How to Start a New Holiday Gift Giving Tradition by Linda Sechrist
B
efore you begin leafing through holiday mail order catalogues, searching online or driving to the mall for a frustrating shop-a-thon, consider starting a new, “out of the box,” holiday tradition of giving. Why not give a gift that demonstrates your heartfelt concern for the receiver, as well as for the community in which you live? Purchase your gift locally at an independent retailer and let your friend, loved one or party host know that you not only care deeply about their well-being, but also about keeping your local commu- nity alive and well.
Circulating money within the boundaries of your com- munity creates a feelgood spirit that creates ripple effects beyond the holiday season. To begin a local stress-free holiday shopping experience for friends and family, start by creating a list of services and products that nearly everyone uses on a regular basis: haircut, house cleaning, three meals a day, exercise and fitness, personal care services, lawn or car maintenance, etc. Then, look no further than our Natu- ral Awakenings healthy lifestyle community to purchase timesaving gift certificates that can be mailed to your home. Should you decide to make the purchase in person, a little self-indulgence might be in order to congratulate yourself on your brilliant new approach to holiday gift giving.
Although everyone needs a haircut, a gift certificate for a new style or complete makeover will still be appreci- ated in 2012.
Salon Shangri-la & Spa, Bonita Springs, 239-949-9030.
SalonShangri-la.com. Raw Hair Organic Salon, Naples, 239-206-0939.
RawHairOrganics.com.
LaDonna Roye, Naples, 239-254-9100. Embrace Your Curls, Naples, 239-298-2569. Studio 37, Naples, 239-263-5434.
Studio37XtremeLashesAndHair.com.
For the individual that wants to exercise a green thumb, give a gardening lesson, rent them a garden plot for the upcoming season or give them a container garden. Eco Logic Land Care, Naples, 239-348-1302.
EcoLogicLandCare.com. Garden at Eden Organic Farm, Naples. Facebook page: Garden@EdenForAutism. Heartland Gardens, Fort Myers, 239-689-4249.
HeartlandGardens.org.
Lakes Park Community Garden, Ft Myers. 239-533-7575. Park Place 717, Naples, 239-207-7971.
TdKays@gmail.com. Roots Heritage Garden, Fort Myers, 239-464-9925. Unitarian Universalist Children’s Garden, Fort Myers. 785-317-6586.
Give the gift of massage with lasting health and emo- tional benefits.
See Local Massage Resources, page 21.
Ease someone’s chronic pain with an acupuncture session.
See Local Acupuncture Resources, page 19.
A rejuvenating afternoon at a spa is always a welcome gift that keeps on giving.
See Local Restful Retreats listing, page 32. —Gift Guide continued on pages 30-31.
natural awakenings December 2011
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