If you’re nothing like my great grandmother, you like giving really high quality, practical gifts to people you know they are going to use.
Here is a helpful list of useful, beautiful gifts for people that could actually improve their life– rather than just become guilt-ridden clutter on a shelf somewhere.
1. Dried Sage
Smudging is such a wonderful way to take responsibility for your energy in the world by routinely clearing what is not needed and setting new intentions.
Scientists have also recently found that burning medicinal herbs such as sage can remove up to 97% of the bacteria in the air in a closed space.
Give this gift with some specialty matches and a nice little bowl or shell for safe burning.
2. Natural Soap
You can get natural soaps, meaning with no added chemicals or harmful preservatives, at pretty much any health food store around. I love the argan-based suds from Earth to Body, and I also swear by Black Soap.
Black soap is made of all natural oils & ingredients to clean your skin without stripping it of it’s nutrients. I use Mamas Life because they’re made locally and have proven to be enjoyably consistent! Plus I like the gold packaging.
Black Soap Ingredients: Roasted plantain skin, cocoa pod, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, palm oil.
3. Twinkle Lights
I believe twinkle lights are a great gift for any occasion, who doesn’t love good lighting.
You’d be surprised how good they can make an average space look and feel, not to mention the people in those spaces. Pair with a plug doubler to maximize practicality! 🙂
4. Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil, otherwise known as cumin seed oil, is an incredible health tool in this day and age. Research shows it is an immune booster, aids with the absorption of nutrients into the body, and so much more. It basically fights cancer. It’s amazing.
Take about a teaspoon ON AN EMPTY STOMACH and hold under your tongue 30+ seconds before swallowing for best results. It will mix in with your saliva and make you feel calm. Before bed or first thing in the morning are best times.
If that grosses you out, black seed oil is also an excellent, antibacterial moisturizer. It is said to have been the oil Jesus used to clean Mary Magdalene’s feet.
Cold-pressed oil straight from Jordan available for purchase at Veggie D’Light. 160 Baldwin, TO.
On that note… there are MANY types of oil that make great gifts.
5. Buckwheat Pillow
Said to be good for your posture, sleep, help relieve muscle tension and are hypo-allergenic. Might even make your partner stop snoring so loudly.
I recommend going with a full size, as I got the therapeutic ones that are longer and skinnier, but wish I had gone with the bigger one to be able to rest my entire face and head. Still love them!
They also make nice weights for when you’re working out of your bed and don’t want the computer rays to get through to your body……
Available online from Harvest Pillows.
6. Thermal Leggings
Coming from Saskatchewan, I think it’s hilarious that Toronto claims the slogan, “We The North.” I have to say though that this city has an incredibly tumultuous and nastily humid climate.
For that reason, I have been wearing thermal leggings as an under-layer since September (it is now winter). The day I did not was the day I got sick. Lesson learned.
Pass this wisdom onto friends with really soft, comfy, warm under-leggings!
Go Canada! Happy gifting!
