so many ways you can use your strengths to come up with exciting gift ideas.

If you’re offering a service, have a go at making up some special gift vouchers. So for example you might offer to prune someone’s garden during the spring. You might give them a voucher that entitles them to five one-hour slots in their garden or two half-days. It’s really up to you how muchyou offer, but a voucher is a nice way of presenting it. Even if all you have is your time, and the fact that you will always be there to listen. Then make up some vouchers that state that this person is special to you, and each voucher entitles them to a smile, a shoulder to cry on and some time to talk and share.

Get creative!

If you’d like to have a go at something creative now’s the time. A gift in kind is the perfect opportunity to stretch the imagination and do something different.

Poetry in motion

Have a go at coming up with a personalised poem. This isn’t as hard as you might think. First, make a list of all the things you know about the person. Think about their likes and dislikes, what they are good at, he best things about this person and your memories of them. Put this down on paper and begin to sift through, picking out key traits and things you want to say.

Next think about the message behind the poem. Do you want to tell them how much they mean to you? Perhaps you want to make them laugh, or maybe the poem is just to say thank you for being there. If you could think of one word that sums up what you want to say, what would it be? If you hone in on the message like this it will help you phrase things effectively.

Now pick out any words that seem to go together. This may be because they rhyme, or they look and sound similar. Think about how you can include them in a sentence. Remember, poetry doesn’t have to rhyme, and you can use any structure you want. Look at other poems and borrow from them for inspiration.

It also helps to concentrate on one thing for each verse. So you might start by describing the person and how great they are, and then the second verse might mention a specific memory that you have of them. The final verse would then focus on the message you want to get across. This way, you’re not trying to put too much information in at once.

When you’ve finished, print it on some nice paper, or handwrite it for that personal touch. You can use scented paper to make it extra special. You might want to roll and tie it with a ribbon so that it looks like a scroll, or frameit. Alternatively place it in an envelope with a sprig of holly for decoration. If you’re feeling brave, have a go at learning the poem and reciting it to them!

Picture perfect

If art is more your style, then pick up a paintbrush and have a go at making personalised pictures for your friends. Remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. The fact that you have taken the time out to come up with something unique is far more important and gives this type of present a special kind of charm. Consider things that they like, hobbies, interests, or even places that they visit and use it as inspiration for your artwork.

You can do a similar thing with photographs. Pick out some of your favourite snaps, and put together a collage of special memories. Then all you have to do is get it framed. Alternatively pop the photographs in abook, wrap with a ribbon and present it to them as a record of what they mean to you.

Lotions and potions!

Make a lovely scented bath oil using your favourite essential oils. All you need is a carrier oil – almond or sunflower work well. Take a cup, and add to it three or four scented oils, twodrops of each, or more of one if you prefer. Decant into a pretty bottle and stickin the fridge.

Therapy and tea!

This is another great idea for a gift in kind, and if you do it often enough it will become a healthy habit that will strengthen existing friendships!

Offer to host some relaxing therapy sessions with tea and biscuits. You don’t have to be an expert, it’s all about being there for each other, creating the right atmosphere and being prepared to listen. Often just having an objective viewpoint can help. This is a two-way thing, and it will also help you to open up to them. Take some time out together and start with this simple exercise.

First of all, light some candles and get comfortable. Next, each of you must draw a circle on a piece of paper. Think of this as a pie that represents every area of life. Together you’re going to imagine how much of the pie is taken up by each area. So for example talk about relationships, friends, job, leisure, health, family and be honest about each part of your life. Start by looking at how big each slice is. So if the job slice is much bigger than anything else, this could be a problem. Talk to each other about how you feel. Do you feel that one particular area of your life is taking over, and if so, what kind of steps can you take to make the slices more equal? Perhaps your friend wants to include something else in the pie that isn’t there? For example, they might want to have a section for future aspirations and working towards goals. Talk about how they could do this and what kind of support they will need. Use the pie as a starting point to discuss what is going well, and any problems or worries that you both have.

Similarly writing lists about the good and bad things in your life is a good starting point. Make it simple and stick to three things that are going well, and three things that aren’t going quite so well. Then take it in turns to talk openly about how you feel and how you might be able to change things.

10 top ways to give…

Clean someone’s house for them. You can do this as a one-off, or offer to do it as a regular service, once a month for a year. If you don’t want to do everything, offer to be in charge of one thing, like vacuuming, or dusting and polishing.
Clean their car. Again this can be a one-off special Christmas valet, or you can offer to do it on a regular basis.
Give them a massage. Invest in a bottle of lavender essential oil, and mix in a couple of drops to half a cup of almond or sunflower oil to make a relaxing massage oil.
If you have an elderly relative, offer to be their chauffeur for the day. Tell them they can go anywhere, and you will escort them.
If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, make up a gift box with a selection of what’s in season. Or alternatively make your own jam and pickles. These make lovely original gifts.
Make up a pot pourri of seasonal delights, using things you have around. You might want to include pine cones, sprigs of holly, mistletoe, cloves and cinnamon sticks, then sprinkle with orange essential oil.
Go round to their house and cook a meal. Alternatively, invite them to your Christmas dinner. One more aroundthe table doesn’t make much difference, and it could make their year!
Make up a memory box for them. Take a shoe box and decorate it, and then fill it with special tokens of your relationship. Include things like photos, notes, poems, and mementos of time spent together. The idea is that they will be able to add more things to it over the coming years.
Offer babysitting services to any friends with children. This will go down a treat because it allows them to have precious nights out and time as a couple again.
Make them laugh. This has to be the best gift of all. Do something silly that will bring a smile to their face. Dress up as Santa and deliver jokes to get them into the party spirit! No one said that gifts in kind had to be hard work. In fact the more enjoyable they are for you, the more likely the recipient will appreciate them too!

But if you do want to splash some cash…

Who doesn’t love some pampering treats in their Christmas stocking? Here are a few of our faves

Neal’s Yard Remedies Precious Gift Box, £28, will be an instant hit, containing the best-selling Frankincense Hydrating Cream and Frankincense Toning Body Cream

Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Room Candle, £28, is an intoxicating blend of rose geranium, linden blossom and frankincense to restore harmony and regulate emotions

Aveda Destined for Smoothness, £38, is the perfect gift for the body conscious and contains Smoothing Body Polish, Calming Body Cleanser, Replenishing Body Moisturiser

Liz Earle Cult Cleanse and Polish Anniversary Set, £17.50, comes in a chic silver box and is the perfect choice for beauty aficionados

Elemis Exotic Spa Secrets Gift Set, £49.50, comes beautifully packaged in a red silk box and contains their best selling Nourishing Milk, Exotic Frangipani Monoi Bath and Shower Cream and Exotic Frangipani Monoi Melt

Ila’s Rose Bliss, £47, contains organic bath salts, a nourishing face mask and luxurious face oil

Article by

Alison Davies

Well-being Expert

Article by

Alison Davies

Well-being Expert