3 Simple Holiday Gift Ideas
3 Simple Holiday Gift Ideas (other than Norwex of course)
Food
Who doesn’t love food? I know I do, especially when prepared and gifted by someone I love.
Many people love baking treats and cooking nourishing food to warm our bellies and hearts. Gifting food is easy, just keep these ideas in mind:
• Be mindful of food allergies and sensitivities. There’s nothing like spending time creating something that can’t be eaten by the recipient. Send a quick email or check in with a phone call to the recipient and just ask. These days it’s a common question and one that could make the difference in someone enjoying your gift or needing to pass it on to another who can. If you need gluten free ideas, check out the Little Green Dream blog
• Think outside the box. How much would you love for someone to drop by a pot of soup, a side salad and, popovers (gluten free!) as a holiday gift instead of a gift card for the car wash, coffee or more mindless clutter?
• Think of the recipient. Is he/she a health nut or far from it? Is their family active or not? Keep in mind who they are and how they like to spend their time when gifting food. A basket of homemade power bars and kombucha might not go over well with a family who isn’t interested in wellness.
Experiences
Have you ever been given a gift card for sky diving or a trolley ride? Have you been the lucky recipient of a night out for dinner, a plane ticket or a stay at a B&B? Remember those coupon books we made our parents as children that included a free car wash, back rub and taking out the garbage? Bring it on back. Giving the opportunity to experience something new or to revisit a destination from the past are fun and welcome gift ideas. I like to think of the following when dreaming up fun for others:
• It’s really important to know the recipient well enough to know the difference between them enjoying an afternoon at a bounce house versus an evening on a dinner cruise.
• When purchasing gift cards for experiences, be sure there is no date of expiration on the card, or if there are specific time limitations, highlight them so the recipient is aware. There’s nothing like going to use that gift card to your favorite restaurant only to find it expired a week ago. In fact, an idea would be to write in any specifics the recipient needs to know on the card or tag that went along with the gift.
• Are you giving an experience only one can enjoy or are you able to give “for you AND a friend”, how much more fun would that be?
Handmades
This is the time of year where all kinds of craftiness comes about. It’s when grandmas, mothers and grandchildren gather to knit, sew, cut and paste. New tree ornaments, scarves, cuddlies and more goodies than we can imagine get produced. Giving handmade is not only more eco-friendly, it is such a gift to receive something lovingly created by another. If you are giving away handmades this year, keep these few ideas in mind:
• Keep in mind for whom you are creating the gift and what their interests are. Does it fit their lifestyle; will they be able to use/wear it?
• If you are shying away from creating a gift because you need measurements from your loved ones home or personal sizing, don’t! Imagine their wonder and curiosity after you’ve called and given them a task to measure themselves or something in their home.
• Putting together kits of items someone would need in order to get creative themselves is another idea:
o Construction paper, glue, glitter and funky scissors go a long way with a child
o Recipe box, apron, spatula and a cooking class gift card will win over any chef to be
o Knitting needles, a skein of yarn, and lessons with Auntie Jen are great for the tween needing something to bide her time
There are many great craft and art supply stores both online and near every retail center, however, for specific needs, go online to find a local shop near you or where you might need to order your supplies.
Having a Gluten Free Holiday
Following is a Guest Post by my friend, Nichi Hirsch Kuechle, President, My Healthy Beginning on how to have a wonderful Gluten Free Holiday!!
Got the Post Turkey Day Blah’s? Get outside and start moving. The fresh air will revive you and the exercise will jump start your metabolism…and, stay the heck off so much sugar and gluten if you want to feel great!
Over the holiday I was thinking about how many people struggle with how to make or serve gluten free holiday fare. I know how far we can take our oldest daughter in the world of gluten, and haven’t tested it on Annie (our almost 4 year old). I made egg rolls on Friday night as a special treat. They are made of wheat flour so I knew I was doing the forbidden with her by allowing her to eat them. Then Saturday on Christmas Cookie day at my sister’s and I allowed her to have one cookie with wheat, all the while there were two batches of goodies that were wheat free made with our girls in mind.
By Saturday night snuggling before bedtime, she was already covered in a rash. Clearly allowing wheat wasn’t a good idea. Last night she started itching, and this morning she’s still covered. Way to go, mama, way to go.
Needless to say it inspired my post today as a reminder that it really isn’t difficult (at all) to go gluten free, for the holidays or otherwise. If you want to know what your food sensitivities are, take SuNu Wellness up on their offer below for Nutrition Response Testing and free yourself from wonder!
Blessings,
~Nichi
Feature Article -5 Ways to a Gluten Free Holiday
When I first taught this workshop I knew the topic interested me and I was teaching it for a chiropractic clinic, though wasn’t sure how the topic would fare with that crowd who was showing up because the workshop was a part of their wellness plan versus something they could choose on their own.
I was surprised at the authentic curiosity this group had in understanding how easy it is to create your holidays as a gluten free experience.
These days we all know somebody who either has a mild sensitivity or a full blown allergy because it’s everywhere. Even those undiagnosed are easy to pick out at the family holiday table: dark circles around their eyes, clearing their throat often while eating and for a time after, and often what’s on their plate includes only the foods they are adverse to. Funny how that works.
The questions asked of me that day encouraged me to teach this again as there are a few basics people forget.
1-You don’t have to serve traditional holiday fare. Two years ago I cooked up authentic Mexican cuisine for Christmas and it was a huge hit.
2-We tend to forget that produce and meat are gluten free as they stand alone. It’s the sauce and the dressings that often contain gluten. Depending upon what you’re serving, there are alternative sauces or ways to serve your favorite foods to consider that are just as delicious.
3-Make a nice nutty brown and wild rice pilaf in place of good ole Stove Top Stuffing. It’s fantastic and your house will smell great.
4-There are gluten free pie crusts out there, or fruit crisps and crumbles are easy to make gluten free and really delicious. There are several pie, cake and cookie recipes that are fantastic, you may just need an additional resource or coach (enter shameless plug here!), to point you in the right direction.
5-Just ask. Dial up the person or family member you are having as a guest and ask them straight up how you can support their gluten free lifestyle. They may be willing to bring their favorite dish or share with you a tip or idea on how easy it is to create something everyone can enjoy.
“Nichi Hirsch Kuechle supports moms during pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond as a Parent Coach, Craniosacral Therapist and Birth/Postpartum Doula in Minneapolis. She publishes a weekly e-zine called Natural Family, which offers tips, ideas and resources for growing healthy babies. She also teaches a variety of live and virtual workshops. http://www.MyHealthyBeginning.com.