Clutter Free Gift Ideas For The Holidays
by Tanja Barnes, LMT

Though I'm all for the holiday spirit and I enjoy giving and receiving gifts, many well-intended presents are simply just not for me. Sometimes it's just the wrong size or perhaps the wrong color. Other times, it's simply just, well, completely wrong! And though it's bad feng shui to let these gifts morph into clutter, it can make you feel pretty cheesy to throw out that awful sweater you'll never wear or give away that kitschy tchotchka collecting dust on your bookcase. Forget about the fruitcake, OK?

According to Eliza Thomas of Whole Life Times: "If everyone in the world suddenly adopted the consumption habits of the average American mall mob in December, it would take us less than 12 days of Christmas to gift-wrap our way to total environmental disaster."

In response to gifting and the overuse of packaging and gift wrapping, my friend Trilo made this excellent suggestion: "[It's] worth noting that when you are giving the gift of material possessions, consider alternatives to wrapping paper. My ex-girlfriend's family had a tradition of gift bags - different colored (or patterned) cloth bags with drawstring ties on them that were traded around within the family. Aside from looking beautiful, they significantly reduced the amount of holiday trash. After the holidays they folded up neatly and tucked away with the rest of the decorations."

Below are four fabulous gifting ideas to offset the message of "buy! buy! buy!" so ingrained in our consumer culture, and to help focus instead on the holiday spirit of generosity and taking care of the body, mind and soul of you, your family, your friends, even heaven and earth!

#1 - THE GIVING TREE

The Los Angeles based environmental non-profit TreePeople offers the gift that keeps on giving...trees. For a $25.00 donation, TreePeople will plant a tree in honor of your intended recipient, sending them a beautiful and personalized holiday card announcing your eco-conscious benevolence. For $75.00, you could even give a five tree grove. TreePeople's mission is to inspire the people of Los Angeles to take personal responsibility for the urban forest, training and supporting them as they plant and care for trees and improve the neighborhoods in which they live, learn, work and play. TreePeople's tree dedication program is tax deductible too, which makes a great win/win gift. To dedicate a tree, call (818) 753-TREE or visit www.treepeople.org
 

#2 - REACH FOR THE STARS

For just $89 you get a Star Kit from the Global Star Registry complete with a signed and sealed Official Certificate confirming the dedicated name and astronomical coordinates of your very own star. You also get a sky map that helps you locate your star in the sky and provides you with a unique perspective to its surroundings - plus a sumptuously illustrated, easy-to-read book about the stars by the celebrated British astronomer Dr Patrick Moore. Decide today to write your own or someone else's name in the sky forever. It's simply the greatest gift in the universe. For more information, visit The Global Star Registry at www.globalstarregistry.org
 

#3 - COMFORT & JOY

I would be remiss if I didn't tout my own, special massage therapy services here. Get in touch this holiday season and escape the hustle and bustle. Whether it's giving massage gift certificates to friends and family, or pampering yourself with a treatment, massage is the ultimate gift of good cheer. Giving (or receiving) the gift of massage has many positive benefits. Not only that, if you purchase a gift certificate from me before New Year's, 10% will go to my favorite charity: Adopt A Minefield, a global campaign with the United Nations to clear landmines and assist survivors of landmine accidents. I have 15 years of experience and I'm trained in a variety of techniques.

#4 - GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME

This is probably the ultimate gift to give your friends and family because to me the holidays are about "presence" more than presents. In today's busy world things like e-mail, cell phones, fax machines and various other modes of communication were designed to make our lives more efficient and more connected to one another. However, in my experience, they've often served instead to frustrate, annoy and estrange me from the people I love. I mean, how aggravating is the "are you there?" syndrome we've all experienced from a bad cell connection? Rather, spending time with a loved one, face to face can really warm everybody's heart and soul. Go out for brunch, take a hike, or build a bonfire with your kith and kin. Invite their friends and loved ones too. In doing so, you cherish your loved ones and create unforgettable memories as well as build your community and foster important heart-felt connections through the simple gift of "togetherness".

As we collectively move towards celebrating the holidays, it is my wish that the days ahead may truly be merrier and brighter for you and those you love. And indeed, may peace prevail on earth.

Happy Holy Daze & Season's Kneadings from Tanja Barnes, LMT.